Going solo.

[kageotogi]

Hi everybody! (Hi, Doctor Nick!)

I'm going on a solo road trip later this month to Florida via Durham, North Carolina. It's going to be... Cripes. It's going to be a fifteen hour trip each way, if I'm lucky with the roads (hahahahaha) and if I don't stop to get gas or eat or anything. So that's fun. Thankfully, my way-via-Durham means I get to split the trip into two parts -- five+ hours one day, then ten+ hours to get to Florida.

For the record, the five+ hour drive doesn't worry me too much. Ten+? That's a lot of time to be in a car by myself. So I turn to you all. Any tips? What's the best way to spend ten+ hours in a car by my lonesome -- and to ensure I stay lucid long enough that I don't (a) drive off the road or (b) crash into anyone else? I'm thinking lots of books-on-tape and CDs, but if you happen to have any other ideas, let me know. I'm up for it.

Anyway, those're my plans. Exciting, huh? I basically figured that if the stupid weather wouldn't give me snow up here (although it is snowing today, which is great), then I might as well be warm(er) down there for a few days. Plus, I get to see people. All in all, it made sense to me.

Buhwork. >_< I have to bust my ass this week and next so I have less to catch up on when I get back from the SRT. We'll see how that goes.

Comments

[goingofthings.livejournal.com]

where are you going? what for? I haven't talked to you in forever - very out of the loops. Books on tapes is my best recommendation; it will make the drive insanely tolerable. Libraries have a good selection too - if not at your direct branch through ILL.

[kageotogi.livejournal.com]

I know. What have you been up to, really?

[goingofthings.livejournal.com]

E-mail me (I miss my e-mail stalker, we never did make it to 500) and maybe by then I'll think of a good summary of what I've been up to lately. I've been insanely busy but if you asked to show proof of my busyness I'm not really sure what I could show you. Other than a half finished scarf.

[kageotogi.livejournal.com]

Yes'm. :D

[zxora.livejournal.com]

...I hate you, you know that, right? I mean, it's Florida. Guh. I wanna gooo...hey, if you want entertainment, forget about going solo...you could always take me! Just pick me up in Michigan. It'll add a few hours to your drive, sure, but it'll be worth it!

~*Kelsey*~

[kageotogi.livejournal.com]

A few hours? :P Yeah right. ^_~

[zxora.livejournal.com]

Hmph...>:-(.

~*Kelsey*~

[kageotogi.livejournal.com]

Haha... Get yourself to Baltimore before I ship out, and we'll talk. :P

[zxora.livejournal.com]

I can do that...:-D.

~*Kelsey*~

[kageotogi.livejournal.com]

Can, maybe, but shouldn't. ♥ You'll be in class when I go. Be cool! Stay in school!

[zxora.livejournal.com]

...Fork you!

~*Kelsey*~

[kageotogi.livejournal.com]

If you insist~

Maybe next time. ♥

[photoash.livejournal.com]

Hmm... you hear alot of medical ppl say it's good to get out and stretch every 2 hours ... I think that if you did that at least every 3 hours on the long haul that would benefit you :)

I dunno i nearly died driving from here to Baltimore >_> but I loath driving :D

Make sure you have sunglasses? :)

[kageotogi.livejournal.com]

...I'll have to go buy a pair of sunglasses. >_< I have the worst luck with them; I'll probably have to buy three more pairs over the course of the trip.

[lawless523.livejournal.com]

I was going to suggest getting out and stretching every so often as well - if you have no medical issues then every 3 hours or so sounds good.

More frequent but shorter stops to stretch will probably let you get further faster than sitting in the car until you can't stand it anymore.

Listen to something interesting and keep yourself well hydrated, but not too hydrated - don't want to have to stop at every rest stop.

Good luck! We've driven from NJ to SC but I can't tolerate long trips anymore - have to get out and stretch every 2 hours, usually.

Oh, and your shoulders may hurt - do some stretches in the morning and make sure you warm the joints up so they don't feel frozen in one position when you drive. And cruise control is your friend, as long as the weather's good enough for you to use it.

[kageotogi.livejournal.com]

Three hours sounds like a good idea, all considered. It should help me make some good time, too -- and hopefully keep me from delving into too much road rage. ^_~

You know, I've never actually used cruise control before? I should probably get on that before I go, get some practice... Yippee.

[kloos411.livejournal.com]

Do it Hunter Thompson style! Snort some no-doze and pound the ether. Watch out for the mutant bats!

[kageotogi.livejournal.com]

You need prescriptions for no-doze now, don't you? Woe.

[kloos411.livejournal.com]

What I really mean to say is bring Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas on tape. It's fun and will keep you on your toes.

[kageotogi.livejournal.com]

...best advice yet. :D I wonder if I'll be able to find that in the library.

[iamnotvoldemort.livejournal.com]

Oh, you were actually serious? o_o

How far south are you coming?

[kageotogi.livejournal.com]

I'm always serious, except when I'm not~

I'm just going to Orlando. How far south should I be going?

[iamnotvoldemort.livejournal.com]

No further.

I am not that much farther south. :D

[kageotogi.livejournal.com]

You could come up to Orlando and say hello~ I'm actually going to be crashing with a mutual friend of ours. ^.^

[rageboxalice.livejournal.com]

Books on tape, but make sure the reader doesn't have one of those monotone, "put you in a coma" voices. Also, heavy metal music. I suggest Tool, Disturbed, Nine Inch Nails, A Perfect Circle, Lacuna Coil, Sevendust, White Zombie, and Static X for starters. Feel free to mix it up with some X-Ray Dog for a more classical, but still bone-rattling, sound. ^^

On a serious note, the stretching is a good idea, coffee is your friend, and have fun~! ♥

[kageotogi.livejournal.com]

Good choices. ♥

I'll actually be avoiding the caffeine. Last thing I need it to make pit stops every twenty minutes, or to get jittery behind the wheel. (Coffee and I... tend to not get along that often. -_-)

[rageboxalice.livejournal.com]

^^♥

Ah, yeah. That's not so fun. I actually drink energy drinks for caffeine, but only half of one at a time or it sends my blood pressure up. Still, have fun on your trip, and be safe!