SUMMER TRAVEL BUCKET LIST
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“I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition.”
~Martha Washington
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Summer travel is so amazing! What is your summer bucket list? All winter we look forward to summer and all the things we LOVE to do in the summer. Where we want to travel and what we want to do when we get there! Where are your favorite places to travel in the summer? What are your favorite things to do when the sun is shining and the warm temperatures are calling? Here are 7 WAYS TO DAYDREAM TRAVEL ADVENTURE.
I live surrounded by freshwater lakes, so our summer involves trips to cool off in the water usually. We enjoy camping, water sports, bon fires, picnics and everything that goes along with those things. What are your favorites? How do you enjoy summer? Here are 5 WAYS TO ENJOY SUMMER!
TRAVEL TO THE BEACH OFTEN
“Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink in the wild air.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
On hot, humid, summer days sometimes the only way to beat the heat is to cool off in the water! Lake Michigan is our spot. The temperature is usually 5-10 degrees cooler on the lakeshore than inland. We travel to the lake to take a dip and lay in the sun until we are too hot again, and then repeat!
Throwing a football or frisbee may occur and hanging out for a bonfire on the beach to roast some dinner until sunset can be just as enjoyable! Bring a kite…it’s all good!
Do you have a favorite beach to travel to in the hot summer?
TRAVEL OUTDOORS TO A BONFIRE
“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”
~Dr. Seuss
Evenings in Michigan can cool down, hammocking out for an evening and cooking over a bonfire in the woods by a stream with the call of wildlife can be just as enjoyable! We enjoy making packet dinners in foil and roasting our favorite meat and veggies for dinner.
Inviting pals to join in the fun is even better! Michigan weather is so temperamental. It can be 80 degrees during the heat of the day and cool down to 60 degrees at night in July. There is a phrase in Michigan that is common, “Wait ten minutes and the weather will dramatically change!” It is so true!
When is the last time you had a campfire with friends and made dinner roasting over the fire on a cool summer evening…try it! Somehow food tastes better when prepared and eaten outside! It is a great change of routine and fun!!
TRAVEL OUTDOORS TO PICNIC FOR DINNER
“Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.”
~Anonymous
Set up dinner outside! When the summer evening is warm and beautiful, don’t eat inside. Travel with that dinner out to a patio or take the dining room table outside! Soak up the rays and enjoy a fabulous meal in the pleasure and enjoyment of your beautiful backyard in the fresh air!
Invite your favorite people to join you and fully embrace what summer has to offer! Do you have a “favorite spot” to take your dinner outside where you can travel for a change of scenery to enjoy dinner?
TRAVEL BY MOTORCYCLE AROUND A LAKE
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”
~Eleanor Roosevelt
Travel to new locations in a new way! Don’t be afraid to try new challenges!
My husband and I have been riding motorcycles (I’m just the passenger) since we were married. It’s fun to travel to a destination with other couples for dinner or around a lake for a scenic tour.
Torch Lake in Northern Michigan is one of our favorite lakes to ride around. The homes are picturesque and the restaurants delightful to stop in for lunch or dinner. It may take a whole afternoon into the evening to accomplish the whole ride, but it is a truly enjoyable experience, especially when we are able to get several couples to go along!
Where have you experienced a new adventure or scenic drive that you’ve really enjoyed? Were you on motorcycles, convertibles, or ATV’s? What was your summer destination travel experience?
CAMPING TRAVEL WITH PALS IN A REMOTE AREA
“You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.”
~Christopher Columbus
Travel to new destinations to follow your summer camping routines in a new way!
Each summer (usually the day after school releases) a group of pals joins together to camp with their families for 10 days of kick-off-the-summer fun! Obviously, this summer was a bit different with state park camping as all of our reservations were cancelled by the state and refunded.
No worries! We rescheduled for late July and remote camped instead. We social distanced and applied appropriate measures for germ control! We respected a new way to spend time together safely. It was so great!
We roasted a pig. Kids went 4-wheeling on dirt trails. Kayakers explored a remote stream. An industrial size slip and slide was built to cool off kids on a hot day. Great fun was had by all…safely!
Perhaps the start to a new way to kick-off-the-summer was created!
DESTINATION TRAVEL TO WATERFUN:
HOME-MADE or ON A LAKE
“Be free, and live life fully.”
~Caroline Shaw
TUBE BEHIND A SPEEDBOAT! 
SOCIAL DISTANCE ON TUBES! 
SPREAD OUT ON WATER INFLATABLES WITH PALS!
WAKE SURFING ON WALLOON LAKE #22
SUMMER TRAVEL BUCKET LIST PIN ME…CLICK ON THIS TITLE TO PIN ON YOUR BOARD
TRAVEL TO EXPLORE AND CLIMB A TREE ON A HIKE
“Each day is a new life. Seize it. Live it!”
~David Guy Powers
Travel to a remote destination of your choosing to go for a hike! Find something or somewhere interesting and explore!
If you see a tree…climb it! Why not! The view from above provides a different perspective! Gaze on what you find with new eyes! Much like life, sometimes we just need to look at the same view from a different angle to understand a new perspective.
Explore!
Where would you like to go for a hike or climb a tree? Where would you like to gaze from a new perspective?
PICK VEGGIES, BERRIES, OR TOMATOES (from your garden); GROW SOME FLOWERS
“Just living is not enough… one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”
~Hans Christian Andersen
Travel to your garden or flowerbed! Spend some time growing something beautiful! There is something very satisfying about a garden. Whether it is a flower bed that you have nurtured to grow, a vegetable patch to supplement your dinner table, or maybe it is an herb garden to use with your cooking, whatever you choose to grow, enjoy the process as much as the results.
Who doesn’t love to see the fruits of their labor bloom!
ENJOY these fruits!
GAZE AT THE NIGHT STARS
“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”
~Dr. Seuss
Travel outside your house to your hammock in the backyard!
Gaze at a night sky twinkling with stars! I am always amazed – that I am amazed at this sight!
A warm breeze, after a hot summer day, followed by a cool evening filled with the brilliance of the night sky screams for a hammock to gently swing in while pondering the vastness of the universe! If you are lucky, a shooting star will honor you by allowing you to observe it’s streak across the sky as it dies a slow death out in the galaxy.
TRAVEL DESTINATION TRANQUILITY can be be found in these moments!
JUST AMAZING!
BE STILL AND SOAK IT ALL UP!
“Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself, and know that everything in life has purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from.”
~Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.” ~Psalms 46:10-11
Catch a glimpse of our Lord and Savior through any SUNRISE or SUNSET!
Sometimes we just need to be still to hear our own INNER STILLNESS. Soak it all up! Travel this summer, explore, and genuinely enjoy the moments with your loved ones and family. However you choose to spend your time, really seek out travel destinations that fulfill you! On your next summer travel to wherever you go, find a destination to give thanks for the beauty surrounding you. Where will that destination be? Leave a reply/comment below to share where you are traveling this summer and what are your summer bucket list plans?
Did you notice some affiliate links along the way?? If you plan to buy any of the products we mentioned, please consider clicking through our link on this page. It won’t cost you a dime, and it will help our website continue running and offering you further inspirational travel adventures!
Inspirationally Yours,
Barbara
BIO: https://www.inspirationaltraveladventures.com/about-us/
About Me
A 1993 graduate of Michigan State University, Barbara earned a BS in Social Science Pre-Law. She is a Business Manager/HR Director. Her passion is travel, discovering new places, experiences, cuisine, cultures while enjoying temperate climates. Barbara is a newly transitioning empty-nester who became a travel blogger. She’s a great photographer, talented writer, and has a great family to highlight in her high school/college athlete football sons.
WEBSITE: www.inspirationaltraveladventures.com
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Barbara Robinson
TRAVEL BLOG🛩 * ADVENTURE🛶 * INSPIRATION🌞 Thanks for exploring our travel blog! We hope to assist you in your next adventure through learning from ours! We are transitioning empty-nesters perpetually seeking our next luxury snorkeling adventure! Daily God’s awe inspiring inspiration surrounds us with all of His natural beauty in every direction if we but slow down to observe. Take a moment each day to ENJOY!
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74 Comments
Kristin
It has not been the summer any of us imagined. We have tried to implement some of these ideas ourselves: going on beautiful hikes, picking berries, and star gazing. It has helped some.
Barbara Robinson
I’m glad!
Tiffany
I am very excited about our gardens this year! First time growing everything we use in salad 😊
Tricia Snow
What a fun list! I need to do more this summer.
Alice
I love summers almost as I look fall. Its perfect for getting together with friends or family or just spending time being still and getting to know God.
Mariah French
I wish we lived closer to the beach so we could go more often. My son is 2 and still hasn’t seen the ocean!
Leeandra
I would love to be able to go to the beach!
Carey
We always visit Jacksonville beach during the summer. This year our plans have been put on hold and it’s the first time in about 12 years I haven’t been able to visit. However, we have found new adventures and it’s been wonderful.
Ramae Hamrin
I love all your quotes, especially the one by Martha Washington! Hadn’t heard that before. I live in MN, and we are surrounding by lakes too. I live a ways from Lake Superior but within walking distance from a lake that my dog enjoys playing in. Probably won’t do much traveling this summer, but I have thought about some solo camping with my dog!
Barbara Robinson
THAT sounds wonderful! Enjoy!
Leslie
Fabulous list! Although I am looking forward to exploring my local areas with some of these ideas
Bonnie
I like the idea of a summer bonfire dinner by a stream!!!!
Barbara Robinson
That was my son’s idea for our Mother’s Day dinner! They were so excited to surprise me with this night! I probably wouldn’t have picked it for myself, but being with my boys and watching them lavish me with a special night made it VERY SPECIAL! I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
Holly
This is a great post! Finding ways to travel and inspiring others to see the wonderful world we have to explore! Love this!
Barbara Robinson
Thanks Holly! I keep trying to remind myself too through these posts!!
Maggie | leavemetodream.com
Great photos! You all look like you’re having an absolute blast!
Laura Lee
Be still and soak it up…my favorite!
Sabrina DeWalt
We usually camp once a month, but that has been put on hold since March. We are finally going to venture out next week with a camping trip to Natural Tunnel and Devil’s Bathtub. I can not wait!
Lisa Manderino
These all look like such fun activities! I love Summer and the flexibility of it!
Charlene
I’ve lived near Lake Erie for years, but I’m always looking for new places to explore, too!
Melissa Jones
Amazing ideas, adventures, and pictures! I absolutely love it!
Amy
The beauty of your list is mostly everything doesn’t cost anything to do. Finding pleasure in the simple adventures usually create the best memories.
Barbara Robinson
Thank you for noticing that! Yes! That was kind of the point! 🙂
Alexis Farmer
Love the pictures! This is always my summer bucket list in a nutshell!
Santana
Gardening is my favorite, but campfires and lake days are right up there too!
Taryn
Wow! That was a mind-boggling amount of choices.
Eva Keller
Great summer bucket list! We had a big Florida trip a few weeks ago and next week we’re doing a big National Parks road trip. We’re trying to travel as much as we can this summer because a lot of places are best in summer and harder to travel to in the fall and winter.
Barbara Robinson
I wonder if this is actually the best summer to travel because many are not! Less people, more enjoyable!
Chelsea
You’ve covered a lot of what we’ve done and what we plan to do this summer. We’ve spent a lot of time outdoors on hikes, around campfires, at the beach, and at picnics. We’ve also been out late this week watching the NEOWISE comet in the sky. Finding ways to do what we can to still make it feel like summer for the kids without traveling too far!
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life
Summer is my season. Not a thing I don’t love about it. As a water baby, our trips to the shore & lakes make a great getaway! Your neck of the woods looks amazing as well!
Sara
All of these look like great things to do this summer.
Danielle Ardizzone
We’ve been going to the beach quite a bit, and plan to do some peach picking next week!
Barbara Robinson
Fresh peaches are soooo great! Eat one for me! 🙂
Beth A Shields
I started to pick a favorite and then lost track as I continued to read. Bonfire was first, then the picnic dinner, then the hike and then the flowers and berries. Thanks for all the inspiration!
Casandra
We just went camping with friends in our bubble and it was glorious!
Alison
Such a great list! We also try and soak up the good weather and spend as much time outside as possible. We usually hit a few beaches as well… love the sand between our toes!
Lori Nielsen
What great ideas for summer! While I can find good in all of the seasons, summer is my favorite for outdoor activities!
Barbara Robinson
Me too! I Love Spring and Autumn, but Summer is so precious! Winter is just plain cold! 🙂
Stacey Billingsley
Great ideas for summer! We love doing bonfires and enjoying the simple fun of summer. I also love stargaxing!
melissa
We love spending time at our lake in the summer! We eat outside, fish, tube, swim, play at the beach, and boat; so we are definitely in agreement with your bucket list! We also love to look at the stars and loved watching NEOWISE this week. Enjoy your lake!
Missy
We enjoy hiking and wakeboarding.
kmf
These all sound like fabulous things to do this summer. I’m enjoying the simple things right in my own backyard and am visiting as many state parks as possible.
Chantelle
Great list and great photos!
Kendra
Wonderful list! These are all right up my alley! I love simple travel and adventure ideas!
Leeanne Miller
Great ideas to get out and get some vitamin D. We are lucky that we live so close to the beach that we go anytime we want even just for a walk. However, getting out and taking a hike has really been great too this summer.
Cindy Mailhot
I love your list. It is experiences and not places. For us, we are taking in our state parks this year…all of them.
Trisha
These are some great tips! Just last night, I let my kids stay up late so they could use their telescope.
Cindy
What fun ideas! I’ve done several similar adventures. Since I can’t travel internationally I’m doing monthly road trips. We can all do the best we can in the circumstances and still have fun.
Annette
Such a great escape!!! I love getting outside the “house”!! We just returned from a weeklong camping trip, but our focus was just having fun with the family, fishing was second.
Nishtha
Great summer bucket list ideas! We love to travel and explore during the summer break too but this year has been so different! Thank you for great ideas, we love beaches and mountains and since we live in Hot Texas we prefer going to cold places for our vacations!
Barbara Robinson
I bet I’d feel the same if I lived in a hot climate. We live opposite and crave the sunshine! How ironic, right!
Beth Steigerwalt
I enjoy reading your blogs. You approach life with zest and enthusiasm! I enjoy how you highlight your outdooor adventures in Michigan of camping, water sports, star gazing. I also appreciate your smile, ability to connect with family and friends, and your connection to our Creator! Thanks for sharing your journey.
Barbara Robinson
What a LOVELY comment you left me! I really appreciate your words! YOU made my day! Thank you!
Charlene
Your husband and you look adorable!
We spend a lot time on a lake during the summer and I am so happy we have that to escape to.
Barbara Robinson
Thanks for the kind words! I agree the lake escapes have kept sanity this summer! 🙂
Laura Kelly
These are some fun ideas to still do something for the summer!
Katie Restrepo
These are great ideas, and I love the quotes you chose for each one. We have definitely been enjoying outside as much as possible at home and camping. It’s a simple way to have adventure while social distancing.
heather J jandrue
These aere great ideas. We have done of some of these and a few others. We are trying to do outdoor activities as much as we can. Winter comes much too fast!
Erin
This is such a GREAT list! And I LOVE all these quotes! Well done. Your blog looks amazing – keep up the good work!
Alicia
You’ve had some great travel experiences!… And taken some great photos!!
Terra Booth
These are all great ideas! Last summer we did a lot of what you had mentioned above! We will be getting in our car and going for more adventures again this year as well!
Cecile
Love it! What a great way to spend summer. We will be exploring our beautiful province this year.
Kristin
What fun ideas! We love camping with friends in the summer! Really…I love all of these!
Suzan
We are fortunate to live close to both the shore and the large lake so if we visit a beach we have a choice😁
Larissa Li
Some of these ideas are pretty creative! I like the idea to climb a tree. Didn’t do it for years!
Kristen W Allred
I love all of these travel ideas. Anything with water makes me happy!
Keirsten
Great ways to enjoy the summer. I definitely need to make the most of my weekends this summer to enjoy it more.
danielle nieman
Awesome ideas! Really getting me excited for Summer activities!
Maria Gustafsson
I live on an Island, granted a big one, so water surrounds me, and I love that. Though swimming in my part of the Pacific does not happen, it has to be killer hot before I jump in.
Marianne
We finally have a trip booked for this summer, and I honestly can’t wait! Been cooped up for waaaaay too long! And even though we won’t even be leaving our province, its still gonna be awesome!
Stephanie
I love that you posted your summer bucket list. What a great way to make sure you are motivated to get a lot of fun stuff in. You’ve inspired me to create my own.
Maya
Great list for summer. Star gazing , beach and the day at the lake are our favorite things to do.
Melissa Jones
what great ideas! I love traveling and these are great suggestions!!
Danielle Ardizzone
Can’t wait to do some traveling this summer!