Road Rules

By Brian Beaky

In this issue, we lay out three incredible road trips that will take you all over the state. In addition, we asked readers to cite their favorite trips as well, and they extended our journeys past the Evergreen State borders to Bandon Dunes, Central Oregon, Coeur d’Alene, Western Montana, Whistler and other top-notch locales.

Every good road trip, though, starts with a good set of guidelines. So, wherever you decide to go this summer, make sure to follow a few rules of the road — “Road Rules,” we’ll call them — that will make sure your trip goes smoothly:

1. Choose Your Companions ... Wisely

Whether you’re taking a long day trip, or launching yourself head-first into one of our epic, week-long adventures, you’re going to spend a lot of time with your traveling companions, at least some of it confined in a vehicle. As such, it’s important to take their safety just as seriously as you’d take your own. Certainly, if you can quarantine before the trip, that’s great, but if not, do temperature checks, try to social distance on the golf course, and wear your damn masks. Yes, it stinks that we have to take all of these steps, but it sure beats getting COVID — or, worse, giving it to someone else.

2. Know Your Limits

Any long road trip is a commitment — be sure you have the energy, stamina (and financial resources) to get through whatever adventure you’re planning. You don’t want to find yourself skipping a round of golf, or having to pull off the road for a rest, because you bit off more than you can chew. Figure out what is realistically doable for you and your group, and then go make it happen.

3. Have a Plan ... But Be Flexible

Obviously, you’re going to want to make sure that your must-play rounds are booked ahead of time, along with any necessary hotel reservations. But, rather than pre-plan every minute of your trip, leave some wiggle room to account for the unexpected. You may fall in love with a course and want to play it a second time. You may get a great dinner or activity recommendation from a local, or decide to stop in at a winery along the way. Use our seven-day adventures here as suggestions, not mandates. The best parts of any adventure are the parts that you never saw coming — leave room in your schedule to let the magic happen.

4. Pack Appropriately

Truthfully, we could probably write a whole article just about the things you should always bring with you on a road trip — sunblock, a portable phone charger (it only takes one time getting lost in Eastern Washington with a dead phone to learn this lesson), a good mix of music, etc. Just be sure you’re not packing a giant suitcase — there’s only so much room in one car, and the people, food, and golf clubs have priority. If it doesn’t fit around that, you’re out of luck.

5. Fuel Up

Sure, the car needs gas, but on any road trip, so will you. Have everybody pitch in and pack a cooler or grocery bag with easy-to-eat items like fruit, granola bars, and whatever snacks you prefer. Include plenty of water, plus other beverages to enjoy at your destination (some Michelob ULTRA, perhaps?). Not only will you save money, but you’ll also find out who’s willing to go above and beyond — a friend of mine once showed up at my house for an early-morning departure with hot, homemade breakfast sandwiches. You can bet he was included the next time we hit the road.

6. Plan a Good Playlist

You may love your music, but not everybody is going to want to rock out to hair metal, channel their inner gangsta rapper or explore the fringes of the modern-day indie scene day after day after day. That said, music is an essential part of a road trip — not only does it set the mood, it can fill the quiet moments that will inevitably happen on a long drive. Let everyone bring a few tunes to spin, or load up the iPod with universally liked hit-makers like Tom Petty or Pearl Jam.

7. Have Fun

You may play terrible, one of your companions may say or do something that gets under your skin, everyone else might want to eat at McDonald’s while you’d prefer to check out the local favorite spot ... it’s OK. Remember, the alternative is to be back at home, stressing about work, doing chores and envying the activities being enjoyed by all of your friends on social media. Take it all in stride, and not only will you make an unforgettable memory — you’ll probably play better, too.