In the Driver’s Seat
You may wonder about the logistics of traveling for an extended time, spending hours in my car. Generally, I store the necessities on the passenger side, within easy reach. My Yeti with my Chai tea latte sits in the front cup holder. My screw capped Yumberry Pomegranate Lifewater sits in the back cup holder. On the seat rests a bag with my MacBook, Olympus Tough camera, a guidebook for the current area we are visiting and a notebook and smooth-writing pens. Also, bear spray, glucose tablets, and a glucometer are within easy reach.
The printouts of nightly accommodation reservations and my “all things road trip” Excel spreadsheet are tucked into a manila folder. YES, I made a spreadsheet. How else could I keep track of 30 different AirBnBs in varying locations and attractions? I have a printed map of the United States with my path superimposed and another map with the time zones color-coded. Dork!
On the floor is a purple cooler that fills the space for the passenger’s legs. The cooler holds more Lifewater, green juice drinks that I concocted before I left, an eight ounce block of cheddar cheese that I eat holding like a hoagie because I can, grapes, carrots, apples, peanut butter, insulin, and vitamins. Filed next to the cooler is my huge paper Atlas that was a brilliant birthday gift from my brother, in case my cell service (and therefore my GPS) fails.
My phone charger cord runs from the cigarette lighter to my phone holder clipped into my heating vents. There are travel-related apps on my phone.
The first major one is Waze. Waze tells you the current speed limit and alerts you if you exceed it. It’s driver-driven, so everyone reports things that they see on the road, like police, stopped traffic, potholes. It transmits the information to all users. I use Google maps so I can see an overview of my trip and know when I cross state lines.
My second most used app is Airbnb. You can view details about the houses you reserved, including directions, and any special check-in or check out requirements. You can message the owners and you get text alerts when they message you.
My third favorite app is Facetime. I use this with my niece and family. She can’t understand how I am inside the phone and why she can’t touch or kiss me. She kisses the phone. This connects me to home like nothing else.
I use WeatherBug and My Radar so that I am aware of any upcoming weather possibilities. Yellowstone has an app appropriately called Geysers, which tells you when each geyser is expected to erupt. For entertainment, I use Hoopla for audiobooks borrowed from the library, Audible for purchased audiobooks, Pocket Casts for podcasts. I use Pandora and Apple music for my own music preferences. I use Map My Walk to measure how far Abby and I hike. Relax Melodies is an app where you can choose or design soothing music combinations. I use this and my Bluetooth speaker if the neighborhood (for example, the North Side of Pittsburgh) is too loud or unpredictable to keep Abby from barking.
My most prized possession is hanging from my rearview mirror. MY ANNUAL PASS! You can buy an Annual Pass for all the national parks in the United States for $80. If you are seeing many parks, it will save you money as each entrance fee averages $30. After this trip is over, I will make it into a necklace, that’s how much I love it.
I found huge cost and time savings with E-ZPass. Having a transponder allows you to pass through toll booths with just a wave and a smile, as well as a 35% discount. It is honored in 16 states in the northeast United States. E-ZPass will also automatically withdraw funds from your bank account. Easy breezy.
The back seat is Abby’s domain. She has a harness from Julius K9 that attaches to a restraint system by Kurgo that attaches to the handles on the car ceiling. Abby has a quilted seat protector that she usually has balled up to make a more comfortable bed. She hung a few pictures of her dog friend/cousin, Hank, and a poster of Baha Men, singers of “Who Let the Dogs Out.”
The hatch holds all the other supplies needed for a month on the road. There is a suitcase of clothing that ranges from a bathing suit to a winter jacket. My suitcase of non-refrigerated foods and camping dinnerware resides next to that. There is Abby’s suitcase of treats, food, coats, and bowls. Lastly, is my bag of recreational items (not that kind), like hiking poles, my camelback, a quick-drying towel, extra guidebooks, and a motion sickness kit. Each night, I take an empty cloth bag and rummage though the suitcases, choosing the things I will need for the overnight stay.
This system doesn’t work perfectly, but it’s acceptable for now. I think that the longer I am on the road, the better organized I will be. Improvements are on the way.
