Oilfield families seem to always be on the go whether it’s moving, visiting our husbands or taking a vacation and with summer approaching many of us no doubt planning our summer excursions right now. Here are a few of my favorite tips for travel from my own personal experiences.
- Get a AAA membership. I used to think that AAA was an antiquated organization and that with the invention of cell phones, roadside assistance through insurance companies and OnStar there was no need for it. However, in the past year I have found our AAA membership to be indispensable in our travels. We’ve been able to use not just for roadside assistance, but also for discounts on hotels and other travel discounts and perks. The membership has already paid for itself several times over. If you don’t already have a AAA membership go get one now!
- Take the train. If you have the time and patience, then taking the train can be a great vacation option. You get to avoid many of the stressors of plane or car travel and the train trip itself is a great experience. I usually look up all my options when traveling, but it seems that most often the train wins for ease of use, especially for trying to wrangle little ones, and the cost is nearly always cheaper than other travel options.
- Ship your luggage. This is a great way to avoid having to pay extra baggage fees or having to go through the trouble of schlepping your bags through airport terminals and in and out of vehicles. Many travel destinations will work with you by accepting your shipped packages at their front desk and holding them until you arrive. Shipping is relatively inexpensive and when you consider the convenience factor it’s well worth the cost.
- Make a checklist of things to take care of at home before you leave. I am a worrier and I’ve had many a trip plagued by worries that I did not properly take care of things at home before I left. I finally learned that in order put my mind at ease I had to make a list of all the things that needed to be done with our house before we leave. I also make a packing list to be sure I have everything I need before I walk out of the house. By sticking to these two lists I find myself much more at peace when I finally walk out the door and lock up.
- Put together a comprehensive first aid kid including both natural remedies and traditional first aid gear. This is especially beneficial for camping trips or if you are planning to be somewhere far away from medical care. I am actually in the process o putting one together right now to take to our camper in North Dakota this summer, which is 40 miles away from the nearest city and I plan to tell you about in my next post.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my personal tips for a great vacation. For more great travel tips check out my Travel board on Pinterest.
Do you have your own great travel tips? Leave me a comment and let me know about them!
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