It's been a busy time over the holidays and as usual, we've
been on the road!
Quebec City has just been posted, complete with a brand new
video.
We've also got upcoming video reviews for Indianapolis and Rochester.
Stay Tuned!!
So, you've decided to head out on a road trip... that's great!!! But what
are you going to pack?
Here are a few necessities and cost-saving suggestions to make your journey
a little bit better.
One of the first things I always find handy is a North American Road Atlas.
I usually keep one of these in the trunk at all times so that there's always
a map handy, even if we decide to take a detour or change destinations altogether.
One of the best deals I've found on these is at Wal-Mart. You can pick up
the Rand McNally edition usually near the checkouts and they're always under
$10. The tech-inclined folks might prefer to bring along a laptop, in which
case, Microsoft Streets and Trips can be a great multimedia atlas option.
That's not necessarily to stop you from getting lost, it also lets you and
other passengers see what's around and maybe alter plans on the fly a little.
Also, make sure to bring music. I really can't stress this enough. If you're
going to be spending 5-10 hours in a car for a weekend, you're going to want
it to be the best atmosphere possible. Bringing the right music helps to relax,
pass the time and put you in the right frame of mind for travel. Do keep in
mind that local radio can be a great way to find out about local events, etc.,
so you might want to turn off the CDs when you get into an urban area.
Neck pillows are also a good idea. You can get inflatable travel pillows that
don't take up any room, don't cost much and can make car-seat sleeping a whole
lot more comfy for your passengers.
Food can be a great experience in travel, but also a great expense. While
I'd whole-heartedly recommend enjoying local restaurants, I'm not a big fan
of wasting money at chain fast-food restaurants at a roadside.
If you've got a trunk, bringing a cooler might be a good option. You can pack
just about any food you'd like and that way you can eat healthier and cheaper.
With water-tight containers, you can pack food and keep in in ice, which you
can pick up daily en route for a buck or two.
Clothing... usually I'm not a big fan of overpacking, but with a bit of spare
trunk room, it's a good idea to pack clothes for a couple of different weather
conditions... especially if you're travelling in transition seasons. And always
bring a bathing suit... you never know what ammenities you might find at your
destination.
Also on the clothing front, I'd also pack something at least semi-formal.
It might seem like a funny choice, travelling in a car and whatnot, but if
you wind up somewhere and see a nice restaurant or night-spot, you'd sure
hate to be stopped by a dress code. Part of travelling is enjoying things
and spoiling yourself a little. So, make sure to be packed for just such an
occasion.
Of course there are more tips, keep checking back for more articles in the
near future... but these should be a good start to get you out and on your
way.
