A few years ago, a friend of ours was telling us about a fabulous vacation she had in South Africa. Maybe it's our childhood obsession with the Swiss Family Robinson, but the thing that impressed us most about her tale was the super-cool treehouse she lodged in.

The treehouse was positioned high up in a tree (of course) and overlooked the magnificent African bush. The one she stayed at was kind of luxurious with a fancy bed, flowing drapery, and special dining, but we've seen more rustic, yet still comfortable accommodations.

Anyway, it was all very impressive, and we've had treehouse envy ever since viewing her pictures, but we figured there was little chance of us getting to South Africa any time soon, so we kind of put it out of our minds for a while.

However... while exploring the web, we find out there are all kinds of interesting places with treehouse rentals, and many of them are in the US. Now, our chances of sleeping like a squirrel are starting to look a little more promising.

Here's some of the places we found, and just so you know, these aren't your typical dad-made treehouses (you won't see any rusty nails or a "no girls allowed" sign). These have kitchens, bathrooms, showers, and more.

Cedar Creek Treehouse  

This cabin is located in a family-owned retreat just outside Mount Ranier National Park in Washington. It's built 50 feet up on a 200-year-old Red Cedar tree which goes right through the middle of the cabin, and in the surrounding canopies there are high bridges that let you explore the trees and see the sites from various lookout points.

It costs $300 per night, which is a little pricey, but it's truly a one-of-a-kind place.

Treehouse Paradise  - This treehouse resort is located in Cave Junction, Oregon, which is near the Redwood Forest, the Oregon Caves, and the coastline, so there are plenty of things to do. Each treehouse has its own unique theme and construction, and since they are a bed and breakfast, you get a fresh breakfast prepared every morning by their private chef.

Their rates are $225 per night for a double occupancy.

Edisto River Treehouses - Those on the east coast can experience treehouse living in Canadys, South Carolina, which is situated near the Edisto River. These treehouses are accessible by canoe and are ideal for those who truly want to immerse themselves in nature. Carolina Heritage Outfitters also offer river trips and rent gear for self guided tours.

They charge $150/person for the first night and $75 for each additional night.

The Treehouse Camp - These cabins are located off the Appalachian Trail in Maryland, and although they aren't too high off the ground (only about 7 feet), they are nestled in the trees and have a definite treehouse-feel. If you're a student, software engineer, or anyone else whose indoor career leaves you longing for nature, then you'll love the rustic environment of this campground.

These treehouses are much cheaper ($43 - $70 per night), but they don't have all of the amenities as some of the other places.

Treetops Treehouses, Hawaii -Okay, if we ever get to Hawaii, this is where we are staying. These treehouses are nestled right in the beautiful, tropical jungle. What a way to experience the island!

We couldn't find any prices on their site, but we'd venture to say it's not cheap. Still, wouldn't it be awesome.

Do you know of any other treehouse accommodations? If so, let us know. We'd love to know what else is out there.

Posted by beyondthecampus at 1:49 PM EDT

Updated: Wednesday, 18 April 2012 2:06 PM EDT

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Has all our talk of travel sparked your interest in joining the ever-increasing  group of people known as digital nomads - globe trotters who work via Wi-Fi from anywhere in the world? If so, you've undoubtedly wondered about what type of work you can do to support such an independent lifestyle.

Each year it seems that more occupations are offering "work at home" options. Now, even web designer and administrative assistant jobs are done virtually from the most remote corners of the globe, but there's one line of work that is especially popular among digital nomads - travel blogging. And why not? Travel bloggers get to spend their days exploring obscure places, and their nights writing about their adventures.

Once upon a time, this way of life was only feasible for those lucky enough to work for National Geographic or some other travel magazine. Now, anyone with writing skills and some wherewithal can turn themselves into a travel writer (no need to land a job at a fancy magazine).

Of course, you can't just start a travel blog and begin making money right away (much less enough to live on), yet with some perseverance it can happen.

How is this possible? Again, it's going to take some time (usually about two or three years), but here are some suggestions on how to progress:

1.  Above all, and before you even think about making money, focus on creating quality content. Having awesome posts, pictures, links, etc. is what will attract people to your site, and without a large fan base you have no hope of ever making any money.

Eat, breathe, and sleep great content - it is the lifeblood of your blog.

2. Every new blog has to start small when it comes to monetization. This means using contextual ads, affiliate links, and banner ads. Don't expect to make much from these (just a few cents here and there), but once your traffic increases you may start earning enough to pay for your server and hosting fees. Yeah!

3. Once you've earned some recognition as a blogger, you can earn money by writing for other sites. If site owners see that your blog is well-written and has a good following, you should have no problems securing some paid guest blogging opportunities.

4. When your site is established (usually after a year or two) you can think about charging for advertising space. This is different from contextual or pay-per-click ads since business will be contacting you directly (or vice versa) for the opportunity to appear on your site. This is where travel bloggers can start making some big bucks; although, it depends on how much daily traffic you get and the type of companies competing for space on your page.

5. By this time, if you've done what you're supposed to, people will regard you as an expert in your field. Now, you can start selling them things: eBooks, how-to guides, t-shirts, podcasts, and other digital products.

6. After you have one successful blog, you can create a spin-off blog and make even more money. Those who start other sites usually write about a smaller niche within their overall travel theme such as how to save money or getting by as a solo traveler.

7. Similar to paid advertisements, popular blogs can also earn cash through sponsorships (i.e. companies will give you money to use their products or services). For instance, Nikon might pay you (or at least give you a free camera) if you write on your blog about how you take all your pictures with your wonderful Nikon camera.

8. After many years  (three or more) of a highly successful blog you can also make money by offering consultant work and through membership programs where people have to pay a fee to receive "inside" information (usually on a monthly basis) or a training course.

There are other ways to make a living through travel blogging; however, these are some of the most popular methods. The biggest mistake most bloggers make is giving up too early. Remember, this will take years of dedication, but if you stick with it you can live your dream as a digital nomad.

Posted by beyondthecampus at 10:34 PM EDT

Updated: Saturday, 14 April 2012 10:41 PM EDT

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At Beyond the Campus we are excited because it is travel season! People are heading out on spring break and planning their summer vacations - fun, fun, fun.

What are you doing this spring and summer? Even if you plan on taking summer classes or are thinking about enrolling in courses from online colleges, there is always a week or two between semesters where you have the opportunity to get out of town (take advantage of it!) Even if you just go to a neighboring city, it can be great for feeling like you've gotten away and rejuvenated the system.

Still, when you go to a new place, there's always the problem of deciding where to go and what to do. You can stop at visitor's centers and pick up city guides, but a lot of that stuff is highly commercialized and reads more like advertisements than real information. Unless you want to get stuck going to every tourist trap in town, you need "insider" information, and there are a few good places to find that info.

1. Travel Sites

Big-name travel sites like Expedia, Priceline, and our personal favorite, Trip Advisor are actually great resources for finding some of the best things to do in cities. We hate to give free advertising to such big companies who really don't need it, but because they are so popular, a lot of people go to them and post reviews. You can read through people's personal reviews and learn much more than by simply going to a business' website.

2. Travel Bloggers

You can learn a ton from good travel bloggers. They have been around, know all the tips and tricks for making your way through the world cheaply and safely, and they can tell you where to find the best "secret" places in cities all over the world. The only problem is these bloggers are mostly working as individuals and may not have been to the place where you are going (especially if it is not a major city). But, even if they haven't written about the place where you're headed, you can learn a bunch of useful, general travel info from these sites.

3. Local Bloggers

If at all possible, try to find a blog written by someone who lives in the area where you plan on visiting. This can be something like a local's guide or travel suggestions, but you just can't beat getting first-hand info from people who live and work in the place you plan on visiting. Once you start looking, you'd be surprised how many people blog about their hometown.

Do you have any other suggestions for making your way around an un-known city? Post your ideas in the comment section below.

Posted by beyondthecampus at 4:02 PM EDT

Updated: Sunday, 25 March 2012 4:06 PM EDT

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All week we've been thinking about Nomadic Matt and wondering if being a nomad in the US is as easy to do as it is in Europe - we're thinking it's not. There's just not as much public transportation or cheap places to stay. Think about it, the only real transcontinental transportation services are the Greyhound and Amtrak, and they aren't all that cheap (especially if you're traveling with others).  There are virtually no hostels, and even campsites in state parks (which used to be cheap) are now typically around $25 to $35 per day in popular locations (that gets expensive). 

So, does this mean being a U.S. nomad is impossible? No... you just have to be a little more creative about it. We've been debating about and mulling over the options, and we think we've come up with the cheapest way to make this happen. Of course, this plan isn't for someone who wants to wander around for a month or two (you're probably better off taking the Greyhound or your car), but for those who want to explore the country for six months to a year or more, here's what we've figured out:

Transportation - Save enough money until you can buy a "B" class RV or a camper van.

I know saving for an RV sounds like a big barrier to entry into the nomad lifestyle; however, you can get a small, used B class RV or camper van for relatively cheap. Granted, you probably won't be able to buy something made in this decade, but you can still find some good deals. A lot of people buy these things thinking they have more free time than they really do and end up using them very little. This means there are a bunch floating around with low mileage. Check online RV sales websites and Craigslist. Keep watching until you find something in your budget that won't breakdown as soon as you cross the state line.

The reason for getting a B class or a camper van (besides being cheaper) is because they are small enough to use for regular driving around town. If you buy something 19' or less you shouldn't have any problem parking in regular spots. Plus, they include beds, refrigerators, tables, toilets... basically, everything you need.

Lodging - Camp for free in parking lots, national forests, and on people's land.

It's fairly well-known that most Wal-Marts allow people to camp overnight in their parking lots (just double-check with the store manager). Naturally, camping doesn't mean pitching a tent or rolling out the grill, but merely sleeping overnight in your RV, which is all you really need to get from one destination to the other.

Many national forests are free or really inexpensive for campers. There are usually few (if any) facilities around, but at least you will be staying in nature (unlike the parking lot). Also consider staying on land of friends or relatives. If you plan your route ahead of time, and depending on how spread apart your family is, you can make it pretty far without paying anything for lodging and can visit people you haven't seen in a while.

For more ideas, checkout freecampgrounds.com. They have a running list of all the cheap and free places to camp in every state.

Money - Save before leaving, get a job between stops, or work on the road

Once you have your travel and lodging figured out, you'll have to decide how you want to survive (i.e. pay for food, gas, and extras).  Unless you're able to save a good amount of money ahead of time, you're probably going to have to work. This leaves two options: work between destinations. In other words, work in one town until you have enough to move on, and then start over again. Or, you can get a job that allows you to work as you travel (web designer, writer, freelancer, etc.). Either way, you will have to live frugally, but considering you don't have much space, you won't want to accumulate much stuff anyway. The biggest temptation is to not spend too much on food and entertainment.

Even though it doesn't seem like many people are living this lifestyle, once you start looking online, you'll find it is more popular than you think. There are plenty of helpful sites that share even more tips and tricks. A commitment to save money and "make it happen" is all you need to start your adventure.

Posted by beyondthecampus at 10:24 PM EDT

Updated: Sunday, 25 March 2012 2:54 PM EDT

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We thought it might be fun to, every couple of months or so, highlight other interesting travel blogs. After all, everyone has their own unique travel experiences, and you can learn a lot from other people.

There are tons of travel blogs of all different varieties, but we figured we would start with one of the most popular: Nomadic Matt's Travel Site. Perhaps we love this site because he is doing what so many of us are afraid to do - live life on his own terms. He consciously left his nine-to-five, opted for a nomadic lifestyle, and ironically, seems to be making a living from it.

Of course, he's not traveling all the time. In one of his most recent posts he discusses how he's stressed out from trying to finish his travel book by the deadline, and admits he's not sleeping well and his eyes are tired from looking at the computer screen. Still, he's seeing more of the world than the majority of people who only get two weeks of vacation days per year.

His site is actually quite inspirational for anyone who has ever dreamed of extended travel as he explains how anyone can make this dream happen - without a bunch of money. The site is full of tips, news, deals and plenty of beautiful photographs that will get you itching to travel.

Although we love the premise of the site, it still has us wondering if this is a sustainable lifestyle or a temporary adventure for the young and unencumbered. It seems that almost everyone we know who has followed this path has eventually come "home" after a few years and adopted a normal lifestyle complete with a house, kids, and back to the nine-to-five. After all, what are people to do when they want to have kids - raise them in hostels and on trains? Or, are children simply not a part of this lifestyle... is it one or the other? Also, what about practical concerns like health insurance? Sure, there is travel insurance, but what are you to do if you get cancer or something else long-term? I don't think that fits into the nomad's budget. And what happens when you get old and unable to work or travel? Living on dollars a day doesn't leave much extra for retirement savings.

What's your opinion? Is the nomad lifestyle something to embrace while you're young before you get a conservative job in something like business administration or can it work for a lifetime?

Posted by beyondthecampus at 3:16 PM EST

Updated: Sunday, 4 March 2012 3:23 PM EST

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We love holidays where you don't have to buy gifts or make fancy foods and all you really need to do is show up and have a good time.

One such holiday is St. Patrick's Day, and it's less than a month away. This may seem far away since it is, after all, a holiday that requires little preparation, but what if you plan on going somewhere to celebrate this once religious holiday that has now turned into a day of green and drinking... and quite possibly drinking something green? If you want to get out of town, you'd better start planning.

Most of the major cities have some type of St. Paddy's festivities, which means there is bound to be something going on close to where you live. There are tons of lists online describing the best places outside of Ireland to celebrate the holiday, so we won't rehash every location, but here are the top three cities that really take it over the top. 

1. Chicago, Illinois

Almost everyone has seen news footage of Chicago on St. Patrick's Day. You know what we're talking about... 300,000 people surrounding the bright clover, green Chicago River. Chicago has a huge Irish population and they go all out for this holiday, but of course, everyone is welcome. While there, you can hang out with real Irishmen, sample some corned beef and cabbage, and even take a boat down the emerald river.

2. Boston, Massachusetts

With its first St. Patrick's Day parade in 1737, Boston was one of the first cities to widely celebrate the holiday. More than 600,000 people show up for this event, which makes it nearly impossible not to get caught up in the party atmosphere. Massachusetts in general has the largest percentage of Irish-Americans in the US, so really you can go just about anywhere in the state for some good, Irish fun.

3. Savannah, Georgia

What? A huge St. Patrick's Day celebration in the South? Yes, it's true. In fact, Savannah hosts the WORLDS second largest St. Paddy's Day celebration -- second only to New York City. Savannah has a history of Irish citizens dating back to the 1600's. Back then they were treated as workhorses and not much better than slaves (sometimes worse), however today they are revered, and 700 local Irishmen are tasked with organizing the City's March festivities.

Posted by beyondthecampus at 6:14 PM EST

Updated: Sunday, 26 February 2012 6:16 PM EST

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Tons of college-aged people (and older) have dreams of taking a sabbatical from their ordinary life and backpacking unencumbered through Europe. Yet, many choose to ignore adventure's siren call because of lack of money or know-how. If this sounds like you, then keep reading, and we will show you how, with a little effort, you can make this wish a reality.

Step 1: Save Up Airfare

No matter how long you plan on staying in Europe, you're going to have to get there and back. Your airfare will likely be your biggest singular expense, so saving up enough to cover this bill will make the trip seem much more feasible.  If you choose your dates well in advance, you can get cheaper flight costs, but still expect to spend at least $1,000.

Step 2: Plan How Long You Want to Stay

Naturally, your budget will have a big influence on the length of your stay, but if you spend your money wisely it doesn't have to cost a ridiculous amount per day (see our backpacking money-saving tips below).  We suggest staying at least three to four weeks to make the trip worthwhile, and don't be afraid to put your expedition off for another six months to a year until you've saved enough to stay as long as you truly want. Remember, this may be a once in a lifetime journey, so make it count.

Step 3: Get a Passport and Backpack

While you're dealing with the less fun aspect of the trip (saving money), you can stay motivated by taking care of some other essential details, such as getting a passport and backpack. Once you have these items in hand, the trip will seem much more "real" and make it easier to stick with your plan. Also, don't take the task of choosing a backpack lightly. Remember, it needs to be large enough to fit all your belongings, but light and comfortable enough to wear across a continent.

Step 4: Make a Travel Plan

Outlining a travel plan is often overwhelming for first time European travelers. You may be unsure about where to begin or how to get around. Don't worry - not having an iron-clad itinerary is half the fun of traveling, and gives you a sense of freedom and adventure. Still, it helps to have somewhat of an idea of where you're headed so you don't waste time zig-zagging and retracing your steps. Luckily, there are plenty of sites online that can help you determine a general route.

Step 5: Research Online and Get a Travel Guide

Going to a foreign country is intimidating and enough to keep any hesitant traveler at home. Knowing basic things such as the locations of ATM machines (for money conversion), hostels, and train stations will ease your mind. Also, once there, ask fellow backpackers for advice. They usually have the most up-to-date information and have the benefit of firsthand knowledge.

European Backpacking Money-Saving Tips:

• Take trains at night, so you don't have to spend money on hostels or hotels. This will save $15 to $30 per night.
• Buy food from bakeries and grocery stores - not restaurants and cafes.
• Buy a Eurail Pass for students (costs around $630 for one month)
• If only going for a month, travel in June and September. The prices are cheaper, but the weather is still warm.

If you're careful and keep a tight budget, you can have a great time in Europe for less than $1,000 per month. So, start saving and make that trip happen. Once you're out of school, have started your career in nursing or business, and have a family it is much harder to get away

Posted by beyondthecampus at 5:52 PM EST

Updated: Thursday, 16 February 2012 6:05 PM EST

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For the last couple of posts we've been discussing some travel ideas for spring break, but what if you can't afford to get out of town or don't have a reliable car? That's no excuse to spend your week moping around or doing the same things you always do. In fact, it presents a great opportunity to explore your own city.  

In our slow economy, "staycations" have become incredibly popular, and can be just as fun as traveling somewhere far away. The trick is in looking at your town through new eyes and viewing it as a tourist would. If you're having trouble coming up with interesting places to go, then a good place to start is your local chamber of commerce or visitor center.

Once there, you can collect a slew of pamphlets and you may even learn of an interesting destination you never knew about. Keep an open mind, and don't be afraid to check out that art museum you always pass by or that corny dinner theater you always assumed was a waste of time. If your town has a unique history, why not learn more about it by checking out the historical sites - it will give you a whole new appreciation for where you live.

If it helps, give yourself a new identity for the week; wear tourist clothes, carry a camera, tell people you're from a different state, and act as obnoxious as you like. 

If you have a little extra cash, consider spending a night or two at a hotel or camping. Just being in a different environment will make you feel as if you're miles from home and give you the opportunity to meet new people.

Really, a vacation is a state of mind - it's forgetting about your responsibilities and saying goodbye to obligations. If you can embrace this mindset, your spring break will be just as refreshing as it is for your peers spending the week at some party beach, and you may even have some leftover money in your wallet.

Posted by beyondthecampus at 9:23 PM EST

Updated: Saturday, 11 February 2012 9:45 PM EST

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On our last post we offered some suggestions about where to go during spring break, but for those of you who want more of a "freeform" trip, we have another idea - a road trip to nowhere. There's just something about getting in the car and driving nowhere in particular that makes you feel free and adventurous. You can forget about professors, tests, your future career as a software engineer, and anything else that's been weighing you down.

You can do whatever you want. If you see a sign for scenic lookout... why not pullover and check it out? You've got nowhere else to go. Pass by a restaurant for chicken and waffles ... hey, you've got time to experiment. Anything is up for grabs; fill your itinerary with everything or nothing - it's up to you.

Still, sometimes you need a little help deciding which direction to head. After all, you don't want to end up in a podunk town full of nothing but corn fields and tractors (or maybe you do). Either way, if you need some direction, check out this list of road trip routes. It has 11 of the most famous routes in the USA, so no matter where you're starting from, you can find somewhere to go.

One of the routes is even titled, "The Road to Nowhere." It runs from Canada to the bottom point of Texas and "manages to transnavigate this broad, odd nation, albeit north-to-south, without once grazing a conventional tourist attraction."

Another trail that sounds especially alluring is the "Loneliest Road." Running east to west and going totally cross country, it's the ultimate road trip. On this path you'll see so many famous landmarks ... the nation's capital, the Appalachians, Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, all the way to the blue Pacific Ocean.

Really, all of the routes sound amazing, and they are sure to result in a once in a lifetime experience. Granted, many of these trips probably warrant 2 weeks or more to fully enjoy, so if need be, save your road trip to nowhere for the summer. Even if you're low on cash you can still make it happen. Just plan to camp, pack a cooler, and don't waste your money on over-priced gas station snacks.

Posted by beyondthecampus at 9:34 PM EST

Updated: Sunday, 5 February 2012 9:38 PM EST

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Right now, when you spend every day bundled in parkas and scarves, spring break seems like an uncertainty far in the future. But, in reality, it’s only about three months away. If you’re going to do something exciting (not sit on your couch playing video games), then the time to start planning is now … truthfully, you probably should have started planning a few months ago, but you’ve still got some time.

Of course, if you are looking for the typical drinking and partying type of spring break you can head to the usual destinations: Daytona, South Padre, Panama City, Cancun, etc. But, if you want to do something a little out of the ordinary, more adventurous, and something you can actually tell your kids about one day, then here are some suggestions:

1.       Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico still has the warmth and beaches that many spring breakers crave, but it’s not one of the college hotspots, so you’ll be able to avoid the drunken revelry. Some things to do are:

Beaches  -- Of course

Surf – Some of the best on this side of the Atlantic

EL Yunque National Rainforest – How often do you get to go to a real rainforest

El Morro – Offers interesting history and a stellar ocean view

Remember, you don’t need a passport for Puerto Rico – yeah!

2.       Outer Banks

The Outer Banks won’t be quite as hot as destinations further south, but by the spring it will be warm enough to enjoy time outdoors. In the OBX (as they like to call it) you can:

Surf – One of the few East Coast areas with decent waves

Beaches – Naturally

Deep Sea fishing  -- You never know what you may encounter

Kayaking

Sailing

3.       Key West

If you’re not into flying, but still want that tropical island feel, you can head down to Key West. True, it’s a looooooong way down, but hey, you can drive there. It’s not exactly teeming with adventurous activities, but it is a great place for snorkeling and scuba diving. There are gorgeous reefs, alluring ship wrecks, and tales of pirates … who doesn’t like a good pirate story?

4.       Yosemite

Yosemite is not the first place you think of when someone mentions spring break, but why not, it’s fun. We’ve already had a post on Yosemite, so we won’t go over it all again, but there’s a ton to do there (hike, bike, climb, kayak) as well as beautiful animals and scenery.

5.       Yellowstone

If you live in the North West and don’t want to travel down south in search of warmer weather, then Yellowstone is a nice option. In the spring the animals will be active (including the babies) and it will be comfortable camping weather. For more info, check out our earlier post on Yellowstone.

6.       Your City

Ok, so let’s say you aren’t able to get out of town for spring break, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make the week meaningful. Every city has something adventurous to do. So, gather up your other friends who are stuck at home and go out and do something. Look at your city like a tourist and you never know what you’ll find. 

Posted by beyondthecampus at 2:44 PM EST

Updated: Sunday, 29 January 2012 2:49 PM EST

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