ROADTRIP! 3 Major Survival Tips

I grew up on the West Coast of Canada, and as kids, we looked forward to spending every summer with our grandparents on their acreage in Ontario. Because our parents didn't have a lot of money, flying across the country wasn't an affordable option, so our 'ol Ford Tempo transported us back and forth for nearly a decade, and I never forgot the unspeakable freedom I felt as a young child, as we raced across the prairies, through the floodplains, past great lakes, and into the lush country side of Ontario. In the 1980's and 90's, fuel was less than half the cost it is now, so not only was it an enjoyable way to get to where you were going, it was very affordable. Unfortunately now, this is not the case. But for those of us who still love the feeling of hitting the open road, and creating our own schedule, road-tripping is the ultimate escape. So if you're itching for an adventure, here are a few things to consider before your wheels hit the pavement.

1) Prepare your wheels! The more love you give your wheels, the less likely it's going to leave you stranded. Depending on the distance you plan to travel, get a full mechanical work-up done; Oil change, wheels checked, tune-up, fluid re-fill, transmission check and anything else that your mechanic thinks you might need to consider. After she's all mechanically sound, it's time to do some housekeeping. Give your car a good scrubbing, vacuum and get rid of any junk lying around. If you're travelling with several people in the vehicle, it's important that they be allowed to enjoy a fresh and clean environment.

2) Get your kits together. My partner may disagree with me on this one, but I happen to be of the belief that you can never be too prepared. Put together a car kit. Living in Canada, we have to be prepared for all types of weather; Snow, hail storms, flash floods, hurricane winds, tornadoes, you name it, we get it! So the prospect of being trapped in near or in our car on a mid-summer's day is not impossible to imagine. It's important to ensure that you have sufficient supplies like water, blankets, warm clothes, first aid, flashlights, food, maps, whistle, a cellphone and roadside assistance membership like AAA. 

3) Accurate maps and/or a reliable GPS. I'm fairly convinced that both men and women are often lousy at asking for directions, so do yourselves a favour and plan your routes out. I do realize, however, that half the fun of being on a road trip is having the ability to go off-road through the back country and exploring a region. But, if you don't have a good grip on where you are in the first place, not only are you going to get lost, but you'll waste a precious travel day. Invest in a good GPS system, and a good set of maps and getting lost becomes not only easily remedied, but it might even be fun!