I used to travel a lot for work back in the day and now we still do several trips a year – so I have a bunch of tips that make traveling more bearable for me.

Before you leave: · Pre plan like crazy. That way when you do your easy/busy days – you’ll know exactly where you’re going and how far you’ll have to go. Use the Internet, the Travel websites and the websites for where you’re going. If you have time – have them send you info – sometimes you get freebies. Print out directions from the hotel to your places of interest before you leave home. Put it all in a folder for your trip and you’ll have everything you need when you’re in the area. When you arrive, “listen to your mom” and get gear ready the night before. Pre-plan what you’re going to wear, info from your travel folder and anything else you’ll need. It will save you so much time in the a.m. and you might just get to sleep an extra few minutes! When we went to Las Vegas – a huge trip for us – I literally had a plastic briefcase full of our travel plans. It had confirmation info that we needed, attraction info, transportation info etc. It seemed like it was crazy – but we didn’t lack for any info while there!
· If you’re on the road – stop at the travel plazas to pick up local information and maps.
Packing:
· Keep a toiletry bag packed all the time. Figure out what you use and just keep a bag at the ready. That way you don’t have to pack a bag each and every time and you won’t forget anything. When you’re coming home, take the stuff that needs to be refilled and put it in a Ziploc bag separate from the toiletry bag and then you’ll refill it before the next trip. I also have a separate bag at home that is filled with mini containers that I pick up here and there and mini shampoos from hotels and stuff to fill up the kit. This is so handy. I never have to pack a toiletry kit and I never forget anything. I pack my make up in an old jewelry roll – the make up cases don’t jumble around and nothing gets broken or spilled.
· I pack my pills directly from my pill box on my dresser, into a pill box in my toiletry kit. I also have a separate ‘drug’ bag in my toiletry kit with band aids, ibuprofen, Tylenol, Neosporin, sinus meds, tampons, etc. that I need. So I always have those too!
The only thing I ever have to pack is my pills. I’m not the person that takes their pill bottles with them. If they get lost – you’ll have a difficult time getting them refilled with the insurance company – a huge hassle on the road. Plus, someone can refill them without your knowledge if they get lost. I just transfer my doses from my pill box into small round lidded containers that stack. I also take along my health history – a couple of copies of the first page with the diagnosis, docs and meds. It will make life so much easier if I do have an emergency. I even take along a file I call my ‘pill box’. It includes information on each medicine I take and when I take it and it has a photo of the pill on it. I’ve never had to use it – but it’s good to have instead of taking the pill bottle, the pills can be identified by their photo and description.
· Ziploc bags always in the suit case. Just because.
· Zip ties or cable ties when flying – They keep your luggage locked, and security can easily get into the bag – and it’s probably what they’ll use to close the bag! The luggage locks can easily be opened, and if you have a lock on your luggage and security needs to get into it – they’ll break the lock anyway.
· We usually end up packing a smaller suit case for our toiletries. When packing to come home, the dirty clothes go into the small suitcase with the toiletries. No mixing of dirty clothes with the clean clothes.
· Backpacks or tote bags are essential. I always have extra stuff and they’re just great to put it in. They’re more comfortable than the ones you end up with from purchases – more secure too. We have a messenger bag for my hubby – then he can carry any purchases we make along the way. When I’m out with my mom – I use a backpack – holds everything while I push the wheelchair.
· Travel lighter when traveling – you don’t need your whole purse with you when you’re out and about – take what you need and leave the rest behind. Do you really need the keys to the house and all the other 20 keys on your key chain? Leave some at home and take what you need. Reduce the size of your wallet too – do you really need all the grocery store savings cards and every other savings card from every other store? I didn’t think so! Consider using a shoulder bag to free up your arms – it’s easier and safer to carry around too. LL Bean has a great traveler’s bag that you can just put money, checkbook, credit cards and a few essentials in – and the adjustable strap is long enough to go around even me!
By Air: · If you’re flying – check the TSA website: http://www.tsa.gov/ for any restrictions and hints on checking thru security quicker. Also, check your airline’s website to make sure you know how many pieces of luggage you can check and how heavy they can be – a lot of the rules are changing lately.
· Remember to ‘sanitize’ yourself before leaving home. No fluids, no sharp objects, no metal, you’ll get thru security so much easier.
By Land:
· If a car or driving is involved, handicapped sticker is used – period – or I’m dropped off at the door and picked up at the door – save the spoons for other things.
· If you’re making multiple stops – plan a bag for the car to stay in the car – snacks, music etc – and leave it in the car. Keep trash in the car to a minimum and clean it out every time you stop. I have all my car things in a backpack. I always use car time to catch up on the magazines I never get to read, the books I never get to browse thru and even take along some things I’ve meant to share with hubby – but never seem to have time to talk about. In the back pack I have different kind of essentials: pens, pencils, post it notes, paper clips, highlighters, sharpies, a small scissors etc. I can mark up what I want to, without having to wait until I get home.
· If you can’t read in the car, bring a small pillow to help make you comfy while you travel. Nothing’s worse than waking up with a stiff neck!
· A tradition with my hubby and I is having deep conversations on the road. It all started with a Cosmopolitan survey on our first trip. I look for list things to talk about when we travel now. It’s fun and keeps it interesting.
While you’re in town: · The best tip I use when I’m on a trip for several days is the busy day / easy day plan. The travel day is an easy day. We use it to arrive and get our bearings. The next day is a busy day, lots of stuff to do. The third day – easy day – one thing, less walking, not a huge tourist day and a nap or rest is included. Then the 4th day I’m ready for a busy day and so on. This way I can do the whole week and not end up exhausted.
· If traveling through museums or secure places, Security may want to take your water – remind them that you have a medical condition that requires you to remain hydrated. You might not have to give it up – I got into the US Capital with bottles of water.
· Careful what you eat – eat light – not heavy meals – those meals add up and you’ll end up feeling heavy and loaded down. Salads and small meals are better than large heavy meals. Small, cold treats during the day are good. Appetizers are better than entrees. And Milk! Don’t forget to order milk on the road – My treat is chocolate milk every morning!
· Water from home or bottled water is better – when traveling your tummy can be sensitive to water from other places. I fill a water bottle 1/2 with water and freeze it. Then fill it with water. The bottle acts like an ice block and keeps things cold, but you also end up with water from home for a while. Then drink bottled water. Cheaper to buy a case at the super market and keep it in the hotel and pack it in a back pack to take with you, than to buy elsewhere. Whenever you order a drink at a restaurant – order water too.
Spoon Savers:
· Sit when I can, for as long as I can. If I’m in a museum, we’ll walk for a while, but we’ll take a break and sit for at least 10 min to rest and re-coup my energy. It really helps taking breaks.
· A cane is a great idea if you need support. It lets others know that you have some sort of disability and it reminds you that you need to take it slower. If you need to – take 2 – the folding ones are great and really are no larger than an umbrella. They’ll fit in a backpack or a tote bag.
· Rent a wheelchair if you need to. Use a wheel chair if it’s a big museum, park or zoo. Don’t be proud – especially if you have evening plans – you can save your day spoons for the evening that way! Plus, you may get special treatment. When we were at the National Archives in DC we had a friend in a wheelchair, when we got through security, we were ushered to the elevator. Most everyone else followed a line to the steps. When we got off the elevator, we were right in line to see the documents on display! No Waiting! WooHoo! Plus – since we had the wheelchair – we were right up to the viewing area – not 2 or 3 deep like others were.
· We also keep 2 camp chairs in the truck – they’re really handy when you’re not sure if there will be seating.
Happy Trails!
Article written by “LindaK / Nannyspoons” from our message boardshttp://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/boards/, © 2008 butyoudontlooksick.com
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