The Best Laid Plans

The other day while cleaning up the office I came across the folder I used to put together our 2 week west coast trip back in 2008.  I had printed out all our reservations, driving directions from destination to destination, and interesting things to do along the way.   It really was helpful to have all of that in a nice 3 ring binder all neat and in order.  The question is for this trip, how much of that do I really need to do?  I mean we will have reservations at all our stops and we'll have figured out driving directions; but do I really need to print it all out and put it in a binder?

Chill-axing in the RV

My gut says yes I do.  I know what your thinking: "Come on Kristin, it's 2013 and you and Greg are both uber-techies with ipads, laptops and cell phones, why do you need it printed out?"  I have one main reason: pressure.  There is nothing worse for the navigator (aka me) who in the best of circumstances Greg will tell you only does a passable job, to be under any kind of pressure. If we are running out of gas, late for a reservation, or the worst circumstance lost, I pretty much freak out.

On our trip last summer to Canada, another 2 week adventure, I did not print out all of our information.  There where definitely times when I wish I had.  The one that stands out the most is driving from Maine to the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick.  We had reservations in a state park, and well, we were running late.  We both forgot that the time changes once you get into Canada in New Brunswick.  So, our expected arrival of 10 pm instantly became 11 pm once we crossed the border.  Once off the main highway, we were pretty much in the middle of nowhere on a deserted 2 lane road and low on gas.  We didn't have great cell signal nor had we gotten a data plan so we couldn't be sure we were on the right road, call to make sure they would still let us in the park at 11, or find out if there was a gas station along the way.  I won't say there was yelling, but what I remember was feeling very stressed, not a great feeling when you are supposed to be on vacation!  It all worked out, we found the park, they let us in, and the next day we got gas. That said, it's not the kind of memories I want to make on our next trip.

On the way to Key West

What I learned from the 2 trips is that it helps to have as much information handy as possible.  We don't know for sure if we will always have cell signal, or have the right map handy, or know where the next gas station will be. So the more information I can have at my finger tips the better.  My plan is to put together an even better trip binder this time.  I want to include not only our reservations and driving directions, but things like what towns will have grocery stores and how close gas stations are to the places we are staying.  I think having everything right at my finger tips without having to frantically search online will help me stay relaxed under pressure.  So bring on the dark deserted roads, the empty highways, and the late night arrivals.  I'll be ready, binder in hand.