TRAVEL TIP #7 Be safe!
©2010
Wow, another crazy week. I'm just now catching up with my BLOG and have some important things to say about personal safety. Take care of yourself, so that your travels are as enjoyable as they can possibly be.
Traveling safely is absolutely the highest priority for a successful trip. Nothing can destroy the joy of travel faster than a thief or mugger taking advantage of a situation in which you become vulnerable. Use your head. If your “instincts” say that a situation is threatening put yourself first. It’s your trip. It’s your property. It’s your life.
1. Be alert. Pay attention to all people who are in close proximity to you. Avoid putting yourself into positions where you are isolated. There are no guarantees that there is safety in a crowd. Certainly there is a strange phenomenon in which people disregard persons in peril. So don’t count on a security guard to come to the rescue. Recent news reports show how willingly some people will stand by and watch a beating as though it were mere entertainment.
2. Take a personal safety class. Many police officers offer self defense training as a
community service. It is not necessary to pay for self defense training. Call your local law enforcement office and ask for instruction in self defense.
3. Drive during daylight hours.
4. If you go out at night, do so with a friend. Be particularly careful when in
unfamiliar territory. When traveling abroad, be particularly cognizant of potential
dangers. Always check out the State Department advisories as they pertain to your destination.
5. Don’t assume that you are safe in a small town or in YOUR town. Thievery,
assault, kidnappings occur everywhere.
6. When traveling alone, create the illusion that you are with your husband. Talk to
The hotel clerks about places that you and your husband can have dinner, see the sights, etc. Ask for two room keys.
7. Place a bogus passenger or the illusion of a passenger beside you in your vehicle.
I have been looking for a realistic mannequin for a long time, but they seem to be
very expensive and in short supply. For the time being, I position a wide brim straw hat on top of the passenger seat, creating the illusion of two people in the
vehicle. No one is more vulnerable than s/he who is alone.
8. Where legal, carry items that can be used for self defense. You will have to check
out local laws to ensure that you are in compliance. I carry pepper spray, an air horn, walkie talkies, a whistle, a taser, a cell phone, a battery powered emergency flasher, and alarms to put under my hotel room doors. If an intruder tries to pass
through a hotel door or window, one of the alarms will screech an ear piercing siren and in many cases will frighten the intruder enough to discourage further invasion.
9. Use common items for self defense. Several years ago a student who was a
former MP (military police officer) gave a self defense speech in one of my classes. He asked us to look in our purses and backpacks for items we could use
to protect ourselves. I remember him holding up a ball point pen and instructing us to go for the eyes. We squirmed, but understood if it’s our life or an assailant’s
eye, we choose life. Also, Jake told those of us with nylon bristle hairbrushes to imagine the efficacy of being assaulted with multiple, pencil point bristles in the eye. The one tip I most often recall was not one which relied on personal items
for self defense. He asked another student to stand in the front of the room beside him. Then he raised his foot knee-high and quickly thrust the foot through the air adjacent to the side of the other student’s knee. Of course he stopped short of
actually hitting the person’s leg, but assured us that it takes very little force to dislocate a knee. Slam your foot into the side of the knee, and your attacker will
be disabled.
10. Always carry enough cash to appease a thief. One New York law enforcement
officer advised me to carry at last $100 cash at all times. Give it away without hesitation if you are threatened. Accordingly, it is important to turn over your purse and its contents, which may be sufficient to save yourself from a personal attack.
11. Strap a fanny pack with a steel reinforced strap around your waist, and never,
never be separated from the pack. Wearing a fanny pack looks a bit dorky, but
it frees both hands for eating, handling doorknobs, tugging suitcases, etc.
12. Never lay a purse on a seat beside you in a restaurant and never lay a purse on
the table. By the time a robber grabs the bag, he or she will be on the run while you are still trying to get out of your seat.
13. Never place a purse on the passenger seat of an automobile. Your side window
can be smashed in an instant when you stop for a traffic light. Before you have a chance to call for help, the thief will be gone. Place your purse on the floor by your feet. If you are going to secure your cell phone, fasten the fanny pack strap to your seatbelt strap or secure it to the frame underneath the driver’s seat.
14. Carry only one credit card and a lot of cash in your bag. BUT, don’t show large
wads of cash to anyone in public.
15. Hide a photocopy of your driver’s license, extra cash, and an extra credit card in
your vehicle. If your purse is stolen, you will have backup resources to aide you
in your travel.
16. Keep your gas tank filled. And, fill up at the end of each travel day, so you will
be ready to go the following morning.
17. Remember, if there is a power outage, gas pumps will not work. Neither will
ATMs be accessible.
18. Always leave an itinerary with a trusted friend or family member, and check
in with them at the end of each day. If loved ones are concerned, promise them
an email each night and tell them your travel route and destination for the following day.
19. Listen for hazardous weather reports and use your head! If you drive INTO a
storm, your name had better be Jim Cantore or Reed Timmer. Otherwise, you are
asking for trouble.
20. Study crime statistics of new areas through which you will be traveling. KNOW
where the dangerous areas are and know how to respond.
21. Keep your cell phone charged but understand that there may be occasions when
you cannot get a signal. A walkie talkie with a two-mile range could be your
lifeline.
22. Do not travel with expensive jewelry and remember to “trash” your car, so that
you create the appearance of a casual, “broke” wanderer with nothing worth stealing.
23. Women should wear a ballcap and a plaid shirt so as to make a “distant
impression” of a male driver. Men’s mirrored sunglasses will complete the
façade.
24. Don’t allow yourself to become isolated. Stay in open, well lit areas, and walk in
the company of families with children.
25. Many rest areas are perfect locations for robbery. Only nap in a rest area during
daylight hours. Park your car beside a space reserved for the state police or in a
space between cars where families are coming and going.
26. Never hang your purse on the rest room stall hooks. I hang the strap of my fanny
pack around my neck or strap it high on my rib cage. One of my friends lays her
purse on top of the eye- level shelf provided specifically for purses.
27. Don’t trust shopping mall parking lots for personal safety. Many robberies,
muggings, and kidnappings take place in broad daylight in shopping mall lots.
Have you seen surveillance videos of women who were last seen coming out of
a mall store when a man approached them? Keep these images in mind at all times.
You are not safe shopping. It just seems that way.
28. Before getting inside your vehicle, check the back seat to be sure no one is hiding
there. Once inside the vehicle, slam the door lock down as quickly as possible. A neighbor of ours was shopping with her daughter at a large shopping mall when a man began walking earnestly toward their car. The mother told the daughter to lock her door quickly. The daughter protested, saying that her mom was overreacting again. No sooner had she pressed down the lock, the man reached for the door handle, and tried to open the door. It was broad daylight and there were two of them.
29. Never park in a space beside a van with sliding doors. You can be easily
abducted and driven off site.
30. Never allow yourself to be placed inside a vehicle. Once you lose control inside a vehicle, you lose. If a car is following you as you walk along a sidewalk, turn around 180 degrees and walk in the opposite direction. It will take the driver a few minutes to reverse his/her driving direction and give you a little time to get to a safe area.
31. If you are thrown inside a trunk, pull out the wiring for the tail lights of the
vehicle. This will “signal” a police traffic stop and you have a chance of
being rescued by a patrolling trooper.
32. If you are abducted and in the passenger seat, wait until your abductor stops at an
intersection. Then QUICKLY slam your foot on top of the driver’s accelerator pedal foot. Ram the car into the vehicle in front of you. Once there is a traffic accident, you will have other people on hunt of a hit-and-run driver.
33. Stay calm and alert. Use your head. You can cry later. Do not get into a
threatening situation in the first place. Travel to cities with relatively low
crime rates. Let city managers know that you are choosing safe cities over
their cities. Every word of concern about crime may encourage absolute
serious efforts to address the problem.
34. Park in the well lit front parking lots of hotels. Never park in dark areas at the
rear of a hotel. This means you need to arrive early at your hotel, check in, and
THEN go sight seeing.
35. Read everything available about travel safety! Rely on law enforcement and
the state department to be your guides for a happy trip! Be safe. Take responsibility for your safety. Do your homework! Protect yourself on the road.
36. Stay sober. A drunk lacks reasoning ability and opens him/herself to trouble on many fronts. Alcohol is not your friend when your safety is on the line. Look at the statistics of alcohol related crimes on college campuses and you will be convinced, unless you are drunk while you are reading or just stupid.
Down the road I’ll talk about hotel safety. The steps for safe travel have only begun with this post.
HAVE SAFE TRAVELS!!! Always safe.
I cannot guarantee you personal safety. You are responsible for your well being. Be smart! Be safe! Always safe.
Showing posts with label travel safety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel safety. Show all posts
Sunday, February 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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