Date:         Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:29:29 -0500
Reply-To:     craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Any Suggestions for 24-hour,
              straight through driving road trip??
Comments: To: kayakjr@comcast.net
In-Reply-To:  <795172984.3322211258075784095.JavaMail.root@sz0058a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I drove from Sydney Nebraska to Pittsburgh PA in one stretch (36hrs), alone,
with two failing gears in my transmission.
Mind you i'm young.....
But here are my suggestions:

Bring plenty of music you haven't heard in a while. I intentionally had
mixes and CD's from a while back. SING ALONG!!!!
NO BOOKS ON TAPE, you'll fall asleep. Just eat and drink as you go along.
Plenty of snacks and beverages, not necessarily with caffeine. Even water
makes a difference. Just the physical act of eating or drinking and planning
it out and looking forward to your next little bite can help.
Stop for gas more often then you need to. The act of getting out and taking
even just a few steps wakes you up and clears your mind. When you stop try
to hold a 2-3 minute conversation with the gas station employee about
something local. It gives you something fresh to think about when you're
driving along and a fresh set of questions to think up for next time.

The best thing that happened to me to get me home safely was being bit by a
spider (or something) on the foot while in Salt Lake City. My sandal strap
went right over the bite. When i started falling asleep, i'd flex my foot
and the searing pain would wake me right up : )

I don't believe in energy drinks.

-Craig
'85GL turned WESTY
BOSTIG in the back


On Thu, Nov 12, 2009 at 8:29 PM, John Reynolds <kayakjr@comcast.net> wrote:

> My wife and I and two kids under 5 drove Massachusetts (coast) to Cody,
> Wyoming (over 2,300 miles) in under 48 hours in Ford Escort wagon. (we were
> in our 30's then)
> We stopped for a swim at one place and caught 3 hours sleep in the Dakotas,
> but did stop in restaurants for the most part to eat. Th e kids did great.
>
>
> It was a bit grueling at times and we did not plan to do it this way, but
> it worked out.
> It's essential that both of you are capable of sleeping while the car is in
> motion. I can , my wife can't very well. That way your replacement is ready
> to take over when you need them to.
>
>
>
>
> I agree with skipping the caffeine (and sugar), at least until the end.
> Carbonated water I drank in droves on my long drives.
> Switch drivers more often towards the end. Books on tape can be great for
> some.
> I find the morning hours when the sun starts to rise the danger time. It's
> like the body says "Whoa, I need to go to bed".
> You have only one sunrise, so don't sweat it.
> Your timing is pretty good, but I would try and time it so you are there
> before the sun goes down on the 2nd day.
> Don't be afraid to take a sleep break if it gets too much.
>
>
> Happy trails,
> John
>