Thanksgiving Road Trip

More Americans will pile into the family car and travel Thanksgiving Weekend than any other weekend of the year. It is the busiest holiday for travel of any kind in the US. The most popular mode of travel will be the family car.

I do not remember how that old song goes but it is something like

"Over the hills and through seven eleven to grandmothers house we go,
we dont know the way, we havent the sleigh, but dunkin donuts we know!"
Hey!"

I am quite sure my lyrics are wrong but the sentiment is real and honest. The point is that it is time to load up the car and travel. This is not in and of itself a pleasant experience as is evidenced by painful scenes in every family road trip movie of the past few several generations. It can be pleasant, safe and even drama free if you follow these tips.

1. Check out the vehicle the week before (or sooner) than Thanksgiving. Yes, that means oil change, battery connections, tire air pressure, fuses, headlights, brake lights, indicator lights, mirrors and anything else that squeaks, bumps or shivers when your car is on the road. In addition, there needs to be a packed crate in the trunk which includes: flat fixer, a jug of water (for radiator problems), windshield fluid, jumper cables, a few extra fuses. Please be sure your spare tire is in good shape. I never get flats when the spare is in fine shape and most people do not either. It is only when your flat or doughnut tire is gone or flat that you court problems.

2. Make sure your inspection and registration are up to date and that you have a xeroxed copy in the console or glove box. State troopers are out in force and you should have copies if you are pulled over. Save yourself a huge headache and have this done. While you are at it, check to be sure your auto club privileges are current. You must have current roadside towing and other benefits before you set out. It seems that if all your paperwork is in order, you ll never need them. It also follows that as soon as you do not have what you need, you will find trouble. I dont know why that is, but that is what it is.

3. Break out the bed linens. Whether you have two kids or six kids you must break out all the old blankets, sheets and quilts you have. Do you remember that scene in Pulp Fiction when the Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta literally quilt the death car? You will do the same because if you value your upholstery and you require resale value on your vehicle you require protection. Car insurance is not going to take care of you. If you have children you must do this. The rule of thumb is that the longer the road trip multiplied by the number of feet of your offspring equals the number of quilts and blankets needed to survive this trip. Cover the seats and the floors and then cover them again. Not only are you preserving the interior of your car you are making a nice comfy nest for the kids.

4. Pack a food cooler AND pack a water bottle cooler. Pack both because you will be opening each at different times. In the water cooler, splurge and pack individual bottled waters. In the food cooler pack foods that will not spoil, but also foods that you should not leave unpacked in the car. It goes without saying that you should not bring any food that can leak, stain, or spoil. To that end, the following car trip foods are off limits: soda, juice, ice teas or coffees, energy beverages, yogurt, applesauce, cheeses, meats, anything with mustard, mayo or ketchup and no jello, or pudding. If you travel, leave with water in the water cooler and stick to fresh fruit, cereal packages without milk (that can be vaccumed after the trip), cereal or granola bars (no chocolate, it wrecks havoc on uphostery), crudite of fresh vegetables. No raisins or other dried fruts (can stick in carpet and take forever to get out) and no candy or gum.

5. Seat older kids in back and younger kids forward. Older children with longer attention spans will be more comfortable and less animated further back in the car. Younger children need more attention and unless they are asleep need to be closest to the driver seat. It goes without saying that infants and toddlers should be safely secured in car seats in the closer seat.

6.. Pets. Dont even think about bringing cats, gerbils and turtles on the trip. It is not worth your sanity or your holiday. For dogs, water and walk before you leave and every ninety minutes during your trip. Bring along the dog bed and seat in the very back seat with older children.

7. Stop every ninety minutes during your trip. Even if you are making great time, you must stop. Studies show that focus and concentration drop off after ninety minutes so stop, stretch, water the dog, walk the kids, visit the restroom, even if it is only for 15 mintues. Proactive rest stops avert disaster later.

Holiday travel is tough. Observe the rules of the road, never operate a motor vehcile under the influence of alcohol and if it is all too much for you, invite the family to your house for Christmas.