The Trouble with Travel

By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy Pixabay

After being cooped up for better than a year, the good news is that the travel scene is starting to get back in gear.  Bolstered by COVID vaccines and declining infection rates, recent surveys have indicated that Americans are gaining confidence in their ability to travel with each month that passes.  With summer being only just around the corner, I thought I’d take the time to give all of you a glimpse at the promise and the perils of travel in 2021.

Hey Dude, Where’s My Spare Tire?

 

By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy Pixabay

If you’ve been driving for more than a few decades, you’ll remember when every car on the road came with a full-sized spare tire.  Then the auto industry decided to short-sheet every driver by including only a compact spare tire, more commonly referred to by drivers as ‘The Donut.”  While it was better than nothing, every compact spare came with a warning that it shouldn’t be driven at speeds in excess of 50 MPH or for distances greater than 50 miles.  Well, now the automakers are taking the spare tire away altogether in many late-model vehicles.  This means if a tire goes flat, you’ll have only two options: hope that can of Fix-a-Flat will reinflate the tire or call the auto club for a tow.

Driving in the Rain

 By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy Pixabay

As the saying goes, “When it rains, it pours.”  In Florida, this sometimes means driving in a white squall on the interstate where you can barely see past the hood of your car.  It also means expecting torrential downpours on a nearly daily basis during the summer months.  Due to the nature of the peninsula, you can literally go from having to deal with driving rain to bone dry and back again every mile or so as you head north or south in June, July, and August.  If you’ve ever been stuck in a monster traffic jam caused by a weather-related car crash, then you’ll appreciate today’s ten tips that are designed to help you drive safely in the rain.

COVID and Camping

By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy Pixabay

If you own an RV or travel trailer, you’re no doubt itching to get back on the road this summer.  Like everything else, the Coronavirus spoiled last year’s camping season. That meant everything from national parks to campgrounds was closed due to COVID-19.  The good news is that 2021 is seeing the lifting of restrictions, although it’s still on a case-by-case basis.  If you’re planning on taking to the road this summer, I thought I’d give you a few pointers that will help make your camping trip a success.