Travel Food for the Road

Are you headed somewhere for Thanksgiving?

If you're driving, you could stop three times a day for greasy fast food. It tastes great...for a while. But your stomach will eventually rebel.

If you're flying, you could pay for overpriced airline food. And blow your budget before you reach your destination. (Yep, it can be greasy, too.)

The solution: portable items that easily furnish the ingredients for a quick meal or snack -- and stretch your vacation money even further. They're good for hotel room suppers, or a picnic by the waterside.

FOR YOUR PACK (immediate access):
*empty water bottle (refill when you can)
*flavored drink powder sticks or straws
*protein bars (we've just started carrying these delicious meat bars, based on an old Lakota pemmican recipe)
*small candy bars -- non-chocolate ones like Paydays give a nice protein boost, and don't melt or smear from body warmth.

An apple's nice, if you're not crossing state lines that don't allow fruit.

If I'm driving, I also tuck in a plastic bag of carrot, cucumber and celery sticks, pretzel rods/chips and a pack of bubble gum. Crunchy things keep you awake during long drives.
     We also pack two travel mugs and a large thermos. 

Pack dogfood and bones, if someone's along. "Cmon Mom - let's go!"
(Add a plastic milk gallon of water nestled in an empty half-gallon, for use as a drinking bowl.)

FOR YOUR SUITCASE (longer term):
*set of plastic cutlery - 1 for each person in the family
*sharp knife (jackknife or paring knife -- obviously, this won't be welcome in your carryon)
*can opener
*handful of napkins
*instant coffee sticks and/or teabags
     (plus cream and sugar -- we get a small bottle of milk at a convenience store)
*packs each of crackers and cookies
*individual packs of peanut butter or cheese spread
*small can of chicken breast, seafood or tuna
*microwavable mac and cheese (keep the bowl for future meals)
*packet of dried soup

If driving, do you have lots of room? A small crockpot and cans of soup, stew or other entrees make for delicious eating after a long day of sightseeing. Set the crockpot on low or warm, and add extra water, just before you leave for the day -- your food will be piping hot and ready when you return. (I would love to say I came up with this idea myself -- but I didn't.)


Here are other suggestions. These items take up surprisingly little space. Planning ahead, even for basics like food and drink, saves in the long run.