Last week after posting Expat Village’s Thanksgiving and Travel Infographic, I started thinking about our own Thanksgiving travels. We won’t be flying out but we will be driving north tomorrow afternoon. The drive isn’t far but because I tell yell lovingly nag Husband to drive slow (even though admittedly he isn’t driving fast) the ride takes us around 4½ hours.
Every summer as a kid, our family would drive from New Jersey to Miami. It was a loooong ride – definitely longer than 4½ hours – and because it was a long ride I had to make sure I was clothed properly, well fed, and entertained. I took road trips very seriously. I still do. So here are just a few basic tips if you too are taking a road trip this Thanksgiving.
What to Wear
Comfortable clothes are a must – especially if you are planning on eating a lot – but that doesn’t mean you have to settle in the fashion department. A pair of leggings or skinny yoga pants work quite well under an oversized t-shirt or tunic. Add a few token accessories and finish the look with moccasins and you are as comfortable as you are fashionable. And although we are traveling in the Dominican Republic and sitting in an air-conditioned car, I will always have a cardigan sweater on-hand. Check out Pinterest for a gajillion legging fashion ideas!
What to Eat
Snacks are muy importante on road trips; they are part necessity, part time-waster, but mostly I just love snacks. My adolescent self perfected the food triangle of the snack list during my family summer road trips and the trifecta still works quite well for me.
Include:
– something salty (chips, nuts, popcorn)
– something sweet (peanut M&Ms and Snickers were always among my top favorites)
– something cured, dried meat (Mmmm… jerky)
– sometimes something chewy (Swedish fish, gummy bears, Starburst)
– and something to drink (but don’t drink too much otherwise you’ll need to include more time for restroom stops.)
What to Rock
But let’s be real, a road trip without music is like a pencil without lead – there’s no point. With Thanksgiving being the holiday season opener, I could listen to Christmas music the entire drive but I have a feeling that Husband would shove me out of a moving car if I put together 4½ hours of Christmas tunes so I’ve come up with another playlist to balance the ride; an upbeat, happy-to-be-alive Thanksgiving Road Trip Playlist. And cause I’m awesome (and it’s Thanksgiving), I’ll share. Pass the playlist please?
Playlist: I Just Want to Thank You – Tim Myers 93 Million Miles – Jason Mraz Glad Tidings – Van Morrison You are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne Home – Phillip Phillips Ends of the Earth – Lord Huron Best Day of Your Life – Katie Herzig I Lived – One Republic Simple Song – The Shins Everyday is a Winding Road – Sheryl Crow (of course) The Thanksgiving Song – Adam Sandler Homeward Bound – Simon & Garfunkel