Road Trip

 This year we are vacationing with the Grand kids, we are going to visit the "Great Smokies."  The three boys are very excited.  The girls, not so much.
Shopping and swimming is more the girl's thing.  I found some great information while I was researching our trip.  I really hope it is helpful to you. I will be posting about "Road Trips" for the next few days There is still time to take a road trip before school starts.



Visit a State parks
There’s an abundance of state parks within a half days drive of our home and many are much closer. Even within a twenty-five mile radius to a one hundred mile drive, there are several such parks. Pack a picnic lunch, drive to the park, and just explore.  Different state parks offer vastly different things: lakes, forests, prairie land, fishing, hiking, canoeing.  Each one is differently beautiful.  The best part is that most state parks are free for day trips.
This year we are taking our grandchildren all six of them to The Great Smokey Mountains.  One of my nine year old twins told me he wanted to go to the mountains. No, camping is not my thing but I so enjoy nature.  I love the hiking and just spending time in God's beautiful places.


Road Trip Beverage
Take along a wonderful Homemade Lemonade...nothing says summer like lemonade


Instead of buying lemonade,  make it yourself. It's cheaper and certainly healthier

Rich Simple Syrup for Lemonade

• 2 cups sugar (you can use any type of white sugar)
• 1 cups water

Bring one cup of water to a slight boil and whisk in sugar until dissolved. Store in a mason jar once cooled in the refrigerator for up to a month. Use to whip up a batch of lemonade in no time.
You can jazz up simple syrup by adding fresh chopped ginger or fresh chopped mint leaves during the whisking. Strain ginger or mint out before bottling in the fridge. Simple syrup can also be used to sweeten ice tea for a yummy treat!
Note: I always double or triple this so that I don’t have to make it as often.

Easy Homemade Lemonade

• 1 cup lemon juice (you can purchase this at Aldi or the grocery store)
• 1/2 to 1 cup Simple Syrup (depending upon your desired sweetness)
• 4 cups of water

In a pitcher combine lemon juice and simple syrup, stir in water. Serve immediately over ice or refrigerate until ready to use.

For Holly Johnson, the sweet hours of life occur when she is practicing the art of mothering and making beautiful things. Sweeter Hours, her blog, chronicles a little bit of making stuff, a pinch of the green life, a whole can of amazing cookery, and of course, beautiful things for life.

Take along some cups

Thanks, Money Saving Mom

Take coupons along for the things you will need, be sure to get Sun Screen.  There are coupons available.

Coupons.com - SAVE $1.00 on Coppertone Suncare Product SAVE $1.00 on Coppertone Suncare Product SAVE $1.00 on any one Coppertone Suncare Product (excluding lip balm or trial size) Outlet shopping If there is an outlet mall near your destination, be sure to visit the office to get a free coupon booklet before you start shopping. It can save you a lot of money.   It's Tax Free Weekend in some states August 5 thru 7  Take advantage of all the sales on back to school clothes and supplies.  This is the time to save a "lot of money".  There will be frugal bargains at all the stores.   Eating Out While on Vacation Nothing is better than free!   Restaurant.com: 70% Off!   Get a $25 gift certificate for only $3 with code MENU at checkout! Enjoy eating out in a different city. You can print certificates to use at a restaurant in the town you are staying in.  Print them off before you leave home or wait until you arrive.  They can be used as soon as you print them! Here’s the deal… Buy the certificate for $3 and sometimes $2 depending on when you travel and your total restaurant bill needs to be at a specified minimum amount (be sure to read the fine print for each offer, not all offers have the same terms). You are also required to pay an 18% gratuity. Even with the fine print, you can end up saving around 50% on your total bill! Check to see the participating restaurants in your area. Restaurant.com adds new restaurants every day!    Remember that Restaurant.com Gift Certificates do not expire. ake this deal even better? Join ShopAtHome.com it's free to get 25% Cash Back in your ShopAtHome.com account!

Terrific Travel Games & More! Great ideas for road trips or plane rides! Find the Difference Game Travel Stickers Backseat Boredom Busters Desert Puzzle Travel Matching Game Thanks, http://familyfun.go.com/vacations/activities-and-attractions/road-trips-vacations/ Go here for much more fun and games

Packing the Car Road Trip Packing List ~ Vehicle Emergency Kit Flashlight, roadside signal flares or reflective cones/warning signs First aid kit. Booster cables, vise grips, 3/8ths drive socket set, set of combination wrenches, crescent wrench, multiple tip screwdriver. Gallon jug of water. Extra washer fluid, oil, transmission oil, brake fluid. Rags, workshop towels, old blanket. Gloves, coveralls. Spare belts (alternator, fan and air conditioner belts) Folding shovel. Candle, warm clothes, heavy blanket (for winter travel). Non perishable food and drinking water. Food for the Journey   Road Trip Packing List ~ Cooler Juice boxes, soft drinks, water  (40 Capri Sun juice boxes are $6.49and 32 bottles of water $3.98 at Sam's Club Shop at Sam’s for FREE this weekend (Aug 5-7th) Aug 05, 2011 08:59 am | Mercedes Starting today,  August 5, Sam’s Club will be offering a FREE 3-Day Trial Membership, which is running during its Nationwide Open House.  As a bonus, there will be no 10% service fee, which is normally the case for temporary memberships.  This deal end August 7, so hurry in and enjoy shopping right away! Click here to find locations near you!  Thanks, commonsense with money   Cheese (cut in cubes place in a small plastic bag for each child) Grapes, watermelon, oranges, pineapple, strawberries, apples (cut up and ready to eat) Sliced meat(  For Sandwiches) Hard boiled eggs (make some into egg salad or deviled eggs) Bread, butter, marg, olive oil, balsamic vinegar,sandwich spread Carrot sticks, celery, cucumber,lettuce, siced tomatoes Olives, pickles, etc. Trash bag (several plastic grocery bags... a frugal idea ) nuts, chips, pretzels, cheese curls, etc.(my 5 year old loves cheese curls..can't leave home without them) Have picnic on your way: Remember to bring napkins, plastic knife, paper plates   Must Have Electronics Cellphone/charger Camera, manual, charger, extra chip/film Lap Top and charger Compact DVD player and DVD's  Batteries Saving Money on Hotels  Money-Saving Tips: From TipHero.com Frugally Searching for Travel Deals Get More Out of Your Hotel Stay with These Insider Secrets How to Get a Hotel Room Upgrade for Free How to Use Priceline.com to Get Deep Discounts on Hotel Rooms

Thanks, Tip Hero

Vacation Packing Checklists ~ Medical  "This is most important better safe than sorry"

• Polysporin
• Immodium
• Antacid
• Band-Aids
• Liquid bandage
• Benadryl
• Contraception/ Protection
• Insect repellent
• Contact lens solution/case
• Anti-itch cream
• Extra pair of eyeglasses
• Gravol or motion sickness remedy
• Laxative
• Lubricant
• Analgesic - Ibuprofen, Tylenol etc.
• ASA
• Wide spectrum antibiotic (some trips)
• Prescription medications
• Vitamins/ Herbal remedies
• Sunscreen

Thanks, http://www.vacation-lists.com/vacationpackingchecklists.html   Visit this great site for all kinds of packing list needs

Blessings,

Jean