Last winter I had the misfortune of suffering a blow out during a short 3-hour road trip to Nashville, TN.  I was driving along the Kentucky Bluegrass Parkway when it happened.

It was January.  It was cold. It was late. And it was dark.  …. VERY DARK.  So dark in fact, that I couldn’t see in order to remove my spare tire, or even where to put the tire iron to tighten the lug nuts. Cars and truck sped by me on the freeway as I struggled and tried to use the light from my cell phone screen just to see what I was doing!   “Never again,” I thought, “will I be caught without a working flashlight.”

Now I carry a wind-up crank flashlight that doesn’t require batteries and has an led bulb that doesn’t burn out.  As I struggled on that cold dark night to change my tire, I thanked my lucky stars that I at least knew how to do change it! I recommend that anyone who drives be familiar with your spare tire and how to use your car jack.  Read more…

Do you have some swashbuckling youngsters about ye?  Are ye surrounded by crazy mad rowdy tricksters?  Need ideas to keep them busy?  Send them on a treasure hunt!

Start with your very own authentic looking map.  Here’s How to make your own authentic looking pirate treasure map!

Avast ye, mateys!!  It’s time for some fun on the high seas!

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MomsMinivan is in Parade Magazine this weekend!  (July 25, 2010)

Look for it in the article called, “Fifteen Ways to Enjoy Your Summer“.  It’s item Number 6:  “Play a New Road Trip Game!”   Check it out!

Also find it at their website at Summer Fun on the Road”

And with a picture of cutie Zack Efron on the cover to boot!

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Does your local paper publish Parade Magazine in its weekend editions?  If so, look for MomsMinivan.com in Parade Magazine this weekend!  (The July 25 issue!).

Meanwhile, I hope your summer travels are filled with joy and adventure!

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Stopping for a crazy road side attraction is something we love to do on a long car trip.  Take a break and give yourselves something to talk about for the next leg of your journey.  I’ll tell you where to find these amusing sights and how to make the most of your stops…

Read the entire article and see some of the crazy road side photos I’ve taken with my family at Oddities Attract – Side tracks Remind You that Half the Fun Is Getting There.

What weird roadside things have you seen lately?!

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This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of NAVTEQ. All opinions are 100% mine.

Yes.     It’s wrong.    It is.

Really.

Just accept it and move on!

I finally accepted it when I was driving through Knoxville recently, and we came upon a big sign in the middle of the road that flashed, “YOUR GPS IS WRONG! Keep straight for I-40.”   I had already gotten “confused”, or “lost”, or thought I’d missed the exit the last two times I’d driven through that interchange, so it was a relief to know it wasn’t just me.

More than once, Silvia (the name I gave my minivan with the lovely woman’s voice on the built-in GPS) has sent me the wrong way, and I’ve had to rely on my wits to get back on course.  Note — Helpful hint when traveling with children:   If your kids ever ask, “Are we lost?”, do NOT answer “yes”!

So now, after much denial and resistance, I have come to the realization that it is time for me to give my GPS a much needed update.  Basically, it is time to stop and ask for directions.

I recommend that you update your GPS maps too. Driving around lost with a car full of children is totally unnecessary.  And, NAVTEQ makes it easy to get your updates no matter what your navigational system is, whether it is built into your vehicle or portable. Just head over to www.updateyourmap.com and follow their easy instructions.

Now if only Silvia could also help me navigate through my teenager’s bedroom.

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I am currently working at my “home” office while I write this blog entry, sitting next to the pool on a gorgeous summer day.

Have I mentioned how much I love my job?

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Once again I have been invited back as a  “parent expert” at the PBS Parents website to answer questions and facilitate reader discussions! I’ll be taking questions for the next three weeks on their website.

We are discussing summer travel, ways to save money on the road with your kids , and creative ways to keep your family entertained in the car without emptying your wallet.  …Challenges worth facing!

Please click over and leave a comment on their site, or join in the Q & A discussion!

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More fun ideas for the road — check out this video of some travel games you can make with paper plates!  Make them in the car, or make them at home to bring on the road with you.

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It’s time to share some of YOUR favorite car travel activities!

“We enjoy passing around a fake mike, as we take turns being the solo singer to the radio or cassette tunes! Sometimes we will unexpectedly lower the sound to make the singers voice really stand out.”  (Lin)

“A great car activity for children ages 5 (with adult help) and up, is to make a pot holder on a weaving loom! My 3 sons, ages 5, 10 and 12 all three enjoyed picking out their own colors and designing their own pot holder to give as gifts to grandparents and friends when we returned home from our trip!  They also make neon colored material for the weaving looms. You can buy a whole bag for under $2!” (Johna)

“Whenever we hit the road, we are always sure to grab a bottle of bubbles.  We turn on the car fan, hold the bubble wand in front of the vent, and voila! A car full of bubbles.  The bubbles generally go straight toward the back of the car, and are barely a distraction to the driver.  This is great fun in traffic, when we not only amuse ourselves but so many drivers alongside us.  And their happy grins
are a great amusement in themselves!” (Elaine)

Thanks Readers!  Keep sending in your ideas!  ~~Laurel (Roadtrip Mom)

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