Getting everything done and your holiday to-do list completed is hard enough but when you’re traveling to see family and friends it can be even more daunting. There are, however several simple things you can do to make your holiday travel worry free. Lock It Down Make sure to lock your doors and drawers before you hit the road for your travels. A burglary is never welcomed, but after a vacation it is even more so because you then have to get back to normalcy. One of the best ways to protect your home while you’re away is to install  [ Read More ]

It’s not doomsday paranoia – it’s preparedness. Emergency supplies need to be a part of every family and in the car. After the fires swept close to my apartment a few years ago in San Diego, I learned the hard way how ill-prepared I was for an emergency. It took nearly 12 hours to pack the car – my small compact – because the things I valued most were scattered in closets, bookcases, scrapbooks, under beds throughout the 4 small rooms I called home. It pains me to think what would be involved if that were to happen today since  [ Read More ]

Every now and then I run across some great info that helps travelers. Extending your laptop battery life is key to keeping your travel computer working smoothly. Many of these suggestions also work well for iPads and other readers. Do what you can to keep your digital companion happy and you’ll share many miles together. 1. Always use your laptop on a smooth surface and never directly on your lap (It’s tempting to prop your computer up on a pillow but that prevents airflow and can lead to dangerous overheating.) Heat from a laptop can also lower sperm count by  [ Read More ]

Listen to the post on The Gathering Road Podcast: The Paris flea market in Clignancourt is a feast for the senses. One chilly November morning I was there with my family and the last thing we were thinking about was identity theft. We split up for a few hours of independent browsing. I was in bliss, strolling through narrow passages with antique furniture, oriental rugs and art deco statues spilling onto walkways. My sister and I giggled as we tried on scarves and riffled through a stand full of new, lacy underwear. Then we all met up at a cafe  [ Read More ]