Traveling and the Library

It's summertime.  Time to take that trip you've been waiting through all those long, snowy winter months to take.  So, what do you do before you go?  You stop at the library to pick up a relaxing book to read on the beach, a DVD to watch in your hotel room, or an audiobook to listen to as you drive to your dreamy destination.  Those activities have become as summer-like as going swimming or eating watermelon.

Did you know the library can also help out in planning your trip?  I'm one of those local weekend travelers who loves discovering and researching various travel spots.  Some good places to get ideas on where to go on your next trip are travel books and the Internet. 

There are oodles of travel books on various states and countries, and some are even activity-specific (i.e. hikes in Washington, scenic drives in Oregon, mountain biking in Idaho, fly fishing in Montana, etc.).  If you're not sure where you want to go or what you feel like doing, travel books can help. 

Sometimes websites, like Mapquest or Google Maps, can help give you a better idea of towns off the beaten path that you may not know about.  I like plugging in the town where I live, zooming in on the map, and then moving it about to see which places would be good for a day trip (this is how I found out about Steptoe Butte, a great viewpoint in the Palouse area of eastern Washington just 1 hr south of Spokane).  After I've picked a few places, I do some online research to learn more and decide if I want to visit them.  Google Images is great to get a bunch of pictures of a place to give you a better idea if you like the scenery and want to spend some time there.  Photos have either encouraged or discouraged me from traveling to some places.

Of course, if you're one of those people who already knows where to go, the library's books and Internet resources can help you get the scoop on accommodations, restaurants, and insiders' tidbits that you may not have known.  Many states and towns even have their own websites with pages advertising and showcasing the best things they have to offer visitors.  Some websites even allow you to order free planning guides or sign up for informative e-mails.

So, beside getting that special read or that popular CD to bop along with on your way to Vacationland, use the library to find out things that can make your trip even more extraordinary.

Travel daydreaming from the perch...