Top Ten "Must Do's"
Before Going on a Fun Family Trip
Make a list
of what you really need to bring with you, then stick to it.
Check the weather. You may not want to camp if
the weather forecast says that it is going to rain six inches in
a six hour period with thunder and lightning.
If driving
the family car, have it checked over before you leave. Having a
broken-down car in the middle of nowhere can dampen cheerful
spirits.
If flying,
get to the airport early, particularly during a holiday period.
It is always better to pad a little time into your schedule to
go through security rather than miss your flight. Also, the
rules of what you can and cannot carry onboard change rather
frequently, so check ahead to make sure that you are, on the one
hand, not going to get into trouble, or on the other hand, leave
something at home that is no longer prohibited.
Check the
attractions that you are interested in visiting beforehand.
Little Johnny and Susie might be a tad upset if you have been
talking about going on "The Tower of Doom" at Six Flags Elitch
Gardens in Denver, only to arrive and find that the ride is
closed for pre-scheduled maintenance or renovation.
Look into
not only the large attractions, but the smaller events that will
be happening when you're traveling. You may miss a gem. For
example, if you and your family are going to Disneyland during
July, you might want to try to go to the Sawdust Festival in
Laguna Beach or the Ocean Festival in San Clemente. The Sawdust
Festival features music, food, and wares from local artists,
while the Ocean Festival includes a woodie car show, surfing
contests, and a sand sculpting competition. You can find out
about these local events by checking the Chambers of Commerce in
the towns surrounding the city that you are visiting.
Make sure to
ask a reliable person to take care of family pets. We came home
late one evening after an overnight trip only to find our
beloved Labrador Retriever locked in the garage rather than
running around in the backyard. Her caretaker had put her in the
garage the night before, but had forgotten to let her out in the
morning. Fortunately, our dog was just happy that we were home.
I cannot say the same thing about the ex-caretaker after I
finished chewing her out.
If
driving, take frequent breaks. Stop at historical
markers or at interesting-looking roadside tourist
traps. The breaks will keep all of you from getting too
antsy. Remember that the goal of a road trip is not
necessarily to get to your destination quickly.
Bring more
than enough entertainment to keep your children happy. This will
help keep your sanity at a controllable level. How much "Are we
there yet?" and "When are we going to be there?" or "He's
looking at me!" can you take? There are many things that you can
do with your children while driving or flying besides the old,
"I am thinking of an animal and it begins with an "A." Try
starting a story and then having each family member add two
sentences to it, or, if driving, put together a "scavenger list"
to search for while you are on the road.
CD's with
your children's favorite songs, while perhaps a tad monotonous
for you, will keep the kid's focus away from how long that they
have been sitting still.
Count noses.
While sometimes tempting, you really do not want to leave
someone behind.
Laura Evans is
a native Californian and has traveled extensively throughout the
Southwest. She is a Tutor, an Antique Dealer, and a Freelance Writer.
Visit her at
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Collectibles.
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