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Holiday travels & road trippin’ with the family
By Jeff Zbar | December 20, 2007
We’re headed to the Great White North. We have the minivan packed, kids’ DVDs and player wired up, and each child has staked his or her claim to their travel spaces — with pillows and Afghans stashed for comfort. We’re headed to northern Ontario for some skiing and New Years with dear friends, but we can’t let this great escape be an open invitation for disorganization, clutter and chaos to take control. Anyone who’s road-tripped knows that’s exactly what can happen if you’re not atop the details every mile of the way. Here are our rules for the open road…
First, we stash close at hand what will make the trip comfortable — without further cluttering the van. Since the environment will be changing along the way, we have to carry heavy coats. But we stuff them beneath the van’s bench seats. This way they’re close, but tucked away. Blankets are folded and draped over the bench backs. Shoes also are tucked beneath the benches (but not atop the jackets).
Second, we pack a small duffle with one change of clothes and our toiletries. Who wants to lug a full suitcase into a hotel room? This way, when we check in for a night along the way, we grab one bag and go.
Third, we carry a few plastic grocery bags for garbage and toss them at each fuel stop. Kids know to pass up their garbage when they’re done with a drink or wrapper. At every stop, I’ll grab a handful of napkins or paper towels; never know when a spill might occur.
Fourth, I often carry a large brush to sweep out the sand, dirt and other detritus we’ll invariably pick up along the way. I find the first step to keeping a clean car is to start with the littlest stuff — dirt and sand (I also make the kids “Lose the shoes” right as they’re stepping into the van. This way, no dirt, grease or other parking lot or gas station nastiness finds its way to the “living areas” of the van).
Finally, like the shampoo bottle says, I “repeat” these steps along the way. Keeping a clean vehicle is a process. Keeping a clean garage once we get home and dump all our belongings en masse, that’s another story. Check back in a few weeks…
Topics: Personal Organizing |