Travel Tips to make travel easier!

Have you ever hit the road and not too far along, said “Darn, I forgot…..?” I think we all have. So, I reached out my network, and together, we came up with some tips to make travel a little less stressful. These ideas make the trip more fun!

For me, when I head out on a trip, I like to have a hard copy of my agenda with phone numbers, addresses, and approximate times (when needed). I want an outline for what is happening on what days and when. With loved ones that may need to reach me, when possible, I leave a copy at home, or with family. Do you do this?

Suitcases etc.

Chad Elmore who travels extensively had some advice. “Don’t waste your money on cheap luggage. Luggage is designed to protect your belongings, so you don’t want it giving up on an airport conveyor system. For example, Red Oxx makes really tough luggage. After 15 years of extensive travel, my Red Oxx luggage looks barely used.”

I have some personal experience with that. My not so expensive suitcase wheels literally crumbled into pieces on the rough cobblestones in Germany!

Packing Tips

Our good friend Kelli Dozier said, “I have a packing list I use so I don’t forget anything. It sure has made packing easier.” Kelli said this list will be individual for each person.

Maggie Hardt Miller said, pack what you need for your 1st night & 2nd day in your carryon bag. That way, if you get in late, or your checked back does not arrive, you will have what you need until it does.”

Janel White said how you pack matters too. “Mostly for kids, but there’s a special way to fold your clothes by outfit, including socks and underwear. The Skivvy Roll. This is something I currently do, shirt, pants, jacket, all in one roll. Clothes do not wrinkle, and what to wear is already decided.

Another thing I do that helps, is to pack a garbage bag in my suitcase for dirty clothes. When I get home, I just dump the bag in the laundry room, and any clean clothes were not dirtied.

Ready for fun!

Janel suggested being prepared, especially when traveling with kids. “Always pack a swimsuit in your carry on, just in case luggage is lost. You can still enjoy the pool/beach.”

Friend Annie Jansen said if traveling by car, make sure to pack a cooler and bring snacks. Snacks are good for any type of travel. Annie also brought a county-by-county map on the recent trip we took to Indiana. That saved us when navigation would not work.

To make waiting less of a chore, I always have a book to read! Another tip to keep from getting stiff during travel is short stops and a chance to exercise. A little movement adds fun and physical strength along the way while eating calories on the go!

Emergency Tips

Plan ahead. Like me when I travel by car, Maggie has a flashlight, and first aid kit. She said, it will cover anything from a old to headache to stomach upset.”

She has items like antiseptic, bandaids and more as well just in case. Make sure you have a cell phone charger. For road safety, something to air up your tires, and keep the car gassed up. Annie said her mechanic husband said, “Do what the manuals say,” when it comes to keeping a vehicle running.

Security Tips

Brad Bales spoke from experience in a humorous way. “Do NOT pack foil-wrapped type packaging of breakfast pastries, (or anything else for that matter) in your carryon baggage! It gets the person running the scanner excited. You become a person of interest and get personal attention really quick.”

These are just a few ways to help make our life easier when heading out. Let me know if you have any trips to add!