Category: Travel

Emergency Gear to Carry in Your Car

Posted by The Team –

by Misty S Bledsoe

What would you do if you were unexpectedly stuck in your car?//Photo courtesy of gracey/morguefile.com

You never know when you will be stuck in your car. Maybe there is a blockage on the freeway or a road gets blocked and you feel as though you may be stranded. If you have the kids with you, do you have snacks on hand? How about medications and water? What about warm weather preps?

  1. Start a box that is designated to stay in the trunk of your car or truck that is designated for emergency gear. Rubbermaid containers with snug lids work well for this.
  2. Put the jack and all necessary accessories to change a tire in this box or tub. Make a list of other things you could need.
  3. Include a first aid kit, a large water bottle for each passenger your vehicle can carry, and a spare change of clothes. The most important changes of clothes should be extra underwear, plenty of socks (in case they get wet) and t-shirts. Extra t-shirts/sweatshirts can be layered for passengers in the winter months or can be used to hang in the windows to block sun in the summer months depending on the situation.
  4. Carry things like a small bottle of aspirin, Tylenol, Ibuprofen and Imodium. You can usually find these or their generic equivalent at your local dollar store. Carry extra medications you may be required to take in case of an emergency.
  5. Pack candles, flashlights and a fire source such as matches or extra lighters. Keep matches and lighters away from children. These can be used for light or to start a campfire if you’ve gotten lost in the woods or are trapped in a blizzard. 
  6. Consider word puzzles, coloring books and crayons and other fun type of games for kids and adults alike.
  7. The last important item: Toilet paper.

Even if you only have water, toilet paper and snacks you will be better off than if you had nothing. Do your best to be thorough however and customize the box to meet the needs of your family. Carry your emergency box whether you ever use it or not. You will find over time you will end up using at least one item and you’ll be glad you took the 30-60 minutes to prepare for your families safety.

Important!

**This list is not all-inclusive. Nothing can ever prepare you 100% fully for every conceivable emergency. You are still in charge of making your own decisions. Be as detailed as you can think of will only help you in the long run. Consult expert survival advice when preparing for dangerous trips or otherwise may run into dangerous rather than inconvenient situations while traveling.**

Could I Write a “Simple Letter” and Get Paid for it?

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by Misty S Bledsoe

Getting paid well for your writing allows you to have a much more mobile lifestyle. Photo courtesy of manuere/Morguefile.com

Getting paid well for your writing allows you to have a much more mobile lifestyle. Photo courtesy of manuere/Morguefile.com

Copywriting is a type of writing that specializes in content that is designed to turn a reader into a customer for a product or service. Writing this type of content requires special training in the tools and tricks of the trade to know what is truly effective. American Writer’s and Artist’s Institute Online is one of the strongest places I’ve ever experienced or worked with. What convinced me is that, well, let me back up a second.

For those of you who know me, I’ve been writing since my 4th grade teacher gave me a C for my first paragraph story problem! I’ve read and written several different genres and have sold hundreds of articles, but I was still seeking a way I could get paid well for my writing.

That’s when I got a pamphlet in the mail detailing “The Writer’s Life” so to speak where I could learn to write a simple letter that would literally sell for thousands. I don’t impulsively spend my money on much of anything. I waited about two years before I actually purchased their course. I spent the time investigating the company and their resources. I subscribed to their free newsletter, took their course and since then my writing has had the proper “injection” of juice that it really needs.

And yes, I have been able to write “Simple Letters” that literally have paid me back more than expected because I’ve used their techniques in my content. If you feel you need that extra “injection” to get you past where you are are, then be sure to visit the site and see how their courses could help you as well.

Bodysurfing in Mazatlan

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by Misty S Bledsoe

This was the view from my room and where I spent most of my time swimming.

This was the view from my room and where I spent most of my time swimming.

Mazatlan, Mexico— Sun, sand and waves. Mazatlan, Mexico, has just about everything you’re looking for a first time visit to Mexico. Mazatlan offers everything from 5 star resorts to clean, quiet, laid-back lodgings offering all types of pleasurable activities.

The tales and rumors you hear about warm Caribbean waters are true. The wind was blowing lightly and it was hot. Hot is hot and hot was missed especially from a girl used to living in the famed Pacific Northwest. My towel lay in the cabana beach chair. The sand was warm and before me was the Pacific Ocean. Waves consistently rolled against the shore, each one the whisper got louder, “You’ve been waiting for this. Come to me.” I hadn’t body surfed in 15 years. My bikini was properly positioned.

This was it. I left stress, worry and responsibility completely behind. I ran towards the waves and my feet hit the waves with force and power. I didn’t stop and I was surprised at the warmth of the water. I jumped completely in, unafraid. Water washed over me, but so did joy. “How could anybody spend their whole life and not experience this?” I asked.

Visiting Mexico was one of the best things I could do for myself. I had been a single mom and was working full-time and going to school full-time. I had just graduated and I needed the break. The locals were friendly and helpful and the food was absolutely mouth watering. Portions are huge and the food was always fresh. When I lived in California, I considered myself a professional, part-time, self-proclaimed beach bum. Mexico embraces a slower way of life, emphasizing family, honor, manners and respect. It’s cheap too.

And just for a little while, I got to be a beach bum again.

Finding the Manufacture Date on a Tire

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by: Misty S Bledsoe

Sometimes you might need to know when your tire was made. Photo courtesy of tundrahq/Morguefile.com

Sometimes you might need to know when your tire was made. Photo courtesy of tundrahq/Morguefile.com

Finding the manufacture date on a tire can be easier to do once you know what you’re looking for. On all tires manufactured for vehicles, the tire identification number is printed on either one side or both sides of the tire wall. All that you need to do is locate the sets of numbers and determine that last three or four digits of the sequence. The last three or four digits are the week and year the tire was made.

Tires Made before 2000

Find the sequencing of numbers after the letters “DOT.” Identify the last three digits.

The first two of the three indicates the week the tire was made. The last digit indicates the year.

Tires Made after 2000

Find the last four numbers. This will be after the letters “DOT.” Continue until you see the last string of numbers. If the letters “DOT,” are only one side with a few numbers, you will find the rest of the numbers on the other side of the tire. The last four digits indicate the week and year manufactured. The first two of the last four is the week and the last two digits are the year.

Camping and Hiking in Leavenworth, Washington

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Camping and Hiking in Leavenworth, Washington

by Misty S Bledsoe

Leavenworth, WA- Several trails are scattered throughout the Leavenworth and Lake Wenatchee areas that are maintained by the Forest Service. Most of these trailheads require a recreation pass and several types are honored, including the Northwest Trail Pass. Many require additional registration for safety and statistic purposes. Some trails allow dogs or horses, others do not. There are several campgrounds in and around the Leavenworth and Lake Wenatchee areas. About 10 percent in the area are free campgrounds and offer vaulted toilets as their only amenity. Despite an ardent search, these campgrounds could not be found.

There is a Forest Service station in downtown Leavenworth that is open Monday-Friday and were not available this weekend for consultation on the exact location of the free campgrounds. The other campgrounds are open seasonally and the ones that have larger plots for RVs or other amenities like running water or other conveniences cost anywhere from $8.00 to $19.00 nightly and some require reservations. Most hotels have an activity guide for Leavenworth that lists the available campgrounds along with their prices. Consult the Forest Service station in downtown Leavenworth for the most current conditions and information for any given time of year.

Quality Inn vs. Linderhoff Inn in Leavenworth, Washington

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by Misty S Bledsoe

Leavenworth, WA -Leavenworth is a tourist town located just on the east side of Stevens Pass on Highway 2. It is prized for its German/Swiss Alps theme. Most buildings in downtown and in their famed shopping/restaurant are German themed and carry many local handmade or imported crafts and treasures. The cheapest place to stay in town according to their visitor information is the Quality Inn located at the west end of town. There you can find a pet friendly, family friendly basic hotel with most amenities such as coffee pots, microwaves, and necessary toiletries in each room. The Quality Inn also offers an indoor pool. Most other basic rooms during off peak, non-holiday seasons are around $90 a night per double occupancy. Expect to pay more during the winter months and during famous festivals.

I stayed at the Linderhoff Inn for the weekend. This hotel has a two-night stay minimum for the weekend and I felt was overpriced for what it offers. For having a Jacuzzi and a gas fireplace in my room, I expected the room to be much larger than the standard hotel room for what was paid. The soaps and shampoos I found to be unique and invigorating.

Their continental breakfast consisted of nothing but cold cereal, small muffins, and canned fruit. Juices were available and the ability to make toast or English muffins. No sausage, no eggs, no waffle maker. The Linderhoff  Inn also does not allow pets or smoking in any of its rooms. I also heard my neighbors whenever the plumbing was used. There was no TV Guide on the expanded cable fed into the room so flipping through channels to find something to watch was annoying. The upside is that the flat screen TV did have ports for an optional DVD hook up. Staying here, I felt I was paying a premium price for staying just being in Leavenworth, rather than the hotel itself for what I found my experience to be. Next time I stay, I will try the Quality inn to have my basic needs met as they are the cheapest based on my research, and also have an indoor pool where the Linderhoff Inn did not.

“It’s not What you Ride, it’s that you Ride…”

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taliesin/Morguefile.com

taliesin/Morguefile.com

by Misty S Bledsoe

 “That’s the smell of the open road you smell,” I informed. Ruby, the oldest of the Siberian huskies was intently sniffing my left leg. I had just gotten off my motorcycle and endorphins were still spinning through me allowing me to feel on top the world. I personally still haven’t pegged why I love riding my bike. Riders find that it’s addicting for several reasons and it seems to vary among riders as to why they are drawn to it.

For me I think it feels very free compared to driving a car. It could be the wind enveloping your whole body at once in a controlled one on one fashion or the hum of the engine you’re in complete control of. The feel of the curves as you lean the bike to the left or right ever so slightly and rolling back on the gas with your hand, knowing you’ve successfully handled the turn.

On the other hand, it could be that I have control issues and riding the bike satisfies that somehow.Whatever it is, if you’re thinking about joining the masses that ride on two wheels, there are several things to consider:

  • How much time you’ll be able to spend riding each week
  • What season you want to ride in and which ones you don’t
  • Scooter or Motorcycle
  • Safety gear
  • Endorsement class or not (some states require it)

Remember riding on two wheels comes with great responsibility and added risks. Start by deciding why you want to ride in the first place. This will help you determine your choices in choosing a bike. Consider your budget and don’t be afraid to start out with a model that will accomplish what you want to do for now. As your riding experiences are increased and ability level rises, you can always upgrade to a bigger bike or one that has more functions.

Learning basic riding skills is just the beginning and the joy is that in order to practice, you actually get to ride more and more. Research your gear and if you haven’t done so already stop by your local licensing division and pick up a manual on how to earn your motorcycle endorsement. Don’t get overwhelmed with the amount of knowledge thrown at you. A certified endorsement/bike safety class in your state will give you a very realistic view of whether or not you want to continue with learning to ride. The price of the class is a small investment vs. purchasing the bike, gear, etc…only to learn maybe you only want to do a scooter that goes no faster than 30mph. By the way, there isn’t anything wrong with that. Some in the biking community say, “It’s not what you ride, it’s that you ride.”

About

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Misty Bledsoe lives in the Puget Sound and holds a Bachelors degree in Information Technology with a concentration in Computer Programming from American Intercontinental University. She has been writing for more than 15 years for both offline and online publications both under her own name and psuedonyms.  Her primary blog is found on this site and chocked full of useful information on a variety of topics.

(c)2008-2010 Misty S. Bledsoe. All Rights Reserved including code manipulation. No part of this blog may be reproduced without the author’s expressed written permission.