living
RUNAW AY DAYS
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That time off has allowed
the Blanchards to focus
on their dreams and goals.
Over the years, they’ve
launched a number of
businesses and now run
a restaurant on the island
of Anguilla, where they
spend their winters.
They’ve also turned their
experiences into the
Live
What You Love
series of
best-selling books
(li vewha tyoulove.com),
the latest of which is
Changing Your Course:
The 5-Step Guide to
Getting the Life You Want.
“We’ve made little
changes and big ones over
the years, and they’ve all
started with taking that
one day,” Melinda says.
You don’t have to
move to the Caribbean,
but do try to get out of
your normal routine this
summer. Here are some
starting points.
HIT THE ROAD
Summer road trips can be
inspiring, so pack a picnic
lunch, put the top (or at
least the windows) down,
and head for the open
road. Seek out local scenic
routes or secondary roads
for a more leisurely pace.
The America’s Byways
Web site
Qbyways.org)
features a host of scenic
trips across the country.
Author Jamie Jensen’s
book
Road Trip USA
includes a Web site
(roadtripusa.com)
packed
with routes and travel links.
DIRTY YOUR HANDS
When the weather’s nice,
few activities are more
satisfying than working
in a garden and getting a
little dirt under your nails.
You might volunteer at a
local park where you
could help beautify your
neighborhood. Or join a
community garden where
you can meet other
gardeners and work
together to grow flowers
or vegetables. To start a
garden or to find one near
your hometown, contact
the American Community
Gardening Association
(com munityga rden. org).
If your interest in growing
things is a little less
hands-on, take a stroll
through your local public
or botanical garden. Find
a garden near you
by going to
publicgardens.org.
GO TO THE 2 0 0
When was the last time
you visited the zoo? By
yourself or with a friend,
zoos are great for animal-
and people-watching.
They combine elements
of a nature preserve and
a public garden, with
plenty of paths to wander
and benches for sitting
and thinking. Find a zoo
at
aza.org
, the Web site of
the Association of Zoos
and Aquariums.
HOP ON A TRAIL
For a road trip under your
own power, get the bike
out of the garage or rent
one at a local shop and
find a bike trail nearby.
If you can, find a rail-
trail—a railway that’s
been converted to a bike
path. Most of the 1,400
rail-trails are beautiful
and often wonderfully flat
(a blessing if you haven’t
hiked in a while). Find
one at the Rails-to-Trails
Conservancy Web site
(traillink.com).
For more
on summer bikes, see “Brake
the Cycle,”
page 194.
FIND A DRIVE-IN
It’s the 75th anniversary
of the drive-in theater, so
indulge in that venerable
summer pastime and
catch a flick. More than
400 of them are still
operating—you’ re
bound to find at least
one close by. Go to
drivein thea ter. com,
where you can search
theaters by state.
JOIN THE CLUB
Large and small towns
alike offer all-age social
clubs or recreational
leagues. Join one to learn
a sport or revive a skill.
Go toymca.net or contact
your local parks and
recreation department
to learn more, inb
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MAKE THE MOST OF SUMMER
B E S T B E A C H V A C A T IO N S
It’s hard to beat a great beach for a runaway day
destination. We polled readers and editors for their
favorite water spots. Our picks feature a wide range of
places to visit, from the Emerald Coast of Florida to the
shores of Vancouver Island.
BHG.com/bestbeaches
H O JULY2008 BETTI R HOMES AND GARDENS
PHOTO: VEER
