Let's Go Go Go!

Today I'm going to talk about travel and traveling tips. I am in love with travel even though I dont get to do it often. I have never traveled by plane, I have traveled by bus (not a big fan), I have traveled by car (better then bus) and I have traveled by camper. I love traveling by car, because u can see more and u dont feel like ur toting around ur whole house, lol. But I do love the camper lifestyle. I have lived in a camper before and am planning to do it again as soon as possible. Theres just something about it that I love so much.

I have lived the nomad life, traveling, seeking that wonderful, calming, magical place. I found it (for me) in the Bisbee/Douglas area in Arizona. I loved living in my camper at the San Jose Lodge. But, half the fun was getting there also.

When me and my sis lived at the Twin Buttes Mobile Home and Rv Park, we had a lot of fun searching the area for different things to see and do. Mountains, open spaces as far as the eyes could see, trips into Agua Prieta, Mexico, shopping and working in Sierra Vista, AZ, etc. But I am getting off subject here, lol.

The tips I will be giving will be about what to pack, how to stay safe and having fun.

Tip #1: Make a list of everything u NEED, not want...but NEED. Keep it simple, u dont need to bring ALL ur makeup, just a few easy to travel items.

Tip #2: Pack light, ur clothing can be washed at hotel/motel guest laundry facilities or laundry mats in the towns u stop in. And, u dont want to be toting around one or two heavy cases (or more). Stuff items into shoes u may be packing, come up with creative ideas on how to pack ur items.

Tip #3: Pack all ur important items in ur carry on or a tote u keep near u in ur car. Like...feminine products, extra undies and socks, brush, deodorant, keys, passport, ID (wallet), bottle of water, hand sanitizer and anything else u need quick or in a hurry at rest stops or between buses or on the airplane.

Tip #4: If u are traveling by bus or plane, try to have luggage that is brightly colored, or stands out somehow. Bright stickers can help if u dont mind having stickers on ur luggage. This helps draw ur eye to ur luggage and makes it easier to quickly spot it.

Tip #5: Helpful items to pack would be: A travel alarm clock, a travel hairdryer (for those that use hairdryers), a fanny pack that sits in the front across ur belly, a travel guide, ur prescription medications (in the containers they were given to u in), ur contacts or glasses (dont forget sunglasses), ur camera, ur cellphone, ur passport and photocopies of it (and all documents to get into other countries and photo copies of them also), insect repellent (where bugs will be) and sunscreen. These items are needed to have a safe and happy trip.

Tip #6: Be sure to keep in touch with ur pet sitter, house sitter and the like and have written instructions posted somewhere for them.

Tip #7: Do NOT order anything within the few months before u leave on ur trip. U dont want anything laying outside ur doors (unless u have someone to pick up ur mail for u, or u contact ur Post Office to have it put on hold).

Tip #8: Check the weather for the day u will be leaving and dress appropriately. U can do this on ur cellphone or before u leave on a computer. If its hot now, but plans to dip into the 40s while u are on the road, carry a hoody with u, wear socks and tennis shoes or pack them into ur carry on ot tote. Be smart and pack what will keep u warm in cool weather and cool in hot weather.

Tip #9: Its not necessary to pack a personal taser, heck, its probably illegal in some states and will defo get u in trouble at the airport...so, dont pack weapons. No knives, no guns, no tasers...yeah, I know, bummer, lol :D Other things can be used for personal safety. If u are that concerned about ur safety...Take a self protection course months before ur trip, learn how to protect ur body from a predator...or, do what i do and carry ur keys with u, in ur hand, tips of keys between ur fingers and pointed out...kinda like Wolverine from The X-Men. BUT...I have not had to do this in years, most times I am safe (if u carry an air of u know what ur doing, most times people will not see u as a potential victim) and dont feel threatened. If u are ever in an area where u feel even the slightest discomfort and fear, then leave that area as quickly as possible. Learn where all the police stations are, dont be afraid to let officers know u are traveling. And ALWAYS let someone ur traveling with know where u are, and also someone ur not traveling with. It only takes a phone call or email to do that.

Tip #10: Before u go, look online for things to do on ur way, look at towns u will be stopped in or passing through and defo look for things to do at ur destination, there are plenty of free things u can find that will interest u and others ur with. And guide books and travel books are always handy and interesting to read on a long trip. Once at ur destination, dont be afraid to ask around and get info from the library, police station, gas stations, etc. U can try out search tools like Yelp

or Google Maps. If u are going to take pictures of people or things at ur destination...be sure to ask first or ur camera or phone can be (more than likely will be) confiscated. My sis and I were in Mexico going to take a picture of an armored truck and an officer and were sternly told "NO!". And I wasn't going to argue with a strange man, in uniform, with a gun. :) Also, if the web is needed, look for laptop friendly coffee shops, restaurants and libraries. Also, for those that drive, looking up sites on cheap fuel is great, one I see is GasBuddy.

This is what I have for now, I will Blog on this more as I travel around. :) Also the pictures in this Post are all scenes taken from a trip from MN to AZ a few years ago. I will keep bring u tips on traveling and having fun while traveling. Happy seeking new places my smexy peeps. :)