"On the road again.....can't wait to get on the road again...."

I'm always drawn to this song by Willie Nelson every time I pack up to hit the road again. OK so I'm amused by small things. To anyone who does the windshield time, keeping the mind and body active during a 400 mile 'hop' can be a real challenge. The feeling is to just - get there. Then you arrive and can't get out of the car.

Here are a handful of suggestions on ways to keep your mind and body active during that drive.

* Personally I am into photography. I'm always on the lookout for the perfect scene. That little lake tucked in the hillside.
An eagle sitting on a branch. Or something totally unexpected.

* Drink LOTS of water. This will help you remember to pit stop at a rest stop or fast food restaurant. I used to think if you used a restaurant you'd have to buy something. YOU DON'T.

* To prevent your back and body from getting stiff, pull into every rest area. Park in the very first spot. Get out and walk all the way to the end of the sidewalk...or circle the building. Then load back in your car and go on. This won't take 2-3 minutes and will do amazing things for your back.

* OR if you need to stretch and want to walk.....try a Wal*Mart or similar store. Start at the door, and walk then entire outer wall of the store. Keep your blinders on as you are NOT shopping!!

* Worse comes to worse and you just can't stay awake? Pull into a parking lot...like Wal*Mart or a rest area. Park a bit off the main parking. Roll up your windows. LOCK YOUR DOORS. Leave your car running with heat or AC. Crank the seat back and take a quick nap. The few times I've done this over the years NO ONE has ever bothered me. This 20 minutes can revive you amazingly.

* Need Caffeine? Use your GPS (no good road warrior goes without) and search for the word COFFEE. This will give you a list of all coffee shops within range and you can get your caffeine on!!

* Books on tape/CD. I find that having a story read to me keeps my mind active. You can pick these up at the library, book stores, and online. Go to www.amazon.com or similar, type in the name of your favorite book and the word AUDIO. MOST books are available digitally. A tape will play approximately 30 min per side and a CD for about on hour. I like the LONG heavy stories you'd never take the time to sit down and read. Cracker Barrell runs a great program. They will have a rack of books on tape. You will pay FULL PRICE at the time. You can keep the book or return it within a couple of weeks to ANY Cracker Barrell and receive back all but $3.49 for the book. Check it out http://www.crackerbarrel.com/trip-booksaudio.cfm?doc_id=48

I am open to all other ideas. These are just the few I've used. TRAVEL SAFE out there!!!