Smart Senior

Yes, seniors need vacations too. Whether visiting family or just looking for time away, a change of pace could be just what the doctor ordered.
More and more Seniors are packing their bags and hitting the roads to tour America. Granted, car trips are not always fun, but if you plan ahead and take your time you can do it, and you can have a nice time too.
For retiree’s a car trip is the perfect way to visit or revisit places of interest. Try to keep in mind that road construction, heavy traffic, and being passed by those in a hurry are only inconveniences, not the end of the world.
Before you leave home; plan your itinerary and make motel reservations in advance. Take your time. Accept that you are older now and well past the age of skipping meals and driving through the night. Limit your travel time to 4-5 hours a day. Stop at every rest stop whether you need it or not. Walk around for a few minutes and enjoy a beverage.
Make it easy on yourself; pack one big bag with items you won’t be needing until you arrive at your destination, and leave it in the car. Put toiletries, a clean shirt, a few changes of unmentionables, medications, slippers and pajamas in a small lightweight “carry on” bag for your own personal use.
Travel with a friend. You will not only enjoy the companionship but in this day and age you need a navigator. It’s a jungle out there, even with a good GPS you will need help.
Stay a few days or a few weeks. No hurry. Do a little research (travel bureaus or internet) and take in the sights. Get off the beaten path. Take your time; stop to read historical markets, pull into the viewpoints and stay for a picnic.
Go ahead, plan a road trip. Sure, it can be harrowing. Driving is exhausting and your “backseat driver” may make you nuts, but if you take a minute to chill out and breathe, you could be in for the vacation of a lifetime.