Archive for September 2010
Winter Survival Kit: Don’t Leave the House Without One
Author Alexine
If you plan on driving in the cold of winter it is important to plan for the worst possible scenario. If your car were to break down in a blizzard or you got into an accident there are certain items you need. Without the engine running and heat blowing you will become cold very fast. While you may not travel too far from home, you still need to be prepared. Here are the items you need to build a winter survival kit for your vehicle.
Large Duffle Bag
This is a really important part of the kit as it holds all of the contents together in one compact place. This keeps all your necessities in one place so there is no searching when the time comes to use it.
Bottled Water
Store about four to six liter bottles of water in the duffle bag to ensure you have plenty of water to drink and cook with. This will come in handy if you get stranded for longer than expected.
First Aid Kit
Buy a complete first aid kit for your survival kit that includes more than just bandages and ointment. Make sure it includes wrapping and wound wash along with rubber gloves to treat others around you.
Road Flares
These are critical for cops and passing vehicles to see you in poor visibility or if your vehicle has slid off the road. Make sure you have a pack of road flares in a sealed plastic bag with a couple of lighters in case they need to be used.
Flashlight
In a separate sealed plastic bag you should pack a couple of flashlights and extra batteries. These are good for finding your way through the duffle bag or first aid kit when it is dark outside.
Warm Blankets
Make sure you store a couple warm blankets in the duffle bag to keep yourself and others warm. It is preferable to have wool or fleece blankets as they take up less space and are very warm.
Food
Make sure you pack a good amount of protein bars, nuts, dried fruits and camping meals in your duffle bag. They are higher in calories and will keep you warm if you are stranded for long periods of time.
Camp Stove
The most compact and convenient camp stove I recommend is the Jet Boil. It is the size of a child’s thermos and is perfect for boiling and measuring water. With all the parts included you don’t have to mess with a large camp stove with screw on gas tanks.
However, if you have a different small camp stove that works as well put it in your kit. Make sure you can use it easily in case the weather is really bad outside.
Dishes and Utensils
Make sure you have camp mugs that can be used to drink and eat food, spoons and forks. These are important for making your camping meals.
Make sure you buy a large enough duffle bag to fit all of the contents in and put this is your car before winter hits. You never know when you might need to use it for yourself or to help a stranded car on the side of the road. Good luck this coming winter and be safe in your travels both close and far.
Ten Items You Don’t Want to Forget for a Road Trip
Author Alexine
By: Alexine
Before you take off on a road trip there are some important things to consider like the weather and driving conditions. While you may be taking a road trip over the holidays or just for a fun family vacation, there is plenty of preparing to do. To make sure you have the essential items in addition to your favorite outfits and tent, I have come up with ten items you don’t want to forget on your road trip.
1. Cooler
This is one of the best things to have along on your road trip to keep beverages cold and food from spoiling. While traveling long distance you will want to have plenty of items on hand in case you break down or run into weather. Having a cooler along ensures you will have good food and drinks to enjoy.
2. Drinks
Making sure you drink plenty of water on long road trips is important, especially if you are changing altitude. Some people experience altitude sickness when traveling over mountain ranges so it is important to have ice cold water on hand to keep you from loosing focus. Ice water is also great when you are experiencing too much heat.
3. Snacks
While you can put perishable items in your cooler it is important to also bring along non-perishable snacks like trail mix, granola bars, dried fruit and nuts. These types of snacks are easy to eat on the road and stay fresh. Make sure you pack enough for the drive to and from your destination.
4. Pillows
Comfortable pillows are a necessity for long road trips across the country. Taking turns driving is a great way to get to your destination sooner and pillows help the person resting sleep better. Pack a few so you have enough for the whole family.
5. Blankets
If you plan on snoozing in the car at a truck stop or pitching a tent at a state park, blankets are defiantly a must. Warm and cozy blankets are a necessity when traveling long distance in your vehicle as they make great support when the seat gets uncomfortable.
6. Flashlights
It is important to keep a flashlight in your glove box or center counsel at all times in case you break down or need to see where you are walking in the dark. Flashlights also come in handy when you need to change a tire or check the directions.
7. Maps
If you have state maps or a road atlas you will be in good shape when it comes to finding your way around. The newest edition of the road atlas will also show you where food, gas and lodging are along your route. Make sure you have the maps in the front seat and easily available.
8. Money
Make sure you have plenty of cash and change available on your road trip for cash only stops and tolls. While it may not seem important because of cash machines available in most places, cash is nice when you run into a small town or truck stop to grab lunch and gas.
9. Music
To keep your mind off of the long journey ahead make sure you pack plenty of enjoyable music. Make sure a good amount of the music is upbeat to keep you awake when you get tired of driving and for driving in the dark. This will help keep your mind wide awake to drive safely for long periods of time.
10. Camera
For memories of the journey along the way don’t forget to pack your camera. It is fun to take pictures at different tourist sites and viewpoints when driving through places you have never been before. Then you can show your friends and family all the cool places you visited on your road trip.
Enjoy your road trip and remember to double check before you leave to make sure you have everything you need. If you are camping then don’t forget your tent and if you are staying at hotels then make sure you check maps for the best place is to stop along the way.
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Tips for Preparing Your Holiday Travel Plans
Author Alexine
By: Alexine
With children going back to school and fall weather beginning to set in there is much to think about. The November and December holidays will be here before you know it. While some people live close to their relatives, many do not. This requires lots of people to travel over the holidays. To ensure you get the best deals and make good traveling decisions I have come up with some tips for planning your holiday travels.
Check Schedules
This has got to be the most important part of making plans as everyone has different schedules and vacation availability. Making sure you check K-12 school schedules and college schedules if you have children and work vacation schedules for yourself and your spouse is very important. Sometimes there is a couple of day variance between high school and college break.
Checking the schedules of the people you are visiting is also equally important. This will ensure you all can make the ski trip or tropical vacation together. On the other hand it is important if the family is meeting up at Grandma’s house for the holidays. Because we all know Grandma likes to plan way in advance.
Choose Dates
Now that you have gathered everyone’s schedules it is time to pull the dates together. This may mean you have to be flexible by about two days on either end if you live far away and travel time is lengthy. Remember to give yourself plenty of time if you are driving to a distant airport in case of slick roads and snow storms.
Search Sites
With your dates finalized you now get to start playing with the different airline ticket search sites. You will notice that most offer a flexible date’s search mode that allows you to see dates before and after the ones you came up with. This will show you the rates around that date you enter. Sometimes leaving a day later or coming home a day earlier can cut your costs in half.
When searching on the different airfare sites you will also want to go to the airlines personal sites as well. Sometimes they offer better deals than the larger sites that offer multiple carriers.
Watch Rates
When planning ahead for holiday vacation it is wonderful if you can get started right away. The advantage of getting a head start is that you will be able to watch rates and check for deals with your local carriers. Sometimes buying too far in advance can be very expensive along with buying too close to your departure date. Somewhere in the middle is where the best deals are so watching the rates will really help save you money.
Book & Get Miles
The last steps to planning your holiday vacation are booking the flights and signing up for air miles if you do not already have an account. Once you see the rates and are comfortable with the price it is a good idea to book your flights. Sometimes people wait until it starts going up again which is good but if you can get the best rate go for it before the prices change.
When it comes to the air miles it is a wonderful thing to start accumulating them. After you accumulate many air miles you can cash them in for an airline ticket. There are also credit cards that the airlines have that offer you double miles when you purchase the ticket through them. Take advantage of specials like this to help save on your future travel plans.
Safe Travels
With your travel plans set I hope you can relax and enjoy the next couple of months before the holidays are in full gear. With shopping and prepping to look forward to it is nice to have the travels plans in order with plenty of time to spare. Good luck on your holiday vacation wherever it may be and have safe and happy travels.
Shows, Shopping and Sports: Find it all in the Chicago Loop
Author Alexine
By Barbara Wade © 2010, All Rights Reserved
Vibrant. Glamorous. Enticing. Chicago has built a long-standing reputation as a city with its finger on the pulse of culture, history and entertainment. At no place does this become more obvious than the Chicago Loop. Hotel and business high-rises, multiple theaters, shopping on State Street and professional sports for all seasons make this town a magnet for business and recreational travelers worldwide.
Whether this is your first visit or a long-awaited return, there are certain must-sees that you’ll want on your to-do list.
The Historic Theater District
Your meetings have concluded. Shopping for your wedding dress is done. Whatever your day held for you, it’s now time to head out on the town. With numerous theaters to choose from in the Loop, one offers special significance. The Cadillac Palace Theater has a lineage filled with vaudeville and Versailles.
Designed to mimic a French palace, this 2,500-seat venue delivers everything you’d find on Broadway and more. Chuckle as animation comes to life before your eyes in shows like The Lion King and Shrek the Musical. Discover the history of the beautiful Glenda and her evil sister, the Wicked Witch of the West, in Wicked.
Located in the same building as the famous Chicago Loop Hotel Allegro, you’ll find convenience and an intriguing legacy as you take in all that downtown has to offer.
Shopping in the Loop or on the Mile
When it’s time for a little retail therapy, the Loop Retail Historic District is but one place within this area to shop till you drop. For over 150 years, State Street (Chicago’s Main Street) has anchored this historic district, boasting stores including Macy’s, Old Navy, Nordstrom Rack and others.
Not in the market for clothing? How about diamonds? With the largest jewelry district in the Midwest, the Loop Retail Historic District also delivers an exceptional selection of engagement rings, wedding rings, gold, silver and precious gems.
Just a short taxi ride away, you’ll also find the Magnificent Mile. With shopping, dining, beauty and more, the Magnificent Mile easily rivals 5th Avenue and Rodeo Drive. You’ll find hundreds of the most popular retailers including Bloomingdale’s, Gucci, Michael Kors, Lululemon Athletica and American Girl Place. Stop for a quick lunch street-side or indulge in a romantic dinner with you and your fiancé.
Year-round Sports
Basketball, football, hockey, baseball… whatever sports attraction you have, you’ll find a team in Chicago. Located just a few miles from the Chicago Loop is Wrigley Field, Soldier Field and other well-known sports venues.
Join in the excitement as the fans go wild over sports heroes that slam, sack and slug with amazement. From Blackhawks to Bears to Bulls, you can cheer your team to victory during your stay in Chicago.
Wedding Receptions and Rehearsal Dinners
Has your trip brought you to the Windy City for more personal reasons? When planning your special day, and all the events that lead up to it, variety is key. Within the district you’ll find a wide selection of places to host your bridal luncheon, rehearsal dinner and wedding reception. Many local hotels offer the convenience of packages designed to provide accommodations for your out-of-town guests as well as reception venues and catering.
Regardless of the reason for your visit to Chicago, the Loop is a district you must explore to find the best this city has to offer in shows, shopping and sports.
Author Bio
Barbara Wade writes articles for Allegro, a luxurious Chicago Loop hotel conveniently located in the historic downtown district. Visit Allegro online at http://www.allegrochicago.com.
