.png)
When a case of Wanderlust hits you at a time like this when air travel is not possible, what's the next best thing? Roaad Trrrrriiip! I love taking long drives, I mean minus the bad roads, traffic and road hogs, but there's something so relaxing to me about taking a road trip, we can blame it on my severe case of "hot foot" or we can put it into perspective. Ever since I was little I loved road trips, my father used to take us on random outings where we would leave Point Fortin and end up at Mathura River, Balandra Bay or Toco Lighthouse. There's nothing like putting down your phone and connecting as well as creating memories with your friends and family, being enthusiastic about whatever adventures you're going to find yourselves into. Solo road trips are cool, it's a great opportunity to spend time alone and self reflect but whether it's in Trinidad or the US, road trips with my family are always better. It's a great way to get out and recharge after a full week of work or school and with us just coming out of lockdown, God knows we need that. If taking a road trip is on your post quarantine "to do list" here are some tips I usually follow that you may find useful:
Check your car- Of course, because the road trip won't be possible without a proper working vehicle. I'm sure to check the basics like oil, engine coolant, I top up the things I more frequently run low on such as the windshield washer fluid and obviously, gas. I check the tires as well so if they do need some air I'll be sure to top it up before I hit the highway. It's quite inconvenient to run into car trouble when you set out to have a fun day, not to mention the danger of having to attend to your vehicle on a busy freeway. Like that one time my cousin Ana tried to peek at her father changing a blown out tire on the highway and got him so mad he sent us up a hill, under a mango tree to wait until he was done.
Music- Whatever your preference is, turn up your favourite songs and hit the road. Good driving music to me is upbeat music, call me basic if you want but my first choice for driving music is always soca music. My sis Siann loves music a lot more than I do so road tripping with her is always fun, we could be driving from New York to Maryland at 3 o'clock in the morning and she would still be jamming out and singing in the car even if I'm in the passenger seat with my mouth open, snoring.
Coffee- Need I say more? Seriously? I know the term, "But first, Coffee" is so run down and cliche, but hey it's true. I can't start my day without coffee and a road trip is no different. A quick Starbucks run is invariably the next thing on my agenda. It's always nice to have your choice of "pick me up" drink to give you a much needed energy boost before getting on the road. Siann has her coffee AND an energy drink like Red Bull while on the road so now you know why our trips are lit!
A Navigation App- To get you where you're going especially if you never drove there before. Personally I don't like navigation apps since I don't exactly know how much point two meters of a mile is but hey, knowing how to pinpoint landmarks are useful because it can give you a precise location since you don't want to be that annoying driver slowing down every time you think you're close to your destination. You have apps like Waze to let you know if there's upcoming traffic and alternate routes too.
Snacks- Do we even need a reason to have snacks?
Water- It's good to habitually keep a bottle of water in your car, you may need it for a variety of reasons. Whether it's for an issue with your vehicle, someone falling car sick, to clean a spill or to wash sand off your feet after the beach, you're going to be glad you have it.
Good Company- What's a road trip without people who can't make it fun? It's so refreshing to have company to talk, laugh and sing off key with for a nice long drive to a beautiful destination. I'm not big fan of traveling with people who are always ready to go home, if you're taking a road trip with me as the driver, you need to have endurance, LOL. I like when I ask, "What next?", and it's followed by a firm, positive answer. I can always count on my cousin Jesse to hype me up to get into some totally unplanned fun on the road.
Hand Sanitizing Products- If you're going to take a lengthy trip, most likely you're going to have to pump gas, touch money and eat in your car. Though most establishments now have sanitization stations it's crucial to remember to disinfect your handbags or wallet that you may have set down in a cart, counter or even a public restroom. I always keep both wipes and hand sanitizer in my car for this reason and also because I don't want anyone eating doubles then wiping their hands on my car seats again.
Pillow and/or Blankets- If you're road tripping with young children this is a definite must have. Most children love to be out and about being driven around but usually fall asleep on the way. Make sure they're comfy so they don't get cranky. It's useful for adults as well since someone may need to take a nap especially if you're taking turns driving.
Cash- If you're driving in the US you'll definitely need to pay for parking almost everywhere you go. There are a few places in Trinidad you will actually need to pay to park and those are mostly popular beaches. The main reason I like having loose cash on roadtrips in Trinidad is because of the street merchants, come on, you know Trini's love to stop along the roadway to buy stuff, especially when you're road tripping with someone like my cuz Ana who will encourage you to buy potted plants alongside the Diego Martin highway. Not to mention if a cotton candy guy jumps out from nowhere by a red light, pure happiness.
A Second Driver- It's always good to have someone who can take over when you're tired. Sharing the driving can ensure that you're not too exhausted to enjoy yourself and having a second driver can allow you to have a drink as long as the other person is not drinking too.
Be Safe- Wherever you go, be aware of your surroundings, even if it's a place you've been to before. Secure your belongings safely in your vehicle and be sure to avoid parking in sketchy areas.
When you're packing your bags to hit the road I hope these tips are helpful to you as they are to me. Two things I realized while writing this is (1) A road trip is lonnng overdue and (2) My cousin Ana is bad influence on the road. Happy road tripping guys, be safe and have fun!
I so loved it this. I mean I am a huge travel / road trip kinda gal. I must say its nice to be spontaneous and head in an unplanned route. However, these are really great tips for planning to make sure everything runs smoothly. Thanks for sharing hun.
Love it sue even though u sell me out for getting boof😂😂😂 and those plants did last a long while shockingly😅😂. Next road trip is diego martin then beach🤗🤗🤗