credit: Country Wings in Phoenix
I take at least two trips out of town every month. Usually by bus, sometimes by car. As a frequent passenger, I’ve learned to treat these hours on the road as an extended moment of zen. I’ve also learned that I always need to have certain things with me for to ensure a pleasant trip. Everyone has their list of road essentials and these are mine:
Tunes
For some reason, I find I listen to music more closely when on the road and notice more of a song’s nuances than under any other circumstances. Maybe it’s something about being confined to one seat for hours. In any case, having access to a soundtrack is essential for a roadtrip. If you’re in a vehicle with friends/loved ones, it breaks up the monotony of the trip, fills in the conversation gaps, and–depending on how prone you are to nostalgia–maybe turn a regular song into one filled with memory and meaning. If you’re travelling solo, it helps drown out the chatter, snoring, and other miscellaneous noise. It can also be good white noise for napping.
Phone/Charger
You should always have your phone on you when traveling, to let folks know you’re running late/early/on time, and for any other unexpected circumstances that may arise. And if you have a smartphone, between all the apps and games, you’d have to try really hard to be bored on a trip. These days some bus companies also equip their vehicles with WiFi and electrical outlets, so there’s no excuse for not keeping those batteries freshly charged.
Books/Magazines
Whether travelling alone or with others, you’ll still time to yourself, and reading provides an efficient escape. I like a balance of fluff and substance, maybe a trashy magazine and an absorbing novel. Traffic can appear out of nowhere and add time and frustration to the journey, so having plenty to read keeps the eyes and mind off the road.
Snacks/Water
It doesn’t matter if you just ate or will be eating upon arrival. Traffic can screw everything up (see above) and having something to eat/drink on hand will stave off not only hunger/thirst, but also crankiness. Let’s face it, wherever it is you’re going, you don’t want to be in a bad mood when you get there.
Sweater/Hoodie
Whatever the weather outside, you never know what the temperature is going to be like inside the vehicle. A hoodie or sweater will protect from arctic air-conditioning and can be taken off if the heating system overwhelms (just please remember to wear something underneath).
Tissues/Hand Sanitizer
None of us want to use the bathrooms on buses or in rest areas, but it’s sometimes unavoidable. And tissues are always useful; you never know when you’ll sneeze or spill something or be on a bus where the movie they’re showing is Steel Magnolias. At a volume so loud, your headphones will not drown it out, so you have no choice but to watch it. Hypothetically speaking, of course.
Sudoku Puzzles
Sometimes I don’t want to read or play games on my phone or check Twitter while en route, so having some other activity to keep my brain busy makes the ride go by smoothly.
Pen/Paper
Sure, there are lots of gadgets that let you take down notes, etc. but sometimes jotting things down the old fashioned way is preferable.
A Good Attitude
Whether you’re following a familiar route or visiting a new destination, no two trips are alike. Being relaxed and upbeat will make getting there more pleasant, especially if there are any delays or setbacks. And let’s face it, getting there is sometimes just as much fun as being there. With RoadCamp revving up its engines, it might even be more fun!
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Don’t forget extra water/coolant for your car, emergency road kit, first aid kit and for women, pepper spray or stun gun. No one wants to worry about that stuff, but it’s important.