I am still working so planning is a must to take advantage of vacation time. Changing plans at the last moment can adversely effect a trip. Not willing to take a chance on that happening. By nature I am a serious planner, I even plan out our gas stops and research the stations using Google Earth to make sure the access is good. Planning the trip is part of the vacation experience for me. I love looking up campgrounds and activities in the area. The DW says I missed my calling, I should have been a travel agent. We are going to retire in a couple of years, and I think my planning will be drastically reduced as flying by the seat of your pants will be much easier when you are free to do whatever whenever you want.