How Seniors Can Cope When Snow Interrupts Travels Print

As usual, there are many frustrations and delays during this winter travel season because of heavy weather conditions. If you’re traveling and find yourself snowbound in your hotel or aboard your cruise ship, you don’t have to just sit on your bed and gripe about it. Go outside and join in on the fun. It should be easy finding some going on nearby. Let that inner child you once were many years ago come out and enjoy the day with all the rest of the kids. Just be sure to dress warm and stay dry on the outside, and maybe a shot of some inside warmth could be helpful, too. Some ideas:

Kids in snow hut
1. Take advantage of the local scenery. Take your camera and shoot some creative shots and video of the snow-covered city streets and buildings, as well as nearby countryside scenes. If you’re physically able to handle a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle, rent one to extend your photo session into broader sightseeing areas until time to get back to your hotel or ship.

2. Help local kids build a snowman, and let them be creative with whatever props you have. Get fruit and veggies for facial features and hair. Buy some wrapped candy for buttons, and wrapped candy bars for fingers and toes. When the snowman is completed and you have to depart, give all the goodies to the local kids.

3. Help build forts out of snow and other nearby items, such as big empty packing boxes. Choose up sides and have a snowball fight. Just make sure no child (nor your senior self) is in real danger of being hurt.

4. Volunteer at a local shelter for the homeless, victims of abuse, broken families and other troubled people. Help serve meals, read to the kids, tell stories and in other ways make yourself useful

5. All right, not every senior can physically handle those many outdoor fun activities in the snow. So, if a big snowfall interrupts your travels, and you’re stuck in your hotel room, or can’t get out of your own home to get to the airport, gather some tasty snacks and liquid refreshments. Climb into bed with a cozy traveling companion and watch snow pix like “Doctor Zhivago”, “Snow White”, “Holiday Inn”, “It’s A Wonderful Life”, “Fargo” and “March of the Penguins”.