The Garage Plan Shop Blog

Before you take your next vacation, road trip or getaway, do a little research and download a few travel apps that will help you along the way. We’ve listed some handy apps below, but there many more out there related to maps, travel time, things to do in specific cities, gas prices, places to shop and eat, flight arrival times, hotels, Expert-crafted travel ideas & private tours. Below are a few that we like to use:

AccuFuel

American Airlines

City Maps 2Go

Flight Predictor

FlightView

GasBuddy

GoogleMaps

greenMeter

Hotel Finder

iGasUp

MapQuest Gas Prices

My Max Speed

Orbitz

Southwest Airlines

Trapster

Travelocity

TripAdvisor

TripAlyzer

TripGo Real Time Trip Planner

WiFi Finder

Tags: travel apps, travel information

With a simple and conservative design, this two-car carport satisfies not only parking needs, but it can be utilized for a variety of other uses. Being supported by six 6’’ posts, this carport is sturdy enough to protect vehicles from the elements, eliminating that voice in the back of your head asking if you remembered to roll up your windows. In addition to cars, the shelter can also be used to protect other motorized vehicles or machinery, such as farm equipment, which are often subjected to nasty weather conditions because of limited garage or storage space. Going beyond vehicles, this carport is capable of serving as a pavilion, providing an environment in which barbeques, celebrations, and gatherings can continue despite what Mother Nature has planned. To view more designs like this one, please browse our collection of carport plans.

Tags: carport, carport designs, Carport Plans, carports

The Garage Plan Shop is making a New Year’s resolution to enjoy the great outdoors in 2014, and we invite you to join us. Whether you never go outside for fun and enjoyment, or you take an opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors every chance you get, we are certain you can find a few things on our list that you’ll enjoy doing outside throughout 2014. Our world is full of exciting places to see and fun things to do that are centered on outdoor activity. You can find them anywhere from your own backyard and neighborhood to neighboring states and all the way across the country. Below is just a sampling of the things we hope your do this year to enjoy the great outdoors:

• • Plant a garden this spring/summer (flower or vegetable) and cultivate it throughout the growing season.

• • Teach a child to play baseball, soccer, freeze tag or another childhood game in your backyard.

• • Visit a state park.

• • Visit a national park.

• • Plan a road trip to another climate zone or geographic region and explore how it is different from where you live.

• • Take a float trip down one of our country’s scenic rivers.

• • Go camping with your kids and show them how to roast marshmallows or make S’mores.

• • Ride your bike on a bike path you’ve never been to before.

• • Enjoy more outdoor meals. Grill and dine outside with your family on the porch or deck.

• • Take up outdoor photography.

• • Try going birding at a nearby park, wetland, nature area or conservation center.

• • Go boating with friends and/or family.

• • Share your knowledge about hunting or fishing with a child and take him or her on an outing to experience your love of the sport.

• • Try something you’ve never done like backpacking, wind surfing, or snow skiing.

• • Visit another state and learn to identify unfamiliar wildlife, trees, flowers and other natural elements.

• • Spend a weekend afternoon at a winery.

• • On workdays, pack your lunch and eat outside instead of going to the lunch room/cafeteria.

• • Spend an afternoon walking around a historic or quiet country town.

• • Host a backyard barbecue for family, friends and neighbors.

• Volunteer to help at an organized event to clean up local streams, lakes or hiking trails.

This list is just the beginning of all the fun activities you can do outdoors by yourself or with your kids, neighbors, friends and co-workers. We are sure you’ll think of many more things you might like to do outside. So join us in 2014 and make an effort to spend more time outside and enjoy the great outdoors!

Tags: New Year’s resolution, outdoor activities, outdoor fun, outdoor ideas, outdoor recreation