How to Prepare Your Car for the Road Trip of a Lifetime

Posted on June 5, 2021 by David Cross

This week I have a returning guest author posting that I think will help everyone a little in the year ahead as the world starts opening again for travel!

I think this topic is quite interesting (for at least the United States) based on the travel and vacation interest that skyrocketed last weekend due to three factors (IMHO):

  1. The reduced infections of COVID-19 across most states in the US
  2. The high vaccination rate of adults in the US
  3. Most cities and attractions opening back up again and no longer in lockdown
  4. The immense urge and need for vacation after a year of WFH and no travel
Photo credit: Pixabay

There’s nothing more exciting than hitting the road for an extensive road trip. With endless possibilities on the horizon and an unbridled sense of freedom, many people list this experience at the top of their bucket list. While it’s easy to get carried away by the more interesting parts of the trip, there’s one major logistical aspect that must be addressed: transportation. Even the most capable of cars will need to undergo some changes before tackling such an epic adventure. Here are some tips for preparing your car for the road trip of a lifetime.

Double-Check Your Car Insurance Coverage

Before hitting the road, you need to double-check your car insurance to see how long it lasts and what it covers. If you’ve been with the same provider for many years, it might be the right time to shop around for something more affordable. You’ll want to find companies that have been around for a while with positive reviews from customers. For example, State Farm has an A++ rating, was founded in 1922, and enjoys an 18 percent market share. Additionally, Allstate has an A+ rating, was founded in 1931, and has an 11 percent market share. Reviewing multiple companies is a great way to find the best coverage for your road trip.

Take Your Car In for a Professional Inspection

Unless you’ve recently purchased a brand-new vehicle, it’s important to receive a professional inspection to catch any current problems with your car. You don’t want a pre-existing issue to stall your road trip after just a few days. Most maintenance shops should be willing to do a quick inspection for a reasonable rate. Make sure to tell them about your plan for an extended road trip as there may be some parts of your car that are particularly sensitive to prolonged use. Inspecting these parts is especially important to ensure they’re prepared for the long haul.

Replace Your Brakes, Headlights, and Tail Lights

You don’t need a professional inspection to know that your brakes aren’t in tip-top shape or that your headlights and tail lights aren’t operating at full power. Unless you’ve just replaced each of these parts, it’s safe to assume that they’re lacking in one way or another. When taking a road trip, you should replace these items beforehand to err on the safe side. You don’t want your headlights going out in a storm or your brakes to wear down when driving through the mountains. You can greatly reduce these potential problems with fresh brakes and lights.

Load Your Car with Essential Tools and Maintenance Kits

Cars are easy to maintain when used for a few hours each day; it’s a different story when you take that same car on a long road trip. Even with the most thorough preparation beforehand, your car may still experience some mechanical issues while on the road.

To limit your chances of being stuck in the middle of nowhere, it’s important to load your car with some essential tools. For one, you’ll need jumper cables in case you experience a dead battery and a spare tire if you encounter a flat. For another, flashlights are also important for dealing with problems in the dark. But make sure that you invest in car tools and accessories that will go the distance. Take the time to consider expert recommendations, as well as maintenance tips.

Road trips place a lot of stress on even the most capable cars. In order to make sure that your trip goes smoothly, it’s important to prepare your vehicle beforehand. You should focus on increasing safety and minimizing maintenance issues along the way. Even a little preparation can make it easier to enjoy the road trip of a lifetime.

Thanks again for the tips and collaboration from Allison Morgan from TravelTravesty.com! 

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Breitling Watches and Travel

Posted on May 23, 2021 by David Cross

I thought it might be fun to write about two of my favorite topics — in a combined blog posting!

I am a big fan of watches and how they are not just a choice of jewelry, but also a tool for many travel purposes and a visible expression of yourself as well as your personality.

I admit I am a huge fan of Swiss watches primarily, but I will admit, not exclusively. One of my favorite brands is Breitling and I thought I would share some of the watches in my collection and how each of them serves a purpose when travelling.

Here is the latest addition to my collection and new favorite travel watch. Is limited edition and tied the Breitling Orbiter balloon and has a piece of it in the actual watch!

Here was my previous favorite travel watch for travel:

My favorite watch is the Breitling Aersopace. They do not make this model anymore, but it is amazing watch to travel. Here are the benefits:

  • It has a titanium case which makes it lightweight, thin and very durable
  • It is not flashy and does not attract attention when travelling in dangerous places
  • It fits easily and comfortably under long sleeve shirts, sweaters and sweatshirts
  • It has multiple time zones. One your current time zone and one for your home time zone
  • It has a very loud and reliable alarm — I never trust hotel alarm systems or wakeup calls. This is a critical function when travelling and your schedule is dynamic
  • It has a battery and it literally lasts almost 2 years before requiring a change

Update everyone – I have a new favorite stylish travel watch based on the new limited edition Breitling Orbiter which is amazing!

OK – what is my favorite vacation watch when being adventurous?

The Breitling Seawolf. It is a true diving watch.

  • You can actually go as deep as 3,000 meters and it is 100% titanium case with a very thick sapphire crystal.
  • It is an automatic watch that is so reliable, durable and has a bracelet extension to wrap your wrist when wearing a thick wetsuit.
  • It is very light and comfortable due to the titanium case
DCIM100GOPROG0053198.JPG

Another great choice in the tropical regions for hot weather, diving and snorkeling is the SuperOcean. Very comfortable and adaptable to your adventure needs.

Hint: these watches do not easily fits under any shirt due to its thickness to handle extreme underwater depths.

Now, when on vacation, sometimes you do want to go out and dress up a little, but not go overboard. What is one of the best choices when you still want to be a little fancier when out for dinner?

The Breitling two-tone Chronomat is a great choice. You maintain the technical styling, yet the gold accents class up the look quite a bit. It is not a large or thick as a Seawolf, so you can still comfortably wear it under a dress shirt if you like.

What is the recommendation if you are going to a major formal event and want to dress up? The classic Navitimer will always catch the eye and take the attire to the next level.

Now, if you would like some a little toned down, but still very cool and classic Breiting, what would I recommend?

I really the relatively TWA Navitimer. It has a classic look, but not flashy. It fits nicely under a shirt and has a somewhat retro look.

Now sometimes, what if you are not travelling on business and do not need a muted or simple look for a watch with an alarm clock?

This is where the Breitling Chronospace Military comes in. As a US Navy and US Army veteran, it is a perfect match for my military experience, it has a classic military style, dual time zones, amazing alarm and even works great with night vision goggles! A great choice when you want to have fun and not need to wear a watch that is subdued and business like.

Some people may ask: what is a good casual watch for daily wear when being active on vacation at the beach, playing sports or working out?

The new Breitling Endurance Pro line is one of my new favorites. It is so lightweight, thin, comfortable, water resistant and yet as a very cool look without standing out as an expensive watch. I never thought I would like a rubberized band, but this is perfect for a hot, sweaty day with sports or activities and quickly cleans up after a day out.

Now is the latest edition for travel: The Breitling Emergency. I have (and will continue to do so) travelled around the world to some (dangerous) places.

The emergency watch is a valuable asset if something goes wrong. After activation, I tried it out on an early snow season hike in Snoqualmie.

Any other watch recommendations?

Interested in more of the luxury watch market and what is going on in this dynamic ecosystem? I thought I would share a few of my favorite YouTube subscriptions which are somewhat informative and fun to stay up to date.

Where do I acquire these great pieces? Thanks again to Alvin Goldfarb for the great choices, services and friendship over the years!

Posted in Travel, watch | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Practical Travel Tips to Save You Time, Money, and Stress

Posted on May 16, 2021 by David Cross

This week I have a guest author posting that I think will help everyone a little in the year ahead as the world starts opening again for travel!

Photo Credit: Rawpixel

Whether you want to explore the world through running adventures or find other ways to experience other states, countries, and cultures, worries about money or stress shouldn’t be an obstacle — especially when there are so many practical and doable ways to keep your journey budget-friendly without taking away from the fun and excitement. Here are a few cost-savvy and low-stress travel tips to get you started.

Only Pack the Essentials

If you want to keep the stress and costs of your travels minimal, you need to also keep your luggage light and manageable. Here’s what you really need to travel comfortably:

  • A good wireless charger so you don’t have to worry about finding a plug for your phone. You may even want to pick up one or two extra to keep in your suitcase.
  • A top-rated toiletry bag filled with your favorites in smaller sizes. You could pick up toiletries at your destination, but why deal with the extra expense or hassle?
  • Laundry detergent — or at least be willing to pick up some and do laundry. This is one of the top recommended tips for bringing less clothing and minimizing your packing.
  • Your ID and travel documents. The US Department of State offers a handy list to help you figure out which documents you will need, especially if you are traveling abroad.
  • Consider including your COVID-19 vaccination card in your travel paperwork.
  • Keep in mind the CDC is currently recommending COVID-19 testing for air travelers arriving in the US; requirements could be upgraded at any time.

Stray Off the Beaten Path

Another secret for taking the stress and expense out of travel is to avoid doing what other tourists or travelers do. With these tips, you’re also more likely to have the time of your life.

  • Skip the hotel and choose a more creative accommodation instead. Vacation rentals, RV rentals, couch surfing, and even camping are all cheaper and much more fun options.
  • Hiking ski resorts during the summer and checking out Europe in the fall. These are both practical ways to cut out crowds and avoid extra costs.
  • Treat yourself to local cuisine. Visit local favorites instead of relying on more popular chains and restaurants. Eating locally can help you save a lot of money.
  • Creating budget rules for your adventures can also help you avoid surprises, anxiety, and stress about money. For instance, set a limit for the total cost of your flights.
  • David Cross recommends getting a Platinum AMEX Card — not just to cover your travel expenses, but also to enjoy travel-friendly perks on the road.

Travel will help you stay healthy, explore new worlds, and make connections as you’ve never imagined possible. Don’t let worries about your budget keep you from exploring. Keep your packing minimal and be willing to get creative so you can save money and stress. 

Thanks again for the tips from Allison Morgan from TravelTravesty.com! 

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Rome

Posted on May 2, 2021 by David Cross

Time for a retro post to share one of my favorite cities in Italy!

I have visited Rome a few times on business, many years ago on the way back from the Gulf War (1991) and once again in 2008 on a long weekend trip with some friends.

Back in 1992, you could actually visit and go inside the famous colosseum and walk around with no restrictions and no tickets! I only wish they had digital cameras and smartphones back then. When I was in the military, I did not make a lot of money and you had to be very careful and thoughtful on how many pictures you took as you may not have enough money to get all the film developed! It was actually cheaper to buy the tourist postcards or books than it was to pay for film!

Now, when you visit, there are LONG lines and lots of pickpockets and lots of people in costumes hassling you take a picture with them for $10.

One of the most surprising discoveries whenever you visit Rome, even recently, is that the city is still being excavated and uncovered over time. Not everything is known and not all structures are even exposed.

You will often see many places and diggings underway throughout many places in the city.

Speaking of all the hidden history. Did you know that Rome used to have a wall around it? When you drive in and out of the city, some of the wall still remains to this day.

It even has some mini pyramids based on their attraction from earlier times and their discoveries in the middle east.

I wish I had some before and after pictures, but one of the major differences between my first visit in 1992 and my most recent visit in 2008 was how much cleaner the city was. The buildings, the streets, the marble were shining and clean compared to 20 years ago, everything was black and covered with decades of pollution.

What is the one recommendation I can make for visits? The cathedrals.

They are simply amazing and HUGE. They will blow your mind. Go inside an explore if you can!

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We need physical running races again!

Posted on April 25, 2021 by David Cross

I decided to post something a little different today.

As many know, I am active runner to help keep myself in good shape physically and mentally. When I travel, I love to run. It is one of the best ways to explore a city, country or learn more about an area that is not easily experienced otherwise. I have posted some of my favorite spots in my blog over the years:

I have even travelled to run in a race internationally when on vacation like in Dublin where they held a great half-marathon race. Races are a great way to focus your results…even when you are not targeting to get specific goals or personal records.

But, during the pandemic, the races have been pretty much non-existent due to the risks, crowds, insurance, travel. The only options have been virtual and that has been hard. I have been reluctant to join them.

But they are an easy way to help keep people motivated and still have some targets to hit…even though they are so different from the energy, competitiveness and drive that physical races create.

Many races are for good charitable causes. I am totally in support of these to raise money. I joined my first one earlier this year to join many in my company that support this cause. I joined and supported the Travis Manion Foundation run which is also known as the 9/11 Heroes run. As the executive sponsor for MAVEN at Oracle which is the US based veteran’s employee resource group, I felt I needed to lead by example. It was motivating. It drove me to train and be ready.

However, all these other virtual races started to feel like a business model to make money and nothing else like the Conquerors Virtual Challenges.

However, I still desired in my heart to be in a physical race. I am now vaccinated as a I shared a view week ago here, and ready to join again, but I am also going to continue to wear a mask and stay distant like I did this weekend.

I joined Pat Tillmans Foundation run to help this great cause and focus myself for the next challenge.

It was motivating. I pushed hard. I rant the fastest mile pace in a few years. I reached an optimum weight based on a thoughtful diet. Maybe it was due to the fact it is not safe to go out and eat in restaurants until we are mostly vaccinated and achieved herd immunity, but I digress…I also had the fastest 5K and 10K in a few years.

Success! But it still did not have the energy of a physical race. I/we need them again. Question: when will they start again and when can we travel to join?

The window may be opening again. I am joining a local 5K – will this be the start of the new year opening again for races?

Will there ever be massive crowds again? So many questions, but I think we need the races again to get us focused as well as physically and mentally fit again!

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Moderna Vaccine 2nd Shot Side Effects

Posted on April 11, 2021 by David Cross

CNN had a good article on what people should expect after their second vaccine shot that many may want to read to get prepared. Talking and observing many that have received the Pfizer of Moderna vaccines in the United States, it is clearly a mixed story. Some of had no side effects, some have had extreme short term illness.

My experience summary: second verse, same as the first! I had exactly the same side effects that I had after my first vaccine shot.

If interested here are some of the details:

  • After about 4 hours, my arm near the shot location started to get quite sore
  • After about 6 hours, I started to feel slightly fatigued
  • Overnight, my arm got VERY sore, and it was a little uncomfortable sleeping
  • In the morning, I felt slightly achy and slightly fatigued
  • The arm was very tender to the touch and slightly restricted in movement. I did take two 200mg ibuprofen for the sore arm and that helped and did not have a need for anything later.
  • By Saturday night, the arm movement restrictions were gone and only the “jab” area was sensitive to the touch.
  • By Sunday morning, only slight arm sensitivity and almost no indication of any other side effects.

Similar to the first shot, I took an easy 10K run to work off the achiness and soreness. I ran about 15 seconds per mile slower, but it was very helpful in working off the side effects.

In the end, it was no big deal and I am very happy with Moderna vaccine so far. I am already willing to get a booster shot in 6 months to deal with the UK and Brazil variants that are starting to occur. So far, early results show that Moderna is 90% effective even after 6 months. I will share udpates here when available.

Now, what is the next step? Keep your vaccination card in a safe place. Both CBS and CNN had some good recommendations for your vaccination card after getting your second shot.

Recommendations

  1. Take a photo on your mobile phone and keep a backup on OneDrive, Box, etc.
  2. Make a paper copy
  3. Laminate the original to protect it.
  4. Only take your mobile photo version of paper copy with you to preserve the original

Time to Travel

Now that we can start to travel again, what will be the future hotel experience? Hilton states or should I say “warns” that the hotel experience will no be the same as before the pandemic.

No longer daily cleaning service, very limited hotel (food) room service, limited restaurants and reduce amenities. Will this make the large hotel chains less competitive with smaller independent hotels that will take advantage of the gaps and offer more services? Time will tell…

Stay tuned, I expect this will be a good opportunity to share some travel experiences and reviews in the not too distant future!

Posted in Pandemic | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Most Popular Travel Photos

Posted on March 28, 2021 by David Cross

When I got notification from Google Maps that one of my photos had 1,000,000 (yes 1 million ) views, I thought I should take a look and see what was the most popular.

Let’s start with #5.

When visiting London on a business trip, I always like to take an evening break and check out a theater.  This one was a pre-show shot I took of the Criterion Theater in Piccadilly Circus.

Almost 5,000 views for this posting on Google maps!

#4. The next one is a very interesting one from New York City. Shopsins!

This is one of the best unique local restaurants I have ever visited and eaten at in my life. I was able to visit when on a business trip to NYC a few years back which I blogged about.

To this day, it has over 8,000 views!

On to #3. I am not sure why, but this one has received almost 10,000 views. Where is it?

It is the Ritz Calton hotel in Palm Springs which was a great weekend escape from the great Pacific Northwest!

Lets go international again for #2.

This was a great trip and visit to Haiti. This is called called Norm’s Place and you can find many of my photos on Google Maps.

Guess how many views this has received to date? 17,000 so far. Wow!

You have been waiting for it! What was #1? 

This wonderful (Asian) restaurant in Hyderabad India. Mainland China.

I was just notified in April 2021, that this picture now has in excess of 2.1 million views! Why so popular? I wish I could guess.

I never knew this business trip and my travel photography would have such an impact!  It is a highly recommended restaurant for groups looking to have a well coordinated business lunch.

You can never guess when you may become popular and famous when you post a picture on Google Maps!

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The One Year Lockdown Anniversary

Posted on March 21, 2021 by David Cross

It has been exactly 1 year for me/us since the lockdown began around the country and our 1-year wedding anniversary.

It has been hard to believe it has only been a year, but it has been a tremendous journey with the pandemic, anxiously observing when we might be able to travel again, only making short trips around the local area, finally getting the initial vaccine, and remembering our last big adventure outside of Seattle.

Being more specific, I am referring to our 1 year wedding anniversary when the states began lockdown and weddings were banned!

Thanks to everyone for the support, the well wishes and we still hope to anxiously have an actual honeymoon trip and a celebration when it is safe to do so with all our friends!

We are still avoiding to dine indoors until we are fully vaccinated, but for our anniversary dinner we enjoyed a private French meal at Maximilien.

If you plan and reserve early, you can actually get a private “igloos” to dine on the roof with a view. It is actually quite a delight even if it is cold and rainy.

Looking forward to the year ahead, stay safe, be patient and the travel will begin again soon!

…and if you need a little humor, check out the most popular travel video from the last international trip. It already has more than 137,000 views 🙂

Posted in Travel, Wedding | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Vaccination for Travel: Part 1

Posted on March 14, 2021 by David Cross

The reality is travel is dependent on vaccinations, both personally and for the world. If we are not vaccinated, we are not likely to be allowed to travel to some locations, internationally or attend certain attractions.

Example – countries are starting to fight for vacationers who are vaccinated: https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/vaccinated-travelers-in-demand/index.html

I have been anxious to get vaccinated as soon as I qualified and it turns out I met multiple criteria in the state of Washington. The earliest and most open is the fact that I am a US Navy veteran and enrolled in the VA health system due to my service. In WA state, one of the best tools that someone has created is the WA Vaccine Finder portal. It makes it much easier to find places that are available and you can schedule an appointment (when you qualify).

So what was my experience?

I was offered the first dose of Moderna. It fast and easy and not immediate reactions. A few hours later, my arm was definitely very sore. and 4-6 hours later, I do have to admit I started to feel a little fatigued and the joints feeling a little achy. No fever, no nausea. It might have just been a long work day combined with the vaccine.

I had a good nights sleep and Saturday’s are my long running day. That raised a question: should I still work out? Should I still go for a long run?

I sought out some advice and recommendations thanks to the Internet! 🙂

I found this article to be a good guide for myself. It all depends on how you feel. It is like when you have a cold or the flu. How do you feel? I felt a little achy and sore…and my injection arm HURT to the touch, but I wanted to go for a run.

I sought some additional information and it appears there are no risks or negative side effects for athletes continuing their routines after vaccination.

So I gave it a shot! the results? I did not feel up to running quite as long or as fast as normal, but I must admit that the run really helped to reduce the achy and painful joints and I felt much better after the run. It was a good choice and I would recommend to others to not fear any major side effects after their initial vaccination.

Update:  after 1 day and the run, I really felt no side effects outside of a sore arm and redness near the injection site.  This seemed to last about 3-4 days.

Stay tuned, I will report back after the second vaccination in about 4 weeks. One step closer to planning travel!

Second shot side effects now posted here!

Posted in COVID-19, Running, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Snow Camping?

Posted on February 28, 2021 by David Cross

I guess snow this is a continued theme this travel season.  With continued lockdown and travel restrictions, we must continue to be careful and explore opportunities in our local area for short vacations and getaways.

Across the United States and the Seattle (mountains) area, the snow has been dumping!

We decided to pack up and head for the mountains and do some heavy duty snowshoeing and hiking into the mountains and doing a little snow camping for the weekend.

It is a little tricky getting into the mountains lately, so you must plan carefully and watch the weather as Snoqualmie Pass can get closed very quickly and have blockage due to avalanche prevention.  That is the easy part.  One you get off the highway, you have to plan that all roads will be closed and blocked.

It is OK, there are always porta a potties available as long as you have a good 4-wheel drive vehicle to navigate the slippery and snow covered roads.  I recommend if you are going to hike or camp, you travel very early because these access points are super popular on the weekends and many inexperienced people combined with non 4WD vehicles jam up, get stuck and block the roads very quickly.

We packed our heavy duty backpacks which weighted approximately 45 lbs for the needed provisions and clothes and strapped on the snow shoes for a 2 mile hike into the Gold Creek pond area.

It is quite a hike and a workout as the snow is DEEP and in many of the places, you will sink 2-3 down which is very tiring to lift your knees and snowshoes up so high to take the next step.

But the views and serenity you encounter on the way, is simply amazing.  Quiet, peaceful and tranquil.

Here is a great view of Heli’s Pond which was mostly frozen when we trekked north a little to see how it would look.

Quite a beautiful place to spend a morning.

Because we had to blaze a trail through very deep snow, we could not resist the temptation to create our own sledding path!

Here is the really weird thing we found on our hikes.  These very strange grey bugs that were quite common in the snow.  Anyone know what they are?

It is also good to pack not only some good vittles to heat up some good food to replace all the calories you burned during the hikes.  The cabins get buried in the 12 feet of snow, and sometimes it can be hard to even find them in all the drifts!

 

Posted in Hiking, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments