 Memorial Day marks the beginning of "summer driving season", and when it comes to road trips, 'planning makes perfect' (Was that PRACTICE makes perfect?). Well, in the case of the road trip, it really IS planning that makes all the difference. It sounds like common sense, and it is, but I'd like to share some tips that will turn your car into a mobile travel oasis of comfort and organization; In this issue, you'll find fabulous products that will help you corral car clutter and the newest gadgets to keep you comfy......Happy motoring! BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME: 1) Get your car ready for a road trip . You're raring to go! Make sure your car is also. 2) Plan your route beforehand. There are great resources on line to help you plan your trip. I like Tripit, a site that organizes all your travel plans into a single itinerary that you can access from anywhere or print out ahead of time. It provides driving directions with road details and predicted travel time. 3) With the price of gasoline skyrocketing, many people are thinking twice about driving, especially non-required driving. So before you jump into the car, head to www.CostToDrive.com. Here you'll find the answer to that key question; how much will it cost to drive from Point A to Point B? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - COMFORT IS KEY Road trips can be long and monotonous; often it's not possible to stop where and when you'd like, and if you're traveling with kids.....well, you know how that goes. "Are we there yet? Are we there yet? I have to pee; ARE WE THERE YET????????" How I remember those days! It's enough to make you scream, ditch the car (or your kids) and high-tail it home. But wait! You can actually make the ride fun! Remember to take plenty of pit stops BEFORE there's a problem. People get cranky and irritable when hungry, sticky, bored and uncomfortable, and being cooped up in a car with a cranky, irritable passenger is never fun! Here's a list of things I ALWAYS take with me on road trips: 
1) Food and drinks (lots of bottled water and snacks) 2) Sporks (a hybrid spoon and fork) 3) Cooler to keep food cold 4) a great play list, including up-beat tunes with which to sing along. (Great for long, monotonous stretches of highway). I found this great play list on-line. 5) Sunscreen 6) Tylenol 7) Audiobooks 8) WetWipes 9) Travel Pillow - I swear by the Travel Rest Inflatable pillow, which is (in my opinion) far superior to the U-shaped travel pillows of yore. 10) Camera 11) Flip Flops - because they're easy off/easy on. 12) Garbage Bag available at Container store 13) Back Seat Organizer 14) Cup Organizer for pen, glasses, etc. 15) Car Hooks - which attach to headrest and will hold bags in an upright position. 16) Car Tray on which kids can play (or grown-ups can snack. 17) Clothes Hanger 18) Articles you've been meaning to read when you have a little free time. 19) Important phone numbers - WRITTEN ON PAPER- and kept in my wallet in case my cell phone gets eaten by a grizzly. 20) Extra sweater 21) Umbrella #22 A spirit of adventure! Things don't always go according to plan!  HAPPY TRAILS! And as always, be well, be safe, be organized! xxx's, Nancy | 
