#roadtips

Post Apocalyptic Road trip

A thorough cleaning is the first thing you should do before going on a long drive. You can do it on your own or take it to a professional car wash. Add mild air freshener inside the car after getting your car cleaned. Also, check whether the components such as the music system, seat belts, windows, and doors are working fine or not after cleaning. Cleaning the car adds positivity and makes the journey more refreshing.

Whether you are behind steering wheels for the first time or are a seasoned driver, following some basics during road trips is essential to make your journey smooth and hassle-free. The longer you are road more crucial it becomes to follow these tips. Or you may face a more inconvenient road trip.

If you don’t know what things to look at before your road trip, don’t worry! We will share some of the expert road tips to help you enjoy a better and comfortable drive.

Here are the expert road trip tips for a comfortable drive while on the road:

1. Clean Your Car First

A thorough cleaning is the first thing you should do before going on a long drive. You can do it on your own or take it to a professional car wash. Add mild air freshener inside the car after getting your car cleaned. Also, check whether the components such as the music system, seat belts, windows, and doors are working fine or not after cleaning. Cleaning the car adds positivity and makes the journey more refreshing.

2. Plan Your Rest Stops

Calculate the distance of your journey and plan your stops accordingly to take rests at regular intervals. Not only will this help you stay recharged throughout the journey, but also gives your vehicle take a much-needed break. Without brakes or irregular breaks, engines overheat. Taking breaks is always a good idea. These breaks will also help you make sure there is enough fuel in your car. You can even take breaks during refueling sessions.

3. Get Your Vehicle Insured

This is one of the most crucial things that anyone taking their car on the road must follow. It is critical even during short drives, but before long road trips, double-check your car insurance policy. Make sure you have comprehensive coverage for your vehicle. Long journeys can be unpredictable. Therefore, buying/renewing insurance is a must. If you are confused about any aspect of car insurance, talk to your insurance agent.

Read More: 5 things you must consider before buying car insurance

4. Use Google Maps When traveling on new routes, it is always a good idea to follow Google maps as a trustable navigation system. It suggests the best routes, informs about upcoming traffic, and helps you from getting lost. Using a trustable navigation system makes the journey a lot easier, saves time and fuel costs.

5. Take Healthy Road Snacks

Keep some home-cooked food items or carry healthy snacks. Try to avoid junk foods on a road trip and practice eating light. Heavy eating can cause problems during a long journey and ruin the experience of the road trip. Plan accordingly and take meds beforehand if anyone has motion sickness or has some allergies. Keep juices and lemon soda handy; it will work as an energy booster.

6. Keep Your Body Stance Straight

Maintain a healthy body posture throughout the journey. Keep your back and spine upright. It will help you get rid of fatigue and tiredness. Slouching or staying in bad postures for long hours during road trips can cause back and neck pain. Poor posture can also lead to long-term health problems.

Planning is the key to comfortable road trips. Make sure you examine the car inside-out and check the status of your car insurance to get a safe and stress-free traveling experience.

If you want the guidance of a licensed car insurance agent, call Abe GT & Associates. We are licensed to provide insurance in the state of Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, North Carolina, California, Texas, Arizona, Maryland, Ohio. Contact us today to get your quote.

In our last two posts, we covered preparing for your trip and making your pup comfortable on a long plane ride, so now we’re hitting the road just in time for the 4th of July weekend! Below are our five favorite tips for an easy and safe car ride with your pup.

1. Crate your dog in a crash-test certified carrier and secure the carrier to the seat

Last week we spoke all about choosing a comfortable pet carrier that fits easily under the seat in front of you, but those may not be the best choice in the car. Your best bet for the open road is a sturdy crate that has been crash test certified and can be easily secured to the seat or interior of the car.

2. Plan your route and pit stops ahead of time so you can find places that allow dogs so they won’t be left unattended in the car

Planning your pit stops ahead of time will cut down on the stress that sets in several hours into your drive when you realize your pup may need to relieve himself soon.  Using Google Map’s street view tool, we like to look for spots that have a patch of grass or soft ground out of the way of cars where we can safely walk our pups on the leash for a few minutes before jumping back in the car.  

3. Turn on child safety locks for windows and doors

If you’re on shorter trips so you’ve chosen to forgo the crate (which we still don’t recommend, but alas we know it will still happen), make sure to engage child safety locks on the windows and doors. This is particularly important for traveling with larger breeds as their heavier paws can accidentally trigger windows to roll down and quickly create an unsafe situation.

4. Bring a bowl and a water bottle or pack ice cubes.

We’ve covered the ice-cube tip before in previous posts, but it’s one of our favorites, so we’ve decided to bring it back. Staying hydrated is always important and can easily be accomplished with a bowl and water bottle, but if you are worried about accidents or have a busier breed that likes to have something to work on—pack a cup of ice cubes (or pick one up) for your dog to lick. It will keep him hydrated without overdoing his water intake (potentially leading to an in-flight accident) while also keeping him entertained for a few minutes!

5. Check the road laws where you’ll be traveling

You may be surprised to find out there are pet-specific violations that can land you with a fine (like in NJ where you could end up with a fine of $1000 for transporting a pet in any way that a police officer deems to be incorrect). The national DMV website has an excellent resource for traveling safely with a pet.

1:Do youprefer pancakes or waffles?

     D: Pancakes!

     V: Tough, but pancakes…with strawberries!

2:What is your favorite breakfast?

     D: Eggs over medium.

     V: Scrambled eggs with cheese & bacon

3:What kind of weather is your favorite?

     D: HOT!

     V: I’ll go anywhere warm!

4:When was the last time you climbed a tree?

     D: Junior year of high school.

     V: When I was 7! Got a horrible splinter.

5:What was your favorite year in school (so far)?

     D: The day I graduate….circa 2016

     V: Hmmm..not too sure. Hopefully this year?

6:What colors has your hair been in your life?

D: Dirty blonde!

     V: Black, dark brown, red, red-purple, & some blonde.

7:Do you prefer your hair long or short?

D: Long as fuuuck,

     V: Generally longer!

8:What's your go to sitting around on the couch food?

D:  If I had time to sit on the couch…

     V: Fritos Scoops!

9:What clubs do/did you participate in at school?

D: None. Softball.

     V: GSA & sports!

10:What's the first money you ever legitimately purchased?

D:  What?

     V: Uhm?

11:What's the first album you ever legitimately purchased?

D:  JoJo

     V:  Britney Spears! Her first album!

12:How would you describe your aesthetic?

D:  Sushi.

     V:  Ocean.

13:What are little things that your good friends know about you that casual friends don't notice?

D:  Beanies are a part of my wardrobe.

     V: My eye rolls.

14:What is something you and your best friend say/do that seems strange to an outsider?

D:  Makeout!

     V: Holy shit. A million and one things! Thai Cream Puff. AND THEN. Change. Crydoooo Geeaaallll. That doesn’t event tip the scale….ohhhh Mahdis.

15:Do you like to sleep near the wall, the middle, or the open side of the bed?

D:  Definitely NOT the middle.

     V: Definitely the wall!

16:What's the strangest rumor that has ever been spread about you?

D:  No idea!

     V: That I got married over break.  

17:What is the most flattering compliment you remember receiving?

D:  “Are you a hippy?”

     V: This guy was complimenting me/hitting on me at the bar and after I told him I was gay he said, “So? You’re still really pretty and seem pretty awesome. That’s cool tho!” I gave him a hug for that one, lmao.

 18:How involved were you in the drama of your high school?

D: None. Not involved at all.  

     V: I stayed away from it, plus my friends never really got caught up in that ish.

19:What's the most uncomfortable thing a stranger online has said to you?

D:  “Chat Roulette?”

     V: Sent a dick pick when I didn’t even know why they were saying Hi to me.

20:What's an embarrassing thing that has happened to you?

D: Tripped on the stairs as the bell rang for school.

     V: We messed up some stuff during my probate cause we were so nervous. I was leading so I had to start us over.

21:When sleeping with another person do you prefer to stay over at your house or theirs?

D: Theirs

     V: Mine.

22:Do you ever send anonymous messages of any variety?

D:  Not really.

     V: Yeah, every now and then (:

23:Do you feel comfortable running into people from your high school?

D:  Yeah! Just a little awkward sometimes cause people change so much.

     V: Meh. Prefer not to, lmao.

24:What laws do you feel bothered by?

D:  Same-sex discrimination

V: Same ^ And there’s probs more.

25:Do you like to cuddle while you are sleeping?

D:  Yes!

     V: Sometimes. Depends on who I’m sharing a bed with

26:What are things you find really sexy in other people?

D:  Smile, eyes, long legs, + Nikki.

     V: Eyes, style, personality, sense of humor, shoulders, tattoos & some piercings.

27:What are your favorite parts of your own body?

D:  Maybe my hair.

     V: Shoulders, eyes, smile & I got a booty.

28:What are you favorite places to be touched?

D: Neck.

     V: Neck, back rubs are nice, lmao.

29:Do you or have you ever owned any sex toys?

     D: Yeah.

     V: Yes, lmao.

30:How many times have you had sex with the last person you slept with?

     D: I couldn’t count.

Talked to my girlfriend on the phone yesterday (for a full 30 minutes!!) and she asked me to come to graduation if I could make it, even though she initially told me it was a pointless waste of time, she really wants me there now. I wanted to go since she left, but didn't want to upset her, so I never made arrangements. Now I have to figure out if I can get off of work/school/internship for the first two days, figure out how I'm going to afford the drive/lodging, and try to figure out the confusing family day/graduation schedule they provided. I'm genuinely not bitter, just wondering how I'm going to figure this all out in 7 days.