My present class finishes up on December 2nd. That means I've more than a month off and although I'd be satisfied hanging near home, I feel obligated to, at minimum, check out what I could do for a week. I love testing different possibilities. I have a much longer attention span than any real-life travel agent. After all, they'd soon wonder if I were serious. Even the best of agents tire of customers who can't commit to a plan.
There are some amazing bargains from Seattle. How about a diagonal run to Orlando, FL for $200? Vegas or Reno hotels are cheap at $30 in the middle of December. This isn't the best time for Washington DC, is it? Domestic Canadian routes are not only frigid but too expensive. Whether it's the sunny US southwest, Mexico, or Central America, most Canuks end up heading south at the time of year.
This picture was taken during school break in 1984. As poor U of WA grad students, my roommate and I decided to hit the road. We had less than a $100 between us, I think. We were either really brave or extremely stupid. I remember sleeping right in the station wagon as it was parked on a steep San Franciscan street. Thankfully, the old beast didn't break down as we would've had to abandon it and hitchhike back up I-5.