Showing posts with label Roadtrip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Roadtrip. Show all posts
Happy friends! I hope that you are having a wonderful start to your week! Today I am excited to talk about some tips and tricks for long road trips specifically during the holiday season!
As some of y'all know, when I was growing up we would spend the school year in the south and then spend the summer months in upstate NY. Due to growing up like this and spending 2-3 times a year traveling 40 hours (round trip) I started to acquire some tips and tricks for these types of long road trips.
I feel like in the last 10 years of writing here on Caravan Sonnet about LOTS of road trips and adventures they have been put into practice in new ways with the recent Eastern Fall Road Trip we just took in the Fall (read HERE), our 2020 New England Winter Road Trip (read HERE) older adventures like the 9 day Alaskan Road Trip that we took in the summer of 2018 (you can read about it HERE) and the most popular read trip in New England/New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island/Nova Scotia Road Trip we took in 2017 (you can read about it HERE). There have been so many different beautiful smaller t road trips and I love a good road trip!
As some of y'all know, when I was growing up we would spend the school year in the south and then spend the summer months in upstate NY. Due to growing up like this and spending 2-3 times a year traveling 40 hours (round trip) I started to acquire some tips and tricks for these types of long road trips.
I feel like in the last 10 years of writing here on Caravan Sonnet about LOTS of road trips and adventures they have been put into practice in new ways with the recent Eastern Fall Road Trip we just took in the Fall (read HERE), our 2020 New England Winter Road Trip (read HERE) older adventures like the 9 day Alaskan Road Trip that we took in the summer of 2018 (you can read about it HERE) and the most popular read trip in New England/New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island/Nova Scotia Road Trip we took in 2017 (you can read about it HERE). There have been so many different beautiful smaller t road trips and I love a good road trip!
As I am in the midst of preparing and planning for several other exciting trips that I can't wait to share with y'all, we are also planning for the adventure of traveling somewhere over the holidays! This got me thinking specifically about writing a post for tips and tricks for long road trips during the holiday season that is here! I hope that y'all will find them helpful!
If you are looking for other road trip tips and tricks check out these posts below:
1. Save Gas Money Ahead of Time for the Fluctuating Holiday Prices
One thing that I started doing years ago is putting aside $5- $10 every week specifically for gas money for our trips. Now with todays gas prices this has increased. I typically for a trip that is going to be less than 5 hours away still save that money, but for trips that are longer (over 10 hours) I start putting aside $10-$20 a week. Especially during the holidays when gas prices can fluctuate and be even more expensive this can be extremely helpful. If you’re packing to go on quite the road trip, you have to remember that you need enough fuel to get you from place to place along the way. If you’re stopping at RV parks as you drive to see family for the holidays, it could help to calculate the distance between each spot so that you can figure out how much gas you’ll use.
One thing that I started doing years ago is putting aside $5- $10 every week specifically for gas money for our trips. Now with todays gas prices this has increased. I typically for a trip that is going to be less than 5 hours away still save that money, but for trips that are longer (over 10 hours) I start putting aside $10-$20 a week. Especially during the holidays when gas prices can fluctuate and be even more expensive this can be extremely helpful. If you’re packing to go on quite the road trip, you have to remember that you need enough fuel to get you from place to place along the way. If you’re stopping at RV parks as you drive to see family for the holidays, it could help to calculate the distance between each spot so that you can figure out how much gas you’ll use.
Taking the time to do this can also easily eliminates stress about money for road trips when the time comes. Even if you don't save up all you need - you will be closer and it will help out! Another idea is to ask friends and family for Christmas for gas gift cards early that you can use on your trip. Thinking and planning ahead can help save a lot of money in the long run when you are traveling! *smiles*
2. Pack Water Bottles (or whatever you drink in the car)
As a gal who drinks a lot of water everyday, purchasing water bottles at gas stations gets to be expensive. Think about how you can save by picking up water bottles (or whatever your drink of choice is) ahead of time because most drinks are triple the price in gas stations then can be found on sale at Target, SAM's, or in a local grocery store. One thing that we did for a while when we were traveling back and forth from TN to NY was to purchase extra water bottles whenever they went on sale throughout the year. Another idea (if you are taking a road trip similar to one that I mentioned above) is to stop at a Walmart or Target as you begin your trip. We have done this on a lot of our road trips and it saved a lot of money.
As a gal who drinks a lot of water everyday, purchasing water bottles at gas stations gets to be expensive. Think about how you can save by picking up water bottles (or whatever your drink of choice is) ahead of time because most drinks are triple the price in gas stations then can be found on sale at Target, SAM's, or in a local grocery store. One thing that we did for a while when we were traveling back and forth from TN to NY was to purchase extra water bottles whenever they went on sale throughout the year. Another idea (if you are taking a road trip similar to one that I mentioned above) is to stop at a Walmart or Target as you begin your trip. We have done this on a lot of our road trips and it saved a lot of money.
3. Pack Snacks & Food if possible or Make these Stops "All-Inclusive"
If you like to eat snacks or food on your trip - try to pack them or make these stops "all inclusive" to keep the trip moving. As fun as the road trip is traveling during the holiday season will be hectic and crowded so making less stops will make it a happier experience. Pick places that not only has food, but has a gas station nearby and a place to walk around for a bit. Keeping things at one place instead of stopping for food and then stopping 20 minutes later for gas, and then stopping another 20 minutes later to use the restroom can really save a lot of time on your trip if you are trying to cut down on time.
If you like to eat snacks or food on your trip - try to pack them or make these stops "all inclusive" to keep the trip moving. As fun as the road trip is traveling during the holiday season will be hectic and crowded so making less stops will make it a happier experience. Pick places that not only has food, but has a gas station nearby and a place to walk around for a bit. Keeping things at one place instead of stopping for food and then stopping 20 minutes later for gas, and then stopping another 20 minutes later to use the restroom can really save a lot of time on your trip if you are trying to cut down on time.
4. Have "Reward" Places
Depending on where your trip is taking you, you might want to have "reward places". For the route that we traveled from TN to NY we literally crossed through the entire state of Virginia which took close to 8 hours. I love Virginia, and lived there for six years, but driving through it the way we had to was very tedious. One of the things that we started doing years ago (and should have done when we were kiddos my parents said!) is to have "reward stops". Whenever we now finish a section of the trip (we break it into thirds) we do something "fun". Sometimes it is as simple as grabbing a Starbucks or other times we have visited with friends or one time my parents took my sister and I to an old-fashioned amusement park for an hour, these "reward stops" are so fun! Honestly, these simple yet fun "reward stops" can create lasting memories not only for the trip, but for years to come. (My sister and I still talk about stopping at that amusement park more than 20 years later! Don't forget that the long car trip can be just as wonderful a place to create memories as the holiday destination itself!)
Depending on where your trip is taking you, you might want to have "reward places". For the route that we traveled from TN to NY we literally crossed through the entire state of Virginia which took close to 8 hours. I love Virginia, and lived there for six years, but driving through it the way we had to was very tedious. One of the things that we started doing years ago (and should have done when we were kiddos my parents said!) is to have "reward stops". Whenever we now finish a section of the trip (we break it into thirds) we do something "fun". Sometimes it is as simple as grabbing a Starbucks or other times we have visited with friends or one time my parents took my sister and I to an old-fashioned amusement park for an hour, these "reward stops" are so fun! Honestly, these simple yet fun "reward stops" can create lasting memories not only for the trip, but for years to come. (My sister and I still talk about stopping at that amusement park more than 20 years later! Don't forget that the long car trip can be just as wonderful a place to create memories as the holiday destination itself!)
5. Have "Car Only" Holiday Traditions
My sister is going to die laughing when she reads that I have shared this story, but one of the most fun traditions that we had as kids growing up was our "night spy game". Yes, you are now rolling your eyes and are concerned but seriously y'all, this silly game kept us entertained for hours. I am giggling as I write this but what we would do is have a "special notebook" and we would (once it got dark because somehow this added to the fun *smiles*) write down as many license plate numbers as we could get before we grew tired of this game (which didn't happen for hours). Somehow writing this out is not conveying the fun that this seriously was. *hahaha* But y'all, we laughed and giggled as cars whizzed by us and we tried to write down as many as we could get down. It was a lot of fun and we still laugh about it to this day. And the "spy part" for those who are wondering? I really have no idea. *hahaha*
My sister is going to die laughing when she reads that I have shared this story, but one of the most fun traditions that we had as kids growing up was our "night spy game". Yes, you are now rolling your eyes and are concerned but seriously y'all, this silly game kept us entertained for hours. I am giggling as I write this but what we would do is have a "special notebook" and we would (once it got dark because somehow this added to the fun *smiles*) write down as many license plate numbers as we could get before we grew tired of this game (which didn't happen for hours). Somehow writing this out is not conveying the fun that this seriously was. *hahaha* But y'all, we laughed and giggled as cars whizzed by us and we tried to write down as many as we could get down. It was a lot of fun and we still laugh about it to this day. And the "spy part" for those who are wondering? I really have no idea. *hahaha*
A couple of friends of mine who are parents to the most adorable kiddos have a couple of DVD's that I think their kids believe only exist inside of their car on long road trips. It is great because the kiddos only see these particular DVD's a few times of the year and they love them. What a fun idea!
Maybe during the holiday season for your holiday trip you have specific car only holiday traditions that you save for these trips. Be creative (it could be stopping at Santa's village in a different state, attending a holiday concert along the way, or even seeing lights in a specific neighborhood, etc.) and enjoy the fun adventure!
6. Understand and Empathize with the "mood" of your fellow Road Trippers Especially during the Holiday Season
Let's be honest, after 20+ hours in a small car together some people might want and desire a little space from each other. Even me who loves to have people close-close (my love language is physical touch/words of affirmation/quality time, and we love the close proximity to people that we love hahaha) can empathize that my sweet family/friends might not find me as funny or delightful after being with me for every waking moment for almost 20+ hours straight. (I know, I know it is shocking! *smiles*) Some people are going to be like me and thrive on this close proximity and others may just appreciate the quiet.
Let's be honest, after 20+ hours in a small car together some people might want and desire a little space from each other. Even me who loves to have people close-close (my love language is physical touch/words of affirmation/quality time, and we love the close proximity to people that we love hahaha) can empathize that my sweet family/friends might not find me as funny or delightful after being with me for every waking moment for almost 20+ hours straight. (I know, I know it is shocking! *smiles*) Some people are going to be like me and thrive on this close proximity and others may just appreciate the quiet.
The holidays can be stressful and difficult and a long road trip for some people is going to just heighten emotions. Be sensitive to this and give a lot of grace so you remember the fun times more than anything!
So know your companions and empathize with the "mood". But honestly what is so sad to me is watching some families yell and snap at each other because they are tired and grumpy. Again, I can't stress this enough but remember that the road trip itself is an opportunity to spend time with the ones you love and cherish the memory opportunities. (If you are curious about the Love Language comment... I am referring to this book HERE. Read it friends- It is so good.)
So know your companions and empathize with the "mood". But honestly what is so sad to me is watching some families yell and snap at each other because they are tired and grumpy. Again, I can't stress this enough but remember that the road trip itself is an opportunity to spend time with the ones you love and cherish the memory opportunities. (If you are curious about the Love Language comment... I am referring to this book HERE. Read it friends- It is so good.)
7. Appreciate Delays
When I was growing up my childhood pastor said something that has always stuck with me as I have traveled; "Thank God for delays because they are often blessings in disguise." I can't tell you how many times we have been frustrated to run into a delay only to see immediately or down the road that we avoided an accident and I am sure that there are so many things we have no idea we have been protected from. Don't be frustrated with delays friends- you never know what you may have been protected from.
8. Break up the "Monotony"
This tip is especially useful if you are traveling alone but even with a family it can be practical. When I traveled back and forth from the lower south to Virginia Beach for graduate school it was a good 10 hour drive. Several years later as I moved to work and live in Washington DC it was a good 12 hours from my home. These long car trips by myself could have been very tiring but as I look back now I see them as sweet times to think, process, pray, and consider upcoming decisions.
In addition to this I found this a wonderful time to catch up with friends and family (on speaker phone for those who live in a state that is "hands free" *smiles*). One thing I did to help pass the time was to "break up" the monotony. For example for an hour I might chat on the phone and catch up with a dear friend and then the next hour spend time just thinking and praying and then the next hour listen to music and in another hour I would call another friend. After this I would sometimes listen to an hour of a book on tape or spend more time praying or listening to music. By constantly breaking the hours up in the car the time went by much more quickly.
It can also be really fun to pick up a book on audio that you & the person you are traveling with want to listen to and haven't read. Save it for a trip and listen to it together. It creates a fun memory and something to definitely chat about. Or grab a question book and ask each other questions. Or even better... just enjoy the company of that person.
This same concept can be great with kiddos also! A great idea that my mama had when we were younger was that she would collect "special and surprise" items for several months prior to a road trip and keep them in a secret bag. To us kiddos it was like she became Mary Poppins on the trip! I am not kidding y'all, she would pull out (slowly!) over the hours different surprises. They were all wonderful and nothing cost a lot of money but it was always fun to see what was coming out of mama's "Mary Poppins bag"! [hahaha! And when we headed out to California for treatment my sweet mama surprised me with a book to keep me entertained! So if you are thinking that this idea won't work with older kiddos you are wrong! I loved it! hahaha!]
9. Eye Covers are Your Friend
I mentioned this in a post about tips for sleeping better, but eye covers can truly be your friend in the car. I love me some eye covers. I tried a ton before I found one that I loved. I tried some that were extremely cheap and some that were more expensive before I found my favorite one. If you don't have one I would definitely recommend trying one. This can truly help you get some much needed rest on a long car trip! [This is my current favorite one HERE.]
10. Take Time to Enjoy the Moments and Places Along the Way.
Often times with a trip that is long you can start trying to figure out the quickest and easiest way to get to the destination. In doing so though we can sometimes miss out on some adventures along the way. Many years ago as I was driving from Georgia up to our cabin in upstate New York I decided to go an 3 hours out of the way to go over to the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. At the time the Memorial wasn't even completed but I felt burdened as a history teacher and an American that this was important to see.
As I stepped out of my car and walked around the fence there was only a few of us there and one of those that happened to be there was a family member of one of the heroes of 9/11. Having the opportunity to chat with them and hear their story was incredibly profound and humbling. It is a memory that I never forgot and it was the best use of an extra 3 hours of driving. I can't say enough how much I would encourage you to take the time to enjoy the moments and the places along your road trip!
Another favorite detour of mine was on the New England/New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island/Nova Scotia Road Trip I saw a lake in a distance and pulled off to explore it. It was so beautiful! Or on the Alaskan Road Trip we headed over to Hatcher Pass. Y'all if you have been reading the blog for a while than you know that I fell in love with this area and it's beauty (you can read about it HERE or see a video HERE). There are so many other examples I could share, and I can't wait to share some from our holiday trip, but take the time to enjoy the places and moments along the way- it will make your holiday trip that much richer and better!
Thanks so much for reading today friends! I hope that you have a wonderful day!
*all of the pictures from the post are from the 2020 New England Winter Road Trip*
These posts have ranged from general tips (like my post on 5 important tips or traveling with a chronic illness) to specific tips on enjoying different Disney parks with a chronic illness (Magic Kingdom HERE and Animal Kingdom HERE), or why you should stay at a Disney Resort if you have a Chronic Illness to one of my most popular posts of all time-10 tips for cruising with a chronic illness.
These posts are always popular because no matter whether you are struggling with an illness or not you want to grab hold of life and soak up every moment. Perhaps illness in a strange way becomes a gift that teaches us to value the moments and the memories more than if sickness had never entered our worlds.
Four years ago, in the summer of 2018, I was blessed to have the opportunity to spend 9 incredible days out in Alaska on an amazing Alaskan Road Trip (you can read all about it HERE) and then in the summer of 2019 I spent another week out in Alaska on a second Alaskan Road trip , which was an amazing girls road trip back to Alaska in different parts which you can read all about HERE!
In 2020 (prior to the pandemic shutdown) my mom and I returned home from a special New England Winter Road Trip through Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine which was incredible. Since then we have taken several more road trips which I have shared about on the blog and are about to embark on one next week!
Traveling - and a road trip especially- does takes a risk and a courage- especially when you don't feel well, but if you are like me and wanting to live despite being sick... if you want to grab onto your experiences and live bigger than your world of illness is allowing you to, than I am applauding you and encouraging you! Here are 10 Tips for Thriving on a Long Road Trip with a Chronic Illness. I hope that these will help you in your next adventure!
1. Prepare As Much As Possible Ahead of Time
While many people may pack the week before (or the day before) a road trip, it is wise to spend time preparing and packing as much as possible in the weeks ahead. While there are certain items that you may not be able to pack till the last minute (i.e. different meds with insurance regulations), doing as much as you can ahead of time will relieve the stress of waiting till the last minute will help your body. Preparing ahead allows you to really think about each item that you want to bring and also allows you to have the time to make sure that you have all of your medications, supplements, etc.
Preparing ahead also gives you a beautiful gift I have found. It really allows you to look ahead at the fun opportunity coming up, discuss with your travel companions the upcoming fun ahead of you, and if you are struggling with treatment or sickness, help you to look outside the difficult and painful days that you are having.
2. Try to Alternate Driving with Someone Else
Unfortunately on two of the major road trips I have taken so far (through Maine, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia and the 2018 Alaskan Road Trip) the girl that traveled with me didn't have her license so it wasn't possible to alternate at all driving with her. I realize looking back that her taking the time to get her license for the trips would have been a real gift because I don't think there was a consideration of how taxing that can be on anyone (healthy or not) to drive the entire time... but I don't regret those trips at all because of the beautiful experiences and I choose to pursue them and am so so glad that I did.
In an ideal situation though, alternating the driving hours with another person would be the best case scenario. Try to mix up the hours and trade off and on. Also don’t be afraid to stay overnight or only limit yourself to a number of hours in the car or vehicle each day. You can stay in comforting accommodations, or even bring the accommodations with you to the RV park, giving you the rest you need to keep on and feel vibrant.
This keeps you more "fresh" and not only allows you to see more of the world that you are driving through, but it also allows your body to get a much needed rest from concentrating on the road and driving well. In addition to this it allows your body to "move" a bit more and not be in one position the entire time of your road trip.
In an ideal situation though, alternating the driving hours with another person would be the best case scenario. Try to mix up the hours and trade off and on. Also don’t be afraid to stay overnight or only limit yourself to a number of hours in the car or vehicle each day. You can stay in comforting accommodations, or even bring the accommodations with you to the RV park, giving you the rest you need to keep on and feel vibrant.
This keeps you more "fresh" and not only allows you to see more of the world that you are driving through, but it also allows your body to get a much needed rest from concentrating on the road and driving well. In addition to this it allows your body to "move" a bit more and not be in one position the entire time of your road trip.
3. Be Realistic About What You Can and Can't Do
When you are planning your trip you will want to be realistic about what you can and can't do. My mom and medical team (whom I used to run everything by before any trip) were always kind and compassionate sounding boards gently saying sometimes, "do you think that you can realistically do this?". While I could have chosen to be offended by their words, I instead knew that they were coming from someone who knows that my heart wants to go on that 10 mile hike up to the top of Denali, camp out and do it all again the next day plus drive nine hours to our next location all in a span of 48 hours... but my body is just not physically able to. Take the time to be realistic about what you can and can't do and you will end up enjoying your road trip a lot more than if you try to pack if full of things you can't do right now.
I say "right now" because... it doesn't mean you will never be able to do them it just means maybe right now you can't. It doesn't mean that in the future you can't go back to a place and fit in the twenty additional things you want to do. I know for me personally there were a lot of things on the first trip to Alaska that I wished I could do but couldn't, but then a year later I was so excited to do them! My best advice is to come to peace with where you are at and start a bucket list for a return trip.*smiles*
I say "right now" because... it doesn't mean you will never be able to do them it just means maybe right now you can't. It doesn't mean that in the future you can't go back to a place and fit in the twenty additional things you want to do. I know for me personally there were a lot of things on the first trip to Alaska that I wished I could do but couldn't, but then a year later I was so excited to do them! My best advice is to come to peace with where you are at and start a bucket list for a return trip.*smiles*
4. Plan Your Activities Wisely
Following along with #3, make sure to plan your activities wisely. Think about the timing of the things you want to do and what times are best for you in the day. Think about the amount of energy each activity will take and how that will look in your overall road trip adventure. For our road trip Maine, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia I walked away feeling extremely happy with the planning that I had done to alternate between activities that used a lot of energy to activities that didn't, knowing that I would be driving the entire time and that in itself was a big activity. I also found that this allowed me to fully enjoy the road trip and also created treasured times of spontaneity.
For example... on our second day of our Maine, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia road trip we were traveling from Camden, Maine to St. Andrews-By-The-Sea, New Brunswick. It was about a 3 and 1/2 hour drive. We got up early in the morning and after a yummy breakfast at the Lord Camden Inn, we spent time walking around Camden (which is adorable!), driving through gorgeous Maine into Canada and then in St. Andrews-By-The-Sea we explored the Kingsbrae Gardens, walked around downtown St. Andrews, and drove across the ocean floor to Minister's Island. In addition to that I saw this beautiful little lake in Maine during our drive and said to my friend, "Ali! Let's go see it!", which we did. The day was full, but all of the activities were low stress on my body and it was a completely relaxing and fun-filled day, which energized me for the entire trip!
In 2019 as I was planning for Alaska there were so many more activities that I am excited to do and explore- specifically more hiking! This energized me because I was healing more, but five years ago it would have energized my heart, but not my body. Only you know what energizes you and doesn't. Taking the time to plan your activities wisely will ensure that you have fun, not just for one day, but for the entire trip.
For example... on our second day of our Maine, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia road trip we were traveling from Camden, Maine to St. Andrews-By-The-Sea, New Brunswick. It was about a 3 and 1/2 hour drive. We got up early in the morning and after a yummy breakfast at the Lord Camden Inn, we spent time walking around Camden (which is adorable!), driving through gorgeous Maine into Canada and then in St. Andrews-By-The-Sea we explored the Kingsbrae Gardens, walked around downtown St. Andrews, and drove across the ocean floor to Minister's Island. In addition to that I saw this beautiful little lake in Maine during our drive and said to my friend, "Ali! Let's go see it!", which we did. The day was full, but all of the activities were low stress on my body and it was a completely relaxing and fun-filled day, which energized me for the entire trip!
In 2019 as I was planning for Alaska there were so many more activities that I am excited to do and explore- specifically more hiking! This energized me because I was healing more, but five years ago it would have energized my heart, but not my body. Only you know what energizes you and doesn't. Taking the time to plan your activities wisely will ensure that you have fun, not just for one day, but for the entire trip.
5. Plan, Prepare, and Pack All of Your Medications, Supplements, Etc.
One of the things that can take a lot of time in preparing for a road trip is planning, preparing and packing all of your medications, supplements, etc. Honestly it can take a bit of maneuvering (and a lot of patience) to make sure that you have all of your meds before your trip. As much as it is possible try to let your doctors know in advance that you will be going on a trip and that you will need meds (and extra meds depending on your situation) for the duration of your vacation.
I can't encourage you enough to work on this ahead of time as some medications can only be purchased with insurance at certain intervals so you will want to work this out with your doctor and insurance company. Also, if you are flying to a place before you start your road trip check with the airline as some airlines require that your medications are in the original containers not just in random pill containers.
I can't encourage you enough to work on this ahead of time as some medications can only be purchased with insurance at certain intervals so you will want to work this out with your doctor and insurance company. Also, if you are flying to a place before you start your road trip check with the airline as some airlines require that your medications are in the original containers not just in random pill containers.
Don't forget to pack all of your supplements and any other alternative meds you might use for your situation. I don't like wrapping my supplements and vitamins in aluminum foil, but for traveling I have found it so helpful to pack my pills in aluminum foil already separated out for the times that I take them. (For example: breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning snack, evening, midnight, etc.) Having my pills already prepared allows me to easily have my supplements available and also allows me not to bring along my hundreds of supplement bottles. In addition this saves me time in the mornings as I just pick up what I need for the day and head on out!
6. Plan Your Travel To and From the Road Trip Wisely
If you are flying someplace to start your road trip then plan this travel portion out carefully. The last thing that you want to do is exacerbate your symptoms or start off or end your road trip on the wrong foot. Think through your travel plans carefully so that you can fully enjoy every minute of your trip!
7. Make Use of Assistance if You Need It
Many places along the way will have "assistance" in various forms if you need it. This could be at the airport, or a hotel, or even just making use of your handicap tag. Sometimes the reality when traveling is that travel itself can create a lot of stress and strain on those who are chronically ill. You can spend a lot of energy walking, standing and waiting, and pain trying to get your bags, yourself, etc. in and out of the car. Making use of assistance can be a blessing and something to consider if you need it.
8. Set the Tone of Your Limitations Early
I have shared this story many times here on the blog, but on my first cruise I wanted to "get away from sick world" and asked my friend not to share that I was ill. Let me be honest- I hate being the center of attention so in some ways this worked fabulously to allow me to "get away", but it also created a ton of awkward situations and eventually led me to apologizing for not being up front more with my health to the new friends I made on the cruise as they were apologizing to me for not knowing!
I am not suggesting that you can't have a vacation "away" from your fight for your health, but I am suggesting that you can quietly set the tone for your boundaries. I remember on the first road trip that there was a day near the end of the trip where I was driving 9 hours, I was exhausted, and I was trying to find our way out of Halifax. A suggestion of music was offered and I just said I couldn't do it. I am sure it was surprising and confusing to understand, but my body was extremely tired and trying to navigate a new city and still had about 7 hours of driving left of the day. I knew in that moment that I couldn't have music as I was trying to listen to directions. Maybe for you it will be something different. Whatever it is, your true friends will be understanding and extremely encouraging.
Also... laugh. Just laugh. Fill the days with grace and laughter leading up to and on your trip. So speak up to those around you, embrace the grace, and laugh. It's a treasured thing you won't regret. *smiles*
Also... laugh. Just laugh. Fill the days with grace and laughter leading up to and on your trip. So speak up to those around you, embrace the grace, and laugh. It's a treasured thing you won't regret. *smiles*
9. Expect Difficult Times and Have a Backup Plan
It can be hard when you are cruising to accept that sometimes your body might struggle and have difficult times or days. I am sure so many of us have heard- "just think positively and you will have a wonderful trip-you won't feel pain or sickness at all". That would be awesome, but the reality is that many times we will experience pain or sickness because we are still in our bodies. That is okay!
Don't let times of sickness and pain ruin your road trip. Last fall on the final morning of our New England and Canadian road trip I twisted to lift my big suitcase on to the bed to pack things up and something snapped in my lower back and I immediately couldn't move. Now my lower back has always been a tender area in this journey (due to being bedridden and not able to walk for a while) so I am typically extremely sensitive to this, but this was beyond that. After seven days in the car driving, in one position (no matter all of the stretches and breaks we took), my back just decided it was done. Unfortunately this meant that we weren't able to see the final thing we were going to and I had to drop my friend off at the airport a few hours early so I could drive the five hours home immediately.
At the time it was hard and there were a lot of tears, but one thing I had to remember was all that I had been able to do and all that we had done in the last six days. As I drove home I started thinking about all of the amazing things I had seen, all that I had been able to do, and all that my body had been able to do. It was humbling. What may have looked like a "typical or normal vacation" to many people was the highlight of many days for me. So when you encounter something similar don't grow discouraged.
At the time it was hard and there were a lot of tears, but one thing I had to remember was all that I had been able to do and all that we had done in the last six days. As I drove home I started thinking about all of the amazing things I had seen, all that I had been able to do, and all that my body had been able to do. It was humbling. What may have looked like a "typical or normal vacation" to many people was the highlight of many days for me. So when you encounter something similar don't grow discouraged.
Accept your limitations, cry if you need to, find the joy in the day and the time, and have a backup plan. Take some extra time to rest and relax and get down to the bare necessities of what has to be done- even if this means altering your original plans. Most importantly, take a deep breath. Nothing is ruined in the long-term scheme of life- keep the joy and faith, even in the difficult times and treasure the memories.
10. Try to contact some restaurants and your lodging ahead of time about Food Allergies
Many people dealing with a chronic illness also deal with a myriad of food allergies. Even though on a road trip there is typically always some sort of food place around... the food that is available might not be something that you can eat. While I love planning things out for a road trip, I also love being spontaneous and fun and detouring and seeing other things if the opportunity arises. So what I typically do is contact the places I am staying at and ask them for a recommendation or two of a restaurant in the area that is sensitive to food allergies. If the website doesn't then answer my questions I will then call the restaurant and discuss with them personally. I really haven't had to much trouble so far and don't anticipate any in the future. It may take a bit of extra planning but its worth it so that you don't waste any time on your trip dealing with a food allergy reaction!
I hope that these 10 tips have been helpful for thriving on a long road trip with a chronic illness! If you are looking for tips for long road trips in general you may find my post 10 Tips and Tricks for Long Road Trips to be helpful! You can find it HERE! If you are looking specifically for more tips on traveling with a chronic illness you can click on the links below:
I hope you find these tips very helpful! Happy Thursday friends! I hope you have a wonderful day!
**All pictures in this post are from our time at Peggy's Cove which you can read about HERE. This was one of my absolute favorite stops on our Maine, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia road trip! **
**All pictures in this post are from our time at Peggy's Cove which you can read about HERE. This was one of my absolute favorite stops on our Maine, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia road trip! **
Happy Tuesday friends! As I have been sharing about our road trip to Pennsylvania in December (you can read all of the posts HERE!) I thought it would be a great time to share about some helpful tips on things to do before you leave on a trip outside your state! In the ten years of blogging and traveling for Caravan Sonnet, I have taken so many road trips outside the state, and I have learned how important these things are to do! I hope y'all will find these tips helpful!
1. Make a List, Check it Twice
I know that not everyone is a "list-maker" like I am (color-coded and everything for y'all that know me well! *smiles*) but creating lists when you are leaving to travel to another state are extremely helpful. If you are like me and over-the-moon excited for your trip, it can be easy to forget something important so I definitely recommend making a list and then checking it several times. Also- consider making a second list of items that you can't pack until the morning that you leave.
One of my favorite places to write my lists is in a pretty notebook *smiles* like THIS one!
If you are heading out for a long road trip to your destination (or one once you arrive like we did in Alaska) check out my post, 10 Tips & Tricks for Long Road Trips, by clicking HERE. (If you are struggling with a chronic illness and about to embark on a long road trip you may find my post, 10 Tips for Thriving on Long Road Trips with a Chronic Illness helpful! You can find it by clicking HERE!)
2. Pack Medicines, Over-The-Counter Meds, Vitamins, Supplements, Etc.
If you are heading out for a long road trip to your destination (or one once you arrive like we did in Alaska) check out my post, 10 Tips & Tricks for Long Road Trips, by clicking HERE. (If you are struggling with a chronic illness and about to embark on a long road trip you may find my post, 10 Tips for Thriving on Long Road Trips with a Chronic Illness helpful! You can find it by clicking HERE!)
2. Pack Medicines, Over-The-Counter Meds, Vitamins, Supplements, Etc.
I have shared this in the past, but make sure that you pick up any medicines and over-the-counter meds you need a few days before your trip. If you are living with a serious or chronic illness this can take a lot of time to plan and prepare your medications and supplements. Honestly, it can take a bit of maneuvering (and even a lot of patience) to make sure that you have all of our meds before a trip. As much as it is possible try to let your doctors know in advance you will be going on a cruise and that you will need meds (and extra meds depending on your situation) for the duration of your trip.
While you may only be traveling to a different state and it is not like traveling to another country, certain insurance regulations do not allow prescriptions to transfer from state to state so you will want to make sure you plan this well.
3. Purchase Any Specific Items You Need In Advance
While you may only be traveling to a different state and it is not like traveling to another country, certain insurance regulations do not allow prescriptions to transfer from state to state so you will want to make sure you plan this well.
3. Purchase Any Specific Items You Need In Advance
Depending on where you are traveling to you may need to purchase some items specifically for the region you are traveling to. In the past I have shared some ideas for 13 Must Pack Items for Your Caribbean Cruise and also 10 Must Pack items for a New England & Canada Cruise! Looking for additional packing tip posts? Check out these below:
4. Call Your Bank/Credit Card Companies to let them Know You are Traveling
Make sure to call your bank and credit card companies to let them know that you will be traveling out of state. Some people think that because it is just traveling to a different state that you don't need to do this but it is definitely so much easier to make a phone call from home than to figure out when you are traveling why your card was blocked!
5. Print off and Make Copies of All Your Documents and Passports
Even though you may not be bringing your passport with you, make sure to have a copy of all important documents, including your license.
6. Give an Emergency Contact All of Your Information
Make sure to let someone know the important information of the dates you are traveling, your flight numbers, hotel names, and contact information. This is important in case anyone needs to get a hold of you while you are traveling or if you have an emergency.
7. Arrange to Have Your Mail Held or A Neighbor to Pick it Up
Depending on how long your trip will be you will want to make sure that you have your mail held at the post office or that you make arrangements to have your neighbor pick it up. Just a heads up: stopping and holding mail at the post office can take a few days to "kick in" so you will want to give yourself at least 7 days to do this!
8. Organize Your Purse/Wallet
Take a few minutes to re-organize your purse and wallet for your trip and remove anything that you won't need for your trip. Put all of these together in a container or envelope and keep them in a safe and secure place for you to have once you return from your adventure.
It has long been established on the blog how much I love THIS purse organizer! If y'all haven't checked it out yet, do so now! It is currently on sale for an additional 15% off!
9. Take Care of Your Pets
Make sure to leave time to arrange proper care for your pets if they are not traveling with you. Throughout the year there are certain times (summer, school vacations, etc.) where boarding at your vet may fill up so you will want to make arrangements in advance.
10. 10 More Things to Do the Day Before You Leave/the Day You Leave
(1) Water house plants
(2) Mail Last-Minute Bills
(3) Clean Out Refrigerator
(4) Set timers for any lights for your Home
(5) Adjust the thermostat in Your Home
(6) Turn off water in your Home if there is a Danger of Frozen Pipes while you are Gone
(7) Double Check the Locks in Your Home
(8) Double Check to Make Sure you Have all Important Documents, Including Passport
(9) Fill out Luggage Tags and attach if you are flying to your destination
(10) Don't forget to pack your chargers for all of your devices
Most of all- get ready to have a blast!! I love traveling to new places and trips are a blast! They are always extremely relaxing, restful, fun, and rejuvenating. If you are looking for more travel tips or recommendations you can find them on my travel page HERE!
Looking for items to bring on your road trip? Check out my Amazon storefront for lots of cozy and practical ideas! Find it HERE!
**All pictures in this post are from sweet and different adventures over the years of many travel road trips. Read the posts below to see more behind the photos**
Talkeetna, Alaska: //Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge (Pursuit Collection)//
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