Windshield Time

Any of us road warriors knows...the only true 'down time' we get these years is on the open road. In my case, I drive to the destination...or fly and THEN drive. The down side is it's too easy to get comfey and complacent and find your mind waudering and your eyes closing. NOT A GOOD THING. For some reason the other drivers don't appreciate it.

So. What to do. My favorite is books on tape and CD. You can borrow 'books' from the library. You can buy 'books' from Cracker Barrel. This is a wonderful program. You pay full price for the book...and get all but a few dollars refunded when you return the book, and here's the BEST part. Return the book to ANY Cracker Barrel. You do NOT need to return the book to the store where you bought the book. Check out http://www.crackerbarrel.com/trip-booksaudio.cfm?doc_id=48

The next easy source is to use http://www.audible.com/ where you can join their membership and earn points. Then you can buy from an incredible list of books and download them to a number of devices...including your GPS.

Third...book stores, physical and online. Don't forget Half Price Books, Barnes & Noble, Boarders, Books-a-million, even Walmart and Target. All but Half Price Books, offers the books at full price. I prefer www.amazon.com or ebay where you can get a book for a much reduced price because it's been 'pre-read'. Any way you do it, having a book read to you...ROCKS. The longer the book, the better. And if you missed something? Just re-listen to that part, or the whole thing.

Another trick I use for keeping my mind active is photography. I am always on the look out for something to take a picture of along the way. You never know what you might see.




Besides getting out of the car for the couple of moments to take a picture is a great time to stretch.

I also have had a chiropractor advice me to use all REST AREAS. Pull in and park in the very first spot. Get out and walk all the way to the other end of the parking area and return to the car. 2-3 minutes will refresh you and stretch your body out for the next piece of road.

If all else fails and you can not keep your eyes open, find a parking lot or REST AREA and pull in. Lock your doors. Leave your engine running for the heat or AC. Crank your seat back and take a catnap. It is amazing what a 20 minute nap will do to refresh you.

And always remember SAFETY FIRST. Hands free cell, NO TEXTING and pay attention to your surroundings!!! Travel safe!!

"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!!!