Essential Items for a Perfect Road Trip

On September 24, 2020September 24, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Travel TipsLeave a comment

We receive a small incentive for any purchases, but these items are ones that we would recommend.

As people slowly start to travel once again, one of the most popular ways to get around is buy car. Taking a road trip is a great way to get out and see new places without necessarily exposing yourself to large crowds. Most places are open for dining with limited seating, but any travel is better than no travel. When traveling by car, especially with limited options of places to stop, there are plenty of items that can make the trip a greater success. In no particular order, here are some of the things that you should consider packing on your next road trip.

Packing Cubes: Organizing your clothes so that you can group outfits together or separating out clothes makes every stop along your way easier to get back on the road more quickly. It can also be a great way to separate out clean clothes from dirty clothes. In addition, especially with rolling, you will likely fit more clothes into smaller bags taking up less room in your car.

Collapsible Water Bottle: Staying hydrated while traveling is always important, but taking a bunch of disposable water bottles is not only not environmentally friendly, but just takes up room. Even better than a plain old water refillable water bottle is one that collapses when not in use. It is easy to toss into a bag and then pull it out when you reach your destination and decide to go for a hike.

Personal Water Filter: Having a water bottle is only half of the equation. Having a personal water filter allows you to have fresh water even when you’re on the road or perhaps a trail. Whether filtering tap water or water from a stream or lake, it can be an essential item when hitting the road for multiple days.

Laundry Sheets: We have used these many times during our travels and take them on every trip with us whether internationally or taking a road trip. Whether you want to reduce the amount of clothes you are packing or just be prepared for life’s unexpected messes, having these strips to wash your clothes is extremely handy. The thin strips contain enough soap to wash at least a couple of clothing items and the entire container sits in the palm of your hand.

Hand Sanitizer Sheets: While hand sanitizers have become an every day essential item, they can be even more important when hitting the road. These hand washing strips that don’t require water are also small enough to fit easily in your pocket or glove box and can be great to wipe your hands clean wherever you are.

Emergency Road Side Kit: An emergency road side kit with Jump Cables, First Aid Kit, Tow Rope, Safety Hammer, Reflective Warning Triangle, Reflective Safety Vest, Tire Pressure Gauge, Safety Gloves, Mechanical Flashlight, Tire Repair Tools, Utility Knife, Screwdriver, Rain Coat, PVC Tape and Cables Ties provides more than just the knowledge that you are prepared in the event that something goes wrong during your road trip.

First Aid Kit: If you’re not going to go the length of buying an emergency road side kit or want to create one of your own, having a first aid kit with you is an absolute must. Obviously no one expects something to happen, but being prepared just in case is well worth the little effort that it takes to make sure it is with you on the road.

Road Atlas: Although most people rely on the apps on their smart phones, there are times when you don’t have connectivity and you don’t want to find yourself getting lost. Sometimes old school without technology is just the safest back-up to have at your disposal.

Portable Trash Can: Whether grabbing snacks from a cooler or stopping at a fast food restaurant to get a bite to eat while on the road, having someplace to put your trash is something that most people don’t consider. When you spend hours in your vehicle going from one location to another, the last thing that you want is to have a bunch of trash at your feet. It might be a simple comfort, but the impact is surprising.

For Those Who Are Traveling With Pets

Dog Harness: Just like you wouldn’t travel without putting on your seatbelt, having a harness for you furry family member is also a must. Not only will it keep them safe, it will keep them from wandering around the vehicle. It also can provide a sense of calm for dogs who get anxious when traveling in a car.

Travel Bags For Dogs: Organize all of your furry best friend’s essentials in one central place! This dog bag is perfect for dogs of all sizes. It comes with a front magnetic sleeve pocket, a water bottle holder, a zippered side pocket, an internal zippered mesh pocket, and a removable internal divider to hold everything in place.

First Aid Kit For Dogs and Cats: Just like having a first aid kit for yourself is a good idea, having one for your pet family members is an equally good idea. Always better to be prepared just in case.

Water Bottle For Pets: Having a water bottle specifically designed for your pets is perfect for traveling on the road or hiking on a trail. Your pets need to stay as hydrated during travel as you do.

Warwick Castle in Warwickshire, England is an Amazing Experience

On September 10, 2020September 10, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn England, Travel Tips3 Comments

We have plenty of wonderful memories from our trip to England, but one of our favorite memories is of Warwick Castle. Walking around the grounds of the castle is like walking back in time to England’s rich history when lords, ladies, and knights ruled the land. Seeing how the wealthy from generations past lived was quite fascinating and the castle provides plenty of historic displays within the manor. Considering what life was like for most people who lived in that period, the contrast couldn’t have been greater compared to those fortunate enough to be born into such wealth.

The rooms have been preserved and are decorated to portray the ambiance of the time period. As you walk through the castle, each new room is more splendid than the next. You can almost hear the mannequins talking about the next glorious ball or what to do with the land. It is truly a window into the past that was very special to see.

The grounds are gorgeous and we could easily imagine dawning a riding outfit as we went fox hunting on the open fields. There is even a catapult next to a stunning river that runs through the castle’s property. Climbing up to the top of the castle walls, there are spectacular views of Warwickshire, where the castle is located. Seeing the sprawling fields around the castle helps you understand the expanse of the estate and get a feeling for the farms that would have been worked by the subjects of the manor.

Obviously it is set up to attract tourists and as such there are some things that take away from the overall experience. There is a haunted tour of the tower where costumed characters jump out at you around every corner. No trip to a castle is complete without a trip to the dungeon, but the haunted house theme was a little unnecessary. That being said, we really had a wonderful time seeing every part of the vast estate.

If you’re in England and have the opportunity to visit Warwick Castle, we would highly recommend it. Just to see the gorgeous countryside, the Tudor homes, and the grand mansion is definitely worth the trip. Warwickshire is located near Stratford-upon-Avon, which made it a perfect place to visit while also visiting the birthplace of Shakespeare. Walking the grounds of a true castle that is as well-kept as Warwick Castle allows you to truly understand how grand and opulent their lives truly were.

Unique Geological Features Around the World

On September 3, 2020September 3, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Blogging, Travel Tips4 Comments

We enjoy seeing a variety of natural wonders as we travel to different parts of the world. It is often the case that these unique features are associated to the forces that are constantly changing the landscape, but often take thousands of years to create. We have many interesting geological formations right near where we live as well as those that we’ve seen during our travels. Obviously this is just a sampling of the different features that we have seen, but we find the varieties as well as similarities to be quite interesting. What is the most unique geological feature that you have seen during your travels?