It's theme week!

Look, another blog post about the truck!

I went for a quick road trip yesterday. I put on about 500 km to go and see my mom. I don't see her often enough, so this trip felt overdue. Now, of course I chat with her regularly by phone, so don't think that I'm the worst kid in the world or anything. But, my chaotic life and work just keeps me from visiting as often as everyone would like.

In order to take this first 'roadie' with the new truck I had to make a new playlist. Music just for this truck and for this adventure. Then, en route I bought a Dr. Pepper. For me, a road trip requires these two things for certain.

Then all I did was drive. Deep in thought, and lost in music, the time flew by. Before I knew it I was in Mom's neighborhood picking up groceries and flowers and everything necessary for a perfect visit.

On the way, I got more familiar with my truck. It has a great 3 prong outlet you can use to charge anything. I like that. It has a back window that slides down. That makes it feel almost like a sunroof. The stereo is excellent, but I already knew that.

There, in the driver's seat,  with a few hours to myself I started to feel more like "me" again. I was reminded that with a little time and fresh air, distance and perspective I'm good.

Fast 5 Travel Tips: Is it your vacation?

Finding the vacation that suits you is almost as hard as finding the right shoes to go to a high school reunion. You need to have some patience and be really honest with yourself about what you want and what your goals are. If you can't walk in your shoes, even though they are pretty... are they the right choice?

It IS your vacation when:

1) All members of the travel party have something they are looking forward to

2) You choose activities you are genuinely excited about

3) You can't wait to write in your travel journal/blog/tell your friends

4) You are living within your budget and not stressing about money

5) You are NOT doing things out of obligation, guilt or because somewhere you read you HAVE TO visit/see/do a particular monument/activity that you're not actually interested in.