So you’re at least considering a SRT? Good! First, realize it’s not brain surgery. The logistics are simple, subjective, and subject to change – a beautiful thing. And keep in mind, SOLO road trips and road trips have little in common in the way of experience or preparation.
To push you over the edge, here’s my list of reasons to make at least one SRT in your life. And really, it should be at least an overnighter.
- You can disconnect every connectivity device you own.
- Planning can be thrown out the door; no agenda required.
- There’s no one to care when you eat, what you eat, or if you eat.
- You can turn around 500 times to photograph something you caught a glimpse of at 70 mph.
- You don’t have to ask or care if someone else is having a good time, what they want to see next, is the temperature comfortable for them, do they need a restroom stop, what music they prefer, does your driving scare them, do they care if you go 10 miles down a dirt road looking for that ghost town you heard about once when you were a kid.
- It’s your choice of music and volume.
- It’s your choice of lodging and check in-out time.
- Getting lost becomes meaningless.
- No one cares if you don’t shower that day, or brush your teeth.
Now that we’ve covered the touchy-feely side of solo travel, let’s talk about the practicalities, most of which revolve around safety. Until 2007 my solo road trips were taken in a 1994 Mazda MX-6. No 4-wheel drive, no GPS, no OnStar, no AAA membership, and just enough clearance to not be a turtle killer. And I had a fantastic time, no matter what happened, and a lot happened.
- The single most important component: your mindset. Make sure you’re ready to consider everything that happens part of the adventure.
- If you can afford it, purchase a AAA membership.
- Inform close friends and family you’re leaving and what general direction you’re headed. Yea you’ll have to hear all the crap about it, and listen to your Mom tell you not to sleep in your car, but do it anyway.
- Designate one person as your daily contact (and tell the others who that person is). Make that call once a day, without neglect.
- Purchase a recent Atlas.
- Pack a warm blanket in the car, heavy duty gloves, a rain jacket, jumper cables, ice scrapper, a pair of boots, and all the tools required to change a flat. Make sure you’ve got a good spare. Also see this post: Road Trip Coffee Can Survival Kit.
- Have the oil changed, tires and basic fluid levels checked.
- Place a first aid kit in the vehicle.
- Never allow your fuel to go below ½ tank.
- Know the territory you’ll be in. If hiking, know the rules, the dangers (are there bears in the area, snakes, etc.) and be prepared for those. If you don’t know, don’t go. Actually, unless you’re familiar with survival techniques, I’d caution against going into any backcountry situation alone. With quite a bit of experience under my belt and some near misses (a run-in with a full grown mountain lion comes to mind), I now avoid most wilderness situations unless I’ve someone accompanying me.
- If you have any alcohol to drink, drink it after you’ve checked into your lodging for the night. Besides not wanting to drink and drive, you’ll also have all your capacities and wit about you during the time you’re out and about.
- Take both a car charger and a wall charger for your cell phone, and keep it charged.
- My own rules: No fast food. I pack sandwich fixin’s, snacks and drinks in an ice chest before I leave home. And I limit major highway travel. I’ve seen few things of note at 75 mph. But if you’re contemplating your first SRT and you’d feel better staying on major freeways, then do it! You’ll get all the benefits of solo travel and you’ll feel safe (VERY important).
Road Trippin’
By: Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Road trippin’ with my two favorite allies
Fully loaded we got snacks and supplies
It’s time to leave this town
It’s time to steal away
Let’s go get lost
Anywhere in the U.S.A.”
My dream has always been to travel outside of the USA borders to far off lands too. I always had too many responsibilities and no money in the bank to do anything about it. It’s become obvious to many that dreams are meant to happen if desired with the heart truly and with the only intention being love and passion for following the path of destiny and happiness. Even though most of my friends and familly don’t understand why I choose to leave all of the “expectation bubble world” of the every day blah of merely existing in order to live “a normal American dream” I have chosen my true path in life and that is to have one! To step out of the box and really benefit the world in the way I was meant to at this time by traveling to the Middle East and become a bridge builder for “A New Generation” of tolerance and understanding of the differences, yet the similarities, of every being on this planet. We are all important, special, valued, needed and loved by someone. We need to build on the family of oneness and love unconditionally. Especially now, in this time of crisis for so many in so many countries. Our languages, religions, culture, foods, beliefs, music and technological skills are suppose to be shared and admired. Instead they have become barriers to far too many people of the world today. There is a way to bring us together and I am going to be the one to begin standing up for the answers to this problem. This is where my dream has led me and this is where I have chosen to put my foot down and say to those that disagree, “Someone has to begin the healing process in these areas and make a step towards truth and resolution, I am not letting anything or anyone stand in the way”. I have lost several friends and family members along this journey so far and haven’t even left the USA yet. Coming up with backers for a project such as this is difficult, but not impossible. The money isn’t much to a big corporation that wishes to bridge the gap but most are looking at it in just that way..MONEY! If they see no immediate million dollars in their account if taking this opportunity to make a difference, they just don’t want to bother. This is the sad truth as to why we are having all of these issues. Greed without understanding of love being first, before monetary instant gain, is the collapse of many true ways of not only profitting eventually on both sides of the fence, but becoming more of a compassionate and caring family from Country to Country. War is not the answer! There is no other way to say it! Love is the answer! So, I won’t give up and continue my struggle, seemingly alone, to bring truth to many and find the way to begin anew..hence “A New Generation” of immeasurable wealth without war, material greed, intolerance and the list goes on. Traveling to the Middle East, Oman, Yemen, Salalah, Dubai, Saudi Arabia and other parts never crossed my mind two years ago. I was like everyone in my family that wished to vacation in Hawaii or take a cruise to the Bahamas. But, we all have a destiny to fulfill and this is mine. My heart is truly into this mission and I won’t give up until it is reality. My inspiration and heroes are people exactly like “Where the Hell Is Matt” and “The Blue Man Group” that stepped out of the box and decided to actually go for their dreams and make a difference. Thank you for being who you are and following your hearts instead of living the life “everyone expects” you to. Pray for me and I will follow your journey as well. Good luck to you and stay safe on your wonderful solo road trip. By the way, you didn’t really eat yak poo did you? ewwwwe..I will have to pass if it is offered to me on my journey. haahaaa…Peace and love to you. May all of your dreams come true. Love, Tonya from the USA
Comment by Tonya — March 5, 2009 @ 5:29 am
Tammie Lynn, please be careful.
We Love You
Comment by Phyllis — March 4, 2009 @ 9:59 am
Hey There! I love your blog! I’ve been on a solo road trip for about 8 months now. I really enjoyed the Egg Cream recipe… I always tell people about Egg Creams and they think it sounds gross, but my dad has been making them for me since I was a kid, and he learned to make them when he worked in a soda shop in Brooklyn. How’s that for authentic. Well, please keep writing and and road trippin’!
Comment by Leslie — February 19, 2009 @ 2:22 pm