Top 10 Summer Road Trip Must-Haves

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All is calm on the ranch and I’m on vacation so we are heading out on the road for a few days and I’m making sure we have everything we need for an enjoyable vacation.

With a large cattle operation, it’s tricky for us to go too far at this time of year but I’m grateful for a few days away where the two of us can sit back, relax and reconnect with each other. I’m also VERY grateful for my brother in law who keeps everything running on the farm while we sneak away.

There are a few items we make sure we have packed when we head out on the road. Our road trips typically include locations where we can appreciate nature, get some exercise, sit on a beach, and, of course, enjoy a few delicious meals and wine.

We are so very fortunate to live in a country where there are beautiful spots for a getaway right in our own backyard or within a few short hours from our home.

In addition to sunscreen, shorts, swimsuits, sneakers, and hoodies, here are some essential items we are packing for the trip!

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Top 10 Summer Road Trip Must-Haves

1. Bluetooth Speaker

A Portable Bluetooth Speaker is a definite must-have for us while on vacation. Whether it’s sitting on the beach, out for a walk, or chilling out at our hotel room or Airbnb we are often enjoying our favourite playlists or podcasts.

2. Cell Phone Battery Charger

I can’t tell you how many Portable Chargers we have but they are so handy! When we’re streaming music or a podcast and taking a ton of pictures, we drain our cellphone batteries quite quickly so these are great to have in the backpack or beach bag. My husband also finds these exceptionally handy while out in the field.

3. Corkscrew

Duh! Of course, we never leave home without a Corkscrew! Yes, we’ve seen the Youtube videos with shoes, screws, and napkins used as corkscrews but we’d rather not have to worry about it. PS. Don’t pack this in your carry-on when boarding a plane. I’ve unwittingly donated a few to Airport Securities when this little tool has been hiding in a small pocket.

4. Travel Wine Glasses

I don’t know about you guys, but for me, wine just tastes better in a wine glass. Many hotels will send wine glasses up to your room but we can’t always rely on that when we are picking more remote places to stop during our road trip. For this reason, we always ensure we have a couple of Plastic Wine Glasses in our suitcase.

5. Beach Towels

We definitely plan to spend a few hours on the beach while away so a couple of beach towels are a must. I’m giving the Turkish Cotton Bath Beach Towels a try because they are compact and lightweight so great for packing into a beach bag. I just purchased the Poko Loko brand from a local shop so I can’t wait to see how they hold up. They are going to be great to have along with on cruises also.

6. Beach Chairs and Umbrella

Beach Chairs have come a long way over the years and now they come designed as a backpack with cooler drink holders! Nice. I’m a sun worshipper and my husband is not so a Sun Umbrella is also a good idea for us when we spend the day at the beach. You want to find one that packs up nicely and has a strap so your hubby doesn’t feel like a mule while wandering around trying to find the perfect spot on the beach.

7. Books

If you’ve been following me you know about my Summer Reading Challenge and the 10 titles I am making my way through this summer. My husband likes to read when on vacation also. Here are our current recommendations.

His Current Recommendations

My Current Recommendations

8. Travel Games

When the whole point of us getting away is to reconnect, reading or scrolling on our phones aren’t exactly going to help us with that. If we’re sitting outside on the balcony of our vacation home or even on the beach, it’s fun to pull out the cards or a board game.

9. Travel Mugs

A pair of travel mugs are going to help you transition from coffee time to happy hour all in 1 tumbler! A couple of my favourite brands in travel mugs are Corkcicle and YETI. They both come in a variety of styles and colours and are going to keep your coffee hot, your cooler cold and you looking stylish.

10. Tripod/Selfie Stick

We aren’t completely sold on using a selfie stick, but the whole point of our getaway is to remind us why we love each other and the two of us trying to get a selfie we both approve of does not help with that! The new Tripod I bought during Amazon Prime Days is going to come in handy in getting some pictures of us with actual scenery and genuine smiles. There are Selfie Stick Tripods you can get though if you’re into selfies but are also in need of a tripod for the nice family picture where half of junior’s face isn’t cut out of the shot in an attempt to fit everyone in. There are some great compact and lightweight options. The new tripod I just bought will actually fit in my beach bag.

I am so excited to hit the road with my man and enjoy some peace and quiet for a few days. Happy Summer!