So by now you should have narrowed down your trip to more
realistically fit your time and budget, if not let me know maybe I can help.
For now though let’s assume you know where you want to go, what you want to
see, and how much you have to spend. Now, its time to start those final steps
towards getting on the road.
Step 10 – Finalize Reservations
Now that you know where you want to go and what you want to do
its time to finalize your plans. Get your reservations at Hotels, Motels and
restaurants in now, but make sure you carry a list of all the names and numbers
with you, and put a list together of contingency
destinations as well. You may find yourself needing all this data if you find
yourself running behind or even way ahead on the road.
Step 11- Plan what to bring
This is an important step to do as soon as possible, since
you want to give yourself time to get what need before packing begins. The
first step is to go family member by family member and make sure they have what
the need for themselves, you may want to start a checklist. Make sure everyone
has the clothes they need, swim trunks, a light jacket, good walking shoes etc.
Ideally you want to make sure that everyone has enough clothes for a week as
well since you can at least go that long between washes. You also want to check
on hygiene items as well, buying special travel tooth brushes, combs and
brushes, deodorant and whatnot will make sure that everyone has the basics, and
nothing will get forgotten at home the morning of.
After personal items plan for what you need to support your
trip and vehicle. A family medicine cabinet, a car sick kit (see my blog on
these items), laundry items like an mesh (dirty clothes) bag and detergent, a
bag with maps and books, the GPS, laptop, and a car emergency kit with fix a
flat and fold away shovel, are probably all items you want to have.
Lastly don’t forget items for the little ones, you want to
bring as few toys as possible so they are more easy to track and put away.
By planning early you have enough time to get the family to
the mall for new clothes, buy stuff online as you need it, and pick up whatever
else you need. This also gives you time to plan how and where to pack stuff,
and look for alternate items to pack stuff in or bring with if you don’t have
space as it is.
Step 12 – Time for
Car
Unless you’re traveling in a rental car or brand new car,
you may want to bring your auto in for a checkup. You just want to see if there
is anything wrong with it you may be unaware of that could leave you stranded.
Just be careful not to get sold anything you don’t need.
After the checkup you may want to get your car clean. On a
long road trip every bit of space may count, so cleaning out useless items in
the glove compartment, and the blankets piled up in the trunk may yield space
you need. Plus its nice traveling in a clean car.
Step 13 – Talking
About Check Ups
About a week before leaving you may want to get yourselves
to the doctor. It’s a good chance to find out if you’re coming down with
anything, and get prescriptions you may need filled one more time before
leaving. This is also a good time to get
prescription motion sickness meds for any of your family members who may
require them.
Step 14 – Don’t
forget home
One worry to me when I leave on a long trip is my house.
Plan far enough advance as to what precautions you want to take to protect your
house. Now is the time to get timers, and other home security devices to make
it seem like you’re at home. It’s also a good time to inform you’re local police
department that you will be away. Also you may want to ask someone you really
trust to drop in from time to time and make sure everything is ok. Lastly,
don’t forget your mail and newspapers you may get, make sure you put holds on
both so neither is piling up indication that you’re not home.
Step 15 – Pets
Cats can be pretty self-sufficient with multiday food and
water feeder, and clean litter box left behind but will still need someone to
stop in and check on them occasionally. As for Dogs, well they are different
all together, in my post “Appy to See
You” I cover and app called Travel
with Pets that will help you find pet friendly motels along your way, but
not all Route 66 staple Motels are going to be ok, with doggy. You want to get
this situation figure out as soon as your can and decide quickly whether to
take doggy with or board the dog for however long your gone. Boarding locations
can fill up quickly in the summer as other folks board their dogs too, so
getting arrangements made early will be a huge help. Also keep in mind that
boarders want you to have all your dog’s shots up to date so the earlier you
work on this the quicker you can get those done too.
As for other pets you are going to have to make arrangement
for others to watch them, the earlier you can get to that the better.
With all these steps done know we get down to those final,
of the final steps.
Step 16 – Pack and
repack.
A day or two before you leave you want to prepack. This is
going to give you a chance to make sure that everyone has everything they need,
and that your bags can hold it all. This is that one last chance to get new
luggage, clothing or toiletries so that you are completely prepared before
hitting the road.
You also want to prepack the car as well, having suit cases
and bags to fit everything is great but if they don’t fit you may have an
issues, and you don’t want to be finding that out the morning of. Make sure
everything fits and move things around like a puzzle before deciding to dump
items. You want to make sure that items fit with some logic to their placement
and where items like the car sick kit, snacks, and map bag are easy to grab in
a hurry. This is a big step that really lets you know you are on your way.
As a suggestion try to do your prepacking, and actual
packing out of sight if you can, perhaps in your garage, this way you aren’t advertising
you won’t be home.
Step 17 – The Day
Before
Between packing, washing the last laundry, putting timers in,
taking care of pets and all those last minute store visits the last day before
leaving can get really stressful. You may not be an advocate of it but my wife
and I have always chosen to go out to eat, gotten carryout, or have food
delivered for all meals the day before. This helps reduce the stress of making
meals, keeps everyone fed, and keeps a pile of dishes from being made.
Also, keep stress levels as low as you can. I have found
that all the running around can produce a long day and short tempers. Try to
make sure that everyone has a job to do, this may not include younger children
of course but the older kids can help out immensely. Not only can they get
themselves packed but they can help the younger kids too, and then help you
with additional jobs.
Overall, try to start on all your tasks as early in the day
as possible, so you have some time in the evening to bring things down and get
everyone rested and slept for the days to follow.
Step 18 – You’re on
Your Way!!!
Have fun, good luck,
and have a safe journey!!!!!!!
