Back in '99, I was fortunate enough to get downsized in the wake of an acquisition with a decent severance package. The deal had to be approved by federal regulators and then imlemented before anyone could be let go. That process took close to two years, so people knew what was coming down the pike and could save accordingly.

I had no debt so I was able to end up taking a substantial break from the working world and go on three trips, the shortest of which was nearly two months. I flopped with mom when I was not travelling. Two years after getting the axe I get my old job back. Now I have a mortgage and only 3 official weeks of vacation so I typically do a long weekend trip Easter weekend to take advantage of Good Friday, when we are closed. I also try to do a 8 to 10 day trip. This year we are going back to MT for an 8 day loop out of Missoula.