Monthly Musings June 2025: Summer Vacation Guide

 

It's finally summer Besties! Whether you are hitting the beach, going overseas, relaxing on the lake or hiking in the mountains, Monthly Musings will get you ready for summer travel. This link-up party that Holly and I host brings together some of the most talented women on the internet to share their tips and fun experiences. Grab our sunscreen and get ready for the Monthly Musings Summer Vacation Guide.

1. Share Your Summer Trips for 2025

We are once again headed to Hilton Head and I am counting the weeks. We didn't go last summer due to all of the graduation festivities and getting ready for college. We did end up going for a few days after Christmas. I am so ready to be back on the island.

Running Daddy and I may go on an adventure on the way back from college drop off like we did last year. We are having fun exploring some smaller southern cities and have a few in mind. There are a few logistical things we need to work out before we can book this trip. Hockey Guy needs to be back early for hockey but we need to make sure he can move into his apartment early. Once this is all ironed out, we can book our trip on the way back to Virginia.

2. How do you manage post-vacation laundry?

This is pretty easy if you are staying in a condo or vacation home. I have always done laundry the last afternoon of a trip. It's pretty easy to do while you go to the beach, pool or while you are out to dinner. Then when you pack to go home, you are packing mostly clean clothes instead of going home with suitcases filled with dirty clothes.

If you are staying in a hotel or another type of lodging, my Best tip is to start the laundry the minute you get in the house. The laundry fairy is not going to appear, so you mine as well get the laundry party started. 

3. Most memorable summer vacation?

While it wasn't really summer, it was May, so close enough but I went on a European cruise with my parents when I was in college. 

For our family, one of the vacations that was memorable was when Hockey Guy was about eight he had pneumonia right before we went on our Bethany Beach vacation. He had even been to the emergency room at one point earlier in the week. I remember our doctor telling us that he could still go on vacation but he couldn't do things like ride his bike. She said that the salt air would probably do him a lot of Good.  She was right. He slowly got Better that week and I was grateful for the healing salt air.

When we get to Hilton Head every year, I always think about when Hockey Guy put his feet in the warm South Carolina water for the first time. Between the warm water and the super fresh grilled shrimp he had for dinner last night, he was hooked. For some reason, this New Englander has low country in her veins and passed this along to Hockey Guy.

4. Do you cook or eat out on vacation?

When we went to Bethany, I used to cook a few nights that week. We always had rib night with our friends and that was a big night. Beach tacos, which are just regular old tacos that I happen to make on vacation, are always on the menu. 

When we are on Hilton Head, we have a tendency to eat our more because the food down there is so darn Good. We love Sunday Fun Day at Skull Creek, the newly rehabbed Quarterdeck is fantastic and I love having my favorite meal of the year, gluten-free clam strips, at Skull Creek Dockside. Running Daddy's favorite is Hudson's, which I also love.

5. Are you an overpacker, underpacker or just right packer?

I think I am a borderline overpacker. Typically, when we go to Hilton Head, I pack just right. Sometimes I overpack when I haven't been to a place before. I have also definitely had trips when I haven't packed the right items either for the weather or just could have used another pair of pants or a cardigan.  

6. Beach, lake or mountains? 

All three, in that order.

7. Road trip or fly?

In the summer, I love a road trip. I love the playlists, the food stops and the counting the miles and hours until we get there.

8. Favorite vacation activities? 

I love have coffee on the porch with Running Daddy. We do this every morning of the year but it is somehow Better on vacation. 

I love a little beach happy hour either at the beach bar or a little more informal. 

I also love Sunday Fun Day at Skull Creek. It's the most beautiful setting and I love playing cornhole while we wait for our table. 

9. Best packing tips?

I like the group things by category and put them on my bed when I am packing. That way I can see what I have and what may need to add in or what may even need to stay home.  I am super visual and this helps me get packed super quickly. 

I also find packing cubes very helpful and they do help save space in my luggage.

Even though I spent years on the campaign trail, I don't think I am as Good of a packer as I should be. 

10. Favorite road trip songs?

I can't wait to see all the lists on this question. I even had Running Daddy send me a few songs too.

Here are Mine:

-"Southbound" by Carrie Underwood

-"Blue Tacoma" by Russell Dickerson

-"Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset" by Luke Bryan

-"Look What You've Done To Me" by Boz Scaggs

-"Escape" by Rupert Holmes

Ok, now here's Running Daddy's. He wanted me to share that several of these were played at full blast on a very recent road trip.

-"Carolina" by Eric Church

-"White Horse" by Chris Stapleton

-"Proud Mary" by Creedence Clearwater Revival

-"Hannah Jane" by Hootie and the Blowfish

-"A Good Run of Bad Luck" by Clint Black

"Africa" by Weezer

Should I start a Spotify playlist with all of the songs shared by the Monthly Musings posts this month? Let me know in the comment section below.

 Please try to take a moment to visit some of the other writers that joined us for Monthly Musings. You can link to them below. 

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