Travel Tip #9 PLAN. PLAN. PLAN.
Carefully plan trips with companions. That is the key to a successful trip, especially when you have interests that lead you in one direction and your companion has interests leading him or her in an entirely different direction. Nothing spoils a great vacation more than a squabble over where to go, how to get there, and how to “enjoy” the destination. I’ve traveled with friends, family, my spouse, and --- in the old days --- with schoolmates. The absolute freedom of hitting the road alone leaves every stop, every break, every side trip, and every destination absolutely a matter of one’s own preferences. Traveling with another party changes everything.
So, here are a few ideas for making the trip as wonderful as it can possibly be.
1) Take your companion’s interests into consideration. My husband loves antique stores, flea markets, junk stores, bicycle shops, theatre, concerts, parades, anything with a fish in it, and weird destinations. We MUST make it to the world’s largest ball of yarn --- or something like that! I love museums, historic sites, theatre, concerts, light hearted entertainment parks like Disney, great food, art, and scenic byways. Several years ago I went to our travel agent and explained my husband’s interests. Then I enumerated my loves. Finally, I gave him a budget and told him to plan the perfect trip. We ended up driving to Toronto where my husband and I parted early in the day. He went to some riverfront market destination. I went to a marvelous museum. Late in the afternoon, we met back at the hotel and went to dinner before traveling on to see Phantom of the Opera. Our hotel room was a first class suite at the top of the hotel where we overlooked the city skyline. Perfect. Win-win situation.
2) Strive for a win-win situation so that people enjoy the trip. When our daughter was little and going through a picky eating phase, she would eat only at McDonalds. On our trip to Disney World, we made a point of getting her meals first, and then we would go to another restaurant for seafood or steaks --- whatever.
On my recent trip to Florida, I planned my itinerary for the first half of the trip so that I did everything I wanted to do. My husband flew to Orlando where we
celebrated his birthday at Epcot and visited friends in central Florida. Then I told him to tell me which direction he wanted to go. I was ready to set the GPS and make hotel reservations according to his whims. I was pleasantly surprised when he announced at dinner one evening that he wanted to see the largest aquarium in the world --- in Atlanta. Cool.
Once we got to Atlanta, I wanted to see the Martin Luther King Historic Site and the Carter Presidential Library and Museum. Initially we planned for me to do separate sight seeing in the afternoon while he perused every exhibit at the aquarium. But once he saw his beluga whales, his hammerhead shark, and a host of other sea creatures swimming all around us in the underwater tunnel he was ready to leave, so we went to the historic sites together.
Then there was Stone Mountain. And Mount Airy, North Carolina (Mayberry). We paced ourselves carefully, but I gave him a lot of latitude for deciding where we would go, how much time we would spend there, and how many hours of driving we would do each day. The second half of the trip was his. The first half of the trip was mine.
3) Pack comfortable clothes and check the weather carefully. At one point it was
so chilly at Epcot’s Jose Feliciano Concert, my husband was nearly frozen to the
bleacher seat. I shooed him toward the closest gift shop to warm up. By the time I joined him, I insisted that he invest in a hooded sweatshirt. No need to be miserable.
4)Be considerate in the hotel room. Share the remote. Pack your favorite mystery
in the suitcase so you will be entertained while he watches his favorite show on TV.
5)Check frequently to see how your companion is doing. Is s/he tired, hungry,
anxious to take a side trip, disappointed by the agenda? Keep checking to
see what will make the trip comfortable and rewarding. Do not wait until nerves are frazzled and tempers flare. Whoa! Way too late for correcting the problem.
6)Speak up about your interests. A happy relationship is not a lose-win conciliation. In other words, never sacrifice your happiness for someone else’s pleasure. Find hotels, restaurants, sights, activities, and rest stops according to both people’s loves. It can be done. It is your trip too. If you hate to cook on a camping trip, volunteer to drive to Colonel Sanders’ and bring back a heaping pile of chicken in a bucket. (Make sure your companion likes chicken.)
7)Try to find a happy way to manage differences in sleeping patterns. On trips to Washington, DC, I often sleep “in.” My husband is an early riser. He heads out on the streets to visit with homeless people and offer them a meal. He always offers the homeless friendship and food. It is an endearing quality that never fails to impress me. He sees humanity where the masses see nothing.
I get to sleep late. He gets up and makes a beeline for another destination so my sleep is not disturbed. On other occasions, he gets up early, has breakfast in the hotel dining area and then he brings me juice, fruit, cereal, milk, and hot tea to our room. Aaah --- breakfast in bed. Win-win.
8)I love cross country trips. He likes to fly to one destination. So this year I drove ahead to Florida and he cruised into Orlando on Southwest --- yammering to some
inquisitive triplets about the joy they expected to experience at --- where else --- Disney World!
9)Don’t overdo it. Fatigue is a subtle spoiler of trips. Plan lots of breaks and plan on being flexible. Add a day or two to your itinerary so you can spend less time on the road if the old fatigue problem threatens to spoil the fun. An extra day or two also gives you the option of taking a side trip to a light house or a museum or an aquarium. Plan on having fun.
10)Plan a budget that will allow you to enjoy the trip. Clip hotel coupons from the
booklets provided at rest areas. When we got home, my husband made a point of
thanking me for managing the hotel stops with discounts, convenience, smoke free accommodations, and restaurant convenience. Take on an equal amount of responsibility so that one person is not being the “Super Woman” or “Super Traveler” while everybody else uses the hours for fun. Be clear about who is driving, how far each day’s drive will be, and who will manage route planning, hotels, meals, etc.
11)Keep a supply of food and water on hand in case growling tummies cannot wait
for the next stop twenty miles down the road. I carry a Ziploc bag filled with plastic spoons. A scoop of peanut butter (the jar fits marvelously in the drink container holder) will quash hunger on the spot. On the last trip I carried a loaf of whole grain bread. If I stopped for a burger, I transferred the meat from the white bread bun to the healthier bread. Carrying fruit is fine as long as you plan to eat it!!!! Nothing makes a car smell nastier than an over-ripe banana. THINK about what foods will stave off hunger, but not ruin the car interior “atmosphere.”
12)Allow time for rest room breaks, whether you need to stop or not. But make the
stops quick and get back on the road. I have to stop every two hours to stretch out and walk. But I only walk four or five minutes before hopping back in the van. Otherwise my back aches and my legs tighten from the strain of bouncing along the road. It is also a good idea to consider the risks of riding for a long time in a sitting position. Be sure to stretch legs, wiggle feet, and walk with a fair amount of frequency to ensure good circulation.
13)Audio books and music help with long trips. Just be careful not to be too
distracted by the narrated story. And if your companion does not enjoy your taste
in audio books, use the headphones! Don’t forget the headphones. USE HEADPHONES ONLY IF YOU ARE A PASSENGER --- NEVER IF YOU ARE A DRIVER. Behind the steering wheel, keep ALL your senses sharp and distraction free. No texting! No cell phones! No I-Phone ear buds. NO HEADPHONES. You want to get back home alive, right? Think. You cannot multi-task as well as you think.
14)Be patient with your companion. Be patient with yourself. My husband’s gum
chewing drives me nuts! But that is not HIS problem. It is MY problem. Why it
bugs me is a mystery. I just look out the window or take a nap when he drives down the road, chomping away. I have no business asking him not to chew gum.
15)Finally, thank each other for everyday courtesies. Remind him or her how much you love sharing the trip. Thank him for driving. Joke around and make laughter the heart of the experience. Always laugh – not AT the other person – but with him or her!!!!! Keep the days light and memorable. In other words, have a positive attitude by CHOICE! It’s contagious.
Showing posts with label women travelers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label women travelers. Show all posts
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tip #4 Drive a Well Maintained Vehicle
Copyright 2010 Lea, The Traveling Novelist
Travel Tip # 4 DRIVE A WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE
Before the trip have a trusted mechanic thoroughly check your car. Replace belts, tires, brakes, and any other parts of the vehicle that could pose serious problems on the road. Do not take any chances with worn brakes, an aging water pump, or bald tires. Be certain that you have good tread on the tires. You may end up driving through a mountain pass in the middle of a blizzard in May. I made the mistake of trusting a “local” in Wyoming who assured me that I could safely navigate through a mountain pass as a short cut to the Grand Tetons. Supposedly, lots of semi drivers had come over “THE mountain” that morning. By the time I came onto the twinkling, ice-crystal covered Rocky Mountain skyline, it was too late. Blinding snow hit my windshield like a super-sized sheet of frozen fog.
The tread on my snow tires was new. My brakes were good. The windshield wipers wiped well. The windshield washer reservoir was full. The defroster worked on both front and back windshields. And the heater adequately warmed my nose and toes. The engine purred like a napping kitten in a sunny windowsill. I had no worries about the mechanical safety of the Ol’ Windstar. The vehicle was in tiptop condition. All I had to do was navigate with adeptness through an hour and a half of snow packed roads. On a side note, the risk of “listening to the locals” (see Tip #2) could have cost me my life. In retrospect, I should have listened to my gut and taken what may have been a safer route around the shortcut. Arriving late but alive at Jackson Lake Lodge in the Grand Tetons National Park was far more important than taking the risk of plummeting two thousand feet into a lifeless canyon. OK. There might have been some bears and elk down there, but by the time I would have crashed on top of them, I would have been beyond prayers for survival. On the other hand, the fellow bears standing nearby would have benefited from fresh carrion on which to feast. Do elk eat carrion? They may be vegetarians. I’ll check on that.
Having the vehicle well maintained involves more than the windshield wipers, heater, engine, etc. If you don’t know how to change a flat tire, learn. And before driving away from your hometown, have your mechanic pull out the donut spare tire and check to be sure that you have the proper equipment needed to keep you rolling. Check the air pressure in your four tires that are holding you up (save gas with fully inflated tires) and check PPI (pounds per [square] inch of air pressure) in the donut. Chances are you will not have to change a tire. But it is money in the bank and peace of mind to know how to fix a flat if necessary.
Confession time. I have blonde hair. I’ve never had to change a tire. But through the years, I have had more than one occasion when I needed a tire change. Once, when I drove along a rustic road above Canaan Valley in the mountains of West Virginia, I ran across a railroad spike that perfectly punctured my right rear rubber roller. I made it to a convenience store/gas station in the valley before realizing I was in trouble. Keep in mind that I am a fierce, independent traveler who is willing, able, and determined to change my own tires, thank you very much. No sooner had I spread out my blue, crackling, plastic tarp (always carry one for who-knows-what-may-happen that warrants the possession of a tarp) the circumstances changed. Just like all the other times when a flat interrupted my journey, a kind, helpful gentleman came to my “rescue.” Although I did not need to be rescued at that particular moment, I am always gracious and appreciative of anyone who wants to help me. It is genuinely insulting to turn away a guy who wants to perform his chivalrous duty. It is sexist and asinine to throw my hair over my shoulder and whimper, “I don’t know nothin’ ‘bout fixin’ no flaaaats.” It is equally disrespectful to discount the generosity of a dude who wants to do his good deed for the day. I have always pulled out a $10 bill once the donut is in place on my vehicle. The money has never been accepted. Payback does not register with Samaritans. Truly, I would feel better if guys would take the bill, but somehow it undermines the validity of their helpfulness---from their point of view. Some friends have theorized that it is the blonde locks that wield a magical power over knights on white horses (or in white Chevy Blazers). They may have a point. I do not know. I just appreciate the help and assure the rescuers that I will pay it forward.
So, I try to remember small acts of kindness. I have to admit, I have never stopped to help someone change a tire. And I have never had a woman stop to help me change a tire. Is it really necessary to burn bras again to change this deeply ingrained role perspective? Guilty. So the next time I see someone along the side of the road with a flat, what shall I do? Honestly. I shall assume the person has a cell phone and can call for help. I too shall make a phone call to report the stranded motorist. Safety is a valid consideration. Malicious individuals will feign distress as a means of luring travelers to a holdup situation.
May I be clear? This is NOT the appropriate response when there is an accident. Stop. Render aid. But stay alert. My husband and I pulled into a dark ravine late one night because we saw car debris (strips of metal, broken glass, a side-view mirror, etc.) strewn across the highway. There was no accident. As soon as we realized that we were about to be robbed, we peeled rubber and made it back to the highway. I digress. More about personal safety in future posts.
Speaking of fixing a flat. It’s a good idea to carry Fix-A-Flat (an aerosol can of pressurized something that will sustain adequate air pressure in a slow leaker. Carry a tire gauge so that you will know when you do have a slow leak. If you know you are losing pressure, stop at the first auto mechanic shop you can find. Car dudes can check the tire and make necessary repairs. And I am NOT sexist. I know women engineers, but I have yet to see a woman changing oil at Walmart. Someone fill me in on a gal that loves to work on cars and is rotating tires at Walmart. Where are you women car fixers?
Also it is a good idea to carry oil and check oil level intermittently. Your mechanic can advise you when to check oil. Beware! If the oil light suddenly glows a blinding red or orange alert from your instrument dashboard, STOP! You can destroy an engine in no time flat if you drive with an insufficient well of lubricant for the engine.
Speaking of flats, never drive on a flat tire unless you are in a high risk situation (in the middle of the road on a bend, in a high crime area, etc.) You will bend the wheel rim and may cause much more damage than you can imagine. Get as far off the road as possible. Park on a level surface. Do NOT exit or stand on the driver side of the vehicle. Slide your cute buns across the seat and exit the vehicle on the passenger side. Call a tow truck. Better to pay a tow dude than to put yourself in danger as you change a driver side tire while traffic whisks by you. Too dangerous.
Besides, Fix-A-Flat and oil, you need to carry jumper cables. You may not need a jump along the way, but someone else might. I can honestly say that I have jumped more than one stranded driver. Oh, and know exactly HOW to hook the cables to the battery terminals. For some weird reason I can never remember which line is which. My Dad was an automobile mechanic and he would be disappointed that I am easily confused as I try to figure out red on what? I do know that it is not safe to mix up battery poles between car engines. Fortunately, I have always been able to count on the expertise of---yes---the men who use the cables. Ladies, we need to do better.
My husband is a terrific aide when it comes to vehicle trip planning. In addition to managing the mechanical inspections and repairs, he stocks the van with supplies I need to ensure good maintenance on the road. Hubby is famous for buying “junk” at flea markets, but sometimes the junk comes in handy. There is a tacky, brown, used brief case in the back of my van which contains socket wrenches, screw drivers, pliers, wire cutters, tie-wraps, and an assortment of other supplies and tools. A few months ago I was visitng an office where the manager was having difficulty with the air conditioning. On a whim, he asked me if I might have any tools in the van. I pulled out the brief case, he found what he needed to make some adjustments to the A/C, and I felt like a good Samaritan. In truth, my hubby was the good guy!
In fact, there is one huge concern that I am contemplating even as I write this travel tip. I need one more important addition to my van: a cargo net. My newly arrived AAA newsletter has a great article about flying objects inside vehicles. If we are in a situation where it is necessary to slam on the brakes or, Heaven forbid, we hit something head-on, all the objects that are stored loosely inside the van will fly forward. The power with which my “tool box” alone will hit the back of my head could knock me out or worse.
Having been in a low-speed head-on collision many years ago, I understand the physics of objects impacting other objects---like my skull. At that time, my seatbelt saved me, but I was hardly left unscathed. Some of my docs marveled at my survival. Head-on collisions are high risk accidents. My chicken neck took all the impact it could take as it whiplashed violently back and forth. An EMT pulled me out on a backboard. I screamed in pain. I had months of physical therapy and pain management. I cannot forget the words of my talented Super Therapist---Steve. “Get a car with an airbag. You won’t survive the next head-on collision without an airbag.” So we got airbags.
Be certain that the safety equipment on your vehicle is working properly. If you own a used car, be sure that the body shop did not cut corners by stuffing newspaper inside the steering wheel well where the airbag should be. (Have a mechanic make the determination that the airbag will work if you need it.) Remember, if you put a cow-catching equivalent grill protector on the front of your vehicle (to protect it from flying evil deer that wait in dark shadows of the night to leap in front of you), the grill protector will interfere with your airbag deployment. Tricky. Make a choice. Honestly, I do not know what is safer here. This is new information for me. I just heard about it over Christmas break. Hmmm … don’t know….
Never put small kids or petite adults in front of an airbag. The safety bags explode at a speed of 200 miles per hour. Skinny necks cannot survive the blow. And learn to drive effectively with your seat positioned as far away from the steering column and airbag compartment as possible. Be sure that you are wearing seatbelts, and do not weaken the fibers of a seatbelt weave by washing it regularly with chemicals that could cause deterioration of the restraint system. It is my understanding (someone out there correct me if I have been misinformed) that seatbelts are not intended to be cleaned. Seatbelts are installed for a reason. They absolutely save lives. I know.
Be sure that brake lights, flashing lights, and turn signals are working well. And, for Pete’s sake, do not forget the horn! I will forever love, platonically speaking, the college student who did a driving safety speech in my class. He advised us to use dimmed lights, brakes, and a LOUD horn to shoo away deer that live beside road burms. Depressed deer are intent on committing suicide by smashing through windshields.
As soon as I heard the class presentation, my driving style changed. I feel a little guilty laying on the horn when I think families are settling down for the night inside there homes. But outside their houses, deer gather in clumps, like innocent looking legged grapes. The truth is they are waiting for those of us on the road whose vehicles---they believe---deserve to be crumpled. On a serious note, many people have died or been severely injured by deer smashing through windshields. Learn to use the horn. By the way, it too is not a guarantee of safety. 99% of the time, I have been successful “persuading” deer to run away from my van by blaring, and I do mean blaring, my factory installed deer-shooing-sound maker. But occasionally the blasting, low pitched alarm startles them, and they jump in front of the vehicle. Be prepared to STOP. Better yet, do not drive after dark. I’ll come back to this notion later when I discuss personal safety. Basically, this gives you a good overview of how to travel safely and comfortably with your car well prepared for the trip.
These recommendations are not all inclusive. A well maintained vehicle will not save you from accidents. It will curtail the risk of accidents and serious injuries related to the car or van itself. Will it cost money to make all these car management checks and repairs? Of course. The question to ask is simple. How much is your life worth?
Travel Tip # 4 DRIVE A WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE
Before the trip have a trusted mechanic thoroughly check your car. Replace belts, tires, brakes, and any other parts of the vehicle that could pose serious problems on the road. Do not take any chances with worn brakes, an aging water pump, or bald tires. Be certain that you have good tread on the tires. You may end up driving through a mountain pass in the middle of a blizzard in May. I made the mistake of trusting a “local” in Wyoming who assured me that I could safely navigate through a mountain pass as a short cut to the Grand Tetons. Supposedly, lots of semi drivers had come over “THE mountain” that morning. By the time I came onto the twinkling, ice-crystal covered Rocky Mountain skyline, it was too late. Blinding snow hit my windshield like a super-sized sheet of frozen fog.
The tread on my snow tires was new. My brakes were good. The windshield wipers wiped well. The windshield washer reservoir was full. The defroster worked on both front and back windshields. And the heater adequately warmed my nose and toes. The engine purred like a napping kitten in a sunny windowsill. I had no worries about the mechanical safety of the Ol’ Windstar. The vehicle was in tiptop condition. All I had to do was navigate with adeptness through an hour and a half of snow packed roads. On a side note, the risk of “listening to the locals” (see Tip #2) could have cost me my life. In retrospect, I should have listened to my gut and taken what may have been a safer route around the shortcut. Arriving late but alive at Jackson Lake Lodge in the Grand Tetons National Park was far more important than taking the risk of plummeting two thousand feet into a lifeless canyon. OK. There might have been some bears and elk down there, but by the time I would have crashed on top of them, I would have been beyond prayers for survival. On the other hand, the fellow bears standing nearby would have benefited from fresh carrion on which to feast. Do elk eat carrion? They may be vegetarians. I’ll check on that.
Having the vehicle well maintained involves more than the windshield wipers, heater, engine, etc. If you don’t know how to change a flat tire, learn. And before driving away from your hometown, have your mechanic pull out the donut spare tire and check to be sure that you have the proper equipment needed to keep you rolling. Check the air pressure in your four tires that are holding you up (save gas with fully inflated tires) and check PPI (pounds per [square] inch of air pressure) in the donut. Chances are you will not have to change a tire. But it is money in the bank and peace of mind to know how to fix a flat if necessary.
Confession time. I have blonde hair. I’ve never had to change a tire. But through the years, I have had more than one occasion when I needed a tire change. Once, when I drove along a rustic road above Canaan Valley in the mountains of West Virginia, I ran across a railroad spike that perfectly punctured my right rear rubber roller. I made it to a convenience store/gas station in the valley before realizing I was in trouble. Keep in mind that I am a fierce, independent traveler who is willing, able, and determined to change my own tires, thank you very much. No sooner had I spread out my blue, crackling, plastic tarp (always carry one for who-knows-what-may-happen that warrants the possession of a tarp) the circumstances changed. Just like all the other times when a flat interrupted my journey, a kind, helpful gentleman came to my “rescue.” Although I did not need to be rescued at that particular moment, I am always gracious and appreciative of anyone who wants to help me. It is genuinely insulting to turn away a guy who wants to perform his chivalrous duty. It is sexist and asinine to throw my hair over my shoulder and whimper, “I don’t know nothin’ ‘bout fixin’ no flaaaats.” It is equally disrespectful to discount the generosity of a dude who wants to do his good deed for the day. I have always pulled out a $10 bill once the donut is in place on my vehicle. The money has never been accepted. Payback does not register with Samaritans. Truly, I would feel better if guys would take the bill, but somehow it undermines the validity of their helpfulness---from their point of view. Some friends have theorized that it is the blonde locks that wield a magical power over knights on white horses (or in white Chevy Blazers). They may have a point. I do not know. I just appreciate the help and assure the rescuers that I will pay it forward.
So, I try to remember small acts of kindness. I have to admit, I have never stopped to help someone change a tire. And I have never had a woman stop to help me change a tire. Is it really necessary to burn bras again to change this deeply ingrained role perspective? Guilty. So the next time I see someone along the side of the road with a flat, what shall I do? Honestly. I shall assume the person has a cell phone and can call for help. I too shall make a phone call to report the stranded motorist. Safety is a valid consideration. Malicious individuals will feign distress as a means of luring travelers to a holdup situation.
May I be clear? This is NOT the appropriate response when there is an accident. Stop. Render aid. But stay alert. My husband and I pulled into a dark ravine late one night because we saw car debris (strips of metal, broken glass, a side-view mirror, etc.) strewn across the highway. There was no accident. As soon as we realized that we were about to be robbed, we peeled rubber and made it back to the highway. I digress. More about personal safety in future posts.
Speaking of fixing a flat. It’s a good idea to carry Fix-A-Flat (an aerosol can of pressurized something that will sustain adequate air pressure in a slow leaker. Carry a tire gauge so that you will know when you do have a slow leak. If you know you are losing pressure, stop at the first auto mechanic shop you can find. Car dudes can check the tire and make necessary repairs. And I am NOT sexist. I know women engineers, but I have yet to see a woman changing oil at Walmart. Someone fill me in on a gal that loves to work on cars and is rotating tires at Walmart. Where are you women car fixers?
Also it is a good idea to carry oil and check oil level intermittently. Your mechanic can advise you when to check oil. Beware! If the oil light suddenly glows a blinding red or orange alert from your instrument dashboard, STOP! You can destroy an engine in no time flat if you drive with an insufficient well of lubricant for the engine.
Speaking of flats, never drive on a flat tire unless you are in a high risk situation (in the middle of the road on a bend, in a high crime area, etc.) You will bend the wheel rim and may cause much more damage than you can imagine. Get as far off the road as possible. Park on a level surface. Do NOT exit or stand on the driver side of the vehicle. Slide your cute buns across the seat and exit the vehicle on the passenger side. Call a tow truck. Better to pay a tow dude than to put yourself in danger as you change a driver side tire while traffic whisks by you. Too dangerous.
Besides, Fix-A-Flat and oil, you need to carry jumper cables. You may not need a jump along the way, but someone else might. I can honestly say that I have jumped more than one stranded driver. Oh, and know exactly HOW to hook the cables to the battery terminals. For some weird reason I can never remember which line is which. My Dad was an automobile mechanic and he would be disappointed that I am easily confused as I try to figure out red on what? I do know that it is not safe to mix up battery poles between car engines. Fortunately, I have always been able to count on the expertise of---yes---the men who use the cables. Ladies, we need to do better.
My husband is a terrific aide when it comes to vehicle trip planning. In addition to managing the mechanical inspections and repairs, he stocks the van with supplies I need to ensure good maintenance on the road. Hubby is famous for buying “junk” at flea markets, but sometimes the junk comes in handy. There is a tacky, brown, used brief case in the back of my van which contains socket wrenches, screw drivers, pliers, wire cutters, tie-wraps, and an assortment of other supplies and tools. A few months ago I was visitng an office where the manager was having difficulty with the air conditioning. On a whim, he asked me if I might have any tools in the van. I pulled out the brief case, he found what he needed to make some adjustments to the A/C, and I felt like a good Samaritan. In truth, my hubby was the good guy!
In fact, there is one huge concern that I am contemplating even as I write this travel tip. I need one more important addition to my van: a cargo net. My newly arrived AAA newsletter has a great article about flying objects inside vehicles. If we are in a situation where it is necessary to slam on the brakes or, Heaven forbid, we hit something head-on, all the objects that are stored loosely inside the van will fly forward. The power with which my “tool box” alone will hit the back of my head could knock me out or worse.
Having been in a low-speed head-on collision many years ago, I understand the physics of objects impacting other objects---like my skull. At that time, my seatbelt saved me, but I was hardly left unscathed. Some of my docs marveled at my survival. Head-on collisions are high risk accidents. My chicken neck took all the impact it could take as it whiplashed violently back and forth. An EMT pulled me out on a backboard. I screamed in pain. I had months of physical therapy and pain management. I cannot forget the words of my talented Super Therapist---Steve. “Get a car with an airbag. You won’t survive the next head-on collision without an airbag.” So we got airbags.
Be certain that the safety equipment on your vehicle is working properly. If you own a used car, be sure that the body shop did not cut corners by stuffing newspaper inside the steering wheel well where the airbag should be. (Have a mechanic make the determination that the airbag will work if you need it.) Remember, if you put a cow-catching equivalent grill protector on the front of your vehicle (to protect it from flying evil deer that wait in dark shadows of the night to leap in front of you), the grill protector will interfere with your airbag deployment. Tricky. Make a choice. Honestly, I do not know what is safer here. This is new information for me. I just heard about it over Christmas break. Hmmm … don’t know….
Never put small kids or petite adults in front of an airbag. The safety bags explode at a speed of 200 miles per hour. Skinny necks cannot survive the blow. And learn to drive effectively with your seat positioned as far away from the steering column and airbag compartment as possible. Be sure that you are wearing seatbelts, and do not weaken the fibers of a seatbelt weave by washing it regularly with chemicals that could cause deterioration of the restraint system. It is my understanding (someone out there correct me if I have been misinformed) that seatbelts are not intended to be cleaned. Seatbelts are installed for a reason. They absolutely save lives. I know.
Be sure that brake lights, flashing lights, and turn signals are working well. And, for Pete’s sake, do not forget the horn! I will forever love, platonically speaking, the college student who did a driving safety speech in my class. He advised us to use dimmed lights, brakes, and a LOUD horn to shoo away deer that live beside road burms. Depressed deer are intent on committing suicide by smashing through windshields.
As soon as I heard the class presentation, my driving style changed. I feel a little guilty laying on the horn when I think families are settling down for the night inside there homes. But outside their houses, deer gather in clumps, like innocent looking legged grapes. The truth is they are waiting for those of us on the road whose vehicles---they believe---deserve to be crumpled. On a serious note, many people have died or been severely injured by deer smashing through windshields. Learn to use the horn. By the way, it too is not a guarantee of safety. 99% of the time, I have been successful “persuading” deer to run away from my van by blaring, and I do mean blaring, my factory installed deer-shooing-sound maker. But occasionally the blasting, low pitched alarm startles them, and they jump in front of the vehicle. Be prepared to STOP. Better yet, do not drive after dark. I’ll come back to this notion later when I discuss personal safety. Basically, this gives you a good overview of how to travel safely and comfortably with your car well prepared for the trip.
These recommendations are not all inclusive. A well maintained vehicle will not save you from accidents. It will curtail the risk of accidents and serious injuries related to the car or van itself. Will it cost money to make all these car management checks and repairs? Of course. The question to ask is simple. How much is your life worth?
Friday, January 15, 2010
Travel Tip #2-Pack Clothes Based on Comfort and Need
Travel Tip #2 - Clothes for the Road
(c) 2010 Lea, the Traveling Novelist
2. Pack clothes according to comfort and need. Travel in stretchable knit sweat pants and tee shirts covered with a microfiber hooded jacket. Driving long distances comfortably requires flexibility. Tight fitting slacks or jeans will work against your movements as you change gears and turn to double check lane change safety. A cozy jacket will break cool winds in gusting moderate temperatures and will yield to arm motions as you maneuver the steering wheel, turn on lights and wipers, and change gears.
Buy two-gallon ziplock bags before packing your bags and insert each day’s apparel, including undergarments into each bag. Place a paper label inside each bag, identifying contents according to temperature and needs. When I traveled through the northwest and circled down to the southwest deserts, I grabbed bags marked COLD, MODERATE, and HOT according to weather conditions. And to save space, simply squeeze out excess air by sitting on top of the bags before zipping them shut.
Stack the plastic wrapped apparel in a lid covered plastic tub, and pull out only the next day’s clothes as you check into your hotel. Leave the bulk of clothes in your car or van. If you have a trunk, store everything inside it. CAUTION. Thieves often look inside vehicles to make an assessment of a “take” while travelers eat lunch, walk to waterfall overlooks, or snooze in the comfort of roadside inns. So far, I’ve managed to thwart thievery by camouflaging moderately valuable items by “trashing” my van. I allow the old Windstar to get dirty and I leave clean empty soda cans on the seats along with heaps of newspaper and wads of fast food restaurant bags. (Caveat: DON'T LEAVE ANYTHING THAT EMITS FOOD ODORS INSIDE YOUR VEHICLE WHEN YOU're in BEAR TERRITORY unless it is stored in the proper airtight approved food lockers as required by the National Park Service! And----KNOW when you're in bear territory!) Anyway, a thief peeking inside my windows would probably assume that some destitute nomad with nothing worth taking is crossing country on a shoestring. In other words, look like you have nothing worth stealing.
On the other hand, I always secure irreplaceable valuables (cell phone, walkie talkies, GPS, and computer) in my hotel safe. I never leave easy-to-hock electronics in the Ford. All of my traveling clothes are cheap department store replaceable items, with the exception of some L. L. Bean/Cabella type gear that runs a little higher than average discount department store apparel. But even L.L. Bean is replaceable. My philosophy is simple: if somebody steals my clothes, I simply MUST go shopping!
Before packing, empty your closet of all the clothing you own. Match tops and bottoms. Casual, everyday slacks will suffice for traveling. It is not necessary to dress up for a five hundred mile drive along the interstate highway system. The advantage of traveling with twenty one changes of clothes on a three-week trip is that you lose no time in laundromats----time you could spend in an art gallery looking at magnificent works so much more worthwhile than ogling rotating clothes inside a stainless steel oversized mechanical box. You can do laundry when you get home. If you do not have twenty one changes of underclothes, buy some extras and save yourself the distraction of laundry. Compare the cost of a few extra undergarments to the cost of detergent, washing machine cost, and dryer expense. There are even biodegradable undergarments that you can purchase and throw away without guilt.
Women traveling solo should dress modestly. Leave short shorts and low cut tees at home. Dressing informally is not the same thing as dressing cheap. Convey an appearance that sends a message of self respect and the expectancy of the same from others. Don’t send any signals that could be construed as an invitation for sexual advances.
Remember to take two or three changes of shoes/boots. Good hiking boots are a good investment. For our wedding anniversary this year, my hubby got me snakeproof boots (at MY request). Now, when I travel into my favorite National Wilderness area with my camera, and where I KNOW timber rattlers await me, I am a little safer than I have been when trekking along stony pathways wearing "cute" sneakers. A snake "handler" at our State Natural Resources office also advised me to use care walking near rocky ledges and canyon walls. Slithering assailants lurk in dark shadows of canyon walls in anticipation of striking out at the heads of approaching idiots. Don't forget dress shoes. (Not for the snakes---for dinner!) Once I passed up an exquisite 5-star dinner at a gorgeous restaurant which had a fastidious dresscode. The closest thing I had to dress shoes were white flipflops. I had remembered to pack a long black travel dress, but forgot to pack appropriate shoes. I was not about to pay $80 for spikey heels from the resort gift shop. I have other ways to spend a travel budget! Walmart. Black flats. Dressy enough.
Always pack a couple of dressy outfits, even if you are headed for the great outdoors. Conservative, loose fitting black slacks and a blazer over a simple tee can be accented with a paisley scarf for dinner when a restaurant or formal B&B shuns jeans and shorts. Keep in mind that the high end restaurants may expect more formal attire. And, ALWAYS check out dress codes of restaurants before embarking on your journey. Do not pass up an opportunity for exquisite dining because of a penchant for denim. Ringo Starr can wear denim to posh restaurants. Love Ringo. Love Ringo. The rest of us really cool, blue jean clad twits can expect to be turned away at the door. Not that Ringo is a twit. Ringo:COOL. Rest of us: QUASI TWITS wandering along the road of life.
And as you go down the road----dress well, travel well, be safe.
(c) 2010 Lea, the Traveling Novelist
2. Pack clothes according to comfort and need. Travel in stretchable knit sweat pants and tee shirts covered with a microfiber hooded jacket. Driving long distances comfortably requires flexibility. Tight fitting slacks or jeans will work against your movements as you change gears and turn to double check lane change safety. A cozy jacket will break cool winds in gusting moderate temperatures and will yield to arm motions as you maneuver the steering wheel, turn on lights and wipers, and change gears.
Buy two-gallon ziplock bags before packing your bags and insert each day’s apparel, including undergarments into each bag. Place a paper label inside each bag, identifying contents according to temperature and needs. When I traveled through the northwest and circled down to the southwest deserts, I grabbed bags marked COLD, MODERATE, and HOT according to weather conditions. And to save space, simply squeeze out excess air by sitting on top of the bags before zipping them shut.
Stack the plastic wrapped apparel in a lid covered plastic tub, and pull out only the next day’s clothes as you check into your hotel. Leave the bulk of clothes in your car or van. If you have a trunk, store everything inside it. CAUTION. Thieves often look inside vehicles to make an assessment of a “take” while travelers eat lunch, walk to waterfall overlooks, or snooze in the comfort of roadside inns. So far, I’ve managed to thwart thievery by camouflaging moderately valuable items by “trashing” my van. I allow the old Windstar to get dirty and I leave clean empty soda cans on the seats along with heaps of newspaper and wads of fast food restaurant bags. (Caveat: DON'T LEAVE ANYTHING THAT EMITS FOOD ODORS INSIDE YOUR VEHICLE WHEN YOU're in BEAR TERRITORY unless it is stored in the proper airtight approved food lockers as required by the National Park Service! And----KNOW when you're in bear territory!) Anyway, a thief peeking inside my windows would probably assume that some destitute nomad with nothing worth taking is crossing country on a shoestring. In other words, look like you have nothing worth stealing.
On the other hand, I always secure irreplaceable valuables (cell phone, walkie talkies, GPS, and computer) in my hotel safe. I never leave easy-to-hock electronics in the Ford. All of my traveling clothes are cheap department store replaceable items, with the exception of some L. L. Bean/Cabella type gear that runs a little higher than average discount department store apparel. But even L.L. Bean is replaceable. My philosophy is simple: if somebody steals my clothes, I simply MUST go shopping!
Before packing, empty your closet of all the clothing you own. Match tops and bottoms. Casual, everyday slacks will suffice for traveling. It is not necessary to dress up for a five hundred mile drive along the interstate highway system. The advantage of traveling with twenty one changes of clothes on a three-week trip is that you lose no time in laundromats----time you could spend in an art gallery looking at magnificent works so much more worthwhile than ogling rotating clothes inside a stainless steel oversized mechanical box. You can do laundry when you get home. If you do not have twenty one changes of underclothes, buy some extras and save yourself the distraction of laundry. Compare the cost of a few extra undergarments to the cost of detergent, washing machine cost, and dryer expense. There are even biodegradable undergarments that you can purchase and throw away without guilt.
Women traveling solo should dress modestly. Leave short shorts and low cut tees at home. Dressing informally is not the same thing as dressing cheap. Convey an appearance that sends a message of self respect and the expectancy of the same from others. Don’t send any signals that could be construed as an invitation for sexual advances.
Remember to take two or three changes of shoes/boots. Good hiking boots are a good investment. For our wedding anniversary this year, my hubby got me snakeproof boots (at MY request). Now, when I travel into my favorite National Wilderness area with my camera, and where I KNOW timber rattlers await me, I am a little safer than I have been when trekking along stony pathways wearing "cute" sneakers. A snake "handler" at our State Natural Resources office also advised me to use care walking near rocky ledges and canyon walls. Slithering assailants lurk in dark shadows of canyon walls in anticipation of striking out at the heads of approaching idiots. Don't forget dress shoes. (Not for the snakes---for dinner!) Once I passed up an exquisite 5-star dinner at a gorgeous restaurant which had a fastidious dresscode. The closest thing I had to dress shoes were white flipflops. I had remembered to pack a long black travel dress, but forgot to pack appropriate shoes. I was not about to pay $80 for spikey heels from the resort gift shop. I have other ways to spend a travel budget! Walmart. Black flats. Dressy enough.
Always pack a couple of dressy outfits, even if you are headed for the great outdoors. Conservative, loose fitting black slacks and a blazer over a simple tee can be accented with a paisley scarf for dinner when a restaurant or formal B&B shuns jeans and shorts. Keep in mind that the high end restaurants may expect more formal attire. And, ALWAYS check out dress codes of restaurants before embarking on your journey. Do not pass up an opportunity for exquisite dining because of a penchant for denim. Ringo Starr can wear denim to posh restaurants. Love Ringo. Love Ringo. The rest of us really cool, blue jean clad twits can expect to be turned away at the door. Not that Ringo is a twit. Ringo:COOL. Rest of us: QUASI TWITS wandering along the road of life.
And as you go down the road----dress well, travel well, be safe.
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