Winter Travel Tips for Women

More women are traveling on the road by themselves for business and pleasure these days. Cell phones and safer autos provide a feeling of security when driving, but we all still need to take time to plan, "just in case".

Travel does not stop because of weather. If traveling for work, pleasure or necessity one must think ahead and be prepared for any variation in weather patterns. This year we have seen extreme, sudden, weather changes throughout the United States dumping unprecedented amounts of rain and snow on areas that normally do not experience these elements. These conditions could have been hazardous, even life threatening if one was not prepared. Winter travel is especially unpredictable. Perhaps the best plan to have is a back-up plan!

It is easy to plan for a vacation trip ahead of time, checking weather, travel schedules, hotel reservations etc., but when one faces a sudden trip for business or out of necessity for perhaps family issues; the weather can present a problem.

Always take the time to have tires and brakes checked before striking out on any road trip. Oil levels, windshield washer fluid and filters can be checked at local service stations, but this writer recommends learning how to do these checks yourself.

Be sure to have a small emergency pack with you, preferably in the vehicle, not outside in the trunk. In this pack, you should have a minimum of a flashlight, snack bars, matches, bandages, bottled water, batteries and some sort of blanket. An added item this writer has found helpful is a large candle, at least 2 inches in diameter. When lit in a car stuck in a snowdrift this candle provides enough warmth to heat your car without having to run the engine and using up all your gasoline or running your battery down. Your auto may not start because of cold temperatures and the candle will provide light and heat for up to 8 hours. It doesn't matter if it has a scent or not - just a large candle will do, and one in a jar is best because it's easier to keep lit and easier to set somewhere inside the vehicle without fear of fire. Do not expect the car to feel like a sauna, however, there will be enough warmth to help you survive until assistance arrives.

Another item I have found at an auto-truck stop is a blanket that plugs into the accessory plug. This works just like your electric blankets at home providing some warmth without being a huge drain on your battery, but again the candle will warm you somewhat without any drain on the battery. I don't know why I have a fear of the battery being dead - probably because my cell phone is an extension of my ear - and I want to be able to call for help, therefore I need the battery in the car for keeping my cell phone charged.

Recently there have been crank flashlights advertised that provide light as well as accessory plugs for charging your cell phone. This is probably a great thing to add to your emergency pack - you never have to worry about your batteries going dead in your flashlight and in a pinch, you could charge your cell phone. Hmmm, I think I need one of those....

An important part of a good back up plan is advance knowledge of the roads you will be traveling. This winter while crossing the Continental Divide in Wyoming, the road was suddenly closed because of severe winds and unexpected snowfall, leaving me stranded. I am a firm believer in the old-fashioned atlas instead of a GPS and I was able to backtrack to a small town I had previously never heard of and check into a motel for the night. I had no idea that the road would close that fast, but from now on I will do a little research ahead of time. In the western states, there is often the threat of high winds, severe storms, or flash floods to deal with, and watching the weather channel or tuning into local weather warning radio stations is a good idea.

If traveling with a pet as I always do, make sure you have extra water and food stores for your little friend. Puppy pads are a must for winter hotel stays in the event you are snowed in and cannot find a grassy spot for your pooches "jobs".

In planning your travel, it is good to have an idea of lodging available along the way, keeping in mind you might not make it to your original destination points because of weather changes. Wal-Mart has an Atlas available for purchase in their stores that lists all Wal-Mart locations, which is handy to know as Wal-Mart never closes and it's a good place to stop in a storm. (You can go inside to keep warm, -- they won't chase you away). During a severe rainstorm in Kansas last spring there were 12 cars (mine included), parked in a Wal-Mart parking lot overnight until the storm passed and the road was again safe to travel. I had water, snack bars, a blanket and a Wal-Mart parking lot full of lights making the storm much less scary!

Being a prepared traveler is being a smart traveler. Sometimes there are emergencies that come up that do not allow for a lot of preparation but having an emergency pack already in your vehicle adds a sense of security to the whole trip.

Call ahead to local sheriff departments if in doubt about road conditions, and always call 911 in any road emergency. If you have road service such as AAA or through your auto insurance keep that information handy, but still call 911 if you are stranded, as the local police will also assist you.

A little advance prep can make any trip more organized, safe and enjoyable. Don't let winter weather stop you from driving and experiencing all this great country has to offer.