It’s road trip season. Travelling to Gulf Shores as often as possible to hit the beach; a jaunt to Oxford, Mississippi to pay homage to William Faulkner at his former home Rowan Oak; and journeys near and far to visit family and friends will give us our fill of the open road until fall.
With that in mind, I’ve been brainstorming ways to make being confined to the car a little less uncomfortable and a lot more luxurious
1) Instead of packing the same old, boring cold cut sandwiches and chips, visit your favorite gourmet sandwich shop, such as La Boulangerie on Magazine Street, for something more delectable. You’ll be hard pressed to wait until lunch to tuck into ham and Swiss folded into a sliced, freshly baked baguette or a scrumptious panini. Both travel well in a cooler. (Pro-tip: Avoid choosing poor boys, because while delicious, they can be quite messy). Bring along fresh fruit, sliced and snack bag-sized veggies and a few bottles or cans of your favorite fizzy beverage and you have a veritable picnic on wheels. Or, plan a stop in a scenic area for an actual picnic.
2) Cloth napkins, moist wipes and hand sanitizer, tissues and a few small trash bags will help keep the passengers and the car clean and tidy.
3) Be sure to pack a few car-friendly games and entertainments if you are traveling with children. Card games, travel versions of Scrabble and a favorite book are all good choices and might keep the electronic device usage at bay for at least a few minutes at a time.
4) Create fun and peppy play lists with a variety of genres.
5) Put a couple of throw blankets, plush pillows and sleep masks in the car for slightly more comfortable napping. The blankets also come in handy for passengers who are sensitive to chilly air conditioning.
Happy — and as lavish as you wish — trails throughout the summer season.
If you have tips to share for ways to make road travel easier and more deluxe, share them in the comments.
