Ok, so .. I’m going to be honest here and say I’ve done extensive trip planning. Having worked for an airline for nearly 20 years and retired with flight benefits, I’ve been a lot of places…. as my stepmother would say “with the wheels up”. But not so much with wheels on the ground. This is a whole new travel style for me.
So here we are in the year 2020. I’ve just retired from my second career to “travel more” and I’ve found myself quarantined with the husband I had longed to spend more time with. 6 months in… we needed to get out more! What better way to do that than to take a traditional road trip and see our own backyard? Right here in the good ‘ole USA. Let the planning begin!
First, where to? Well, I have a brother in the Carolinas I’d love to visit, let’s go see him and just go slow and see things along the way! OK! We have a final destination to begin our planning.
Bing has a lovely map… tells me how many miles and long it will take and what routes are available. I choose the route along the Louisiana border, across Florida and up the east coast visiting all of the cool places I’ve always wanted to see along the way… there is even a nice little “attractions” button shown on this new found map to help me find places of interest along with a lot of help from my friends on social media. Lovely! I’m on my way planning and dreaming. I spend days planning the first 4 days of the trip and the things I want to see along the way!
What I’ve learned now that I’m 3 days into this dream trip:
Time allowance The time the map says it will take does not allow time to stop! WHAT? LOL… yes indeed folks, you will need to add in time for getting gas, taking bio breaks, grabbing meals, and just generally walking around a bit! Add some time in for that… otherwise your 5 hour trip will quickly turn into 8 and you have no time to sightsee!
Weather When you head out on your leisure trip. Well… weather…it will change as fast as you can get from point A to point B … maybe sooner! So… maybe plan a day at a time? Or be flexible in your travels? Otherwise a nice Hurricane (Sally I’m looking at you) might just randomly start up in the Gulf and you’ll find yourself plotting a new path and fast.
Spontaneity There will be exit signs along the way that look like they might be fun… “Worlds biggest ball of yarn…exit here!” Ok, well… you get the idea. Plan your trip so that you have an idea how far that exit will take to arrive there or at the very least time to safely pull over and check your map to see if you have time to add that fuzzy ball detour.
Packing. So, let me start by saying I’m known for my well honed packing skills! Working in the travel industry for nearly 20 years I have great flight benefits that I’ve used extensively, so I’ve travelled to places as far off as Cambodia for nearing 3 weeks with nothing more than a carry on bag! This after much trial and error (dragging large wheeled baggage to sandy Caribbean islands or multiple bags to board trains in Germany will teach you fast what you can live without) But this whole car space I could use to pack ALL the comforts of home! Right? Uh… wrong… I have found myself playing a daily Tetris game loading and re-loading multiple bags and a large cooler! So, let’s start with that cooler… while it’s convenient to have cold drinks, a nice salad, fresh fruit snacks and a smoothie or two for the mornings… you have to keep that cold AND… let’s be real… we were going to stop for gas along the way, we can pick up a cold drink then. Remembering that the more you drink on your road trip (I’m prone to drink a lot of water) well… the more you will need to stop. See “time allowance” above. Also, you want to try the local cuisine along your route so… maybe a small cooler? Let’s move on to the rest of the baggage. I have snacks I’ll likely still have when I get home! Seriously how much did I think I was going to snack? I have about 20 changes of clothes.. because??? There are washing machines along the way here in the US, just like the rest of the world. So maybe half or less of the clothes I brought would be fine, if I don’t have something… there are stores! Electronics… well… there is a thing. I’m learning to do travel photography, and video and editing, and well, all of that needs equipment and that equipment needs plugs so… there is a lot of baggage along with that. I’m still learning what I need to travel with and what I don’t. For you, I’d say, think of that laptop sweltering in the hot car trunk while you explore your destination or the big ball of yarn along the way and think if you will really pull it out or just use your phone for most things.
So there you have it folks, I’m on the road learning about myself as I go. Reminding myself it’s the journey… not always just the destination. Learning to live in the moment and enjoy the scenery along the way.
What are your favorite road trip packing and planning tips or even the your juicy stories of the times you didn’t pack or plan so well and what you learned? I’d love to hear! Obviously I’m new at this and would love to learn as well as sharing!
Until further down the road
Jeanie (minus Ed this journey because well… 2020.. virus… football)
Getting to know herself and blogging about it on the 2020 road trip at “Here I know myself”
Jeannie says
Congratulations! Land travel is great…. don’t worry about all the clothes you packed, who wants to do laundry on a vacation. There are laundromats for that at home to get it done quick. Going east is not too bad for stopping and getting snacks and drinks. However if you head out west never pass by that last stop for 200 MI for gas drinks water etc. That virus really has put a damper on everything, cuz you don’t know what’s open and not, so I think you planned great!
Jeanie says
Awe thank you! Yes, it only took one time getting stuck in a construction traffic jam that lasted for…ever to remind me to keep the tank topped off! I’ve had great luck with most everything being open and allowing for use of the bathrooms as well. I heard from others that wasn’t the case for some routes. As the time passes it seems maybe less shorts and cute summer dresses and more sweaters and long pants would have been more appropriate as I go north in Fall. But a quick trip to the store fixed that :). Thanks for following along on my adventures!
Patty says
Love it!!! So detailed I feel as though I’m with you on your road trip. I’m definitely known as the over packer in my group but like you I believe I might need it and I’m too frugal to buy it there or I always think they won’t have the brand or the one that I like. 🤔🤔🤔
Can’t wait to read more!!! Sooooo happy that you are truly enjoying yourself! Maybe we can do a short 4 day one to see Angela!!
Jeanie says
Thanks for following along! I’m glad you are enjoying the journey with me. You? An Overpacker? WHAAT? LOL…I know what you mean about the brands etc, especially with hair products but I also found on my Alaska trip that it forced me to try something different that I liked more… so you never know do you?!. And yes to the Angela visit. I think we will need a van for that one… her posts have a lot of folks interested :).. Until next time!
KeishaJ says
I absolutely love it and you! I can’t wait to see more of your travels and read more about bio stops and big balls of yarn! 😀
Jeanie says
Thank you so very much! And thanks for the tips on good places to stop and people to see! It has made the trip so much more wonderful! Thank you for following along!
Shirley Albright King says
Aww, very nicely written and interesting too. We always liked traveling road trips, now we can’t so looking forward to seeing more on
your blog.
Jeanie says
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it and I’m glad I was able to add a couple of stops to see you on my route. You guys have been long time road trip travellers. I’m glad to carry on the family tradition… at least this one ;).
Jen Gray says
I love this!! I hear ‘you’ in your writings! I’m so glad you are out and enjoying our backyard! I know you have been to some amazing places but there’s nothing like a road trip!! Love you, keep on blogging!!! Come to Oregon and we will find lots of places to blog about ❤️
Jeanie says
Thank you! I’m so delighted to hear your response! I know Oregon has a lot to blog about for sure and you know it’s on my list! Thank you for following my newest adventures!