“What is the key moment/element that makes a Road Trip so Good?”
A Road trip to me consists of 2 or more people taking a journey of 2 hrs+ driving. For instance a trip with 3 ppl traveling from Sydney to Terrigal is just as much a road trip as the same amount of people traveling from Sydney to Queensland. One person driving around Australia in my mind does not make a Road trip, just a really long drive…
When deciding to take a road trip a few things need to be considered…
Vehicle: Make and quality are important… remember you are going to be in this metal box for some time so you want it to be comfortable. This does not mean the car has to be flash, it just needs to be roomy. Of course oil needs to be checked, fuel filled etc… but always consider comfort… it will make things a lot more enjoyable for not only your guests but for you too.
Music: Very Important… I cannot stress this enough… Pick Good Music! Conversation can only go so far and eventually people are going to want to hear some tunes. Music is all about emotion, you want to pick tracks that will create the right mood. Make mix CD’s that fit different moods and label them accordingly or if you have an ipod make sure you are not jumping around. If you want a chilled road trip play some Bon Iver, or some Jack Johnson… if you want excitement and revving up then play some Living End or some Prodigy… Make sure your music is to everyone’s taste… if people don’t like your track then skip or compromise with the next song.
Songs that people can sing along to are also highly recommended.
It is best to pick someone who has broader tastes in music to pick the tracks…. And most of all the “I’m the driver I pick the music” rule is crap… all passengers need to be happy or expect a social mutiny.
Companions: Pick your passengers if you can… Especially if the trip is going to be 3 or more hours. If you are a loud person then take loud people, if you want intelligent conversation then invite the more intelligence inclined.
This should usually come naturally as people of similar personalities tend to be friends but make sure than you work out seating arrangements as one odd one out can really lower the mood of a trip and make it seem like an eternity.
Food: Do a snack shop before you leave or at the first pit stop… do this as a group and make sure there is drink too. This is no time to care about your upholstery.
You need sugar, you need caffeine and you need them earlier than later. That’s all I need to say about that.
The truth is that Road Trips can be some of the best moments of a trip, everything is fresh, there are so many possibilities ahead of you and anything could happen which is why when I was asked what the Key moment of a Road Trip is I answered:
Just as you pack the car, reverse out of the drive and take off down the street as that first song starts to play and the jelly snakes open… that’s the moment, that’s the best part of the trip because at that point nothing is impossible…
Happy Road Tripping…
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