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Tonya Denmark

Summer's got about 5 weeks left

Published 13 days ago • 2 min read

Travel entry:
​August 2026

Hey Reader

The end-of-summer clock is ticking.

Let's be real: summer has about 5 weeks left. Labor Day (September 7) is basically the finish line, and after that it's back-to-school mode, cooler mornings, and pumpkin spice everything. (Although, I prefer the apple cider flavors)

If school starts sooner for your crew, you've really only got 2-3 weeks. So no pressure, but also, kind of pressure.

Good news: you don't need a big trip to make it count. A few easy ideas to squeeze in before summer wraps:

A weekend at the beach. Sand, waves, no agenda. Even two nights feels like a full reset. If you can, squeeze it in mid-week for cheaper prices and fewer crowds.

A quick mountain escape. Cooler air, good hikes, a fireplace at night. Instant vacation vibes.

A day trip to a museum or a nearby city. No packing, no big plan. Just go see something new and be home by dinner.

Pick one. Any one. Just don't let Labor Day sneak up on you.

Talk soon,

Tonya

P.S. Already got something booked? Hit reply and tell us where you're headed.

📍WHERE AM I THIS WEEK?

Home from Michigan

We literally did almost nothing on this trip but relax. I didn't even take any pictures of our time with friends. We did squeeze in one visit for some Lake Michigan time.

📖 WHAT I'M READING

This week I'm diving into Raw Dog by Jamie Loftus. It's a funny travelogue of her journey to try iconic hot dogs across the country. Seems fitting for a summer read.

💖 WHAT I'M LOVING

I bought an Osmo Pocket 3 while traveling and I'm enjoying testing it out and learning what I can do with it. I have a couple of press trips coming up that I want to be sure I get some great coverage for you all.

DEAL OF THE WEEK

​AllTrails is my favorite way to find new hiking trails and make sure I stay on route. Right now, you can get the AllTrails Plus for 50% off. (Which is less than $20!)

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Tonya Denmark

I provide travel recommendations for families with teens, as well as travel planning advice to get the most out of your vacation.

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