Snowbird Lifestyle, Cuisine, Entertainment and Travel
Snowbirds deal with a range of coping challenges no matter where they are. [ Seaside, Florida, South Walton County] Where Do I Belong? Recently I was asked by a reader about coping with the challenges of living in and between two homes and communities. Specifically, …
Cameras are priceless for peace of mind all year round. Allow plenty of time to research, install, test and tweak before departing TEN LAYERS OF SNOWBIRD SECURITY Security is essential for snowbirds who travel hundreds of miles away from their primary home for an extensive …
For us, there's a long gap from the winter snowbird season until we begin again, so weekend getaways are an economical way to balance out the summer months. After many day trips to visit a gorgeous lakefront Midwestern resort, we decided to bring our dog and spend a weekend. Wow, was it impressive! I used to think it was necessary to drive further than an hour away to find paradise, but I've been proven wrong. This is why Oakwood Resort in Syracuse, Indiana is on our list of favorite summer places.
Snowbirds typically do not go on elaborate vacations during the off season, usually because they would rather invest the budget into more time in their snowbird homes. Weekend trips become a short-term way to balance the snowbird season.
This year, when planning our weekend getaway, I reasearched "glamping," which is luxurious camping with nicer accommodations than traditional camping. Generally, glamping involves a large beautiful tent set up with lamps, rugs and a real bed, so everything is ready upon arrival. I was looking for a safari-style camp site as seen on amazing travel web sites. However, in reality I couldn't find any nearby places that fit what I envisioned. Ironically, our visit to Oakwood Resort in Syracuse, Indiana became the perfect blend of lakeside resort-style glamping.
In the past, I thought it was necessary to travel by car at least four or five hours to feel a retreat is a true "getaway." In the past, this has included summer trips to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore; Four Winds Lakeside Inn on Lake Monroe in Bloomington, Indiana; downtown Chicago, Illinois; and Lake Michigan including South Haven, Saugatuck, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Traverse City, Michigan. My husband has many fond memories at Lake Erie and Put-In-Bay, Ohio.
Now, I've changed my perspective about a summer retreat. I still want to visit places in surrounding states, but I'm more content considering places closer to home. And that is how our mini lake weekend came about.
For many summer celebrations and holidays, my husband and I sought out waterfront restaurants for day trips. After lunch we take a driving tour of the countryside, then return home. There have been visits to many charming places about an hour's drive away, but in recent years, we kept returning to one location in particular. And that is because not only does this lakeside restaurant serve delicious food, it is situated on the grounds of a beautiful resort hotel. After eating, we spent time next to the water watching the boats go past. It is a perfect way to spend an afternoon, but all too soon it is time to go home.
It was a natural progression to want to spend more time at this particular lake resort, so this summer we made that happen. You might find yourself in a similar situation. There may be a fantastic place within a relatively short drive that could potentially be your new favorite weekend getaway if you take a good look around. Search online and seek referrals. It could be a hotel resort, a bed and breakfast or perhaps a private home or cottage.
Oakwood Resort is located on upscale Lake Wawasee, Indiana's largest natural freshwater body of water. The full service resort is an hour's drive from our home and it features many amenities such as The Pier, a lakefront restaurant/bar; a salon and spa; boutique; sandy beach; tour boat; complimentary kayaks; firepit; tailgate games; game room; fitness room and marina slips for guests' boats.
Because the hotel is dog friendly, that was a significant factor in deciding to stay at Oakwood for our lake getaway. We requested and received a room that is well-suited for a pet.
We were assigned an over-sized corner room on the ground floor featuring an extra tall ceiling and extra large windows with fantastic dual views of the lake, a comfortable sparkling white king-sized bed, mini fridge and huge bathroom with two sinks, a separate lighted vanity area and Jacuzzi® tub. The floor is pet-friendly faux plank wood and has a full-sized white couch. The room is clean, inviting and conveys "home away from home" in a comforting way. It takes us back to our own lake cottage memories.
Outside the hallway door is a sun-filled game room with over-sized windows and an exterior door leading right to the water. Steps away are bright yellow Adirondack-style chairs in a grassy area, a beautiful gazebo, tailgate style games, a beach and a firepit with plentiful supply of chopped wood in a rack. This what makes it feel like "resort style" glamping -- being next to nature without all of the work. It truly is a carefree way to spend time.
At dusk, the staff builds a campfire and guests keep it well-stoked, roasting marshmallows for s'mores. Our bright, yellow and white room, with a great lake vibe, is comfortably furnished. Right outside the door is the right amount of connection with the great outdoors. We spread a large blanket on the grass for our Golden Retriever to unwind with us as we sip our beverages.
Sitting next to the peaceful lake in the afternoon and again under the stars on a clear night, takes me back to happy childhood memories of summer camp and weeks spent with my grandparents at their lake cottage in Northern Indiana. Our 24 hour getaway is just what we need for temporarily forgetting about work, enjoying breezy lakeside meals, mental and physical restoration and a sliver of time away from home. We plan to return again and again.
Even a short getaway requires planning and packing, which shouldn't be a big deal for snowbirds. Yet it's not always obvious to not pack too much, but enough to be prepared for anything. An overview of what we packed:
Small suitcase with rolling wheels
Extra tote bag
Camera with two lenses
Clothing for daytime and evening
Shoes
Sunglasses
Jewelry
Beach/pool wear
Jackets
Toiletries
Books/magazines
Cell phones and chargers
Blanket
Large cooler with ice packs
Small portable cooler, just in case
Beverages and filtered water
Plastic "champagne" glasses
Insulated travel cups
Insect repellent
Portable LED light
Hand sanitizer
Umbrellas
Tote bag
Collar with updated tags
Leash, short
Leash, long
Large water bowl
Small water bowl
Small food bowl
Kibble, portioned in plastic containers by number of servings
Travel water in a plastic jug
Dog bed
Chew bone
Vibration collar and remote control
♦ Morning of the trip, pack the vehicle
♦ Depart for destination several hours ahead of check-in
♦ Stop on the way for a leisurely outdoor lunch at a waterfront cafe; dogs are generally permitted on the patio of most restaurants
♦ Arrive at resort ahead of check-in for a leisurely stroll on the grounds, especially if travelling with a dog
♦ Check-in on time
♦ Unpack, unwind in the room, allow the dog time to get acclimated, especially if travelling is stressful for your pet
♦ Spend the rest of the afternoon outdoors, enjoying the water/beach/view/spa/tailgate games/amenities
♦ Dine with the dog on the patio at the resort restaurant
♦ Watch the sunset
♦ Enjoy the remainder of the evening stargazing outdoors next to the water/firepit/beach
♦ Retire to room
♦ Get up in time for breakfast at the hotel's restaurant
♦ Take another stroll around the resort and/or enjoy the amenities
♦ Pack, check out, load vehicle
♦ Dine with the dog on the patio at the resort's restaurant
♦ Depart for home
Summertime is the busiest season for resorts, so consider looking into alternate options to obtain better deals. Like everyone else, we would prefer a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night stay. However, the down side of that is everything is much busier and more expensive.
Two night minimums may apply to weekend peak season stays
By switching to a Sunday - Monday stay, our resort rate decreases by $100 per night and there are much better chances of a great room being available.
A Sunday or weeknight stay might mean a nicer waterfront table at the resort's restaurant.
Another incentive might be complimentary breakfast for weekday guests.
There will likely be less of a wait for resort amenities and less competition for basics such as outdoor lounge chairs during the week
Thirty minute tours of the lake on the resort's long boat are offered at no cost to weekday guests compared to $10 per person on weekends.
Look into special packages. Incentives might include extras such as a chilled bottle of sparkling wine, fruit platter and chocolate truffles delivered to your room plus an extended check out time.
Additional discounts may be available such as military, senior, pre-paid, etc.
Review all policies. There may be a cancellation clause requiring longer notice than a typical hotel, such as two weeks' instead of 48 hours.
Review the details so you are fully informed if any services will not be available during your stay. IE, some amenities such as weekday boat tours and reduced or no lunch hours at the restaurant may apply to stays during non-peak season.
Make a note of your room number if you like it so you can request it again.
Remember, not everything on your wish list will be available at your destination. Our favorite resort does not offer a swimming pool or outdoor jetted hot tub and that's ok. Per state law, we wouldn't be able to bring our dog into swimming pool areas anyway. It also does not have private balconies or patios, which mattered less to me after staying there and realizing the public green spaces are perfectly nice too.
It's worth changing your thinking to modify your mini vacation plans and get the best of the best for a much better price. The restoration of your mind, body and soul is worth every penny, not to mention creating priceless memories.
Note: No compensation or consideration was provided by any entity for this review. It is strictly for informational purposes.
-- William Langewiesche, American Author and Journalist
I was a little skeptical about an electric grill until I tried the food cooked on our CharBroil® TRU-infrared™ grill and now I’m an enthusiast. Electric Infrared Grill Review Grilling meat, fish, vegetables and poultry is a favorite activity of many snowbirds, including my husband. …
The view from my desk on a gorgeous February day — working snowbirds face challenges such as being able to stay focused on work How to Be a Working Snowbird Many wonder how to be a working snowbird in a seasonal southern community. Working snowbirds …
Figuring out your warm weather rental home is the single-largest factor to being happy when away for the winter. It's also the biggest topic of conversation among snowbirds who first meet. The conversation generally goes like this, "Where are you from?" "Where are you staying?" and "How long will you be here?" It's almost the same conversation for snowbirds who have known each other for years: "Are you coming back to the same place next year?" "When will you arrive?" and "How long are you staying?"
Snowbirds typically compare the pros and cons of rental properties. Largely because it is in the forefront of one's mind -- if you like your snowbird rental, you don't want to do anything to jeopardize losing it and if you aren't especially pleased, you're looking for a better opportunity.
For various reasons, some degree of shuffling is typical, either within a particular complex or the local area. There's a snowbird code of ethics about not undermining your friends to get into a different place, which
means inside information and referrals are particularly coveted. If someone is not planning to return to the same place the following season, they generally will try to work it out internally with a recommendation to their friends who want to make a move so that the owner already has a quality renter in place. After all, there may come a time when the favor needs returned.
Of course, no rental has everything, but the units with the best overall value are the most in demand. There's no shortcuts. Be informed, savvy and well-connected. Most snowbirds plan at least a year in advance, so if you don't already have your place reserved, it's time to get it done.
Location: This is generally number one on the list. Geographical location, as well as location within a specific complex or building
Availability: Whether by the week, month or season, availability is essential and often the biggest reason for losing out on a desired rental property
Pet friendly: Acceptance of pets and green space are non-negotiable for many snowbirds; acceptance of large breed dogs is a huge bonus
View: Beach, mountains, garden, lake, golf course, bay or desert for many snowbirds is a key element
Square Footage: Smaller spaces must stand out above the others, larger spaces are more expensive and in demand for longer term snowbirds
Kitchen: Functionality, open to living space; updated decor; a quiet built-in dishwasher; good lighting; well stocked with sets of matching dishes/glassware; pantry space; storage; newer appliances; clean refrigerator; high-end countertops
Living area: Comfortable furniture; simple, neutral, updated decor; good lighting; flat screen television with cable channels; a desk; drapes or plantation shutters; appealing wall art; a cabinet and/or hutch for extra storage; gaming station or sleeper sofas are bonuses
Dining area: A designated table with plenty of seating
Bedroom/s: Comfortable mattresses; neutral, simple, updated decor; plenty of dresser space; empty closet/s stocked with hangers and a few extra pillows/linens; good lighting; room darkening drapes; full length mirror; flat screen television/s with cable channels; an easy chair or bench; a view, access to a patio or balcony and gaming stations are bonuses
Bathroom/s: Functionality; en suite with dual sinks in the master; neutral, updated decor; spacious shower with glass enclosure or contemporary shower curtain; grab bars in the shower and tub for safety; plenty of towel racks; drawer space in vanities; linen closet; a clock on the wall; large mirror; good lighting; matching sets of white wash clothes and towels; a quiet vent fan
Laundry/Closets/Storage: In-unit laundry with newer appliances; plenty of hangers; an ironing board and iron; shelving; vacuum cleaner; closets devoid of any items except extra pillows/blankets; walk-in closet/s with a dresser and a drying rack are bonuses
Balcony/Outdoor Space: A balcony, first floor patio and/or outdoor space; outdoor dining table with chairs; outdoor chairs and end table/s
Amenities: Parking; wi-fi; elevators; pool/s; outdoor space; barbecue grill/s; community center; exercise equipment; leisure activities such as shuffleboard, ping pong, tennis court, basketball court; access to local golf courses, etc.
Price/Value: The overall value must meet or exceed expectations for the price
Clean/in good repair: Well maintained; fresh paint/no scuffs; clean throughout, including under the beds, the appliances, floors, closets, nooks and crannies; newer furniture; especially immaculate in the bathrooms and kitchen
Upgrades: Crown molding; high end counter tops of granite, marble or quartz; an especially exceptional or expansive view; an oversized balcony or outdoor space; updated decor; modern tile floors, beautiful lighting, fixtures and new appliances are all upgrades that will command a higher price due to higher demand
Loyalty: First right of refusal to renew is a must for snowbirds to develop a long-term rental relationship with an owner or management company. Snowbirds generally renew their contracts a full year in advance and usually pay a non-refundable deposit. Feeling valued as a client plays a major role for snowbirds to continuously return to their warm weather rental homes.
Contracts: Contracts with the most fair and equitable language are important to both snowbirds and owners/property managers. Due to the long-term trust and business relationships, reputation and referrals are key for both parties.
--Amber Valletta, American Fashion Model, Actress
Basic everyday household items such as glassware can easily be repurposed in your snowbird home 40 Snowbird Hacks, Tips No one wants to haul a bunch of limited use household items to/from their snowbird home, nor is it practical to purchase everything while away …
In the past, I didn't truly understand what the concept of meal planning entails. I had heard of it, but wasn't curious enough to dig deeper. To make it worse, I certainly didn't put much thought into what I would be making for dinner on any given night. Sure, I prepared a shopping list, but there wasn't any urgent need to plan meals in advance -- until I became a midlife snowbird. And that's when it all started to come together.
Snowbirds are typically very organized by nature. Planning one's pantry, freezer and refrigerator is a calculated endeavor, not only due to limited space, but also budget, timing and the fact that snowbirds have to move out and go home at some point. After the first three seasons of stocking too much or too little, I'm still figuring it out, but one thing is certain. It's not easy to get it right. We've found it to be a common thread with long term, short term and veteran snowbirds.
Running errands, especially to the grocery store, is not how I like to spend time in my snowbird or Northern home. For me, it's worth the effort to strategize up front to reduce the need to run out for forgotten items throughout our stay.
Basically, the first half of your snowbird stay should be highly calculated regarding stocking, consuming and restocking your pantry, fridge and freezer. The last half of your stay should be all about your strategy to use everything up.
A key element is timing your consumption, and if needed, sparsely restocking fresh produce, bread/bakery items or fresh meat/poultry/seafood, but not pantry or freezer items. You need to be eating those up at this point. As your departure date draws closer, stop buying anything unless it is essential and on your meal plan target list. Not only will you be eating out here and there, very likely you will be dining at your friends' places the last week or two as part of your "farewell tour" since they're also trying to pare down the pantry.
Shorter term snowbirds, especially, need to be smart about meal planning. Long term snowbirds should consider the last six weeks of their stay the critical time to start paring it down, especially the last three weeks.
For the first week of our stay this season, I created lists of meals I plan to serve based on my tried-and-true recipes. Simple recipes are much better than the ones requiring an array of limited use spices and exotic ingredients. Save those for your Northern home. We purchased the key essential ingredients and ONLY the key essential ingredients to make our meals.
Find the hardest working ingredients that can multi-task. As an example, we have whole milk Greek yogurt for our dog as a preventative measure to balance his sensitive gastro system. Instead of also buying sour cream, I now use Greek yogurt in the place of sour cream. And to my surprise, it tastes amazing!
Because I prefer to make my own sauces and salad dressings, I chose red wine vinegar instead of buying plain distilled white vinegar plus specialized vinegar like at home. We bought only Dijon style mustard instead of purchasing Dijon and yellow mustard. The extra "two in one" eliminates extra bottles and extra costs. We bought a couple bottles of barbecue sauce and truthfully, one is enough. Or just buy ketchup and use it to make your own BBQ sauce, cocktail sauce, fry sauce, sloppy joe sauce and more.
Ironically, I've not seen micro-sized bottles of pantry items in our area, but there's definitely a niche market for it in snowbird communities. One item that is available in half sizes is boxed wine. But the price is the same as the full sized box, so there's no point unless someone simply can't bring themselves to throw out an unfinished larger sized box.
Our second season, I made the mistake of accepting my husband's gracious offer to go to the grocery. It was the first day or two of our stay and he
generously wanted to get the groceries so I could stay with our road weary dog and unpack. Grocery shopping is not my thing, so I was happy not to go.
My husband, who is not the primary cook at our house, went to the store without a list or much of a plan. Well, that was an expensive exercise, since he purchased items he thought we needed, but in actuality, they weren't. I can't remember exactly, but it seems the grocery bill for that trip was in the $400+ range. That shopping trip, we ended up with full-sized bottles of sauces, salad dressing, condiments and too many multiples of the same types of food. There was no cohesiveness to the items we had accumulated in relationship to our recipes.
I despise wasting food, but we had to throw away an entire cooler of food (including the styrofoam cooler) plus many pantry items due to mismanagement that season. We were overly optimistic about timing and consumption, plus we underestimated the lack of space in our vehicle to take it home. Since then, I've become much savvier planning meals.
As you start the final half of your stay, designate which items will be used for each of the specific recipes and meals. If you are fortunate enough to have space to take a box of pantry items home, terrific! I approach it as if no space is available to take anything home and if there is, all the better. Leftover space in our vehicle has never been a luxury to date. In theory, taking a cooler of food home sounds fine, but in reality it isn't the best idea unless you can eat all of it the first day on the road so it doesn't spoil. Therefore it would need to be pre-cooked food or items such as cheese and deli meat to make a sandwich on the road.
I recommend assigning days of the week to your meals as much as possible. At the very least, determine if you have the ingredients for approximately 10 - 14 dinners for the last 14 days of your stay. Put the list in plain sight so you can make adjustments and re-prioritize as needed. This should be happening at least two weeks prior to departure. Do your best with estimating leftovers, meals out and dining with friends.
Of course, many of the same meal planning strategies should be applied when preparing to use up your fridge food prior to leaving for your warm weather home.
Beach grocery stores and pharmacies are convenient, but the prices are higher and the products are customized to the needs of nearby residents and tourists. If you want sunscreen, coolers, t-shirts, beach towels and toys, souvenirs and so forth, the selection will likely be plentiful. Not so much if you want a broader selection of practical household items for the duration of your snowbird stay.
Another tip: do not do your food shopping at a major chain grocery store located near the beach unless you are prepared to pay much higher
prices. I've observed typically the price is a dollar or more higher per item and you may or may not receive the store's advertised discounted price. This year, we paid $250 the first trip out to the "beach" grocery for what should have cost about $120 at our grocery at home or at a local superstore. Ask for and take the time to sign up for a loyalty card in your snowbird stores. Consider driving a little further to a superstore where the prices will likely be more competitive.
Not even the superstores are all created equally. If we go to a major superstore that is about a 15 minute drive away, it is in an upscale area, but it is very small in size due to the local zoning restrictions when it was built. The locals affectionately call it "small mart." Because it's a beach superstore, customers will find a huge selection of fishing and sporting goods, plus beach items. Not so much for groceries and household items. So, I prefer a superstore of the same chain that is 20 minutes away because it is of the expected size and has a much larger variety with the best prices in the area.
Snowbirds spend a lot of money to live in a warm weather climate. Snowbird housing is the highest expense, followed closely by food/dining costs. I have found that meal planning combined with smart shopping is the most cost-efficient way to keep our snowbird budget under control.
--Dale Carnegie, American writer and lecturer
Fonville Press and Alys Beach, Florida were a 2019 destination thanks to social media Find the Best of the Best with Social Media Impact of Social Media on Snowbird Communities Social media is defined as the specific ability to share opinions, photos, places, events and …