So many people keep asking me how on earth have I been able to travel so much this year. And I have to say, first off that I didn’t really have any of it planned way ahead of time, it all just fell into place.  The only thing I sort of planned ahead for was the Photography conference I attended in New Orleans, but I didn’t really plan it until last minute.

First and foremost, I couldn’t have done any of it without Hubby and my Mom! We have a really awesome system worked out where he gets the kids off to school, Mom or their brother picks them up and Hubby comes home a bit early and gets them dinner.  Dinner can be anything from pasta to fast food, but I leave it to them to figure out while I am gone.  They miss me and I miss them, but our time away from each other seems to be good for all of us as I come back rejuvenated and they appreciate all I do for them all that much more.

I will start with the flying situation. No, I am not a millionaire, I do not make loads of money, I look for deals and use miles. Most often I try to fly for the least amount of money possible. If I can’t fly out of Ottawa, I fly out of Syracuse or Ogdensburg New York. I can usually save half or more of the price of a ticket. Worth it for me to drive a little bit to save.  Two of my three flights so far were on points, or miles. So I paid only for the taxes so my flights were around $100. The other one was a freak sale and my ticket was just under $500.  Whenever I am out shopping I look for ways to earn Miles, my two favorites are Airmiles and Aeroplan, there are also other points plans that you can redirect into either one of those. And when you travel… you gain more points!  And I should also add that I drive way more than I fly to things, any trip under 10 hours drive is easier and less expensive than flying, and if you bring more people with you the costs are even that much less.

Hotels aren’t always as easy, but I do try to use points where I can. Hilton Honors has a great plan, as does the Delta Family of Hotels and Novotel. So far, I have been able to use Hilton Honors towards one of my hotels stays to bring down the cost of the one where I traveled alone.  I try, when I can, to room with someone I know or find a travel buddy. This really helps keep costs down and even if you don’t hang out together the whole time, you have someone to chat with, share with, debrief with… and if you must, run through hotels in your jammies looking for lost things with.  I should also say that I also stay with friends when I can as well, get in some visit time as well as work time.

Food! Gah! I need to eat, for sure. Most of the Blogging and Social Media conferences I attend provide us with food for at least two of the meals (breakfast and lunch) and they always have appetizers at the evening receptions (or parties as they are called).  The photography conference in New Orleans didn’t even have coffee available, so that was an expensive trip. I tried to pick up a few things at a store to keep in my room, but in the end I had to spend quite a bit for meals. Add to that that I really do love to get a taste or flavor of where I am traveling by trying locals foods, I usually eat out at least a few times.

To sum it all up, each and every one of my recent trips, including ones I took last year, cost me $500 or less.  I am including the one with my $500 airfare as I worked while I was away so I am giving you what it actually cost me to go where I wanted to go after I was paid.  I do always try to incorporate work into traveling somehow, even if I don’t get paid in money, I may get some perks for volunteering or at the very least I can include my expenses on my taxes for work.  So if you were wondering how you can do it, then there is the breakdown.  Use your travel for work related to blogging, social media or whatever your business may be and you will find it very rewarding to get away, learn something and return home refreshed and renewed.

Now, the biggest question of all…. where am I going to be going in March? I have nothing booked yet, but you just never know where the wind might take you.

Completely not intended, but somehow life just got in the way. What exactly have I been up to since mid-November?

I had quite a few Fall Sessions to finish up and get ready for my clients, this took up a lot of my time. I had a hard time finding time for myself last Fall, something I am hoping to correct in 2012, making sure there is time for me.

Then we headed south to Maryland and Delaware for Thanksgiving and a Birthday. We took some extra time at our favorite beach after Thanksgiving. Hubby and the kids had never been to the Beach in the off-season, so we spent three rather warm days strolling around one of our favorite places. As hard as it is to leave in the summertime, it was equally hard to leave in the Fall. There is something to be said for lots of parking spaces, lots of room on the boardwalk and beach and just being able to be. Of course we aren’t millionaires yet so we had to come home so Hubby and I could get back to work.

While we were there, the kids had their visit with Santa and we got in a wee bit of holiday shopping. All in all a perfect Fall getaway.

December rolled in and work was busy, the kids were busy and the holidays were upon us.  Our household fell ill with a stomach virus the week before Christmas and it really wasn’t pleasant at all.  By Christmas day Hubby and I were able to eat solid food again, so although we enjoyed Christmas, we would have enjoyed it more without the getting sick the week before thing.  And I should add how amazing kids are, they both seemed to bounce right back within 24 hours or so whereas Hubby and I took quite a bit longer.

January started off very quickly with a fabulous trip to California! Where I got to visit and photograph the amazing Brenda Ponnay aka. Secret Agent Josephine. We had beautiful weather, fresh citrus fruit and a wonderful, if fast visit. I saw more of California in the four and a half days I was gone from Ottawa than I have on any of my previous visits. Brenda took me to the desert (she calls it the Sticks), Palm Springs, Idllwyld (a very scary drive up a mountain) Orange County (Newport Beach and Laguna Beach).  If I could always photograph people in the gorgeous California sunshine I would be the happiest photographer in the world. We had fresh lemonade, homemade mexican food, sangria and a trip to the beach, some of my most favorite things all in one fast trip.  I slept all the way home on the airplane.

Not that I didn’t love being home, but I was only home for two and a half days when I was already back at the airport heading South again. Whew! I am exhausted just thinking about it. I attended Imaging USA a photography conference that was held in New Orleans this year.  I hate to admit it out loud, but New Orleans scared me just a little bit. I was thankful to meet up with another photographer traveling on her own from Rhode Island, Jen Osojnicki and together we took on New Orleans. Well, as much as two women a little nervous about being out after dark could take on New Orleans. We walked the French Quarter and the Garden District as well as experienced Bourbon Street and walking around with a 150 proof rum Daiquiri (that was me, not Jen as Jen doesn’t drink. There was enough alcohol in that drink for both of us so I took one for the team). I had a pretty amazing time and learned lots of new stuff at the conference.

Although I am happy to be home, I know that in just 35 days I will continue 2012, my year of travel to new places as I attend the Blissdom Conference 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee.  I will give you more details about that exciting experience in another post.