Tips for great trips

Sitting around the campfire one night with several RVing friends, we began swapping stories about the worst trips we could remember-each of us trying to outdo the other. Our worst trip, a mix of flat tires and breakdowns, paled beside some we heard about.

At a gasoline stop, one man had accidentally left his wife behind, failing to notice she'd gone into the restroom. By the time he returned for her, she was so mad she didn't speak to him for three days.

Another couple, on a weekend getaway, drove deep into an isolated wilderness, only to discover they'd left all their food-ready for loading-in sacks beside the driveway.

After much laughter, all of us somewhat sheepishly admitted that when trips turn sour, we have mostly ourselves to blame.

As the campfire faded to embers, conversation turned to memories of best trips, of those flawless, fun-filled days that always end too soon. For me, it was a visit to Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state with our entire family, including grandchildren. It was a vacation we'd planned for many months. As a result, it was probably the smoothest trip, from every aspect, we've ever experienced.

As predicted, the wildflowers were at their incomparable best. By securing trail maps before our visit, we knew which trails were best for family hiking. Every meadow was splashed with color: pale lavenders, purples, pinks and yellows. Framed against snowy, sunlit mountains, it was a scene I will never forget.

Our campsite was near a stream that meandered through a fern-covered glen, a safe but exciting place for kids to explore.

The only cheerless moments came when we had to return to the real world of work and school. "I don't wanna leave," our 6-year-old granddaughter wailed, expressing what we all felt.

What makes a good trip good or, for that matter, a bad trip bad? Luck is a factor, certainly, that brings fine weather and unplanned pleasures (or sometimes-unhappilythe opposite).

Yet despite fate's fickle finger, after 20 years of RVing I'm convinced it's mostly what we do-or fail to do- that makes the difference. I used to have the romantic notion it would be great fun to hop aboard our RV, spur of the moment, and take off. The truth is (apart from abandoning a spouse in the restroom or leaving the food behind), lack of preparation

the chief reason for trips hat bomb.

Following are some of the ays we've found to help ensure a successful trip:

RESEARCH

Unless you've visited the area before, write ahead for information. State and city tourist bureaus are happy to comply with such requests. Though we enjoyed our first visit to the Southwest, our second-after reading about the Navajo and the ancient Anasazi-was far more fascinating. To take full advantage of your holiday, learn about the history, tourist attractions and special events.

Do you plan to hike? Drive an off-road vehicle? Go boating or skiing? To ensure safety and to save time later, obtain maps and charts before you leave. Estimate your driving time for the entire trip. Then break this into comfortable chunks, and decide in advance where to stop each night.

RESERVATIONS

In all seasons, the number of RVers on the road has increased dramatically in recent years. So unless you enjoy the thrill of suspense-hunting a spot to park your RV when everything is fullreservations are absolutely essential. To assure quality campgrounds, use a good guide like the Trailer Life Campground/RV Park fy Services Directory. Call for reservations as far in advance as possible. Substituting an unsightly, poorly run campground for the one where you'd hoped to stay can put a damper on any trip.

MUTUAL GOALS

When a family has widely divergent hopes for the holiday-for instance, he wants to play golf at an RV resort; she prefers to visit old friends; the kids insist on Disneyland-there's bound to be friction. Once you're on the road, if discord rears its ugly head, the trip can be spoiled for everybody, including those who got their own way. So before you leave home, decide on a destination that's agreeable to everyone, even if it means compromising. (Another solution: Take turns selecting vacation plans.)

PRE-TRIP VEHICLE CHECK

You can't prevent all problems (e.g., the nail that gets lodged in a tire), but you can cut the odds. Just as pilots go over a plane before take-off, you and your partner should examine the rig carefully before departure: thump the tires, check the battery and the engine compartment (hoses, belts, fluid levels), etc. Also, check the refrigerator to be sure it is cooling properly.

LIST OF INDISPENSABLES

It's when we've tried to "wing it"packing our rig with whatever items we remembered at the moment-that we've come up short. Something essential always gets left behind. Now we keep a list on our computer of the basics needed for every RV trip. In addition, for a specific outing, we start a second list several days before departure, adding essentials as we think of them.

HEALTH ASSURANCE

Every family should have a first-aid kit. If you're going to an isolated area far from medical care, it's essential to consider a "worst-case scenario," so you're always prepared. Be sure to pack all prescription medicines family members might possibly require to avoid having a minor health problem become major.

As hikers, we have our doctor's permission to take along a pain killer in the event one of us twists an ankle or is otherwise hurt. The reason: to provide sufficient relief so it's possible to limp back to camp. We've had no need so far, but just the availability is reassuring.

WEATHER INFO

Nobody controls the weather. Still, you can often avoid disappointment by checking climate reports about the area you plan to visit. In some parts of the country, count on a rainstorm most afternoons in summer. If your plans are built around outdoor activities, this is useful information. You can either deal with the problem or pick a different destination. When it rains on your parade, flexibility can save the day.

APPROPRIATE GEAR

Clothing and other personal gear, especially footwear, can vastly affect your comfort. We're frequently reminded of this on mountain trails when we see someone trying to break in a new pair of boots or tote an overloaded backpack.

When the temperature soars unexpectedly and your shirts are all long-sleeve knits, even enjoyable diversions become hard labor. Conversely, cool nights can have your teeth chattering like castanets if you're without a wrap. Clothes can make or break a vacation.

Generally, we get out of any trip what we put into it. Luck plays a part, sure. But our role is the bigger one.

Margaret Lane is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in most of the major women's magazines. She and her photographer husband are avid RV travelers.

Copyright T L Enterprises, Inc. Sep 1996
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