Creative Use of Time Even with Limited Means

By Nancy Dorrans

Happy New Year to my longtime followers, friends, and anyone reading my Travel & Adventure column for the first time.

As I flip through my photos from 2025, trying to create my annual holiday photo album by distilling a whole year into a few key photo memories, I’m struck by a familiar theme. I look back and know that I have been blessed with many opportunities. Throughout my life, these opportunities have often come my way when I had time but very little means to pursue them.

For example, when I was a non-traditional aged college student in my early 30’s at Suffolk University in Boston, one of the assignments was to give an inspirational speech. At that time, I was living paycheck to paycheck and had little expendable income. I was working as a receptionist for the dean at Suffolk Law while taking classes during my lunch hour and after work. 

I was also volunteering during the winter weekends as a ski instructor for YES (Youth Enrichment Services) in Boston. Celebrating over 50 years, YES continues to take students from school groups, youth groups and community centers out of the city and into the mountains.

My time (five years as a volunteer) was well spent. I met lifelong friends, was inspired by the students and their chaperons, and visited many ski areas in New England. My inspirational speech was about volunteering… giving time instead of money.

Fast forward to a time when I was working as a travel agent for AAA in South Portland. My financial situation hadn’t changed much. I was still navigating the realities of living paycheck to paycheck when an opportunity arose for me to travel to China.

‘Fam’ Trip to China

In the travel industry, agents are occasionally invited on what we call “FAM” trips, or familiarization tours. On a Fam, agents scout hotels and resorts, taste the food, and visit local sites and attractions. It’s all so we can provide our clients with authentic, boots-on-the-ground advice. It is one of the perks of the business. 

This opportunity was a “Highlights of China” Fam tour. It included visits to Beijing, Xian, a 3-night Yangtze River Cruise, and a tour of Shanghai.

Departing from San Francisco, the cost was $1000, which covered the airfare from the west coast and land package. Once again, I found myself in that familiar position—having the opportunity but lacking the extra funds. Luckily, I had a credit card…

Extra 48 Hours in Northern California

Also, at that time I had accumulated some airline miles and so was able to use them to fly to San Francisco. However, the best rate/availability was to fly two days in advance. I asked for the extra time off from AAA and made a plan. I had never seen the Redwoods or explored wine country. Here was another opportunity.

To make the most of an extra 48 hours in Northern California, I rented a car, drove across the Golden Gate Bridge, and took a hike in Muir Woods National Monument. Standing among those “towering old-growth redwoods” was humbling.  

I continued north to Stinson Beach and then headed east to Sonoma Valley. 

More than just a drive Highway 1 winds along the cliffs with the Pacific Ocean crashing to your left and Mount Tamalpais towering to the right. It’s a “white-knuckle” drive with a narrow, two-lanes of road hugging the cliffside… Oh, did I mention it was getting dark and the fog had rolled in? I didn’t see Mount Tamalpais. My white knuckles and I arrived in Sonoma just in time for a much-needed wine tasting.

The following day was a whirlwind. A morning bike ride along the Sonoma Winery Trail and then a drive up through Sonoma Valley, across to Napa, and a trek down to Berkeley.

Tour San Francisco, then off to Beijing

As I turned off the Golden Gate bridge, I realized I hadn’t spent any time at all in San Francisco. I saw a small sign with an arrow. “Driving Tour – turn right.” Of course I did. Up and down and all around the town. I ended up at Fisherman’s Wharf. Whew! 

Collapsing into my airport hotel room, I slept well. I had made the most of that time and was glad for it. I met my fellow agents in the morning, tired but ready to fly to Beijing. 

I’ll share more of that Highlights of China tour next month in celebration of Chinese New Year!

For now, I’m working on being grateful for the New Year, for my love of travel, my adventurous spirit, and my creative use of time even with limited means…

I’m hopeful that this new year will bring more travel dreams to your life.

Happy New Year! Take good care!