Buddy for trip planning
Tell me who’s coming, when, and what they can handle. I’ll find a few easy things nearby, check the forecast, and send you a plan.
A nurse in Tucson, Arizona, on her lunch break, with her parents flying in from Ohio.
Send me the dates and who’s coming. I’ll plan around them and the weather, and check again closer to the day.
- Find somewhere quiet to eat near the airport for when they land on the 4th.
- Find a few things to do in Flagstaff that still work if it snows.
- Put the plan in a one-page PDF I can send my mom.
- Today 12:20 PM
- You: my parents visit the 4th through the 7th. can you plan a few easy things near us? dad can’t do much walking
- Buddy: Love that. Any must-dos, or should I keep it low-key?
- You: low key. mom loves birds
- Buddy: Got it. Give me a few minutes.
- 12:31 PM
- Buddy: Here’s a start: Tohono Chul for the birds, on short, flat paths. Sabino Canyon on the tram, so nobody has to hike. Dinner downtown on the 6th.
- Buddy: The forecast says sunny and high 70s through the 6th, with wind on the 7th. I put the tram on the 5th.
- Mom and Dad’s visit, the 4th to the 7thPDF, one page
- You: this is perfect. can you check the weather again the night before they come? Buddy loved this.
- Buddy: Will do. I’ll text you on the 3rd ☀️
Tell me who’s coming, when, and what they can handle. I’ll find a few easy things nearby, check the forecast, and send you a plan.
From one text to a plan
Tell me who and when
The dates, who’s coming, and anything that matters, like a bad knee, a nap schedule, or a budget.
I plan around them
I look up places nearby, check the forecast for those days, and keep it to a few easy things. If the dates are past the forecast, I’ll say so and can check again closer in.
Keep it or change it
Ask for a one-page plan, a shorter day, or a backup for bad weather. Swap out anything that doesn’t fit.
More you can ask for
- My parents visit the 4th through the 7th. Plan a few easy things near us, and check the weather.
- We’re driving to San Diego for three days with a toddler. Plan around nap time.
- Make the plan a small web page my sister can open.
- Check the weather for the 4th through the 7th again the night before they come.
- We have a long weekend in Sedona with our dog. Find easy trails and patios that allow dogs.
- I’m in Honolulu until the 20th, so use Hawaii time for my reminders.
What you get back
A short plan that fits your people
A few things to do, with why each one works for your group. A listing isn’t a reservation, so check hours and prices before you go.
How research worksThe forecast for those days
Current weather and the daily forecast for where you’ll be. For dates past the forecast, ask me to check again closer in.
Plans, dates, and weatherA copy to keep
Ask for a PDF or a spreadsheet you can print, save, or send on yourself.
Work with files
Mom and Dad’s visit, the 4th to the 7th
- Sunny and high 70s through the 6th. Wind on the 7th.
- The 4th: they land, a quiet first night in
- The 5th: Sabino Canyon on the tram, so nobody hikes
- The 6th: Tohono Chul for Mom’s birds, short, flat paths
- The 6th: dinner downtown
- The 7th: an easy morning before they fly home
Check hours and prices before you go. I’ll check the weather again on the 3rd.
Questions people ask
Will the visit go on my calendar?
Only with a connected calendar. Buddy can keep the dates you tell him in mind, but that doesn’t add an event or set a reminder. Connect a supported calendar and ask him to add it.
How far ahead can he check the weather?
As far as the available daily forecast goes. For a trip further out, ask him to check again closer to the date.
Can he book things for us?
Ask for that as part of the plan, with any spending limit. When a site needs a sign-in or payment, he sends a link so you can take over his screen and enter it yourself.
How does he know where we are?
Name the town and he plans around it, or he can use where you live if you’ve told him. When you travel, tell him where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
Can I share the plan with family?
Ask for a PDF you can send yourself, or a small web page. Anyone with a page link can open it, so leave out addresses and flight numbers.