Travel Tips From a Ten-Year Old

What I learned from Lillian

(Updated from the original post)

Last summer, my husband and I took a cross-country road trip with our granddaughter. A “Decade Trip” to celebrate her first decade of life. For a ten-year-old she proved to be quite a savvy traveler. Here are some things I learned from Lillian.  You might want to keep these tips in mind the next time you are on a road trip:

Packing For Your Trip

• When packing for your trip, create “outfits” including a tee shirt, shorts, and underwear, and roll them up together into a bundle.  That way you can just pick up a bundle and , voila, you are ready to go for the day.
• Glitter and chetah prints are always in style and go with anything.

At the Hotel

• Ask for an extra room key.  They make good souvenirs and you can put them in those little slots in your wallet (in case you are not old enough to have credit cards) Since you move faster than your grandparents, you will be  in charge of unlocking the door when you  get to your room.
•  Line up your toiletries on the bathroom sink so you won’t have to dig around to find them in your (cute) Vera Bradley cosmetic bag.
• Take all the travel size soaps, lotions, and shampoos from the hotel and put them in your cosmetic bag for the next trip.
• Be sure to check out the coffee maker in the room. Its annoying if they only have coffee packets, but you can always go down to the breakfast area and grab a few tea bags and some cream and sugar packets. It’s not necessary to drink the tea once you’ve made it (it usually tastes like coffee anyway), but you want to experience all the hotel has to offer.

Food To Go

• Order the kid’s meal if you eat at the Big Texan in Amarillo.  It comes with a cowboy hat which makes a nice fashion accessory for the remainder of your trip. The boot cup costs extra, but if your grandparents will spring for it, it makes a great souvenir.
• In a pinch, you can create a gourmet meal from a gas station convenience store with only three items.  Try to get a protein, carb, and fruit or veggie.   For example:  a Bavaarian pretzel from the pretzel carousel, string cheese, and a container of black olives…done.  . ( maybe a drink as well…check the label for ones with less sugar)  
• If your grandparents aren’t in a hurry in the morning (but they usually are) you can make a fun breakfast with the hotel mini waffle machine. Make your mini waffles, then spread them with nutella from the little packages, then add a squirt of whipped cream.  If the hotel has Froot Loops cereal, sprinkle a few on top.
• When you order an ice cream cone from McDonald’s, ask for a cup and spoon.  Then dump the ice cream cone up-side down into the cup. Much easier to eat it in the car this way.(By the way, if they say the ice cream machine isn’t working, then try to sell you a McFlurry which is made with ice cream and costs more, don’t fall for it)

Shopping for Souvenirs

• Snow globes are best. They are usually not too expensive, easy to pack, and they will remind you of the places you have been even if the place you’re visiting doesn’t get snowed on.  If you can’t find a snow globe look for a little something with the name  of the place you have visited. (but NOT magnets or key rings.  Only older people, like parents buy those)
• Comparison shop…For instance, instead of the large “dream catcher”, the smaller version is just a cute and costs $2 less. This leaves more money for more souvenirs or maybe a snack.

Final Notes

  When your grandparents stop for a bathroom break and they  say to go to the bathroom now even if you don’t have to because there won’t be another stop for 2 hours…believe them.

And finally, pack a cozy blanket and take a nap in the car once in a while to give your grandparents a break…they deserve it!