Kevin Kelly is a creative who co-founded the magazine WIRED in 1993. He is the author of several publications and has researched “Cool Tools” for more than twenty years. Having traveled extensively, he has listed what he has learned over years of travel. I wanted to share the link to his tips, but I have quite a few of my own.
When I retired, barely into my 60s, I had planned to travel extensively, also. Maybe not at the level of Mr. Kelly, but I could not wait until I was free to roam with no obligations. While that didn’t work out for me (within months I was caring for my aging mother), I was still able to take a few vacations. Several countries are on my bucket list, but there is nothing like a good road trip.
Now that I am in my 70s and the aches and pains have kicked in, I find I must adjust my former way of hopping into the car and heading out. Recently my cousin (with whom I have traveled for a couple of decades) and I planned a trip to the Redwood Forest. As the time to leave drew near, we agreed that a shorter trip was in order. Driving five or six hours a day is the longest we felt we could handle. I do most of the driving (which I enjoy) but I can no longer see well enough at night to feel safe in unfamiliar territory. Plus, it’s nice to start finding a hotel / motel before dark.
When on a road trip, we plan an “ultimate destination” and some potential sight-seeing adventures, but not much more. A true road trip allows one to experience Americana. Nothing is more satisfying than seeing a sign indicating an historic site, a point of interest, or a “world famous” or “world biggest” something. With no specific destination required for the day, an unplanned turn has yielded some of the most interesting and enjoyable experiences.
Getting off the interstates and traveling state highways allows us to drive through small towns and villages we would otherwise never know existed. Much as our mothers knew no strangers, we will talk to anyone in a local restaurant. We meet the nicest people, most of whom have fantastic suggestions about things to see “up the road.” These provide opportunities to get out and stretch our legs, taking short – or sometimes not so short – walks to the monument. Riding for too long is not great for circulation, so these side-jaunts counter the long periods in the car.
We have found packing cubes make one-night layovers easier. As more mature women who are out for a couple of weeks or more, lugging large suitcases in and out of the car every morning and night is not fun. I pack each cube with a complete outfit, including footwear, so all I have to do is grab a cube. A small, rolling bag* contains toiletries, flip flops (I don’t walk on hotel floors barefooted!), and sleepwear, along with technology and chargers, is the only suitcase I take in. When we reach a destination at which we want to stay multiple nights, we take the big suitcases in, repack our cubes, and we are set for the next hop.
Traveling in the car does present a challenge here and there. Weather apps on the phones set to roam will provide alerts if adverse conditions are expected. Another necessity is to assume you will have car trouble, even though you have had the automobile serviced prior to leaving. I keep two flannel blankets, a first-aid kit, a road emergency kit, and snow scrapers in the trunk at all times. My AAA membership card, Senior Lifetime National Parks membership name tag, insurance card and registration, along with a small amount of cash are always in the car, too. I have a set of corrective sunglasses, regular glasses, and now reading glasses in the side pocket.
Purple has a nice little cushion that rides along for road trips, to add extra cushioning. Even in the summer, I use the seat heater … and crank up the air conditioning, to keep my muscles relaxed while driving.
Another must for road trips is the snack box and a slew of water bottles. I have yet to take home an empty snack box. However, a few “dinners” have been created from the goodies we bring along. Non-perishable items such as dried fruit, nuts, peanut butter, crackers, granola bars provide quick energy and a nice “hold over” until a restaurant of interest is found. Starkist has a nice little tuna-on-the-go kit. Oloves has individually wrapped, flavored olives for healthy snacks. While we stay away from sugary snacks, Kodiac has individually wrapped Bear Bites – graham cracker bears in chocolate and honey – which offer a sweet treat when needed. And anything that can’t be frozen may be packed for the first couple of days of the trip – a pasta salad full of veggies, tabouli, muffins, fruit cups, etc. No reason to waste food!
Finally, even though I have GPS in my car, and my cousin and I both have smart phones with GPS, I take an atlas and regional road maps. Sometimes, you want to get off major highways and explore. Good old-fashioned maps are helpful for getting the bigger picture and sometimes for navigating streets and roads.
The only other things that needs to be considered for a road trip, is whether you can travel enjoyably with the other person. But that’s for another missive. Meanwhile, enjoy the ride!
*PS I have duplicates of everything I use daily and small versions of “emergency” needs such as scissors, nail files, pain relievers, etc. My “toiletry” bag is always packed, ready to go in a moment’s notice!
Silver Sage Sisters 