Plan It Time

I wanted to make one last Preparation post before i start making my reviews for day trips (which i promise will be today).  I made a Plan It callendar of sorts for family trips. It was simple and quick. I think a plan-a-gram like this will help give you the inspiration to go on trips alone or with friends or family. Sometimes saying it isn't enough. If you write it down, it will have a better chance of happening.

So my planner looks like this

Summer Family Activity Plans

Activity              when          rating           comments

sequoias	april 4 2012	5/5	BREATH TAKING!!! Must go back to spend the night. try the fishing spots too.
Paso Robles	may 1 2012	3/5	didn't live up to the hype but it was beautiful and peaceful. just not many activities.
Forest Falls	August 20 2012	3/5	Neat waterfalls, clean streams, next to houses, too many people during summer. try when school goes back.

So you see, it is simple and quick to make a list like this. I will post a blank one below so you might be able to cut and paste. But, plan a trip: once a week, once every other weekend, once a month. Make it happen! These are moments you and your family or friends will cherish.

One side note: In the coming months, a sister blog to my So Cal road trips will begin. It is going to be hosted by my best friend and travel companion. I will post links to the blog when it starts and may even cowrite some of the activities (as she does for mine). Subscribe to my blog so you don't miss out.

Now the blank Planagram.

Summer Family Activity Plans

Activity           when      rating           comments

what do i need for a smooth road trip?

What does a family of 1, 2, or 6 need when they go on a road trip? well, here is a list of things that i have realized we need at one time or another (every time, really).

I emphasized the stuff that i take with me no matter where we go. Most of these highlighted items stay in both the Daddy and Mommy car at all times.

1. map, map book or brochure with a map on it (phones die when you need them the most. And, more importantly, when you are in the wilderness apps don't work because you won't have reception)
2. book research about the area if you are going to a big wilderness area. (Yosemite is a HUGE park and you should have a reasonable understanding of what you can see. so do some research before you go to National Parks or State Parks).
3. First aid kit
4. floss
5. sunscreen
6. SUNGLASSES 
7. regular lotion, chap stick and hand sanitizer (alcohol in hand sanitizer can be used as lighter fuel)
8. wet ones (or baby wipes)
9. AAA card (this will earn you small discounts at many restaurants, park souvenir shops, etc. This will also save your sanity when you get a flat when it is 100 degrees outside and your flat is out of air)
10. Extra straws, napkins and forks (keep these in your car regularly if you have kids)
11. tissues (doubles as road side toilet paper or toilet seat covers.  and kindle for fires)
12. lighter ( you can fix problem plastic tags on zippers or clothes by burning them down. also makes a fire if you decide to make a fire)
13. BUG REPELLANT, cortisone cream
14. baby powder ( this will help with chaffing on children and adults. More important, shake onto stubborn beach-sandy-legs and feet and rub in and the sand with come off with ease).
15. feminine supplies (these will save mom, or other ladies. This will also help with bloody noses <tampons> or to clot major cuts/lacerations <pads>)
16. hair brush and hair ties (do you want to share your pictures with friends and family? do you want to look like you've been up since 5 am and walking through waterfalls)
17. camera, camera phone and CAR CHARGER
18. Tylenol, DRAMAMINE (i get sooooo car sick), Pepto
19. Snow chains ( National Parks with check that you have them in their cars
20. waters ( soda will dehydrate you and constipate you. Save it for meals if you really need one)
21. Healthy snacks (Pack what you want to but remember you will eat what you bring. If you eat crap foods all day, you will be constipated, lethargic, and cranky. SO WILL YOUR KID. so pack yourself fruits, crackers, cheeses, juices, canned meat or salamis)
22. coffee or tea for early morning starts or the ride home (Starbucks or the Gas Station will work too)
23. Coloring books and crayons, writing paper and writing utensil (entertaining kids)
24. Pepper spray (Bear, dog, and Human attackers)
25. a Hunting knife (this comes in more handy than you would expect)
26. compass
27. flashlight (glow sticks for kids)
28. binoculars
29. updated photograph of your kids (if they get lost, you need something recent to hand to the ranger/police so they can put out a BOLO)
30. Small DOLLAR Bills (some entrance fees are cash only, some shops are cash only, feeding animals is usually cash only, snack shops and vending machines)
31. Loose change (toll roads, Smashed penny machines are the cheapest souvenirs, candy machines, or feed machines)
32. Road trip pillows
33. Small blankets for back seat sleepers (store in trunk when not used, or you will fight for space in small cars)
34. Jackets ( evenings are always cold when you have been in the sun alllll day AND higher elevations drop drastically from valley floors)
35. extra clothes ( You will stink after a long day in the sun, change your shirt for a pleasant ride home. Someone will also pee themselves during a backseat nap)
36. Extra socks (doubles as hand puppets)
37. Comfy shoes (do you want to walk in your hiking boots all day)
38. FOREST ADVENTURE PASS for National Parks (best investment ever)
39. small toys for kid laps (in the car, at a restaurant while waiting to be sat, anywhere they feel bored)
40. a duffle bag to keep all of the gear above, a cooler to hold water, juice and snacks
41. Beach towels and/ or a beach blanket (great for picnics, playing in rivers or at the ocean, drying off after thunder storms, and roll up for seating