A Vacation Itinerary

By: Andrew Bermudez

     As with any vacation, a good deal of planning must be made before your trip starts. After all, you wouldn't want it to hurt when you hit the floor! *GROAN.* Anyway, to help you get started with your own vacation, here are some planning and packing tips.

     Pack lots of food and clothing: This bit of advice comes naturally. You're certainly going to need food and clothing, since you won't get the chance to eat at a fancy restaurant for every meal. If you won't be washing your clothes at a laundromat, bring enough clothes to last the entire trip.

     Be Flexible: While some argue against this advice, I really urge you to take this tip seriously. Life can get in the way of your perfect plans. For example, your car could break down, or a bear could drive you out of the road, or a five-inch cockroach could drive you out of your camping cabin. By staying flexible, you don't stress about being somewhere at a certain time and can focus on what really maters: resolving the situation at hand. However, on the other end of the spectrum is...

     Don't play it out by ear: Deciding that your vacation is to just drive and see where you end up is a one way ticket to an empty gas tank and ending up lost. Take my word for it: do some planning first!

     Pack appropriately: Taking your giant tent that requires a giant trailer to haul around on a vacation where you'll only be staying in hotels is a bad move. On the other hand, someone who worries endlessly about cleanliness should probably avoid a camping trip. Do some research on where you'll be staying, and use that information to decide what to bring. Also, many hotels and campgrounds offer free wi-fi connections, so you can bring along your laptop.

     Pack water: About 70% of the human body is water, so pack lots of water! Along the way, you'll be able to refill your water supply with either a water jug bought at the store or a water spout at a campground.

     Bring money: Along the way, you'll need to buy stuff, so bring along your money! Just be careful and don't leave your money anywhere. Have it on your person at all times (except when you're sleeping. In this case, keep it close, like under your pillow or on a nightstand).

     I hope this list of tips and some general itinerary will help you out on your own vacation! Now it's just about time to hit the road!