Winter Travel Essentials

Do you find things that you need, or just plain like that you hate to travel without? I do, so I enjoy making a seasonal list of some of my travel essentials finds to share with my readers. While road safety, and travel planning are needed, I also try to make a packing list to ensure I have everything I need before heading out the door. As you know, what you take depends on where you are going, and what you are doing!

This is a mobile list, and I will add to it as the season progresses and I find more “travel essentials”!

Dining!

Often we head east, so it is always nice to find a great place to stop along the way. I have been reading a local Facebook post, 217Foodies, and I heard about a new stop to me. Last night we tried Bella Roma Italian Restaurant in Edinburg, Illinois. It was wonderful. Keith and I split a sample plate of spaghetti, tortellini and fettuccini. And the rolls were delicious with olive oil and parmesan. Great food and service, and a bright clean environment. Best of all it was not overly crowded, and we didn’t have to wait on a Friday night. Win win!

Purse with a message!

I’m not sure if the Once in a Blue Moon International Gift Gallery is a good find or not because I keep going back and spending money! This fair-trade store has beautiful jewelry, pottery, and yes indeed, purses. Stopping at this Springfield, Illinois store this past Thursday, I found a messenger style purse with the message on the front that said, “Adventure is calling and I must go.” It was so me, how could I resist. I could still adhere to my hands-free rule for buying purses, and it will fit a notebook in it without too much ado! I’m loving it. The bag is made from recycled military canvas tents and vehicle tarps and more. The imperfections on the bag tell the story of the solider’s journey and challenge of his or her life in the military.

At the shop, I also admit to adding to my jewelry collection as well.

Laptop Bag!

Have you ever found the perfect and I mean PERFECT bag to hold your techie stuff like iPad, cords etc.? I have! I just received the GRAMS (28) laptop bag to review, and it is a wonderfully crafted bag that does it all. While advertised for men, I think it is great for a lady like me as well.

It is a perfect bag to carry your laptop on the go and fits my iPad perfectly. I especially love the interior desk set up with room for my notepads, pens cards, etc. it allows me to carry my iPad with me or laptop and all the essentials I need as well. I am reviewing the 171 laptops sling it is composed of Italian leather and fits up to a 14-inch MacBook Pro. It is versatile and beautiful at the same time. Besides laptop bags, GRAMS(28) also has camera bags and lots of other fun items as well.

Books

I don’t go anywhere without a book! Recently I received a fun book Murder Across the Ocean by Charlene Wexler. I took this book with me to my recent trip to Decatur, Alabama to see the Festival of the Cranes.

In the book, the heroine, Lori Brill decides to visit her granddaughter in London. Expecting whirl wind tourist fun and bonding with her favorite family member, everything goes awry right from the first. After catching up with a high school love and finding him murdered right off, the story takes lots of twists and turns. What I truly love about this book is that it is written by a mature adult, and the heroine is seventy something and is depicted as an interesting, fun individual. Charlene Wexler has worked as a teacher and dental office bookkeeper and as “a wife, mom, and grandmother,”. In recent years, Wexler’s lifelong passion for writing has led her to create numerous essays as well as fiction.

Dental fun

I am always looking for ways to improve travel and make it easier. When I received the Dr. Plotka Mouthwashers travel toothbrush that folds in half, with antimicrobial silver infused bristles, I was a happy camper. They also sent their whitening toothpaste with organic propolis, a natural honeybee product. The toothpaste is antimicrobial and works well with sensitive gums. I left my everyday toothbrush and paste at home when traveling to my daughters to stay with the grandkids and grand dog on a recent expedition and it worked like a charm. The folded toothbrush had an ergonomic comfort grip, and the toothpaste freshened upon use. Another nice aspect is that 100% of the ingredients are sourced from natural origins. The Mouthwashers products were invented by a dentist, Dr. Plotka.

If you are looking for places to go and love agricultural history, check out my eBook, Agricultural Travel Guidebook.

What have you found to make your travel life better lately? I would love to hear your suggestions! May your travel be filled with glorious sunsets, great food, and products to ease your way along the road!