It’s no secret long-distance travel has become an incredible burden for everyone. Canceled flights, unruly passengers, crowded airports, and the cost - sheesh. I recently spent $900 in airfare for a 23-hour flight to Puerto Rico, which included a 12 am to 6 am layover in Orlando. Not enough time to snag a hotel, but also impossible to get any sleep in an airport lit up like a baseball stadium. I definitely questioned my choices around 2 am, surrounded by a handful of other tired souls, my carry-on tethered to my leg while attempting to sleep. As much as I love to be on an adventure, I despise everything about actually getting there. 

With airfare soaring higher than the James Webb Space Telescope, it’s no wonder that travelers are looking for adventures a little closer to home. Rather than forking over your entire vacation budget for overpriced airline tickets, baggage fees, and rental car costs, you can trade in your airport experience for something way more enjoyable while still getting that posh vacation that you desire. A quick road trip, plus luxury accommodations, and a few tailored experiences, will ensure that your vacation budget is not only getting you the most for your money but you have also eliminated the chance of a canceled flight, crowded airports, and an overpriced IPA.

Sure, I may be somewhat biased because I live here, but people around the world have traveled to Lake Tahoe just to experience the pristine waters, golden beaches, and fresh mountain air. So why is it that we often bypass the natural wonders that exist in our own backyard?  Tahoe sits at an average elevation of 6,225 ft or 1.2 miles above sea level, which is higher than Kilimanjaro (5,895). The emerald to turquoise waters of this ancient alpine lake check in at  99.994% pure, rivaling your home's drinking water. Take that salty, seaweedy Caribbean.

So before you deplete your savings account on a trip to Tanzania or Martinique, take a look at what might be waiting for you in your own backyard. Chances are there are places and adventures that you’ve not taken advantage of simply because they will always be there. That said, if there were ever a reason to hit the pause button on air travel, I would say that now is the time. 

See you at the lake!