Traveling {Vegan} Series: Preparation, Part 2 -

Though part of the joy of travel, in my view, is that everything is different: what you see, the air you breathe, the land under your feet, what you feel, and, mostly–the pace. The movement of all of those things in synchrony, the speed of consequence, the day-long journeys, the parts of us, within it all, that we embrace and the parts that we leave behind… and what you think with those parts stripped away. It’s you, in your most potent and visceral form. My favorite you.

Despite this romantic whirlwind, forethought and preparation can do wonders to aid the journey… but there must be some wiggle room too. So part two in this V.V.anderlust series shares my tips for making the most of planes, trains, automobiles, and lodging. Because the summer travel season will soon be here!

Here’s some things about Airplanes:

Fly in and out of major cities. Most importantly, airfare and car rental (your biggest expenses) will be cheapest from a major city. But also, starting and ending in a major city ensures that you’ll have ample available and familiar resources nearby as you arrive and before you depart on the greater leg of your trip. Have to pick up jugs of water or some healthy snacks to tide you over? Make those to-do’s part of the initial annoyance–flight, pick up car, get supplies.
Quick & dirty tips: Fly midweek, initiate price alert emails, book well in advance, use credit card points, and compare fares in different cities or nearby airports, keeping in mind length of drive your choice may necessitate and how that impacts the total time you have for your trip.
Time and comfort is money. There are certain things you can’t put a price tag on. Then there’s your budget. When you consider the price of airfare, try to quantify your time and your comfort and keep it in mind when you make your airfare reservation. Are 2 layovers and their increased travel time worth saving $100 on airfare? Is flying in at a late hour worth the savings if you’d need to check right into a hotel? What is the value of not having to acclimate yourself to a new place in the dark? Is the a low-budget carrier worth the price if service level and comfort is sacrificed? Do you want a confirmed seat? These are your calls. After many years and budget traveling, I am at a point where I won’t risk too much uncertainty or hassle.
There are so many places to search for a flight. My preference is Skyscanner.

In Cars:

Reserve from a reputable car rental agency, like the big chain ones. Every time I haven’t I wished I had for a variety of reasons. If there are great deals with no-name ones, read details with a fine tooth comb.
Reserving from that same major city you are flying into is your best bet. An airport with the car on-site saves a wait for a shuttle ride and added hullabaloo, but sometimes off-site is your only option. On the shuttle, hold your own luggage and sit by the door so you can exit swiftly. Chances are your New York pace will have you ahead of the pack anyways.
Sometimes (like I last experienced in Los Angeles) the non-airport rental offices nearby have much better prices and are worth a Lyft to/from provided your flight times mesh with the office’s hours. Cars will likely be older and service might be slower, but you could save hundreds.
Always reserve “compact/economy” unless you know you cannot be without certain features (space, all-wheel drive, etc). And even then, it’s cheaper to get the upgrade at the counter if you are willing to take a risk on availability. When I rent a car I get a free upgrade 99% of the time. Hand over your drivers license and credit card when you greet the counterperson with a smile, decline all coverages*, and tell them you’ll fill up yourself. Wham, bam, thank you ma’am. [*You don’t need additional coverage if you have full coverage on your own auto policy. It extends to you rental car. Double-check with your carrier to confirm, however. If you don’t have a car, check your credit card’s benefits. Many offer physical damage/theft insurance (collision and comprehensive) on a rental car when you pay with it. So you’d then just need liability insurance from the rental company. Or not, like I did for many years. But peace of mind is pretty important.]
Once you get your vehicle, really do that once around they ask you to do. Get to know your chariot. Even if there isn’t any damage, take a picture of the back of the vehicle with make, model and license plate visible. You’ll need it when filling out motel paperwork. Then, send it to a loved one, especially if you are traveling solo. Just in case. There are tons of things you should do “just in case” that can help you greatly in a bind. As a seasoned traveler, I do these things all the time. Not because I am frightened but because I take precaution.
Don’t leave just yet. Take anything you need during your drive out of your suitcase and get it where it needs to go, up front with you: snacks, coins, bug spray, sanitizer, chargers, sunglasses. Remove bulky items you may need on the fly and place in the backseat: jacket, fleece, rain gear, hat, etc. Remove hiking boots and store them in the trunk. Empty the carry-on items you don’t need and secure in suitcase so you don’t have scramble everything together when you finally arrive at your lodging or other first stop. Then stow the suitcase safely in the trunk. Sync your phone with your car if that is possibility, then adjust the seat and mirrors, and program your map app. Now—hit the road!

Lodging:

For the most part, I am a no frills lodger. In fact, I love me a rundown, dingy motel. It’s part of road allure. But, as an often-solo female travel, it is with lodging where I take the most precaution. I will abandon set lodging plans on a gut feeling and I will pay for peace of mind, comfort, and safety when I am too tired to want to deal with uncertainty in these departments. And you should, too. Anyone should. You may view yourself, and other women, as strong and powerful and worthy of respect… but not everyone in the country does. Let the “Trump” bumperstickers remind you that ignorance, stupidity and hatred is alive and well.

I’ve learned that it is not always best to have firm, non-refundable reservations, especially when you plot your itinerary in advance from your couch with rose-colored glasses on. (“Sure, I can hike all day and then drive 8 hours afterwards!”) Go for refundable reservations if it’s an option. Or no reservations, especially if you’re traveling the road less traveled. As your day takes shape, hotel apps make it easy-peasy to find a room on the fly.

If you’re staying outside a national park or other major tourist attraction or event, always book a room. Staying inside a national park can allow you to get the most of your visit. Collapsing into a bed after a day of hiking without a long drive is definitely worth a bit more. There are usually a range of accommodation types inside a national park, from camping to fancy pants. Stay in the cheaper place, but reserve a nice dinner at the fancier eateries. That brings me to…

Food Stuff: Snacks are pretty important for a traveling vegan, especially when setting out to locales with few options. Here are some tips for survival.

I stash bars and snacks from my VeganCuts deliveries, like a squirrel, to feast upon during trips. That mint chocolate bar may not be your first choice in your pantry, but you may savor it with relish in the remote badlands of New Mexico.
Heading to bulk store or ordering a box in advance via the interweb is the most cost effective way to get bars. Larabars and Macrobars are my favorite.
The bulk section in your local upscale supermarket may have easy bites, like those goji berry cacao bites. Nutritionally dense is key.
Make a batch of bars yourself! I have used Oh She Glows‘s recipe and have had great results. Pack it chock full of the stuff you love… stuff that might be hard to find on the road.
Balance salty snacks with sweet snacks and add fresh fruit. When you touch down, buy some fruit as soon as possible. That kiosk of greenish bananas and bruised apples may be easy to ignore on your way, but fresh fruit will be a godsend when you’re in the thick of the wilderness. Refill your fruit stash from the motel’s “free breakfast,” which usually includes bananas and apples at minimum.
Nuts, nuts, nuts. Luckily almost every gas station has nuts. Refill your stash often.
When you are around a health food store, load up! You likely won’t be near one the next night.
Prepare to eat well some nights… and not so great other nights. Relish both of these opportunities.

Traveling {Vegan} Series: Preparation, Part 2

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