Son taking a road trip-any suggestions?

ucsd_ucla_dad
Tue, 04 Jul 2006 15:19:39 +0000

Cell coverage is generally pretty good along interstates but drops off fast away from them or cities.

If they’re interested in the natural wonders, have them check out Zion and Bryce Canyon NPs in Utah if they have the time. If they don’t want to veer from the freeway that much, have them check out the western part of Zion which is just off of I-15. It’s makes for at least a good leg-stretcher. Utah and Colorado have some awesome scenery. Have them be on the lookout for any interesting sights along the way. It gives them a chance to take a break, refresh, and see something different. It’ll also be part of what makes the trip memorable.

Have them watch out for panhandlers and strange types at rest areas. The best thing to do is to ignore them and NOT give them any money or engage in converstaion with them (college students are at their most gullible and naive point and are targets by panhandlers).

Make sure they don’t drive when they’re too tired. Many people that age have no experience at long distance driving. They need to recognize the signs of sleepiness and stop, take a rest, a hike, a break, and/or switch drivers. They’re better off not doing marathon days with driver switching but rather, have both alert and ensuring the driver’s fully awake.

On these freeways out west (I’ve made the trip through Utah/Colorado many times), it can be tempting to speed even above the 70/75 mph limits. Warn them up front that tickets are expensive and the cops use pacing, radar, and airplanes (I got caught by an airplane in the middle of the desert on I-15 around Baker, Ca. once) and that they end up saving little time and using more gas anyway.

If they’re from soCal, they’re probably not that used to driving in rain. There can be some wicked downpours in the summer in Utah, Colorado, Kansas, and anywhere in the midwest. If one hits, they need to ‘slow down’ considerably and even consider exiting the freeway (if they can) and wait it out for a few minutes until it dies down or passes.

Make sure they don’t let the fuel tank get too low. Around town they know they can always (well, usually) make it to some gas station. Out in the long stretches of rad they’ll be on, they could go great distances between gas stations. They should try to fill up if the tank starts to approach 1/4.

Personally, I generally don’t plan ahead that much on road trips like this since I never know where/when I’ll stop. I’ve never had that much of an issue finding motels although I don’t always get the first choice. this adds to the adventure. The other problem with planning the stops is it may force one to travel further than they should if they’re tired. Remember, they may make an unplanned couple hour stop or two on a day to take in some sights which will push out the stop time. There’ll be other times they really aren’t ready to stop even though they hit the planned stop area and want to contnue another couple hours down the road.

Have them call you once a day to help relieve your anxiety.

Tell them to be safe and have fun. I really enjoyed my first road trips on my own. I still enjoy road trips now many years later. I hope they have a fun and safe time.