Millions of Southerners will take to the highways this month, many
venturing to grandmama's house for some turkey and dressing. Other savvy
travelers may head out on shopping expeditions to load up the sleigh before the
Christmas rush or take advantage of the month's off-season hotel rates. Whatever
the reason, chances are that you will be on the road.
Unlike our travel staff, though, we realize that in all likelihood, y'all
won't be motoring alone. You may be forced into driving long distances with
whining children or bickering teenagers. Detroit could be coming to the rescue.
With the advent of smaller and cheaper electronics, auto manufacturers are
now installing factory entertainment systems in their vehicles. Take for
instance the GMC Envoy XL. Our test car was equipped with the SLT Professional
Technology Package ($2,965). The best part is the rear seat
entertainment system. Simply feed it a favorite DVD, slap the wireless
headphones on your passengers, and voilà! Automotive bliss. If all of this is
too high-tech for your tastes, try some good old-fashioned games. There are
classics such as "I Spy?" and the license plate game. My dad used to sing Eddie
Coucha Catcha Heimer Terra Nerra Tosta Nova Samma Camma Wacky Brown. Good luck
out there.
Relaxing Ideas
Here are ways you can ensure your vacation is
rejuvenating and stress free.
Get some rest. Don't stay up late the night before you leave. Pack well in
advance of your departure. Eat and drink moderately. Sleep late. Plan a day at
home after visiting family, which in a survey of 1,000 Americans, was determined
to be one of the more exhausting trips one can take.
By the Numbers- Car crashes caused annually by sleepy drivers: 100,000.
- Percentage of people who return from vacation feeling tired or exhausted: 54.
- Number of pillows currently on beds at The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia:
4,094.
Tips of the Month
Robert J. Dodds of LaGrange, Georgia, had possibly
the best tip we've heard all year. "When I travel--be it for work or vacation--I
have found it practical to have a camera with me. It doesn't have to be an
expensive one; it can be the kind for one-time use. If you're in an accident,
you'll be able to have photos of the damage and vehicle positions. Should you
stumble upon the Loch Ness monster, you're ready to capture it on film!" Another
reason to keep a disposable camera in your car: You might see a crazy Southern
sign to send to "Postscript." Keep those pictures coming!
Nancy Viola of Brooklyn, New York (a convert), wrote to tell us about a tip
her former boss gave. "Plan vacations to begin and end midweek, to make the
return to work feel less burdensome." Come back on a Thursday and hey, only one
more day until Friday.
Reader Sightings
Our Travel editors shop in some pretty odd places to find you the best products
and bargains in the South. But every now and then a reader finds a joint we've
missed. This antiques, or rather "junktiques," store in Waynesville, North
Carolina, was spotted by readers Terry and Barbara Lorinser from Apple Valley,
Minnesota.
This article is from the November 2002 issue of Southern Living. Because prices, dates, and other specifics are subject to change, please
check all information to make sure it's still current before making
your travel plans.
