Hey everyone, I apologize for the lack of posts….I’ve been pretty busy working over the road, trying to make some extra dinero to keep things going (so I don’t starve). Anyway, road trip season seems to be in full swing, and the number of travelers on the open road seems to be pretty large. I’m going to go back to a previous post, and talk more about food and lodging along Route 66.
We all know there are plenty of good places to eat and stay along the Mother Road. However, there are also plenty of crappy places. That gas station sushi you may be tempted to get might wind up costing you a trip to the emergency room….don’t do it. Those hotdogs sitting on a roller grill, that look like they were cooked over a volcano? Noooooo…..can you say “squirts”? I knew you could!
Those old run-down motels probably still have those old Magic Fingers beds in them. For those of you that don’t know what those are, back in the 70s into the 80s, a lot of motels had those mysterious things. You put a quarter into the slot, turn the handle, and voila! the bed starts shaking violently like the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Turn that sucker on, and hold on for dear life. I’m glad they stopped making them…..if they made them today, it would probably be more like riding on a mechanical bull on bad drugs.
Okay, enough on that stuff. I know most people have a list of things they want to bring on their road trip, but some tend to go overboard…..too much luggage, kayak, fishing boat, and probably even an old Ronco Turnip Twaddler….why? I don’t have a clue. However, there are some things that will probably be more practical and even useful. Weather radio: yes….one of those things. They are still readily available, some stores keep them in stock. If you have a CB radio, it ususally has a weather band on it. A basic unit, which you can find at most truck stops won’t set you back a whole lot…then there are the walkie-talkie units…40 channel hand-held CB for around $60 or so. Not all of them have a weather band on them, so look around. Also, if you break down on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, and don’t have cellphone coverage, most state police monitor channel 9. They will respond., as long as they can pick up your transmission….so don’t give up, if nobody responds right away. Also, Mother Nature has a mind of her own, and the weather can turn ugly at any time….. having something that resembles a weather radio will alert you to any severe weather events that you may be heading into.
The main thing is to pack what you actually need for your adventure, and not over-pack. The more stuff you pile into your vehicle, the more it’s going to weigh…the more it weighs, the more gas/diesel it’s going to use. Electric vehicle? Not recommended…..lack of space…..lack of charging stations, etc. With that in mind, keep your eyes on the road (and on the sky), and have fun.
Until next time, yeehaw, and yippee-kai-yay!