Road trips are one of the best ways to spend a vacation.

Road trips are one of the best ways to spend a vacation

I have taken road trips across this country in every direction. I have even made it to and across Canada and may have a few tips for any of you readers that are planning road trips.  Living in Portland you have many choices for road trips that won't require you driving great distances.   From driving the beautiful Oregon Coast, to going over the mountains and enjoying a differant scenery in Central Oregon.  Bend, Redmond and the Prineville areas offer many things to do.  From white water rafting, fishing, camping and hiking and climbing Smith Rock.  If you just want a day road trip and you've got a clear day.  Pack a lunch and drive up the Columbia Gorge.   You can check out all the water falls, take a hike on one of the many trails or you can drive up to Larch Mountain.  Once there it's just a short hike up to the view point for a million dollar view.  There are many places along the way to enjoy your lunch.

Road trips require a lot of patience and a good sense of humor. You will no doubt encounter people and situations you never considered.  Remember to always treat the locals well. You are in someone else's neighborhood now and ought to play by their rules and respect their customs and belief systems.  If you're trying to cut costs and time spent at restaurants bring along a cooler with a supply of food and beverages. 

Road trips can be dangerous, so make sure to check your tire pressure and fluid levels at every fill up.  Keep as up to the minute on weather as possible. Check the radio or if you have a PDA check for weather updates.  If your make a stop at a truck stop you can most likely get a weather report on television.  One of my road trips had me coming down from Canada on my way to Chicago. It was early spring and there was a massive thunderstorm system in my way. Driving at night, it was difficult to gauge what was in front of me and what I had to look forward to. Listening to my gut feeling, I stopped by a truck stop and checked out the weather report. It was a good thing I stopped. After seeing the Doppler radar maps and listening to the stories of those who had just come in from the storm ahead, I sat down for a spell. A few hours and a pot of coffee later, the road ahead was clear and welcoming.

That brings me to the most important piece of advice for road trips and life in general - listen to your gut. It is smarter than you. If you ever feel that it may be a good idea to stop or slow down, check the tires or the weather, do so. It is better to be safe than sorry and if you are out there on a lonely road, it is no time to be hasty or rash. Take your time and take it easy. It is better to get there late and in one piece than not to get there at all.

Road trips can be a great way to spend quality time with your friends or loved ones. Bring a lot of good music with you and comfortable clothes. A good pair of sneakers and a comfy pair of pants are your best bets when spending hours in a car. Make sure you have a good pair of sunglasses too! If you do run into any trouble, don't panic. If you remembered your cell phone, you will be in good shape. My phone has solved many problems I have encountered during my road trips. Just remember to keep the batteries charged!