Couch Crashing America! | My new trip on Roadtrippers
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Couch Crashing America Trip Route!
Check out my general route for my road trip. If you have any suggestions of things to do or see along this route, be sure to comment!
Couch Crashing America! | My new trip on Roadtrippers
Couch Crashing America! | My new trip on Roadtrippers
Pre-Tripping
Trip launch is fast approaching and unfortunately, the worst part of all of it is the pre-trip planning/packing. As much as I DESPISE planning, I have to for this one. There's just too much time on the road and too many places to see or things to do for this trip. Here's a little insight into my planning/packing.
Packing (Personal Items): I'm 50/50 when it comes to over packing. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don't, though normally I would love to travel light. This is mostly in regard to clothing and things of that nature. For this trip, I'll be spending more than a night in some places and doing a variety of activities, so my bags may be a little heavier than I'd care to have them. But I'll survive.
Packing (Jeep): My Jeep is my mode of transportation for this trip. I've made sure I have some essentials such as jumper cables, first aid kit, sleeping bag, small tent (you never know!), small tools, flashlights, phone charger, and water. My cooler is also a part of my Jeep and very important to me for this road trip. It will include sandwich materials, fruit, water, and some type of caffeinated product (just in case). I'm trying to ban fast food from this trip to cut down on spending as well as not worrying about finding food in some of the more rural stretches- looking at you Kansas and Missouri. Plus, I'm trying to see awesome stuff. I can veer off the main route to check out some interesting sights and not worry about where my next cheese burger is coming from.
Route Planning (my style): The route itself is planned and without going into great, annoyingly long detail, it looks a little something like this: Start in West Virginia. Drive to Colorado. Stop, see, stay in various cities along the way. Leave Colorado. End trip back in West Virginia. Stop, see, stay in various other cities on different return route. Simple enough. I have a phone and a map. I often lean towards the old school way of using a map rather than a GPS. If I run into a problem I have my phone and I'm in no way shy and will ask how to get to the next road I'm trying to find.
Other planning issues: I've created accounts with both Shutterfly and Snapfish. I hear different things about each of them regarding ease of use, photo quality, etc. I may have to try both and make my decision for the final photographs. I'll update at the end of the trip. Input is welcome prior to this, however.
These pre-trip posts are somewhat boring but hopefully will be less so once on the road.
D.
Packing (Personal Items): I'm 50/50 when it comes to over packing. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don't, though normally I would love to travel light. This is mostly in regard to clothing and things of that nature. For this trip, I'll be spending more than a night in some places and doing a variety of activities, so my bags may be a little heavier than I'd care to have them. But I'll survive.
Packing (Jeep): My Jeep is my mode of transportation for this trip. I've made sure I have some essentials such as jumper cables, first aid kit, sleeping bag, small tent (you never know!), small tools, flashlights, phone charger, and water. My cooler is also a part of my Jeep and very important to me for this road trip. It will include sandwich materials, fruit, water, and some type of caffeinated product (just in case). I'm trying to ban fast food from this trip to cut down on spending as well as not worrying about finding food in some of the more rural stretches- looking at you Kansas and Missouri. Plus, I'm trying to see awesome stuff. I can veer off the main route to check out some interesting sights and not worry about where my next cheese burger is coming from.
Route Planning (my style): The route itself is planned and without going into great, annoyingly long detail, it looks a little something like this: Start in West Virginia. Drive to Colorado. Stop, see, stay in various cities along the way. Leave Colorado. End trip back in West Virginia. Stop, see, stay in various other cities on different return route. Simple enough. I have a phone and a map. I often lean towards the old school way of using a map rather than a GPS. If I run into a problem I have my phone and I'm in no way shy and will ask how to get to the next road I'm trying to find.
Other planning issues: I've created accounts with both Shutterfly and Snapfish. I hear different things about each of them regarding ease of use, photo quality, etc. I may have to try both and make my decision for the final photographs. I'll update at the end of the trip. Input is welcome prior to this, however.
These pre-trip posts are somewhat boring but hopefully will be less so once on the road.
D.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Driving Across America
I've been talking about it for a few years now and have yet to really sit down and go over it. I travel frequently but usually go the way of flying. It just seems to lack something in the way of experience where driving still holds that possibility of more adventure. Even trips that only last a few hours usually end with a fun story or two about people met, incidents experienced, or random offbeat sightings. Plus you just see more stuff. I've heard only a few truly amazing stories that take place in a airport terminal. I mean, really? I've been in and out of airports more than I can count over the last few years and the most interesting thing I've seen is some of the outfits people wear to travel. Can you see the appeal? Driving cross country just seems like the more adventurous option when it comes down to it.
So....here I go. I'm planning this trip as best I can. Those of you who know me understand that I hate to plan, but it seems somewhat necessary in this case. I've put the word out via social media and have contacted a few friends.
Oh yeah! I'M TRYING TO STAY ON COUCHES! And for several great reasons. One: I'm not spending money on a hotel room. I've been in a hundred of them and how boring are they? Two: By staying on someone's couch, it means I get to hang out with some great people who live in the area and they will (hopefully) help me experience at least one awesome thing while visiting. Three: I don't have a third yet, but when I do, I'll write about it. And because of the random couch crashing, some of the navigation planning will be determined by who will let me crash on their couch. I'll be sure to update when friends set me up on a date with their couch.
Destination Goal: Colorado (and back). I have friends in California, but I'm just not feeling crossing the Rockies because of time. I was also in San Francisco last year and do not currently have an insatiable desire to be back in California. I'm sure I'll visit in the next few years though. Stay cool Cali.
Driving Goal: 8 hours per day max (fingers crossed!) I don't want to spend entire days on the road because I'd like to a) not be exhausted and b) get to do something in the cities I roll in to.
Experience Goal: I would like to do one interesting thing in each city/town where I stop. It doesn't have to be a huge experience. I'm thinking cheap, unique, and embodies the local atmosphere or culture. Examples: hear a good local band, see a fun sight, eat/drink at a well known spot...you get it.
Money Goal: CHEAP. I seriously plan on Kerouac'ing the hell out of this trip. Bag of fruit, cooler of sandwiches or whatever.
I'm hoping this journey will be a "never going to top this again" experience!
D.
So....here I go. I'm planning this trip as best I can. Those of you who know me understand that I hate to plan, but it seems somewhat necessary in this case. I've put the word out via social media and have contacted a few friends.
Oh yeah! I'M TRYING TO STAY ON COUCHES! And for several great reasons. One: I'm not spending money on a hotel room. I've been in a hundred of them and how boring are they? Two: By staying on someone's couch, it means I get to hang out with some great people who live in the area and they will (hopefully) help me experience at least one awesome thing while visiting. Three: I don't have a third yet, but when I do, I'll write about it. And because of the random couch crashing, some of the navigation planning will be determined by who will let me crash on their couch. I'll be sure to update when friends set me up on a date with their couch.
Destination Goal: Colorado (and back). I have friends in California, but I'm just not feeling crossing the Rockies because of time. I was also in San Francisco last year and do not currently have an insatiable desire to be back in California. I'm sure I'll visit in the next few years though. Stay cool Cali.
Driving Goal: 8 hours per day max (fingers crossed!) I don't want to spend entire days on the road because I'd like to a) not be exhausted and b) get to do something in the cities I roll in to.
Experience Goal: I would like to do one interesting thing in each city/town where I stop. It doesn't have to be a huge experience. I'm thinking cheap, unique, and embodies the local atmosphere or culture. Examples: hear a good local band, see a fun sight, eat/drink at a well known spot...you get it.
Money Goal: CHEAP. I seriously plan on Kerouac'ing the hell out of this trip. Bag of fruit, cooler of sandwiches or whatever.
I'm hoping this journey will be a "never going to top this again" experience!
D.
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