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I hope you find some of these hints helpful…and please share your best tips!!
The number one thing I do is over plan. I always have way too much scheduled, but I am in a firm mindset that whatever we do, great! And whatever we don’t get to is fine!
When planning, YouTube is an invaluable resource. No matter where you are going, someone has been there and can walk you through what to expect. Without YouTube, I never would have been able to plan Route 66!
Google Earth helps me to get the lay of any land.
When taking a road trip and flying to my starting point, I always schedule a Walmart or Target Curbside Pick-Up of items I will need. Snacks, water for Hunter, Coke Zero for me, breakfast items in case a hotel doesn’t offer it or Hunter gets the munchies mid-morning. I also think about what I will need during that trip to make sure my order is complete. For example, when we did Route 66, I knew we were going to Cadillac Ranch, so I pre-ordered two spray paint canisters.
Also add one roll of paper towels to that order! They are a lifesaver!!!
In that Walmart order I also get the things that I can’t put in my carry-on. Oh, yeah … I DO NOT check luggage … ever! So if it doesn’t go in a carry-on, it doesn’t come with me, but I need hairspray and mousse, and even though they don’t have my normal products, a week or so of Suave won’t kill me. Also, order a box and packaging tape … I will explain later.
Check your weather! I recently got a text from a friend standing in EPCOT, exclaiming, IT’S RAINING!!!! It’s Florida, it rains every day. But seriously, know where you’re going, what to bring, and how to dress!
In my opinion, Walmart has the best little cheap cooler in the world. It is the perfect size and will keep enough drinks cold for two or three people. Every morning before leaving the hotel, I fill the cooler with drinks and then ice. Every night, the ice is still going strong. It’s always only $12-$15! I used it on Route 66 and gave it to a friend at the end of our trip. I had tried to use a cheaper Styrofoam cooler and broke it the second I adjusted my seat, so to me this is worth the extra money. And you know I linked it in the picture for you.
I leave anything we haven’t used for housekeeping at the last hotel of trip, and I always tell the front desk. When I left Anaheim after three weeks, I left a bottle of wine that I just never got to.
Another packing tip is if I’m going somewhere for an extended time (like Anaheim for three weeks), I ship my things to myself. On my flight to California, I only had a carry-on and personal item to get from San Francisco to Los Angeles. When I arrived in Anaheim, I had a box of my work clothes, extra shoes, MY hair products, and other creature comforts waiting for me. I call the hotel ahead of time to let them know when it’s arriving. There are companies that will do this for you, and I used one once. Honestly, they just UPSed my luggage, and I can do that myself for a much cheaper price.
I’ve also hacked getting items back home. No matter where I go I always leave with more than what I brought. So now I just ship things home at a local UPS Store. This is where the box and tape you ordered with your Curbside Pick-Up comes in. Route 66, California in 2019, and California in 2022 all got packages shipped home and they always include dirty laundry. I even shipped home my carry-on, so I don’t have to navigate without two hands when I have Hunter or even when I don’t I then do not have to bring the carry-on into the restroom. SIDE HINT – Do NOT go to a UPS Store inside a hotel…they are much more expensive.
If I’m doing a road trip, I organize my suitcase so I can leave it in the back of my rental and just grab out what I need for that night and next day. Hunter and I each carry a backpack and one holds all things electronic. The other backpack is has our toiletries and nothing else, so when I pull up in for the night, I take out pajamas and clothing for the next day. Entering the hotel, we have two backpacks and the small cooler. The next morning, the dirty laundry go into a garbage bag that lives in the trunk.
I live and die by layering. No matter where I am going, I wear jeans on the plane, so I have a pair and they don’t take up room in my luggage. Then I wear a t-shirt, a flannel, and a hoodie gets tied around my waist. It doubles for a plane blanket too! Modify for your own fashion sense and style.
Don’t forget when you’re doing a major major road trip you may have to do laundry. I’ve done this a few times, and of course the hotel always has the essentials (I mean make sure your hotel has laundry facilities first and then they of course have the essentials), but a clean hoodie is sometimes all a girl needs. However, if you are staying somewhere for more than a day, do not be afraid to use the local fluff and fold. I dropped off laundry when I was in Anaheim, and it was the best money I spent! Or if you happen to be staying at The Magic Castle, they will do laundry for you.
Bring singles and fives for tips…enough said.
I have also brought cash for gas since it’s usually $.10/gallon cheaper and not everywhere honors debit cards as cash especially in California where they are double taxed on gas!
Speaking of driving somewhere unfamiliar, be prepared for toll roads! California has this one toll road that I was not expecting, and while driving, I literally had to take a picture of a sign so I could go online to pay my toll.
Bring postcard stamps with you. Postcards are a great way to send some love. Also make sure addresses are in your phone before you leave.
So this piece of advise is two-sided…Research restaurants and where you’re going to eat while travelling. Find great restaurants, but also talk to locals and find out where they like. I’ve had amazing meals from both research and local advise, and I have had terrible food by both accounts as well. Just stay open-minded.
Traveling with friends and family can be rough, so definitely compromise. Compromise is the reason I wind up at so many many zoos and aquariums! If I never see another zoo or aquarium, I would be perfectly happy; however, Hunter loves them. But when we finally go to The San Diego Zoo, I will going across Balboa Park to The ComicCon Museum and he WILL be happy about it! Compromise lol
Know what you collect…shot glasses, thimbles, spoons, postcards, or in my case hoodies. Yeah… I wish I had picked something cheaper and that took up less space, but I love a XXXL Hoodie like it’s my job!
Speaking of collecting, I save all the little things along the way: maps, brochures, stickers, coasters, nifty room keys, whatever strikes my fancy. When I get home, I Snapfish a scrapbook leaving blank spaces to paste in what I have gathered.
Talk to people along your way. I understand that not everybody has the same personality, but smile and say, hi. Locals love to hear travel stories, where you’re going, and what you’re doing. And ask for advice and recommendations! I find that people generally want to help.
Know yourself!!!! If your nails are super important to you, make sure you have some nail glue or order cuticle scissors with your Curbside Pick-Up order. If you have to have a certain kind of coffee creamer that is mandatory, pre-order and keep it in the cooler. Just know yourself and try not to be too high maintenance.
Have a meal ready to go for the night you get home. I am not going to judge you if you want to order out, but maybe have a meal or two in the freezer that you can easily take out to throw it in the oven as soon as you get home. Be aware, you’re going to have tons of mail and laundry…PS – I also will not judge you if you drop off laundry too!
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