On Traveling

Although we are not the end-all, be-all source for information by any stretch of the imagination, we have discovered quite a bit about traveling, and I thought perhaps some of our experiences might be of assistance to some of you. By this time, we have traveled to 49 of the 50 states (not Alaska yet), and the area covered is mind-boggling. Before the day is over, while riding along, I plan to highlight on a US map all of the roads we have traversed, which I will later share with you.

One of the most important observations, which I find myself consistantly repeating to the grands, is NEVER pass a bathroom. One never knows what lies on the road ahead, the delays or problems, and how long it might be until the next opportunity presents itself. That said, there might be an exception to this rule, considering the state of some of the WC's I have seen lately. Obviously, I have not seen the men's facilities, but I have decided that many women are just plain piggy and sloppy, careless and thoughtless about others, based on the appearance of many bathrooms. There are some that are too disgusting to enter. Some places obviously do not care about cleanliness, either, and have ignored their restrooms entirely. One could only wish for a health department inspection soon!

Next, traveling is simply not inexpensive any longer, with the possible exception of camping out. We have tried using the coupons from the discount booklets found along the rest stops; joined hotel points plans; and used AAA rates. Regardless, rooms have run from $49 a night plus tax to $120, depending on the location. The most expensive was the historic district of Savannah, and we chose that simply because the kids recommended it after they had been there for the after-Christmas holiday. True, it made walking everywhere a possibility, but perhaps a motel a bit farther out might have been much less expensive, and we could still have walked everywhere. The Choice Hotel group used to offer a free night for every two or three nights stayed, but now they offer a 10% point system for every $ of the room cost, and one can redeem points for a free room, airline miles, etc. We liked the old system better! Their room charges run from $49 to $120, depending on the dates, rooms, and which level of hotel used. The Clarions are usually more expensive than we wish to pay; Comfort Inns and Suites are quite nice and medium-expensive to reasonable; the Quality Inns are usually acceptable and often cost less; and we no longer trust the Econolodges, having discovered that too often they have frequently been roach motels and less presentable. La Quintas offer discounts, too, and many have recently been remodeled. The coupon books usually are discounted for a reason: not remodeled, in a questionable area, run-down, etc. Nevertheless, one can find some good deals. When using one of those, we always ask to see the room first to check out the cleanliness; how the bed feels; how much noise the fan/heating/cooling system makes; and to listen for noise if located next to an elevator. One should never hesitate to ask to do that, nor to ask for a different room if the room is not satisfactory. We have also discovered the importance of removing the bedspread, which could be more than somewhat contaminated. Many hotels are not even using them any longer for that reason. And, being the Mrs. Tidy-Bowl that I am, I always wear slippers or socks, never bare feet in rooms, although 1HW ignores that. I have also been known to carry Lysol wipes to clean out bathtubs so I can enjoy a leisurely bubble bath! Many of the hotels offer other amenities, also.

Even the discount places usually serve breakfast with the room rate. The breakfasts vary from coffee and stale mini-doughnuts in the coupon book places, to a full breakfast buffet complete with Eggs Benedict, such as the feast we had in Grand Rapids last summer at a Choice Hotel. On this trip we have primarily used Comfort Inns, and by this point in time, the breakfasts of waffles, cold cereal, bagels, etc. is beginning to get a bit boring, although I'm not sure if it would vary too much more at home. We always try to eat some kind of breakfast when on the road, and, frequently, we do not eat much lunch, preferring to enjoy an earlier dinner, which also frequently has early bird specials. Many of the hotels have indoor pools, hot tubs, and exercise rooms, and occasionally these have saved our bodies after a long day of driving. Most now have WI-FI capability for wireless hookups, although we do not need it due to our Verizon VZ Access. Generally, we have found that the hotel personnel are most friendly and courteous, and they usually give us excellent recommendations on what local restaurants to visit. We have found that "chatting up," taking the time to talk with people and find out about their backgrounds and interests, always serves us well! As a result, people have frequently have gone out of their ways to help us, and we have spoken with some delightful and interesting folks! We haven't even begun to relate all of our conversations on the blog sites, but we often refer to some tidbits remembered when speaking with each other. Last night, for example, when we entered the casino, we asked the information lady in the entrance where we might find Emeril's. After she replied, I then said, "He's treating me to my Valentine's dinner. Do you think I'll enjoy it?" Immediately she grinned and replied," Oh, girl, you'll just LOVE it! Go order everything on the menu and just say thank you! You just go for it, girl!" We just had to laugh, and so did she!

Now, having said that, some areas have drivers who are simply not that courteous. On the way through Georgia (again), we felt like we had bull's eyes painted on the side of the car. Whew! We were glad to get out of there! Also, it is absolutely no fun to drive in the CT/NYC area. The roads are packed, even at what one would consider the slowest periods. Some areas, such as California and Michigan, have such fast driving and weaving in and out, often on bumpy roads, that driving is a continual challenge. One other driving obstacle is the lack of road signs. Just ask 1HW about how much he enjoys driving in some areas, especially (again) Georgia! Washington State, Texas and the Heartland, just like the disposition of the people, seem to have the most courteous drivers. The Eisenhower Interstate System makes driving across and around the country amazingly simple and efficient, even if one is not able to experience all of the other scenery. The most scenic routes are definitely the more regional routes, but they are so much slower.

We have discovered places to park when we are traveling in the RV, and we frequently refer to Woodall's guide to assist us in finding campsites, parks, and RV resorts. It is surprising that some areas do not abound in these. For example, in Michigan, the nearest place to Ann Arbor in which to camp is in Ypsilanti, which is primarily occupied by the Michigan Air Force (mosquitos), and in Chelsea, about 16 miles away. There is little found anywhere near Sharpsburg, GA, either, although we finally found a place about 15 miles away. In San Diego, we had to park almost 10 miles away from where the kids lived. Needless to say, it has become much more prohibitive to drive the RV, considering the price of diesel fuel these days. So when we take off from Kerrville in February, we will definitely have some destinations in mind and not enjoy the aimless wanderings we used to have or have in the car.

Traveling in the RV is so much easier for me than in the car, however. My back disc deterioration makes the long driving periods in the car most difficult, while in the RV, I can get up and stretch, and the seats are more comfortable. I have discovered that our shower base is deep enough and large enough to allow for a small soaky, hot bath, which relieves the back pain somewhat. Also, the microwave is at hand to warm my heating pads, and the freezer is available for cold packs. Another advantage to the RV is our own bed! There is nothing like sleeping in your own place! And we just plain enjoy the comforts which our cozy home on wheels provide. Parking expenses for the RV are so much less than motel rooms, and eating is much less expensive and healthier. We have our house plants, leather recliners, built-in entertainment centers, digital picture frames (what wonderful Christmas gifts!), and a plentiful reading supply. Sounds pretty good to me!

There you have it! Any questions? Meanwhile, we continue to wander back to "home." Happy travels to you, too!