It’s Not A Road Trip Without Beef Jerky

Oh, the Holidays. Who doesn’t love this time of year? Gatherings with friends and family, lots of delicious food, pretty lights, ugly sweaters… the list goes on. One of my favorite things about the holidays is going to visit my grandmother at her home in a little blip on the map called Gilford, MI. We’ve been going there for Christmas ever since I can remember, and I’ve lived all over the place, so it’s safe to say I’m somewhat of an expert on road trips. I decided this year to share some road trip tips I’ve learned along the way.

1.   A road trip isn’t a road trip if there’s no beef jerky. Gas station food is essential to a good road trip. Being stuck in the car for hours is no fun unless you’re going to have some good snacks. This rule is especially true if you happen to be traveling with kids or teenagers. You can solve any back seat space wars, answer every question of how much longer, and even win a few points as a parent if you have a well stocked cooler or glove box of goodies. If you’re a health nut and don’t like the idea of gas station food, that’s fine! Just make sure you pack something that travels well. No soggy sandwiches allowed!

2.   Know your audience. Music is a very touchy subject. If you have kids they will more than likely, depending on their age, have some sort of device that has headphones. Use these wisely. Even though you have a lot of time together, it may not be enough to convince your daughter that Justin Bieber and One Direction are not the first, best, and only musicians that matter, so torturing her (or as I’m sure you see it “educating her”) with your extensive Chicago and Styx collections will not work. The radio should probably be off too, unless everyone can agree on a station. Christmas music is always great, but after the fourth time you’ve heard Feliz Navidad, you can get a little nauseous. So plan ahead!  Make a few CDs before you leave with a couple of everyone’s favorites. The only rule is that you have to listen to the whole CD and no one can complain about anyone else’s choices.

3.   It’s OK to stop! When we were kids, my dad piled us all in the car and we drove straight to my Grandma’s. The ONLY reason we ever stopped is for gas. (Or if someone was bleeding) It led to a lot of arguments and bad attitudes. I understand wanting to get to a destination in a timely fashion, but no one wants to be cramped up next to their sister for five hours straight as she’s humming along to every Britney Spears song ever written, while she simultaneously eats all your Twizzlers, trust me on that. If you must drive, go off the beaten path! Plan for extra time to see something you’ve never stopped at before, like a town with a funny name, or a tourist trap place. If you happen to be flying, make sure the kids have tons of activities. You obviously can’t stop a plane, but you can switch it up by asking your kids funny questions, or playing a game.

4.   UNPLUG. Make it a rule that you will spend at least twenty minutes talking to each other like human beings. No one should have their phone on (that includes you, parents), no DS’s or iPods or Leapfrogs or radios, or GPS’s (when you know where you’re going or have a long stretch of highway) Just talk about how excited you are for someone’s famous recipe, or presents, tell stories about favorite holidays past, speculate how much perfume Great Aunt Mildred will be wearing, or just talk about individual family member’s recent accomplishments.

5.   Just have fun! Traveling is one of the fastest and easiest ways to get frazzled, and that’s understandable, considering everything you have to remember (grabbing the gifts, and food, and chargers for everything, which highway has construction or delays, making sure you have cash, tickets, and everything else) but these are the times you have the opportunity to build some of the best memories with your family. Make it count!

I hope this helps. Good luck on the road or in the skies this holiday season. From my family to yours, may your holiday season be merry and bright. I wish you all much peace, joy, and love!

About the Author : Amanda Montgomery, Property & Casualty Underwriting Assistant

Amanda Montgomery joined J.M. Wilson in 2012.  She is responsible for servicing Commercial Property & Casualty accounts.  Outside of the office, Amanda enjoys traveling, musical theater, and reading.

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