CFC’s Top Ten Road Trip Tips
As our trip comes to a close, it seems pertinent to share some of what we’ve learned. Because really, what’s the point if you don’t share?
1. Decide on the budget before you leave. You don’t want anyone to think “Hilton” when the other is thinking “camping.”
2. Splurge on a GPS. If you spend money on one thing, let it be navigation. I can’t count how many fights our combo-GPS, Google Maps and Atlas (always buy an atlas!) have prevented.
3. Abandon notions of cleanliness. When in a car for hours at a time, certain bodily functions will arise that, otherwise, you wouldn’t want your boyfriend to hear. Let it go, or else you will be in pain.
4. Buy appropriate groceries. Jerkey, crackers, sliced cheese. Cans of tuna and other meats you don’t have to keep cold. Green peppers and cucumbers last extra long. That kind of thing.
5. Buy ice. This will keep you from having to throw out whole bags of chicken. If it’s humid, you need to change the ice twice a day (we needed to learn a lot about ice. we suck at ice.)
6. Stay connected I continued working on this trip, so we had a car plug adapter and a Verizon Wireless card. It was, in a word, phenomenal, but if you don’t need quite that level, know that you can usually jack wi-fi from hotel parking lots.
7. Keep it cheap. Motels usually leave coupons at state Welcome Centers. Budget sites like kayak.com and roadsideamerica.com are great for cheap lodging and activities. Get your ice from gas stations and hotel ice machines. Park rangers know where the free campsites are located.There are ways to cut corner everywhere you look, just keep your eyes open.
8. Driver controls the music. Period.
9. Bathroom Etiquette. Shut the door when you pee. Nothing is more disgusting than listening to someone else take a massive piss. Also, clean up stray hairs and liquids when you leave, and most importantly, bathroom time is alone time!
10. Exercise. While we’re on the subject of alone time, I can’t stress enough to importance of exercise. Even a daily, 30-minute walk will keep you strong and happy and stave off exhaustion.
