Road Trip Vacations
Road trips are the single best way to spend any vacation. I have taken road trips across this country in every direction. I have even made it to and across Canada and may have a few tips for any of you readers that are planning road trips.
Road trips require a lot of patience and a good sense of humor. You will no doubt encounter people and situations you never considered. Remember to always treat the locals well. You are in someone else’s neighborhood now and ought to play by their rules and respect their customs and belief systems.
You must always bring ample supplies of drink and food on road trips. This cuts down on costs and time spent at restaurants instead of on the road. Everyone needs to go to the bathroom every time you stop to fill up the gas tank. Everyone, every time. It can be terribly aggravating to have to stop to let someone use the facilities when you stopped only thirty miles back. These little stops add up in the long run and mean lots of time lost.
Road trips can be dangerous. Be sure to check your tire pressure and fluid levels at every fill up. Keep as up to the minute on weather as possible. Check the radio for weather updates and stop off at a gas station or truck stop if you want to check out the weather report on television. The reports you will see on television will help give you a much better picture of what to expect out there.
One of my road trips had me coming down from Canada on my way to Chicago. It was early spring and there was a massive thunderstorm system in my way. Driving at night, it was difficult to gauge what was in front of me and what I had to look forward to. Listening to my gut feeling, I dropped by a truck stop and checked out the weather report. It was a good thing I stopped. After seeing the Doppler radar maps and listening to the stories of those who had just come in from the storm ahead, I sat down for a spell. A few hours and a pot of coffee later, the road ahead was clear and welcoming.
That brings me to the most important piece of advice for road trips and life in general - listen to your gut. It is smarter than you. If you ever feel that it may be a good idea to stop or slow down, check the tires or the weather, do so. It is better to be safe than sorry and if you are out there on a lonely road, it is no time to be hasty or rash. Take your time and take it easy. It is better to get there late and in one piece than not to get there at all.
Road trips can be a great way to spend quality time with your friends or loved ones. Bring a lot of good music with you and comfortable clothes. A good pair of sneakers and a comfy pair of pants are your best bets when spending hours in a car. Make sure you have a good pair of sunglasses too! If you do run into any trouble, don’t panic. If you remembered your cell phone, you will be in good shape. My phone has solved every problem I have encountered during my road trips. Just remember to charge the batteries!
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