Plan Ahead Before You Go

By Kathleen Walls Travel Contributor AmericanRoads.net

Before I started travel writing, I often picked a vacation spot based on having heard it was a fun place. I would go and have fun but when I got home, inevitably someone would ask, “Did you see such and such there?”

Research The Destination

I did a press trip to Birmingham without checking it out once. It was a great trip and I got to visit a lot of the Civil Rights sites. Later, I discovered there is a jazz museum in Birmingham that would have been a must see if I had known it was there before, not after, my trip.

CVB Websites

Usually, every destination has a Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) or Chamber of Commerce. They will have a website listing things to see and do. Don’t stop there. Check out TripAdvisor and see what other travelers recommend.

Publications

Definitely check out magazines and online publications like Extended Weekend Getaways for a more in-depth story about attractions at places you are planning on visiting.

Plane Hints

Everyone has heard the rule get to the airport two hours before your flight. But it is a good idea to check flight schedules around your flight time. If there are a lot of flights leaving at that same time, TSA may be packed, and the two hours might not work.

Parking at large airports can be a pain. I use an offsite place like Park N’ Fly. I book a parking spot ahead of time, get there, and turn over my car, or park myself, and board the bus or shuttle that takes me right to the gate I need. It’s usually cheaper and much easier than using the airport lots where you often stand and wait many minutes for the bus.

It’s easy to use mobile boarding passes on our phones, but just in case there is a technological glitch, it’s a good idea to have a printed copy. I usually put my phone, the printed pass, and my driver’s license in either my pocket or a small placard I can hang around my neck, so I don’t have to dig them out of my purse at TSA.

Other items

It’s a good idea to bring and have where you can get to them easily is some snacks. We all know you can’t bring water or drinks, but you can bring a bottle of frozen water or an empty refillable water bottle you can refill at most airports without paying a ton for a plastic bottle of water. It’s a good idea to wear your heaviest clothing and layers on the plane, so you get the most in your luggage. You want to wear shoes that are easy off and on. Do avoid underwires, bangle bracelets, and anything that might set off the metal detector. Sometimes it’s unexpected items. I’m past the age where I need to take off my shoes, but I have one pair of Earth Shoe Sandals that must have metal in the arch as they set off the alarm every time.

It’s important to download the airline’s app for whatever airline you are flying on. It will alert you to delays and cancelations. On one delayed flight, those of us with the app got notifications before the desk attendants.

Flying on the day you need to arrive for a special activity is a way to avoid extra hotel expenses but in this time of so many cancellation, if you time it too close you may miss your activity altogether. Remember every airline has a different size limit for carry-on baggage, so check to be sure you carry the largest allowed but no larger.

Packing

When I am flying, I have found that by rolling instead of folding, I can get more into a suitcase. One thing to do is organize around basic solid color pants or skirts. Then pack tops that can go with multiple bottoms. Add a few colorful scarves to change the look and you can get multiple wears out of one outfit while making it appear different.

I always try to pack clothes that will dry quickly and then rinse them out at my hotel as needed. One way to hurry the drying is after washing it in the sink, wring it out then wrap it in a dry towel and squeeze it some more. That will keep most lightweight items from dripping on the floor. If it is still drippy, hang it over the tub or shower at night. When I know it’s not dripping, I either hang it near an air conditioner or heater

vent. If you are lucky enough to have a balcony room, discreetly draping it over a chair or table on the balcony during sunny days does the job quickly. I try to use a “do not disturb” on my door if I have clothes drying in my room while I am out.

Save money by doing carry-ons.

I pack my carry-on then use my computer bag as my personal item putting my purse and other things I can cram in like phone and camera in the bag. Many flights, especially Delta, will announce just before the flight, “We have a full flight. If you would like to check your carry-on free to destination, see the attendant.” Rush to the desk and check your carry-on, then take your purse or other small bag out of the computer bag and arrange things so you still have a small personal item, and the computer bag becomes your little carry-on.

Driving hints

Driving is much more traveler friendly as you can stop whenever you want and unless you run into a bad road accident you usually know when you will arrive at your destination. I always use Google Maps while driving. Others had said Waze is great. Since I tend to have a heavy foot, I appreciate hearing that “Speed trap ahead” warning so I can slow down. It’s not infallible, however.

It’s a good idea if you plan a stop enroute to check hotel prices ahead of time. Waiting until you are tired and stopping at the next hotel you see sometimes means you miss a much less expensive place that is equally nice at the next exit. If you are on a tight budget, car camping is becoming popular. Truck stops like Pilot, Flying J, Love, and others allow RVs and cars overnight in their lots. If you do this, it’s a good idea to park in a well-lighted spot in the lot and keep your car doors locked. A small emergency bag with toiletries and a change of clothes is handy to take into the rest room next morning to change. I tried it once at a Pilot. I parked right next to the side of the building, so I was near the rest room. Since I was only sleeping for a few hours and then heading home, it worked okay. Most of these places do have showers you can rent if you need to.

Another option is a state park camping ground. Most states allow car camping and are safe. I have camped in RVs many times in state parks and never had a problem. I did a car camping night a few years back at Palmetto State Park in Texas.

I had attended a writers’ conference in Santa Fe and was heading to Beaumont and Port Arthur where the CVB was hosting me. It’s a long drive between Santa Fe and Beaumont. Palmetto State Park is located about midway. I booked a nice corner site next to the rest room for $15.

It was after dark when I arrived and I went straight to my site and set up. It was on a point and had the lake as my backdrop. The sites were large, and I had a fire pit, BBQ grill, and a picnic table. I picked one without electricity as I had no need for it. All my cooking items were fitted into one small bag. I brought just a tea pot that plugs into either a wall outlet or my cigarette lighter, a little cast iron frying pan, Irish potatoes, a package of precooked bacon, a little margarine, some tea bags, and paper plates and plastic utensils, plus a fire starter and some charcoal and lighter.

Since I had already set up a small mattress from my travel trailer in the back, I just needed to smooth it out and arrange my quilt and pillows. I slept soundly and awoke to a beautiful morn-ing.

There were a lot of dwarf palmetto plants, from which the park gets its name between me and the next campsite, so I had privacy while I cooked my breakfast on the grill. Much more comfortable than the truck stop lot. Most state parks have showers in the campsite restrooms.