Managing Your Trip (by car)
I recently took a trip to Lakeland, Florida with some friends for the Revival Meetings. In preparing for the trip I usually like to be very organized. It is best to be organized when travelling because it makes the trip much more pleasant, especially when driving for 17 hours.
A good place to start organizing for your trip is to have your route mapped out via http://maps.google.com or another appropriate map and directions source. This will tell you how long your trip will take, how many miles, etc. With this information you can schedule your time for leaving, taking into consideration the number of stops you will need to make for fuel, food, and rest.
Organize your car by placing all non-essential items in the trunk, while placing snacks, maps, CD’s or anything else you might need while driving, in an area readily accessible to the driver. If using a GPS be sure to keep an eye on the estimated arrival time if you have an appointment or time frame you must meet. Before you leave on your trip make sure the car is serviced and has a full tank of gas.
Next we will address the organization of clothing and toiletries needed for the trip. Start with a suitcase big enough to pack all your items. Make a list of the items you need while travelling. Lay all the items from your list out on a bed or floor. When you see all that needs to fit in your suitcase you can re-evaluate to determine if you can add items or need to eliminate some. As you begin to add the items to your suitcase check them off on your list. Pack the suitcase in an organized manner that works for you. Sometimes we can unpack the suitcase completely at our destination. Other times we must live out of the suitcase. Be prepared and organized in case the latter applies.
After a trip or two it is best to re-evaluate your list to determine if things need to be added. Perhaps not all items are needed on every trip or you can have seasonal lists.
One last tip, make sure you organize your finances before you begin the trip. Be sure all bills are paid that may come due while you are gone. Have a budget for your trip and keep track of your spending.
Have a good time wherever you are going and enjoy the journey!
ABrown
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No matter where you travel, being organized helps make the trip more pleasant! Thanks for your comments. A Brown