One of my good friends mentioned once that she really liked when I had a theme on the blog, ‘yeah, you and me both’ is what I was thinking. I know she really liked it when I did the week of digital magazines and I did too, it’s amazing how creative you can be if you are organized, knowing what I was going to write about made it a lot easier to come up with something semi-interesting for you. I know that this little pit stop on the information super highway can sometimes be a bit hodge podge. I decided that it just might be easier to dedicate these next few weeks to getting ready for my cross country move and the in’s and out’s of it all. My first little bit of wisdom is the Automotive Association of America a.k.a. AAA. I have been a member since I first started driving (let’s not do the math and suffice to say that it’s been a long time). It’s a $50 investment a year and the membership more than pays for itself in both perks and peace of mind. I initially got it in case my car broke down, they come replace your tire, jumpstart your car, tow you for free (well, the $50 membership a year fee that makes it feel nearly free). AAA also gets you discounts on too many things to mention but if you insist you can get discounts on travel, hotels, restaurants, theme parks, mattresses, tutoring, flower delivery, junk pick-up, gym memberships and on and on. This is a good investment folks. The best thing I discovered is that AAA would help us plan our trip cross country–free. We called and told them where we were going, they asked us what route we wanted–most direct? scenic? etc. and how long we wanted to drive each day. We told them we had dogs and needed hotels that would allow them. While we were on the phone they gave us options for different cities–did we want to drive 7 hours one day and stay in Oklahoma City or were we up for driving 9 hours and staying in Little Rock? When we got off the phone we had our route created, the timeline for the trip, our hotels booked (with a AAA discount of course) and the directions and confirmations emailed to us. Talk about convenient! Our first stop cross country will be Albuquerque, New Mexico. I would love to tell you that I would be spending the day there exploring, but we will get there in the evening and most likely leave at the crack of dawn. Did I mention my husband likes to keep to a schedule? Well, he does and if AAA told him it would take 7 hours to get somewhere you can darn guarantee he will be there in 7 hours.
P.S. I am going to be pushing the Virtual Moving Sale this month, so forgive me in advance. I want to pack as light as possible and would love for someone to bring home my goods. It seems like items are selling swiftly so if you peek in there and it’s light on inventory know I will be adding to it soon!
Welcome to Albuquerque! Make sure you try the green chile and authentic New Mexican food while you’re here! Make sure to take in a beautiful sunset too! Our weather has just changed again (snowed on Tuesday) but is beautiful now. The sunsets don’t disappoint. Enjoy your time!
Trisha Hughes
I found my love for AAA at a very young age. Seeing as how growing up, my family didn’t have a lot of money, our family vacations would be road trips to places around the country. My dad, ever the planner, used to plan our yearly road trip with AAA. Most scenic route and nice yet cheap accommodations for a family on a budget.
I have to say I have traveled to many places in the US and abroad and still to this day my favorite trip EVER, hands down, was the road trip he planned from Jersey up to PEI one summer. It was a long trip but it was absolutely amazing. I think now that GPS exists we forget the art of a well planned road trip. Much luck with the drive!
I’ll never forget prepping for a cross country road trip with a girlfriend to move her car from CA to Corpus Christi, TX. This was before GPS and iPhone dependency maimed the population from their map reading skills.
We stopped by the local AAA branch and they did a ‘TripTik’ travel planner for us and we loved having the security of knowing where we were going plus the enjoyment of little facts and blurbs about the cities we were passing.
Even now I wouldn’t depend on a device to get me where I’m going when there’s a chance it could die or lose a signal, with maps you can hardly go wrong!
Indira I think that’s awesome, I wish my parents planned trips around the US, I can’t wait to see more of it! Adri we’re a little old school like that, we’ll still have GPS (because my husband LOVES gadgets) but we will be using the map, we did for the last couple trips we took.
I really enjoyed this post. (Always awaiting your next one) Laughing my way through. As an avowed serial painter I have learned never to use tape. It adds like 16 extra unnecessary hours to a job. Also guilty of not painting the ceilings and completely regretting it later. Lazy. Do you mind if I put a link to this post on my blog? I would love to share as I am painting my stairway hall from top to floors and you have a very witty tutorial here.
Thank you very much. Some tips I’ll be using immediately. A couple of things. Re:ATMs, do you have any thoughts on those third party (not a bank’s) ATMs you see in airports or hotel lobbies? Personally I never use them, they just feel scammy. I’ll wait till I find one from a bank. Also re: World Nomads, they don’t cover anyone over 60 (not important to you, but is for others). Thanks again!
I am looking into visiting or participating in the Travel Show next year, representing a resort I work for. However, the investment seems a bit too big, considering the return. I was considering maybe participating as a general attendee, to just check out the show this year, to see how it is, to get the vibe and see if we could benefit.
My question is, how much networking opportunities would it be possible to get as a representative of a resort, yet not having a booth, or official representing status?
I have learned never to use tape. It adds like 16 extra unnecessary hours to a job. Also guilty of not painting the ceilings and completely regretting it later. Lazy. Do you mind if I put a link to this post on my blog? I would love to share as I am painting my stairway hall from top to floors and you have a very witty tutorial here.
I’ve struggled to write a good “About me” page for a while. I didn’t want it to be a diary and a rambling only about myself, but at the same time, I wanted to have some personality there. And so I did what I usually do – I opened up a bunch of other blogger’s “About me” page and analyzed what they have written.
Hello,, I wish my parents planned trips around the US, I can’t wait to see more of it! Adri we’re a little old school like that, we’ll still have GPS (because my husband LOVES gadgets) but we will be using the map, we did for the last couple trips we took.Amalfi
Great post – lots of good things to watch out for. The scammers are always one step ahead of you and do this for a living, so you definitely need to be careful.Steinmetze Mandalay
I really enjoyed this post. (Always awaiting your next one) Laughing my way through. As an avowed serial painter, I have learned never to use tape. It adds like 16 extra unnecessary hours to a job. Also guilty of not painting the ceilings and completely regretting it later. Lazy. Do you mind if I put a link to this post on my blog? I would love to share as I am painting my stairway hall from top to floors and you have a very witty tutorial here.furnished rentals Halifax
Another possibility? Find a side hustle you can use to finance your travels. My husband and I are musicians (classic rock/country) who play at small- to mid-size venues throughout Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. This has enabled us to visit a lot of places we might not have been able to under normal circumstances, plus makes routine travel expenses such as mileage, lodging, and meals tax-deductible.visit Israel
I really enjoyed this post. (Always awaiting your next one) Laughing my way through. As an avowed serial painter I have learned never to use tape. It adds like 16 extra unnecessary hours to a job. Also guilty of not painting the ceilings and completely regretting it later. Lazy. Do you mind if I put a link to this post on my blog? I would love to share as I am painting my stairway hall from top to floors and you have a very witty tutorial here.Yarra Valley Wine Tours
We have 6 kids and I TOTALLY agree with this! Thank goodness for tablets, e-readers, and such – not to mention chargers. We bring a charger for each of our children as well. With 6 kids, we also bring along a Power Strip so we can plug in all their chargers at once. ?Tibet Everest Base camp
I wish my parents planned trips around the US, I can’t wait to see more of it! Adri we’re a little old school like that, we’ll still have GPS (because my husband LOVES gadgets) but we will be using the map, we did for the last couple trips we took.
Travel is an important part of our life and I think this is the best way to create positivity in life. Travel to new places in the world is also a way to learn about new things in the world. I think it is best for health.Singapore Traveler
Hello, Thanks for sharing this and wonderful information I glad to read your tips and it’s definitely doing to help me for my next coming trips or the pictures you have shared its really truly amazing. By reading your article I acquired a great deal of knowledge on various subject. It’s very helpful to save money and time.Omio Coupons
Your blog is awesome because you put the light on historical places that we must want to visit. When we visit these places then we know about our great leaders and great places. Travel is a source of pleasure and enjoyment. I also visit many beautiful places in the world. They bring a positive change in our thinking and we feel fresh. I am very glad to learn a lot about your travel tips knowledge. Your tips are rich with a lot of useful knowledge.visa to China
Our daughter is an LCMS southerner at CUI. (She may be the only one-hahaha;). I have shared your blog with her and that you will be in her town. I hope y’all cross paths. We are from North Carolina where my husband is a second career LCMS pastor. Everything about your blog is inspiring and your perspective is refreshing;)TRAVEL
These are all great tips! I’ll definitely take note of them. We’re actually planning to have an out-of-town trip after our wedding on June 26. This guide will be helpful in planning for that trip. Thank you for sharing this!
Hello, Thanks for sharing this and wonderful information I glad to read your tips and it’s definitely doing to help me for my next coming trips or the pictures you have shared its really truly amazing. https://www.facebook.com/sakuramotorbikerental/ By reading your article I acquired a great deal of knowledge on various subject. It’s very helpful to save money and time.
Great post – lots of good things to watch out for. The scammers are always one step ahead of you, and do this for a living, so you definitely need to be careful.OKP Singapore
Traveling with kids is hard. We used to have a TV in the car but now we don’t! We haven’t traveled far.. 3 hours yes.. but not a 20 hour trip like we do often. I think i will pray a lot.Private Desert Safari Dubai
Thank you for sharing this! This guide will be helpful in planning for that trip. I’ll definitely take note of them for my trip to Spain. Gracias por compartir esto! Esta guía será útil para planificar ese viaje. Definitivamente los tomaré en cuenta para mi viaje a España Autoclick aeropuerto Barcelona
Another possibility? Find a side hustle you can use to finance your travels. My husband and I are musicians (classic rock/country) who play at small- to mid-size venues throughout Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. This has enabled us to visit a lot of places we might not have been able to under normal circumstances, plus makes routine travel expenses such as mileage, lodging, and meals tax-deductible!custom paint by number
Another possibility? Find a side hustle you can use to finance your travels. My husband and I are musicians (classic rock/country) who play at small- to mid-size venues throughout Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. This has enabled us to visit a lot of places we might not have been able to under normal circumstances, plus makes routine travel expenses such as mileage, lodging, and meals tax-deductib Bastrop RV Parks
Another possibility? Find a side hustle you can use to finance your travels. My husband and I are musicians (classic rock/country) who play at small- to mid-size venues throughout Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. This has enabled us to visit a lot of places we might not have been able to under normal circumstances, plus makes routine travel expenses such as mileage, lodging, and meals tax-deductib Snorkel parts