10 Step Guide to Prepare for the Ultimate Mindful Road Trip
Be Mindful & Enjoy the Journey
How do you get ready and prepare for the Ultimate Mindful Road Trip? Do you find yourself scrambling at the last minute because you were not sure about what to pack? Do you find yourself wondering whether you remembered all your essentials? Well, wonder no more, because we have the Ultimate Mindful Road Trip guide for you.
Vermont
Driving a car to and from a vacation spot has several advantages that can make trip planning more enjoyable. One of the benefits a road trip can offer for starters is a trunk, which will allow for more room to pack the extras. Are you unable to decide which pair of shoes goes best with most outfits? No problem, just bring both pairs. Do you want to play golf while away but do not want to pay the excessive fees to rent the gear? No worries, bring your own golf clubs. That is the beauty of traveling with a car, you do not have to place strict rules on what you can and cannot bring along.
St. Petersburg, FL
Moreover, you do not have to worry about baggage fees either, unless your significant other charges. However, let us not be too excessive and bring everything. I say this because during one of our road trips, my wife and I may have brought a few pairs of shoes too many. This became a hassle to carry around and confusing during date night. So, our new motto when it comes to packing: “pack within reason.”
Another benefit when traveling with a car is that a car allows you the freedom to leave when it is convenient for you. This will take care of the hassle that boarding times and airports in general will cause. When it comes to security you are the transportation security officer of your group. This allows you to create the rules and times for departure with minimal interruption. Moreover, if you own a car, you can most likely avoid renting someone else’s car. This will save you on additional fees that can be placed towards better causes on your vacation. However, if you are going on a cross-country trip and are unsure whether your car will make it, then it is best to consider a rental.
Montpellier, VT
Keeping in mind the conveniences of traveling with a car can be advantageous to the mindful traveler if mindfully executed. The following are some recommendations that will help you plan and execute the Ultimate Mindful Road trip.
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The Day Before Departure
1. Car Maintenance
Check your oil, coolant levels, tire pressure, and the tread on the car tires. Additionally, check your AC filter because it can get stuffy on lengthier drives. The AC filter is easy to change on your own with the help of YouTube DIY videos. Plus, you can order your filter from Amazon and save yourself a trip to the local car parts store. In the last days prior to the trip, time becomes very precious because it can escape us if not careful. We want to avoid running too many unnecessary errands in the days leading up to the trip.
Also, make sure to have an updated copy of your insurance card, registration, and the manual to your car. The manual is important in case you end up with some warning lights that you need to look up or while on the road you need to put air in the tires, and you have forgotten the recommended tire pressure for your make and model. Furthermore, make sure your car is fully gassed the day before departure. This will give you peace of mind, and limit problems when you are in between destinations.
2. Car tools
We recommend when traveling in cooler regions with snow and ice to bring an ice scraper, spare tire, car jack, waterproof flashlight, and a triple AAA card if you have it. If you are traveling in the warmer regions, it is always advantageous to bring window shades as this will help reduce the heat buildup from the sun’s UV rays. When it is time to get going after a day of exploring, no one wants to enter a car that is pushing 115-degree heat back at you. Moreover, cars can take a few minutes to cool off from air conditioning.
3. Navigation
Having navigation is one of the many perks of living in the 21st century. Along with navigation, you can also download apps that will assist you with navigation such as Waze, which gives real time traffic updates. There is also Gas buddy which not only locates gas stations for you but also compares prices to help you get a better deal and save where you can.
4. Medical Supplies
Things happen, and you want to be prepared. Therefore it is a good idea to bring a first aid kit. This can help with minor things such as cuts and abrasions. You must also not forget to pack any prescribed medications. Furthermore, car rides can induce headaches, therefore it is a good idea to bring a bottle of Aleve or Tylenol. There is nothing worse than arriving at your destination with a major headache that prohibits you from enjoying your vacation.
Also, if you are stopping at random restaurants during your rest stops and as a result end up with a tummy ache, then having some Tums could come in handy. And let us not forget the allergy sufferers, which should assure to bring their allergy medications as different climates bring different surprises. Each of the above specified provides a relief from discomfort and allows you to be more awake and mindful while getting to your vacation spot. In addition, we also recommend bringing bug spray for the warmer months as mosquitos can be a nuisance to everyone, as well as some sunscreen to protect yourself from sunburns.
Another great item to bring on your road trip would be Emergen-C. This vitamin C enriched supplement is a dose of 1,000mg of Vitamin C in every packet. This is great for when you feel symptom of a common cold or flu coming on or if you are just drained from extensive driving. All you need to do is just pour the contents of the packet in a cup of water, stir, and let sit for a few minutes. After a few minutes you will have a vitamin C enriched supplement for immune support. Emergen-C not only has Vitamin C but also Antioxidants, Vitamin B, and electrolytes. The packets come in various flavors such as tangerine, super orange, or raspberry.
5. Important Essentials
Sometimes road trips will take you through different climate zones. Therefore, it is important to be prepared for all weather situations as stops and arrival times may not always coincide with the weather. Here is a short list of essentials to make available to you in your car for easy access.
A. Jackets (rain, snow, cold weather)
B. Umbrella – I would recommend is the BAGAIL Golf Umbrella. This umbrella is perfect as it is large enough to accommodate several people or a couple comfortably. The umbrella is sturdy with its fiber glass shaft and comfortable grip. The umbrella also has a double canopy design making it virtually windproof. A great addition to have in the car for those emergency stops and sudden rain showers when traveling.
C. Paper towel (limit messes, and can act as napkins)
D. Kleenex (allergies, sneezing)
E. Pillows (create a more relaxed and comfortable travel environment for the backseat occupants)
F. Blankets (create more comfort and help mitigate the climate control in the car for the over heaters).
G. Hand sanitizer (reduces spread or consumption of germs and makes it easy to clean dirty hands)
H. Mints / Gum (nobody likes stinky breath, especially if they cannot escape it). We recommend Mentos gum. Mentos are sugar free and have xylitol which helps reduce tooth decay. Mentos has their signature outer shell that adds a crunch before you chew the gum. The gum adds freshness and is a perfect addition for any kind of road trip.
I. Small garbage bags (for empty wrappers, tissues, and other waste produced while between destinations)
J. Towels (incase you get caught outside in a rainstorm)
All of the recommended items can be beneficial and can create a more relaxed environment if traveling with children.
Mackinac Island
6. Chargers
Car chargers, room chargers, phone chargers, etc. nothing will be more problematic if you cannot power your devices up. Most of us work jobs which rely on communication with various parties frequently and even during parts of our trips. Do not put yourself in a panic mode and forget your charger or worse take your kid’s charger.
7. Rentals
Renting a car can be a great way to enhance your road trip. There are a few benefits to this. For one, you will save mileage and wear and tear on your own car. This will prolong the life of your car and prolong costly repairs in the near future for your car. I would recommend renting a car if you are driving out of state or for a lengthy trip.
Lastly, when it comes to rental car companies make sure to sign up for the rewards membership, especially if you rent from that company often. This will help you earn points, offer you cheaper rates and build rapport. The points can add up over time, especially if you rent often. This will eventually give you a free rental or points for a flight or hotel stay. I like Hertz car rental as they always have a large selection of budget friendly to luxury vehicles that meet my travel requirements. They are conveniently located in many cities throughout the United States and offer competitive prices.
8. Cameras & Videorecorders
Keep a camera or phone in a convenient and ready to grab position. This will help when you encounter amazing sites at 70+ miles per hour that you just have to capture. I would highly recommend that the person driving the car is not the same person operating the camera. It is best to leave the photographing and video recording to a spouse or trusted passenger.
Frankfort, MI
9. Snacks
Sometimes preparing little snacks ahead of time can be a great distraction for long trips with children. This will help with hunger build up as the route can become increasingly repetitious. I would recommend a few bottled waters, grapes, and snacks that offer high protein and less sodium, as sodium will increase the need to drink more fluids, which will increase the need for rest stops. Moreover, the high protein will fill you up more, decreasing the unnecessary hamburger and fry stops. Also, try to pack foods that are easy to eat and do not cause a mess as you will most likely be driving while consuming them.
Snacks can also be a great way to limit stops and break apart lengthy road trips. However, knowing the right kind of snack that is delicious, wholesome, and reduces the potential for a mess can be another story. When embarking on the Ultimate Mindful Road Trip with younger passengers it is important to have healthy snack options that will not get everywhere but are also delicious. Here are few suggestions:
A. Pringles are light, airy with a flavorful crispy texture. Usually sold at stores for a low price point. Pringles are not too high in saturated fats and calories either, if consumed in moderation. They come in a convenient cannister with a resealable lid to reseal for easy transport after they are opened.
B. Grapes are healthy and durable. Grapes will stay fresh for long periods of time in uneven cooling conditions. They do not create a mess and are easy to transport. It is also one of the few fruits that everyone loves.
C. IWON protein puffs are another great snack that consists of puffs or sticks that are infused with wholesome ingredients and are plant-based proteins. The Iwon puffs come in a variety of flavors such as: Cheddar, BBQ, Jalapeno, Sweet Dijon, etc. This product is non-GMO, soy-free, gluten free with kosher ingredients.
D. Deep River Kettle Cooked Potato Chips
These chips are a wonderful addition to add to your road snacks list. They taste great and are not that bad for you as they are cooked in sunflower oil, have no artificial preservatives, and are made in a nut free facility. The chips only contain three ingredients: Potatoes, sunflower oil, and sea salt. My wife and I really enjoy the light crunchy texture these chips produce. They have a great baked potato and light sea salt flavor profile that is not over bearing and can be paired well with any sandwich. Not to mention these chips can come in a pack of 24 bags which is enough to get you thorough any length roundtrip with your whole family.
10. Funding
Make sure to check your wallet to ensure that you have at least 1 or 2 credit cards available for gas, food, and incidentals that are unplanned. We would recommend reward cards as you can earn points and cash back for gas, groceries, and restaurant purchases. It is also a good idea to have some cash on you as well. Many places in the United States can become remote quickly and you do not want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere and the only gas station accepts cash.
Lastly, make sure all potential drivers have an updated driver license, sunglasses, and are in comfortable clothes as discomfort can become distracting (athletic clothes or anything that breathes easy and allows the individual to be comfortable).
There are most likely other items that you might need for your trip, which you can determine based on your own personal needs. However, this list will get you started and provide you with enough to get you heading on the Ultimate Mindful Road Trip without any disruptions. Enjoy the Journey and Be Mindful.
Happy Safe Travels!
Mackinac Island
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