Road Trip Checklist

Road trips are the easiest way to get up and go, but it's easy to find excuses for not taking even the shortest road trip. We have found that those excuses often revolve around comfort. A little extra planning goes a long way in helping prevent sorerumpitis and similar aflictions.

Our family put hundreds of thousands of miles on our little Toyota pickup researching our Falcon Guides so we are experts at finding ways to make the miles more enjoyable.

 Here's our safety and comfort checklist to for any road trip:

• Butt pillows. We make our own by buying 4" thick foam at a fabric store, cutting it to a suitable size and covering it with a flannel pillow case. These are easy to store, can be rolled up for squeezing into small spaces when not in use, and don't represent a huge investment if they get accidentally left behind somewhere.
• Nap Pillows. The one you normally sleep with works best if there's room.
• Music. It definitely soothes the savage beast. If everyone on board can agree to the tunes great, if not, then the driver picks what comes out of the car speakers and everyone else gets headphones and an MP3 player. I know it sounds a little lame, but music that you can sing along with creates memories out of the miles. My daughter and I used to bust out singing 455 Rocket when the road was about to get the best of us. It lightened the mood and left us all with lasting memories of those trips.
• Water. This one seems obvious, but you may need water for your car, water to wash hands, and sometimes just switching from sugary drinks to a cool bottle of water makes the difference in how many miles you can stand in a car.
• Small cooler that you can keep at hand. We like the soft side collapsible kind so they can be stowed when not in use. Don't rely on a big cooler for your travel drinks and snacks. Even if you are taking one, it will usually not be stored within easy reach.
• Snacks. We usually opt for things that aren't crumbly and that are not something we normally eat at home. Favorites are homemade trail mix, chocolate covered pretzels or popcorn, and nuts of any kind.
• Sunglasses. They make the trip easier on everyone's eyes.
• Contact lens case for anyone who wears them. If you've ever been stuck in a car with dried out eyes you will understand. 
• Light blanket or throw for cold natured passengers. Nothing worse than arguing over the AC setting. This doubles as a safety item in the event of an emergency.
• Reading material. To each his own here, but there is nothing better than a good road read.
• Slip on shoes. Unless you are the driver, take your shoes off! It is amazing how much more comfortable a long ride is when your feet can breathe.
• Maps or mapping device. Um, you weren't really setting off across the country empty handed were you?
• Car charger for your phones and music devices.
• Small first aid kit with over the counter pain and diarrhea medicines. Just sayin. 
• Hand sanitizer. Might as well feel better about those necessary stops.
• Paper towels. Spills happen. 
• Basic tools like a screwdriver, pliers, hammer and a small folding camp shovel. I know, this one is kind of crazy, but you'd be amazed at how many times you will find yourself using it if you have it in the trunk.
• Umbrella, even if rain is not expected.

And of course, don't forget your Falcon Guides for all your planned activities.