Rain Check: Turning Wet Weather into Vacation Fun
In the evergreen words of André 3000 as heard on the track Ms. Jackson, “You can plan a pretty picnic, but you can’t predict the weather.” While some meteorologists might take umbrage with this particular sentiment, the truth of the lyric holds up when it comes to vacation planning. When you’re making reservations for a trip months or even years ahead of time, it’s impossible to predict the weather for any particular period of time aside from relying on broad trends and seasonal patterns. So, what is one to do besides anxiously hoping and praying for weeks on end, stressing about something wholly out of your control (in the face of the uncontrollable)? This is where I offer Mr. 3000 the following advice: invest in a good raincoat. Beyond that, here are a few ways to be prepared in the event that your parade becomes sufficiently rained upon.
Dress for the Occasion
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing”
- Alfred Wainwright (more like Rain-right, am I right?)
A good waterproof jacket or raincoat, quick-drying clothing, and watertight shoes or boots can act as impenetrable armor against a volley of raindrops from above while keeping you comfortable at the same time. Umbrellas and ponchos are useful in a pinch as well and can act as cover as you dart from one indoor location to another. Nothing will make you feel more on top of your game than keeping dry in a downpour while everyone around you is getting soaked to the bone. Be victorious in the battle against soggy underwear and look good doing it: dress appropriately!
On this same note, make sure that your electronic devices are protected. If you don’t heed the advice above and get stuck in the rain without an umbrella, your body is still, for the most part, water resistant. You’re not going to melt into a puddle (wicked witches from the west excepted). The same can’t be said of your electronic devices (phones, external batteries, cameras, headphones, etc.). I know that some phones have water resistant features these days, but for the most part, electricity and water do not mix. A good waterproof case or bag can stand between you and a claim on, or outright replacement of, one of your (typically expensive) devices.
A final note – even the best gear has its limitations. The most advanced raincoat in the world will not protect you from a lightning bolt to the dome and if there was one out there that could, no one would be able to afford it or want to wear it. Use caution in the event of extreme weather. Heed local emergency notifications and seek shelter in unsafe conditions.
Build Indoor Activities into Your Plan
Setting aside extreme weather conditions, if you’re vacationing in a place that experiences periods of frequent rainfall or has a rainy season, it’s important to plan build some indoor activities into your itinerary so that you can optimize your time. If you’re theme park touring, rain makes for an excellent time to hop in line for an indoor attraction. Most outdoor attractions will generally continue to operate during the rain, but if there is lightning in the area (and oftentimes there is during pop-up thunderstorms) those rides will go down for safety purposes. If you see a storm brewing, head for an attraction with a roof over its head. I was in Universal Studios Orlando recently and popped into the queue for Harry Potter and the Escape for Gringotts during a downpour. The line was a little longer than usual (when outdoor attractions go down or it starts raining, capacity naturally decreases), but after the half hour it took me to get through the experience, the sun was shining bright again and I was dry as a bone.
Outside of the context of a theme park vacation, museums and galleries, restaurants and bars, and theaters are all excellent ways to spend time indoors. If you’d prefer not to venture out at all, games of the board, party and card variety are a great way to have fun with family, which after all is one of the primary goals of any family getaway. Grandpa trying to draw a bellybutton during a round of Pictionary might produce a fonder memory than any painstakingly planned experience could. Just ask your kids what their favorite part of your last family vacation was; the answers might surprise you. Lastly, rain could be an excellent opportunity for unwinding on your own in a quiet cozy spot with a good book, show or movie. The nature of family vacations can be draining for some, so take this as an opportunity to recharge your batteries.
Embrace the Rain
“Life’s not about waiting for the storm to pass… It’s about learning to dance in the rain”
- Vivan Greene
“I love muddy puddles”
- Peppa Pig
I’m going to wax a little philosophical here, but it occurs to me that at some point in life there comes a point where the inconvenience of “bad” weather robs us of opportunities to enjoy what is otherwise a life-giving experience. We had a dry spell for about a week or two here in Pittsburgh at the end of July and the impact on our yard was stark – patches of brown grass and dry cracked soil in the garden (which, to be sure, could’ve been mitigated by some watering on our part). We take the rain for granted and see it as an all-too necessary evil after we’ve been without for some time. Instead of waiting for the rain to pass, what if we embraced the unpredictability of the weather and used it as an opportunity to reconnect with our inner child, dance in the rain and stomp in some muddy puddles. Vacation is a time to shed the cares and stresses of everyday life and give ourselves permission to be goofy and have some fun. Here’s to hoping for at least one day of rain in the forecast on your next trip.
Hedge Your Bets
From the philosophical to the practical – a word on trip protection or travel insurance. Insurance: you don’t really know how valuable it is until you actually need it. My sincere hope is that our customers at Lubinski Family Travel will never have to file a claim due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. The chances of that happening? I’m going to guess not great. A good trip protection plan (and there are a lot of good ones out there) can provide you with coverage for cancellations, interruptions, medical assistance including evacuation and delayed or lost baggage. It can also provide you with the ever-illusive peace of mind. I’m not an insurance professional, would never hold myself out as such, and will always advise clients to compare plans, read the fine print with concern to exclusions and ask the insurer any and all relevant questions; however, I can say that trip protection, especially in a post-COVID world, is something that anyone traveling should strongly consider. In extreme weather events, it’s likely that resorts and hotels will work with you and accommodate you as best as possible, but it’s certainly worth taking steps to mitigate as much risk as possible when it comes to your valuable vacation time and dollars. As they say, lightning could strike.
So, on that somewhat dour note, should you have a doom and gloom outlook when it comes to gloomy weather? Absolutely not! Speaking from personal experience, we’ve encountered good (sometimes abnormally great) weather on many of the trips we’ve taken over the years. Vacation spots are inherently those that folks want to travel to because of their propensity for good weather, otherwise they wouldn’t be popular vacation spots. However, as a number of great leaders have said over the years, failing to plan is planning to fail and, in most cases, bad weather doesn’t have to equate to a bad travel experience.
Need some help with the planning process of the vacation equation? Let Lubinski Family Travel partner with you to put together an unforgettable trip, rain or shine! Sign up through the website to receive relevant information or reach out to us with your specific questions!
Safe travels!
Insurance Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Lubinski Family Travel is not an insurance provider and does not offer insurance services. We recommend that you consult with a licensed insurance professional to understand the specific terms, conditions, and exclusions of any travel insurance policy you consider. Always read the fine print and ask questions to ensure you have the coverage that meets your needs. Lubinski Family Travel does not assume any responsibility or liability for any insurance claims or issues that may arise.