Along with my love for organization comes my obsession with my daily planner. I’m probably not as bad as some are (I don’t take it on trips or anything), but I definitely feel the need to have a daily planner in my life.  I jot down things that I need to do for that day or play dates we might have or appointments we need to keep etc. It makes me feel better at the end of the day to be able to cross off something. It makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something…even if it was just going to the post office.

Now that we are drawing close to the end of another year I need to find a planner for 2010! I must admit that I haven’t really spent a whole lot of time searching for the perfect one, but I did come across a couple on Etsy. I have a couple of requirements when it comes to my planner and both of these (from pspapergoods.etsy.com)  meet those requirements.

Requirement #1: must be spiral bound (makes it easier to fold back)

Requirement #2: must be simple and clean

Requirement #3: must not be pocket sized (needs to be big enough for me to easily write a few notes per day)

Requirement #4: must be reasonably priced (these are $15 which is very reasonable for a handmade planner!)

So, here they are: which one do you like best?

Here is a really efficient, simple, gimmick free system I use to manage my day.    Here is a copy of it for you – you’ll need a Google Docs account, so sign up or sign in.   After you make a copy for yourself rename the document by clicking on doc name in upper-left.  Then, you’ll need to make the document private by following these simple steps:

1. click “share” in the upper right corner
2. click “get the link to share”
3. uncheck the box for  ”Allow anyone with the link to view (no sign-in required)”
4. click “Save and close”

Now,  check out the document, fool around with it for a minute, look at both sheets (toggle at bottom left), and then come back here so I can explain how I use it.

You will see that the basic steps I use to manage the document are included on the document’s left side.  There is a bunch of random information content included in the document so you can see how it is used.   You should highlight whatever you don’t want and press the delete button on your keyboard.  Then click the background color button and change back to white or other desired color if its colored.  You are going to need to play around with this a little bit to get it to work great for you.   Here is how I manage the system:

Here is what it looked like Monday morning, which is how it appears when you first opened it:

click to enlarge

Now, we’ll say the day is coming to an end – we’ll follow the night steps and I’ll explain how that all works.  First I delete any To-Do tasks that were completed that day:

click to enlarge

Keep following the “Night directions” on the left of the main page.  When its time to copy and paste “next-day template” over today’s “Day Plan” and paste the day after tomorrow’s “template” over “next-day template” use this shortcut.

1. Go to Edit tab, select “Named Ranges”, then select “nextday”.  Now just push Ctrl-C to copy it, put your cursor in Main page slot D3 and Ctrl-V.
2. Go to Edit tab again, select “Named Ranges”, then select the day AFTER tomorrow – which in my case is “Wednesday”.  Now just push Ctrl-C to copy it, put your cursor in Templates Page slot B3, press Ctrl-V and your all set.

I know what your thinking “That was confusing” – if you just follow along one time with the steps you’ll realize its fairly straightforward.  Keeping the whole thing updated and sticking to the schedule is the hard part, if you lose focus and need a refresher on productivity, I’ve include the “The six principles of time management” on the lower left of the document.

Good luck, let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Since, it’s year end of 2009, we are offering you a very important workshop

you don’t want to miss this year!

Workshop on “Increase Your Daily Productivity By 500%”

We are telling you, this will give you Instant Gratification from you Daily Chaotic Tasks!

What will you expect for 3-Hour Workshop ?

1. Looking Back – Your accomplishments this year

2. 5 Years Goal Setting – Goal Setting Technique

3. Freedom! License to Brag about what you want in life

4. Instant Gratification to learn how to Increase Your Daily Productivity for 500%

Free 21-Day Simply Effective Planner

DO NOT MISS THIS DAY!

December 2, 2009 ; 9am-12nn at Maryland Heights Centre

2344 Mckelvey Rd., Maryland Heights 63044

This workshop is valued at $489 ; Special Promo Rate of $259.99

And an additional 20% OFF from $259.99,

So it becomes $207.99!!!

BUT WAIT!

We are giving away 7 FREE ADMISSION TO THIS WORKSHOP.

All you have to do is : Prove You Have Too Much On Your Plate

To Win a FREE TICKET to Our Productivity Workshop!

By Blogging at www.erforme.wordpress.com and

Tell us why: “I win the prize for having

too much on my plate because…”

November 18, 2009 ; 9am-12nn at Maryland Heights Centre

2344 Mckelvey Rd., Maryland Heights 63044

Based on your comments, we will select 7 of the

busiest people to win FREE TICKETS to our Workshop

Just click Reply and Blog it here!

My original plan was just to create a wishlist for the person who picked my name when we draw lots for our exchange gifts but I thought it would be better if more people would be able to read it. Considering the Maeliztas Christmas Party ‘09, my birthday, and Christmas are coming. More gifts, see? Kidding. Anyways, here is the list of the things I want this Christmas:

1. Customized Shirt

Sm Fairview. In front of Burger King. I think the price ranges from Php250 to Php300, depending on the size. Please make me a ‘Large’, but that still depends on how much I will be eating this yuletide season so if in the Christmas party you saw me and thought ‘Wooooeee, he needs an XL’, then go for XL. On the other hand you might also be thinking “Large? Are you serious? You have a fucking slim-sexy-mouthwatering figure and you are telling me you’re a ‘Large’?”, then go get me an XS, but that’s just me being humble so.. Seriously though, please get me a Large Black Shirt with this image on the front:

I made this with MS Paint, can you believe it? Please answer no.

Anyways, copy then paste, save it to your flashdisk, then ask ate tagagawa ng T-shirt to print it on the Black shirt. I asked them if that was possible and they said yes. Please, please, please, pretty please. I really prefer this one over the things I will be writing down next so please give me this one if it won’t give you so much trouble. I’d appreciate it.

2. Starbucks design-your-own (?) tumbler

This one costs a little more, I think about Php400, so if you plan on buying me this one, tell me beforehand so that I can pay you Php100 or so. But as I mentioned earlier, I would really prefer the first one.

3. Original DVD copy of any of these movies

• Pan’s Labyrinth (Maribel Verdu)
• Little Children (Kate Winslet, Patrick Wilson)
• The Illusionist (Edward Norton)
• American History X (Norton again)

But I would really prefer number 1 on the list. So..

Other Stuff:

For my millionaire friends and generous people who are kind enough to send me any of these, you can do so. Here’s my address: #51785 Kinilaw St., ….. kidding. Anyways, for the sake of writing them down:

1. UST Jacket. Black. With a touch of yellow. ‘UST’ written on the back.

2. UST body bag. I am a proud Thomasian.

3. Starbucks Planner or Powerbooks Planner

4. Bob Ong books. I lost all of my copies except MacArthur and PLnH. People really need to learn how to return things they borrowed.

So there. I am really excited about the party. I will tell my supervisor later that I won’t be able to attend the company’s party since it will be done on the same day.See you And See you not for my online friends but I wish you a very happy merry December and Christmas! I never used this many smiley on any of my entries, you see how much I want the shirt?

Oh and did I mention that I want the first one for my exchange gift gift?

 the cover of my assignment book

Since, it’s year end of 2009, we are offering you a very important workshop

you don’t want to miss this year!

Workshop on “Increase Your Daily Productivity By 500%”

We are telling you, this will give you Instant Gratification from you Daily Chaotic Tasks!

What will you expect for 3-Hour Workshop ?

1. Looking Back – Your accomplishments this year

2. 5 Years Goal Setting – Goal Setting Technique

3. Freedom! License to Brag about what you want in life

4. Instant Gratification to learn how to Increase Your Daily Productivity for 500%

Free 21-Day Simply Effective Planner

DO NOT MISS THIS DAY!

December 2, 2009 ; 9am-12nn at Maryland Heights Centre

2344 Mckelvey Rd., Maryland Heights 63044

This workshop is valued at $489 ; Special Promo Rate of $259.99

And an additional 20% OFF from $259.99,

So it becomes $207.99!!!

BUT WAIT!

We are giving away 7 FREE ADMISSION TO THIS WORKSHOP.

All you have to do is : Prove You Have Too Much On Your Plate

To Win a FREE TICKET to Our Productivity Workshop!

By Blogging at www.erforme.wordpress.com and

Tell us why: “I win the prize for having

too much on my plate because…”

November 18, 2009 ; 9am-12nn at Maryland Heights Centre

2344 Mckelvey Rd., Maryland Heights 63044

Based on your comments, we will select 7 of the

busiest people to win FREE TICKETS to our Workshop

Just click Reply and Blog it here!

(Photo Credit: Notebook Stories)

I’ve had my eye on one of these for a while and have of course been waiting for the new year to debate whether to make such a purchase. However, help is on the way if you are like me and lust after one of these babies:

Notebook Stories has done a great another great review of this planner and even has some to give away. So check it out if you haven’t done so already.

Good Luck Everyone.

Since, it’s year end of 2009, we are offering you a very important workshop

you don’t want to miss this year!

Workshop on “Increase Your Daily Productivity By 500%”

We are telling you, this will give you Instant Gratification from you Daily Chaotic Tasks!

What will you expect for 3-Hour Workshop ?

1. Looking Back – Your accomplishments this year

2. 5 Years Goal Setting – Goal Setting Technique

3. Freedom! License to Brag about what you want in life

4. Instant Gratification to learn how to Increase Your Daily Productivity for 500%

Free 21-Day Simply Effective Planner

DO NOT MISS THIS DAY!

December 18, 2009 ; 9am-12nn at Maryland Heights Centre

2344 Mckelvey Rd., Maryland Heights 63044

This workshop is valued at $489 ; Special Promo Rate of $259.99

And an additional 20% OFF from $259.99,

So it becomes $207.99!!!

BUT WAIT!

We are giving away 7 FREE ADMISSION TO THIS WORKSHOP.

All you have to do is : Prove You Have Too Much On Your Plate

To Win a FREE TICKET to Our Productivity Workshop!

By Blogging at www.erforme.wordpress.com and

Tell us why: “I win the prize for having

too much on my plate because…”

November 18, 2009 ; 9am-12nn at Maryland Heights Centre

2344 Mckelvey Rd., Maryland Heights 63044

Based on your comments, we will select 7 of the

busiest people to win FREE TICKETS to our Workshop

Just click Reply and Blog it here!

You Deserve An Awesome 2010! And only you can make that possible by attending our Daily Productivity Workshop on Wednesday, December 2, 9 a.m. to Noon at the Maryland Heights Centre.

We will be sharing our proven system for Planning that has helped us complete 95% of our tasks each and every day. If you could complete 95% of what you set out to do, what would that do for your day? What would that do for your year?

This blog is the place where you can tell us why you deserve a free ticket because you have too much on your plate.

Register now at http://www.meetup.com/Simply-Effective-Planner/

A brief tutorial on creative financing in today’s market

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L4v–DUzyg&hl=en

Since, it’s year end of 2009, we are offering you a very important workshop

you don’t want to miss this year!

Workshop on “Increase Your Daily Productivity By 500%”

We are telling you, this will give you Instant Gratification from you Daily Chaotic Tasks!

What will you expect for 3-Hour Workshop ?

1. Looking Back – Your accomplishments this year

2. 5 Years Goal Setting – Goal Setting Technique

3. Freedom! License to Brag about what you want in life

4. Instant Gratification to learn how to Increase Your Daily Productivity for 500%

Free 21-Day Simply Effective Planner

DO NOT MISS THIS DAY!

December 2, 2009 ; 9am-12nn at Maryland Heights Centre

2344 Mckelvey Rd., Maryland Heights 63044

This workshop is valued at $489 ; Special Promo Rate of $259.99

And an additional 20% OFF from $259.99,

So it becomes $207.99!!!

BUT WAIT!

We are giving away 7 FREE ADMISSION TO THIS WORKSHOP.

All you have to do is : Prove You Have Too Much On Your Plate

To Win a FREE TICKET to Our Productivity Workshop!

By Blogging at www.erforme.wordpress.com and

Tell us why: “I win the prize for having

too much on my plate because…”

November 18, 2009 ; 9am-12nn at Maryland Heights Centre

2344 Mckelvey Rd., Maryland Heights 63044

Based on your comments, we will select 7 of the

busiest people to win FREE TICKETS to our Workshop

Just click Reply and Blog it here!

I’ve also designed a 2010 Planner, which includes color-coded monthly views and weekly views.  This took a VERRRY long time to design.  It makes me think I should learn InDesign.  This however was all done in Photoshop, and hard to coordinate the fronts/backs of all the pages!  Then I printed the pages out, handstitched them into a cut marine vinyl cover, and there are a couple different closure designs.

These are available in Etsy.

As one of the most used rooms in the house, bathroom renovation requires careful planning for the best bathroom design. Building Codes satisfying the complexity of the bathroom plumbing, and other important considerations to make do it yourself bathroom renovation is a difficult task.

Many DIY bathroom renovation homeowners are dependent on a reliable bathroom contractor or contractors, craftsmen to use at least some aspects of the project. This helps to residential –Building code requirements are met, and avoid costly mistakes.

Basic Standard Building Code Requirements

While building code requirements must be reviewed at the local level, there are some bathroom design requirements, which under standard building code guidelines.

Some of these basic requirements are:

Toilet enclosures – bathroom stall enclosures must be at least 36 "X 66" of space
Toilets – Center for at least 15 "from the wallsand above tubs, 21 "clearance.
Fittings for bath and shower combination tub / shower has anti-scald devices
Bathroom light – one that is permanently controlled by a wall switch
Wall switch – at least 60 "of tub and shower
Waste and drain lines – must slope ¼ "per foot to the main DWV stack; a boost and help to prevent blockages
All containers must be GFCI protected

For the full year, residential building code requirementsYour area, contact your Department of Building and Safety Engineering.

Start a Bathroom Remodeling Planner

If you have your own bathroom, start a bathroom renovation planners, notes, keeping ideas, and important aspects of your bathroom renovation plans. Follow these steps for planning success:

Bathroom floor plan – unplug your bathroom wall and floor plan to scale dimensions. For help, how to do this to acquire the research on the topic online, orServices of Bath Designer. Buy or make templates to draw the existing bathroom layout, and then experiment with different layouts for the room. Include plans for plumbing fixtures and bath lines. Remember, sewer relocation of existing lighting can greatly add to cost and complexity of the project.
Check local building code requirements – if you have not already, meet you at the Office for Building and Safety Engineering for local residential building codes. Payspecial attention to the minimum spacing of devices required. In addition to the space available, this will determine whether to require compact luminaires and / or built-in appliances. If you are designing a handicap-friendly bathroom, get a universal building code list, instead of the standard. Use universal building code guidelines for a more flexible bathroom design to create the needs of people of all ages as far as possible fulfilled regardless of size or physical ability.
Details make the initial Bathroom Remodeling Plan – changes needed by up to code. All dimensions and fixtures, plumbing, electrical, HVAC and connections. Consider bathroom lighting and bathroom exhaust fan placement, and everything essential for the bathroom renovation plan and bathroom design.
Make a list of materials – That all materials needed to make your bathroom remodeling project is completed. They eventually specificTypes / models of devices and materials, where anyone can be achieved, and the estimated costs. Here is another area where the expertise of an experienced bathroom renovation contractor can help, even if you intend to do all or any part of the work itself.
Call the Building Department – You've checked your bathroom renovation planners to make sure you have allowed for all building code requirements and have all that important to include the project's success. The building inspector may recommendChanges to your bathroom floor plan or building material list. Be sure you understand the reasons for making any changes and adjustments required.
Obtain the necessary building permits – one or more permits be required, in addition to the planned inspections. This generally means that after shaping and rough water, and wiring are completed, a second, after the entire project is completed.

You're almost ready to begin bathroom renovation, all that is left of the acquisition ofMaterials to complete the work, and perhaps gain the services of a contractor.

Find a home improvement contractor with experience in bathroom design and renovation online at HandyAmerican.com. Open your project online with our easy to use tools, membership and posting is free! Service members in your area will offer competitively on your project. Possible for the most qualified service at the best price!

homerhomedepot.wordpress.com http://diy-ehi.blogspot.com/

You gotta love all the new applications that are available through our ever-improving technology. The ability to carry around a pocket-sized piece of equipment (like i-phone or blackberry) that gives you immediate access to your calendar, contact list, email and more is really amazing. But I have one question for all you die-hard electronics users: Is your electronic calendar running your life?

Already some of you are screaming: but of course! Isn’t that the point? Well, not exactly. You see, inputting every single activity, birthday, appointment, and task into your calendar/planner may make you feel “organized” but does it help you get more done?

Honestly, that’s what I used to do. I used to put every single family members’ activities/commitments on my personal calendar, along with my own obligations/tasks/reminders. And although I could quickly see how “busy” I was in all the varying roles I have, I sure didn’t feel accomplished. In fact, I heard a great saying, “Activity can be an anesthesia for achievement.” Ouch! Hearing that one hurt. In fact, the speaker went on to say that “Activity is an input, but achievement is an output.”

What’s this all mean? It means that inputting every activity in the world on your personal “to-do” list whether that is in an electronic format or on paper doesn’t mean you are really focused on achieving the most important and fulfilling things in life. In fact, I have found the less I do, the more I achieve. And I don’t even need a fancy electronic app to help me with that!

Since, it’s year end of 2009, we are offering you a very important workshop

you don’t want to miss this year!

Workshop on “Increase Your Daily Productivity By 500%”

We are telling you, this will give you Instant Gratification from you Daily Chaotic Tasks!

What will you expect for 3-Hour Workshop ?

1. Looking Back – Your accomplishments this year

2. 5 Years Goal Setting – Goal Setting Technique

3. Freedom! License to Brag about what you want in life

4. Instant Gratification to learn how to Increase Your Daily Productivity for 500%

Free 21-Day Simply Effective Planner

DO NOT MISS THIS DAY!

December 2, 2009 ; 9am-12nn at Maryland Heights Centre

2344 Mckelvey Rd., Maryland Heights 63044

This workshop is valued at $489 ; Special Promo Rate of $259.99

And an additional 20% OFF from $259.99,

So it becomes $207.99!!!

BUT WAIT!

We are giving away 7 FREE ADMISSION TO THIS WORKSHOP.

All you have to do is : Prove You Have Too Much On Your Plate

to Win a FREE TICKET to Our Productivity Workshop!

By Blogging at www.erforme.wordpress.com and

Tell us why: “I win the prize for having

too much on my plate because…”

November 18, 2009 ; 9am-12nn at Maryland Heights Centre

2344 Mckelvey Rd., Maryland Heights 63044

Based on your comments, we will select 7 of the

busiest people to win FREE TICKETS to our Workshop

Just click Reply and Blog it here!

Clearly, strategic planning is no panacea. Strategic planning is simply a set of concepts, procedures, and tools designed to help leaders, managers, and planners think and act strategically. Used in wise and skillful ways by a “coalition of the willing,” strategic planning can help organizations focus on producing effective decisions and actions that further the organization’s mission, meet in mandates, and satisfy key stakeholders. But strategic planning is not a substitute for strategic thinking and acting. Only caring and committed people can do that. And when used thoughtlessly, strategic planning can actually drive out precisely the kind of strategic thought and action it is supposed to promote.

Furthermore, strategic planning is not a substitute for leadership. There is simply no substitute for leadership when it comes to using strategic planning to enhance organizational performance. At least some key decision makers and process champions must be committed to the strategic planning process, or any attempts to use it are bound to fail.

In addition, strategic planning is not synonymous with creating an organizational strategy. Organizational strategies have numerous sources, both planned and unplanned. Strategic planning is likely to result in statement of organizational intentions, but what is realized in practice will be some combination of what is intended and what emerges along the way. Strategic planning can help organizations develop and implement effective strategies, but they should also remain open to unforeseen opportunities. Too much attention to strategic planning and excessive reverence for strategic plans can build organizations to other unplanned and unexpected—yet incredibly useful—sources of information, insight, and action.

The discipline necessary for strategic planning can be of two sorts. The first harkens back to Latin root of the word “discipline,” emphasizing instruction, training, education, and learning. The second embodies later interpretations of the word, emphasizing order, control, and punishment. Emphasis should be placed on education and learning, although there clearly are occasions when imposing order, taking control, and enforcing appropriate sanctions are appropriate. Certainly, key leaders, managers, and planners can best use strategic planning as an educational and learning tool, to help them figure out what is really important and what should be done about it. Sometimes this means following a particular sequence of steps and preparing formal strategic plans, but not necessarily. The ultimate goal of strategic planning should not be a rigid adherence to a particular process or an instance on the production of plans. Instead, strategic planning should promote wise strategic thought and action on behalf of an organization and its key stakeholders. What steps to follow, in what sequence, and whether or not to prepare formal plans are subsidiary concerns.

My Consultancy–Asif J. Mir - Management Consultant–transforms organizations where people have the freedom to be creative, a place that brings out the best in everybody–an open, fair place where people have a sense that what they do matters. For details please visit www.asifjmir.com, and my Lectures.

Now this whole thing on the Moleskine is quite a phenomenon. Demands have been higher, relatively increasing the price.

Seriously, would you need an organizer / notebook that costs more than a 1000 bucks?

As much as I may have gotten my perpetual planner for more than that, it came with books (defensive-mode on).

As I previously posted, I got myself a Scribe planner which costs a quarter than that of a Moleskine and I was happy.

Of course it’s premature, since if I actually looked further, I would’ve found the Green Apple.

This is a Moleskine look-alike. It may not have the oilcloth, but its cover is a thicker leatherette.The ribbon bookmark is almost the same but the elastic that keeps the notebook shut is relatively thinner. The best part, it costs 169 bucks in retail (half less than the Scribe pad).

Since, it’s year end of 2009, we are offering you a very important workshop

you don’t want to miss this year!

Workshop on

“Increase Your Daily Productivity By 500%”

We are telling you, this will give you Instant Gratification from you Daily Chaotic Tasks!

What will you expect for 3-Hour Workshop ?

1. Looking Back – Your accomplishments this year

2. 5 Years Goal Setting – Goal Setting Technique

3. Freedom! License to Brag about what you want in life

4. Instant Gratification to learn how to Increase Your Daily Productivity for 500%

Free 21-Day Simply Effective Planner

DO NOT MISS THIS DAY!

November 18, 2009 ; 9am-12nn at Maryland Heights Centre

2344 Mckelvey Rd., Maryland Heights 63044

This workshop is valued at $489 ; Special Promo Rate of $259.99

And an additional 20% OFF from $259.99,

So it becomes $207.99!!!

BUT WAIT!

We are giving away 7 FREE ADMISSION TO THIS WORKSHOP.

All you have to do is : Prove You Have Too Much On Your Plate

to Win a FREE TICKET to Our Productivity Workshop!

By Blogging at www.erforme.wordpress.com and

Tell us why: “I win the prize for having

too much on my plate because…”

November 18, 2009 ; 9am-12nn at Maryland Heights Centre

2344 Mckelvey Rd., Maryland Heights 63044

Based on your comments, we will select 7 of the

busiest people to win FREE TICKETS to our Workshop

Just click Reply and Blog it here!

Your road trip planner will be overstuffed if you try to explore all that the Big Island has to offer in one week. I know, because I just spent eight days there on the Kona Coast and didn’t even get to see much of the Hilo side. So, by combining my trip experience with recommendations from locals, here then is a two-week road trip that will give you the ultimate Big Island Experience.

I’d recommend staying one week on the Kona Coast and the next in Hilo to have a great jumping off point for your many explorations. We’ll start our road trip planning on the Kona side, the sunnier region. We stayed in the Kailua-Kona, site of the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon (scheduled for October 11th this year) and home of the revered King Kamehameha, the leader who united the islands. It has a great waterfront and pier, where you could enjoy dinner each night with a view of the sun dipping behind the water horizon. My favorite was the Kona Brewing Company (baked garlic, home-made focaccia & melted gorgonzola dip).

Make sure to include plenty of beaches in your road trip planner. Snorkelers should go to Kahaluu Beach Park, surfers to White Sands Beach, privacy buffs to Kona Coast State Park, and beach lovers can choose from Anaehoomalu Bay, Hapuna Beach, or Mauna Kea Beach.

Other places to consider in your road trip planning in Kailua-Kona: The Hulihee Palace, Kokuaikaua Church, and Kamehameha’s Compound at Kamakahonu Bay. I found souvenirs and affordable wine at the Kona Wine Market. Include one Luau in your trip; I went to the Island Breeze Luau because it was right on the beach in the King Kamehameha Compound at the Kailua Pier.

Along the Kohala Coast, your road trip takes you north into some quaint towns like Hawi. The road ends a few miles past Hawi, where you’ll view the Pololu Valley (very dramatic!). But first, catch a tour at the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm (NELHA), the only Seahorse farm in the US. Stroll through the Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site, the temple Kamehameha built to the war god to insure his success in battle. Keep driving up Highway 270 in North Kohala to the Lapakahi State Historical Park for a view of a typical 14th-century Hawaiian village and the Mo’okini Luakini Heiau. The original Kamehameha Statue is along this route, as well as a view of Maui. A mile from the Pololu lookout, enjoy a picnic at the Keokea Beach Park. On your way back, check out the Puako Petroglyph Archaeological District.

Along the southern coast on the Kona side, you’ll find Captain Cook, Kealakekua Bay, the Place of Refuge and Honaunau Bay. All of these make for a perfect full day’s exploration to add to your road trip planner, with historical places and monuments, great scenic shots of the bays and snorkeling/swimming at Honaunau Bay, considered the second best place to snorkel or scuba with turtles, fish, and huge coral growths!

Now it’s time to move your home base to the Hilo side to give you plenty of time to explore the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Leaving Kailua-Kona, include in your road trip planning, stops at South Point (the southernmost spot in the US), the Punaluu Bakery shop in Naalehu, and the Punaluu Black Sand Beach.

We didn’t spend nearly enough time at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park because the ranger told us the current lava flow was outside the park (in August, 2008, drive one hour to the end of Highway 130 in Kaimu, then hike 20 minutes over lava beds to the viewing area). Schedule two days in your road trip planner to fully explore the Kilauea Visitors Center, Halemaumau Crater, Thurston Lava Tube, Devastation Trail, and a Crater Rim drive as well as make the sunset trek to the lava flow. Local Shannon Cormie says, “Seeing the ribbon of red lava snake its way down the side of the mountain and then thunder into the ocean is a sight you will never forget”.

One reason to place Hilo front and center in your road trip planning is because it’s so lush! David Carpenter, a local, recommends the Akatsuka Orchid Garden for its large assortment of orchids. It’s situated about halfway between Volcano and Hilo. Shannon recommends Banyan Drive, Liliuokalani Gardens, Lyman Museum & Mission House, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, and the wonderful botanical gardens like Nani Mau Gardens Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, and World Botanical Garden.

From there, you road trip takes you north to the Hamakua Coast with stops at the Akaka Falls and lunch in Honokaa. Then check out Waipio Valley, the birthplace of Hawaii’s kings, before heading for Waimea, a cowboy town with the Parker Ranch Visitor Center & Museum as the focal point.

Set aside a full day in your trip planner to explore Mauna Kea. Rent a four-wheel drive vehicle to climb to the top (13,796 feet) or book a full-day tour where guides will take you to hidden waterfalls, sacred spots and an observatory, treasured by astronomers around the globe.

All of the above will fill your Big Island Road Trip to the brim. And you’re sure to discover some new places as well. But take heart, if you don’t get to them all this round, you’ll have a perfect excuse to fill another road trip planner for your next visit!

Most folks can’t afford the time off to hike all 2,167 miles of the Appalachian Trail, but they do use a ROAD TRIP PLANNER to create a car or RV version of it. Hoofing it would take about seven months at 10 miles per day (some die-hard hikers manage it in one season). So, exploring the Appalachian Trail via a car or RV road trip is a great alternative because you could can cover the same distance in about two weeks at the leisurely pace

This scenic road trip closely follows the Appalachian Trail, with many spots where trail and road cross paths. This allows you to immerse yourself in the deep woods with a daily hike but also enjoy nature’s colors unfurling before you as you cruise along the two-lane highway. Choose a Fall start date in your road trip planner because then you’ll reap the benefits: Experience the Appalachian Mountains AND see New England’s legendary Fall Colors.

That’s not to say your trip itinerary will include nothing but trees and trails. You’re passing through 14 historically significant states so you’ll come upon many cultural places like quaint villages, country stores, historical museums and memorials to add to your road trip planner.

Even though the Appalachian Trail runs through 14 states, this blog will include details on the first 6 of them (not including Maine): New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania. This leaves New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia for another blog. Remember, in order to follow the Appalachian Trail, you’ll be meandering through the states, so even though your initial road trip planning might indicate a 1200-mile route, you’ll actually be driving an additional 200 miles on this road trip.

RECOMMENDED PLACES TO ADD TO YOUR ROAD TRIP PLANNER:

IN NEW HAMPSHIRE: You’ll be traveling west from Gorham to Orford before turning south.
* Pinkham Notch Camp
* Mt. Washington in New Hampshire’s Presidential Range
* Mount Washington Cog Railway
* The five granite ledges of Old Man of the Mountain at the Franconia Notch Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich

IN VERMONT: Your entry point is White River Junction; exit through Bennington.
* The historic town of Woodstock
* Gifford Woods State Park in the heart of the Green Mountains
* A panoramic view of Mt. Snow as you descend into Wilmington

IN MASSACHUSETTS: You’ll be skirting the west on Highway 7 all the way from Williamstown to Ashley Falls.
* Mount Greylock State Reservation
* Hancock Shaker Village
* Mount Washington State Forest in South Egremont (stay at the Weathervane, a great B & B).

IN CONNECTICUT: Enter in Canaan on Highway 7 and exit through Danbury.
* Norfolk, for its sheer beauty, including its private forest
* The Appalachian Trail crosses Highway 7 and the Housatonic River at Cornwall Bridge.
* Allow one luxury stay at the Berkshires. The Berkshires is to western Connecticut what the Catskills is to New York and the Poconos to Pennsylvania.

IN NEW YORK: We’re only going to include the Appalachian Trail segment in this road trip planner and keep the “other” New York for another trip (unless you really can’t help yourself & decide to spend a few days in New York City…it’s your vacation after all :>). Drive along US 6 to Highway 7, touching the southeastern part of New York and exiting through Port Jervis.
* West Point, the Army’s famous military academy
* Bear Mountain State Park
* Harriman State Park

IN PENNSYLVANIA: Come in at Dingman’s Ferry and exit through Gettysburg (you’ll actually dip a bit in the Garden State of New Jersey).
* Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
* The Poconos
* Roadside America in the village of Shartlesville to see a scale model of bygone Americana.
* The Pennsylvania Dutch Country
* Gettysburg

That’s it…so far. Check back again soon because we’ve got another 7 states to add to your Road Trip Planner to make this a truly magnificent Fall exploration of the Appalachian Trail.