The importance of road trips

Haleigh Perkins�

Guest Columnist

I am what you would consider a road trip expert. I was only three weeks old when I embarked on my first road trip and have since then grown a deep love and appreciation for them. I was sort of a �flower child� growing up. This may come as a surprise to those who claim to know me, but my childhood was anything but ordinary. Being homeschooled for the majority of my youth provided me and my two siblings with opportunities that others our age did not have. If we wanted to go somewhere, we did. If we wanted to explore something new, we would pack our bags and be on our way. Now, as an adult, my passion for traveling has intensified to the point of wanting to share my knowledge with others.

Some of my fondest memories have been made on the long excursions I have taken and the many miles I have traveled. My sincere advice is to never underestimate the power of the open road. For a start, it is the perfect place to fall in love with a new car. I’ve been looking at some of the cars available to lease on intelligentcarleasing.com, nothing bought just yet. I will definitely head to the open road once I have decided on a new car. It can clear the senses and free the mind. It can provide peace and clarity and let a broken heart find mending. Driving can simply bring a new perspective to anyone�s way of thinking. Just by simply putting on your anti-glare night driving glasses and enjoying the open road, this can make such a difference to your thought process. What’s better than being able to take in the fresh air and properly take in your surrounding? For these, and many more reasons, I personally consider taking a road trip to be a rite of passage that should be experienced at least once in a lifetime.

I believe it is safe to say that we have all grown up watching movies with grand adventures, films that introduced characters who dared to set out on an incredible journey. In fact, I would wager that those kinds of movies have always been classic favorites. But, why is this? Why do we tend to love films that contain a journey of some kind? I personally believe it is because we all have a small sense of adventure within us. Just like life, it is not the destination that matters; it is the journey to get there. Anything can happen. New discoveries can be made. Life can reveal wonders if we only have the courage to take a chance on the unknown.

So, how do you begin a road trip? Simply say, �Let�s go somewhere.� It is literally that easy. I am not saying that people should forget all their responsibilities and just up and leave. I am simply saying that life will always get in the way. There will always be a million reasons not to go, but all you need is one good reason to leave. Find somewhere on a map that you have always wanted to see, and then set a course to travel by. However, and I am going to put a lot of emphasis on this, do not get caught up in logistics. Prepare for the unexpected, and leave room for unforeseen opportunities. Part of the fun is planning to have your plans change. Okay sure, you could have your personal vehicle transported to your starting point, where ever that may be if you’re not already there, using a vehicle shipping company such as this in which you can learn more if you were to click. However, once you and your vehicle find your starting point make sure to get lost in where ever you find the roads take you.

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Next, decide who you want to travel with. Be careful in choosing, because this decision can affect the outcome of the trip. Go with someone or a group of people that you enjoy having in your company. Individuals with the natural ability of communication are always a great choice. The last thing you want is to travel in awkward silence for the duration of your trip, unless, of course, silence is what you prefer. Another important factor in choosing traveling companions is their willingness to just have fun. They need to be able to accept possible changes of course and not feel the need to control every situation.

Cost is also an important aspect of road trips. Fuel money, hotel stays, food and beverages all need to be calculated into the trip. Additionally, I would highly suggest bringing emergency cash along as well. You never know what can happen, so it is always better to be safe than sorry. Plus, you may encounter something on your journey that you did not budget for but want nonetheless. Speaking of cost, it is always important to have the best deal on your car insurance. My friend recently took a look at the top 10 cheapest car insurance companies to help her find the best deal for herself so she has more money for her road trip.

The last step in preparing to take a road trip is packing. Packing the essentials for your trip is extremely important and should be chosen with care. Now, essentials can change for everyone depending on what they believe constitutes as an essential. Some of my essentials include yummy snacks, lots of water, some truly good tunes and clothes appropriate for any occasion and the season.

I cannot stress enough, though, the importance of the perfect music selection for a road trip. Music sets the tone for the entire trip and can be instrumental in providing the desired atmosphere. My advice is to choose music that can breathe. The best kind of music for a road trip is the kind that you can roll down the window to and let flow through the open air.

So go forth, my fellow travelers. Find something worthwhile, gain a new perspective, broaden your horizons, create a new experience and make memories to last a lifetime. I cannot guarantee that you will have an incredible time on every road trip you take, but I can guarantee that you will never regret taking them. Please take it from someone who has a lot of experience on the matter. Life is too short to stay indoors.