THE TIMES OF CANADA MAY 2021
MISTAKES TO AVOID ON A ROAD TRIP
S
ummer is almost here and with Covid Travel restrictions still in place, we cannot plan long trips that involve air travel, hence like last summer, we have to resort to road trips. Given how beautiful British Columbia is, there’s something liberating about heading out on the open road. You can pull off to look for aliens from a UFO watchtower (yes, it’s a thing), spend the afternoon picnicking at an overlook, or cruise through the night fueled by gas station coffee and snacks. All you need is a reliable car, a killer playlist, and a plan that’s flexible enough to allow for a little wiggle room - because that’s where the fun comes in. But even the most go-with-the-flow road tripper knows that without some solid pre-trip planning and smart onthe-road know-how, the most amazing road trip can be a bust. To help, we chatted with a few experts who know what you’ll need to do (and not do) in order to make your road trip seamless. 1. NOT TAKING YOUR CAR IN FOR A FULL TUNE-UP BEFORE DEPARTING- On a long road trip, your car can either be your first or your worst enemy. To increase your chances of the former, schedule a full tune-up a
week or two before you go. Having a pro check your oil and tire pressure, and make sure your battery , brakes, and engine are working properly, will keep you from being stranded on the side of the road. 2. LEAVING WITHOUT GETTING YOUR HOME IN ORDER- Sanna
Bowman, editor-in-chief at Roadtrippers, recommends making “a list of the things that need taking care of when you’re gone, including your mail, lawn and garden, and house plants.” If you’re worried about leaving the house empty for multiple days (for weeks), she said, “Installing a home security system before you leave can offer peace of mind.”
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