Cheap Family Summer Fun

I was talking to a lady in a restaurant last night about family vacation expenses. Her two teenage sons stood nearby appearing bored and ready to leave. She said her family was staying home this summer because the economy was pinching them too hard.

"What can you do?" She said.
"Where do you live?" I asked.
"Phoenix."
"Horse poo," I retorted. "Take'em to Flagstaff in late July. The Arizona Cardinals begin their NFL training camp around the last week of the month and its free to attend" (I didn't know the exact date; turns out it's July 23). "It'll be cooler and revitalizing to you and your sons."

Flagstaff, elevation 7200 ft., is usually 20-30 degrees cooler than the desert of Phoenix. Flagstaff is 30 miles from the wonders of Sedona and sixty miles from the grandest hole in the world, the Grand Canyon.

"Don't let money get you down, just get more creative. Plan a long weekend, make picnics, go hiking, or camp out. A tank of gas can get you hundreds of miles away from the norm."
"Not a bad idea, " she mumbled. I don't think she was interested, but her sons looked as if they had polished off a six-pack of Red Bull. They left me wondering what would happen. I wished I would have pushed harder, but the timing seemed awkward.

If you need to get out and take a break, but fear you can't afford it, drop me an e-mail for alternate ideas. I'll bet, I can help. Here is a link to the NFL Training Camp locations and start dates. http://fftoolbox.com/football/2009/nfl-training-camps.cfm.

Have an adventurous summer!
Al, The Travel Valet
theTravelValet@gmail.com

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