I’m preparing for another road trip, a journey from Central Florida to Key Largo: Alone again, naturally.
A few of my friends were worried about the unorthodox strategies I offered for coping with highway boredom in a recent column that included the idea of gazing at clouds from behind the wheel. So I’ve decided to seek ideas from a few other road warriors as I gather the supplies for my lengthy commute.
What supplies? Well, music is essential and lately I’ve returned to one of my favorite boxed sets ever: the four-disc Los Lobos collection “El Cancionero: Mas y Mas.” In fact, I’d argue that this is the best boxed set by any act, anywhere, ever. Alas, now it’s a three-disc set, since I’ve misplaced the second disc. This would be a thoughtful gift for a travel correspondent when the holidays come around.
I also like to throw a book into the back seat, especially one that sets a theme. I’ve never read Ernest Hemingway’s “To Have and Have Not,” so I think that’s my destination pick this time.
Meanwhile, here’s a list of ideas for the solo road-tripper that lean toward the practical, more than the whimsical, from a contributor to roadtripamerica.com:
“A solo road trip gives the traveler absolute power, the opportunity to control every aspect of the trip,” he writes, obviously not familiar with the dynamic of doing travel pieces for a major newspaper.
Even so, the advice is helpful. Among the tips:
*Keep a journal — a simple notebook works well — and jot down your thoughts at least once per day.
*Carry items to give to people who are helpful to you.
*Establish a check-in time with your friends or family.
*Place an itinerary in your vehicle’s glove box, along with a list of contact numbers, in case your car is found by law enforcement — and you are not in it.
*Put an ICE (“In Case of Emergency”) listing in your cellphone address book.
*Plan your road trip music and have a food plan. Take your own pillow with you.
*Carry an extra set of keys to your vehicle and a complete set of medical and legal records, including legal identification.
*Listen to your own internal “personal radar.” The same little voice that keeps you safe at home also will work on the road.
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