Road Trips!  Reminds me of traveling with my 3 brothers and sister, and my parents (at times all in one car) and sometimes with a Giant Schnauzer or 2…nothing like family time, crammed together…a bonus was the shoe box filled with candy!  I recently saw this post by Deer Park Town Center…and while I’ve been blogging about packing for trips, mainly via planes… I haven’t written anything re: automobiles (and of course trains will be my next victim)… These are some great tips.  Enjoy!

If there’s ever a time of the year for hopping into the car and enjoying a road trip, it’s summer. Whether your trip is en famille or adults-only, mapped out to the T or impromptu, putting a little forethought into the outing can save you loads of hassle down the road (pun intended). Here are a few tips to keep in mind before you head out on your rollicking summer adventure.

Make sure you’re current on car maintenance

It’s easy to let that 5,000-mile oil change slip off the calendar and disappear into oblivion. We’ve all been there. But before heading out on a road trip, make sure your car is up to date on oil changes and fluid checks. Nothing ruins a trip more than ending up broken down on the side of the highway. If you’re not already a member of AAA, consider joining; then you know you’re covered if anything happens, and you can rest easy knowing you won’t find yourself stranded.

Food

Pack more food than you think you’ll possibly need, especially if you’re traveling with children. Stock a cooler with pre-made sandwiches and other finger foods. Examples of car-friendly fare: fresh fruit, shelled nuts, dried fruit and crackers. Avoid anything too salty, since sodium increases thirst, which in turn increases the need to drink more, which in turn can mean nonstop bathroom breaks! If you’re traveling with kids, buy or make individually packed bags of treats. This will keep kids occupied and self-sufficient.

Stop and smell the roses

Build in time to stop here and there, and not just at uninspiring rest areas along the highway but in real towns where you can get out of the car and do and see things. This not only helps you refresh in body and mind, it also gives you a chance to experience something new. It just takes a small amount of pre-research to discover a few potential attractions near your route. Plan for them and work these fun stops into your itinerary.

Be creative with entertainment

Music’s only part of the picture; podcasts and books on tape can keep you occupied for hours. As for games, sky’s the limit. Remember “I Spy?” If you have DVDs for young children, invest in some child-friendly headphones for the kids so the whole car doesn’t have to be subject to their programs.

Keeping comfortable

The summer sun can be relentless, and it doesn’t stop for car windows; yes, you can get sunburned while driving. So prep your skin for the ride with a little SPF. And drivers and passengers alike should have sunglasses on hand to keep the glare at bay.

Play it safe

Make or buy a basic first aid kit and stow it in your glove compartment. This way you’re prepared for any little scrape, bee sting, or, er….any bump in the road that comes along!

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Great Mobile Apps for Summer Travel

ROAD TRIP BINGO

EYE SPY GAME

Road Trip Scavenger Hunt

10 Road Trip Games for the Entire Family

A Rogue Car Game

One of my most memorable road trips, was from Seattle to Yakima, for Kevin’s cousin’s wedding…Our favorite road trip buddies, Bruce and Beth were with us, and Bruce (sorry to throw you under the bus here) introduced us to a new game…similar to “My father owns a grocery store and in it he sells…and you proceed to go round the car, starting with an A (apple) then B (apple, banana), etc…Bruce put a new spin on things.  I won’t tell you what the game name was, but I can tell you what most of them were: Ax, Blender, Cantaloupe, Dog, Egg Beater, Fax Machine, Gun; Helicopter; Ice Pick; Jack Hammer, etc… I introduced my friend and client Wade to this game when I first met him…and he basically proclaimed I had his business, and he’ll work with me forever!  Sometimes it takes more than dimples!  And this game is not necessarily approved for the entire family.  Maybe a adults only or Girl’s road trip?  You may private message me if you want to know the name of the game, btw. 😉

Snack Ideas…because it’s all about the car snacks!

Pictures to get you in the Mood…For summer travel. 🙂

Happy and Safe Trails!  Starting off the Best Weekend Ever…a girls day downtown to see a Fashion Exhibition with some of my Besties, then a Birthday soire at the Race Track and a fun dinner afterwards for our dear friend (more like family) Lou…and Zack is in this weekend visiting Meredith (and me of course) and will join us watching Paddy’s lacrosse tournament!  And a celebrity guest appearance from Kevin…doesn’t get better than this!

Question to my followers…it’s been suggested I blog more often?  And possibly shorten the blogs, but some can be divided into 2 or even 3 blogs (LAP, this will please you).  Seeing as I’m a stones throw away from 500K views (or 8,000 views short), maybe that will help me make that milestone sooner? 😉

Happy Birthday Lou!!

Later Gators,

xoxo,

T.

Check out my newest venture:  www.indiahicks.com/rep/terry

Article Source:  By Meredith Orren, Shoptopia® Network

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