🚗 Road-Trip Checklist for Memorial Day Weekend 2024
Essential items you need to pack for an excellent trip.
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As I write this, I’m staying at a hotel in Klamath Falls, Oregon.
It’s a pitstop along the way to Montana.
My mom and I drive 1,000 miles to the rural mountains in Montana almost every year.
In the 1970s, my grandfather, a former forest service ranger, got a great deal on a plot of land and built a small log cabin for his family.
It’s the land of huckleberries, an endless skyline, and majestic pine-covered mountains.
The cabin is my mom’s special place. Over the years, it transformed into our families' place to recharge.
Before buckling our seatbelts and taking a sweet sip of road coffee, I created a mental checklist.
Here’s our road-trip checklist (steal this for your next trip):
Check levels: I checked the brake fluid, fire pressure, windshield wiper fluid, and engine oil levels.
Test all your car lights.
Inspect the battery for any corrosion.
Examen tires for any obstructions.
Pack: Water, a map, extra coolant, extra oil, a first aid kit, extra water, and a COVID test.
Road snacks: We had Wheat Thins crackers, water, fruit, and pieces of chocolate for bursts of energy.
Road-trip music and Podcasts. I used the “Classic Road-Trip” playlist on Spotify. My current favorite podcasts are Smartless, 99% Invisible, and Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend. Any more you recommend?
Road-trip hack: Freeze some water bottles and bring them in a cooler. They keep your drinks and refrigerated items chilled, plus they keep you hydrated.
Are we missing anything? Let me know!
⚓️ Travel quote of the week
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
– Neale Donald Walsch
🧐 Did you know?
According to CNN, over 44 million Americans will travel during Memorial Day Weekend. The majority will be driving.
AAA expects around 3.5 million people to fly during the weekend. You can expect flight delays and traffic jams this weekend.
This effectively makes the weekend arguably one of the busiest (and worst) times to travel.
So, if you’re out there exploring, please be patient.
🎏 Culture Corner
If you ever find yourself in Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, and Malaysia, you may encounter members of a water tribe named the Bajau.
According to Authentic Indonesia, these populations are expert divers and fishermen.
Their affinity to open water is world-renowned. Their boats (lepa-lepa’s) are traditionally their homes. Since their lives revolve around the motions of the open water, the Bajau have a nomadic lifestyle.
Rarely do they set foot on land.
Hence, this indigenous group is known to many as the “Sea Gypsies.”
Although they originated from the Sulu Islands in the Philippines, the Bajau aren’t recognized as citizens of any country.
The vast majority are Muslim and there are over 10 unique Bajau languages.
🌆 What to do in Klamath Falls, Oregon
Even though we're just passing through Klamath Falls, it’s evident a longer stay in the future is necessary.
The surrounding area is classified as a high desert, with snow-capped mountains visible in multiple directions.
Eat: I grew up with a steady diet of tortillas, hot sauce, and beans, thanks to my love of Mexican food. Our hotel recommended Girasol (sunflower in Spanish). It’s casual, vibrantly decorated, and has a fun drink menu. The chicken mole was tasty.
See: Crater Lake National Park. It’s the deepest lake in the United States, formed thousands of years ago when a massive underwater volcano erupted. It is arguably one of the most gorgeous landmarks in the country. You can take a tour or get parking pass to wander on your own.
Do: The surrounding area is prime for outdoor activities. You can go whitewater kayaking on the Rogue River, zip-line, and go rafting. Klamath Falls goes through four seasons, so pack accordingly.
Visit: Downtown Klamath Falls has a laid-back energy. The shops and restaurants there have a lot of soul. The Keeper’s Corner is worth a visit.
On Saturday’s the town closes off a stretch of blocks for a farmer’s market.
Never plan a trip alone again! I can help you find cool stuff for the place you’re going. Book my personal travel planning services.
Substacks I’m Enjoying
There’s too much great content on Substack.
’s publication, Expect the Unexpected, is a fun read that’s worth checking out. I learn a lot whenever I catch her latest posts.
Ok friends, that’s it for this week.
Thanks for reading and have a great day! 😊
Take care!
-Daniel
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Hi Daniel, How kind of you to recommend my substack to your readers. I am soooo jealous of you as you are heading to one of my favorite places on earth - Montana! I can hardly wait to read what you post about the land I love! When we moved to Texas from Alberta, Canada, people often asked me what I missed the most about living in Canada, and I told them, "Whitefish, Montana."
If you haven't stopped along your journey to check out Crater Lake, I hope you will plan on spending some time there. It is really quite fascinating and world-renowned.
Safe travels, my friend, and have fun in Montana!
Great tip with the frozen water bottles, Dan. I’m heading on a road trip through the Pacific NW and on to Canada soon, so definitely want to check out Klamath Falls