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5 Free Road Trip Apps for the Long Haul

November 15, 2013 Libby Zay
5-essential-road-trip-apps.jpg

Before you set out on the open road, make sure you're ready to utilize your smartphone. These road trip-related apps will not only drive you to discover new places and foods, but will also help you save time and money.

Food Tripping Free. Available on iPhone and Android. Don't succumb to the constant barrage of billboards promising cheap McWhoseits and McWhatsits at the next highway exit. This GPS-based app shows you nearby alternatives to fast foods, including farmer's markets, microbreweries, and healthy eateries. It's perfect for those looking to eat local, as well as for those looking for meat-free options beyond salads and French fries.

Field Trip Free. Available on iPhone and Android. If you're a history know-it-all or encyclopedia of fun facts, this app is for you. The app runs in the background of your phone and pops up facts as you get close to locations. It can even read the info out loud for you, providing great narration as you travel — plus, it can connect you with local music, making your road trip soundtrack more diverse.

Beatthetraffic Free. Available on iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry. Road trips are best taken in slowly — except when it comes to being stuck in traffic. Get reliable, real-time traffic conditions on roads in the U.S. and Canada with this crowd-sourced app. Then you can spend time doing the things that really matter.

Gas Buddy Free. Available on iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry. On a long road trip, saving just a few pennies per gallon can really add up. Finding deals on gasoline is a no-brainer with this app, which takes user-submitted data to find the cheapest nearby prices. Unlike highway exit signs, it'll also let you know just how far away gas stations are, keeping you from a lengthy detour off your route.

Hotel Tonight Free. Available on iPhone and Android. For road trippers traveling by the seats of their pants, Hotel Tonight is a great tool. Drive to your heart's content, and when you need a rest, this app uses GPS location services to find you a last-minute lodging deal nearby. Book the hotel on your smartphone and then rest up — tomorrow's a whole new day on the open road.

Photo of a road in the United Arab Emirates by Nepenthes/Wikimedia Commons.

In survivalist, explorer Tags road trip files, explore, learn, tips, collection, apps
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#Scoutspiration // Guatemala's Colorful 'Chicken Buses'

November 14, 2013 Libby Zay
chicken-buses-guatemala-1.jpeg
chicken bus guatemala
chicken bus guatemala

When weathered school buses are retired from commission in the United States, they don't always end up being scrapped: many times, they find a new life (and a new paint job) in Guatemala and other Central American countries. Known to English speakers as "chicken buses" because of the likelihood travelers might find themselves sitting next to livestock, these buses can be found throughout the country and are often filled to the brim with locals, budget travelers, and goods.

Across the world, many modes of transport seem unique to those of us using them for the first time — and these buses are no exception. An excursion in one of these vehicles can be chalked up to an amusement park ride, complete with the motion sickness that comes with a driver racing around curves at seemingly impossible speeds. The inside is as animated as the wild colors painted on the exterior, with people entering from both the front and back doors and vendors hopping on and off to try and sell ice cream, plantain chips, and other goodies. Benches intended for two schoolchildren are crammed with three (or more) people, with others standing in the aisles and sometimes even riding on the roof.

guatemala's chicken buses
guatemala's chicken buses

Most entertaining, however, is the bus driver's right-hand man, the ayudante. This helper keeps track of all the bodies on the bus, ensuring everyone pays a proper fare, organizing suitcases, and calling out the names of stops to people on the roadside. Keep a close eye on this guy, as he often finds the most opportune moments — such as when a bus is tearing around a harsh curve — to climb out the window and onto the top of the vehicle to secure packages.

It's true that these buses aren't for the squeamish, but it's the cheapest way to get from place-to-place and offers an invaluable look at Guatemalan culture.

In shutterbug, explorer Tags scoutspiration, explore, capture, learn, photo essay, america, guatemala, photography
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Back to Basics // 9 Sweet Stain Removal Tricks for the Road

November 13, 2013 Libby Zay
stain-removal-tricks3.jpg

When you're on the road, a single stained garment can take a big dent out of your wardrobe options. Don't let a ring around your shirt collar or some French fry grease on your waterproof pants put a damper on your trip. Inside your hotel room and travel bag are a few items that can be used to stamp out stains. From ink to red wine, here are some stain removal tricks when you're in a pinch.

Body Oils/Makeup: Use a dab of shampoo or shaving cream as you would a detergent.

Chewing Gum/Candle Wax: Harden the gum or wax with ice and then peel it right off.

Coffee/Soy Sauce/Mustard: Blot the trouble spot with shaving cream, let it sit for 30 minutes, and rinse.

Deodorant/Sweat: Mix equal parts lemon juice (available at nearly any restaurant) and water, then hang clothing in the sun for several hours.

Fruit Juice: Soak the garment in cool water, rub a bar of soap on the stain, and then rinse with hot water.

Grease: Blot the stain with artificial sweetener — the yellow, pink, or blue packets left near the coffeemaker should do the trick.

Ink: Apply hairspray or toothpaste and allow it to set, then run under cool water while rubbing the stain gently.

Lipstick: Dab the stain with hairspray and rinse with warm water. Blotting it with bread also works, if bread is available.

Wine: Pour boiling water (from the coffee pot in your hotel, maybe?) on the stain from a height of three feet. It's probably best to do this in the bathtub.

And remember:

  • Act fast. The sooner you attack the stain the better.
  • Machine drying or ironing can set stains. Don't use these processes until you're sure you've tried everything.
  • To avoid discoloration, it’s always a good idea to test on a small bit of fabric first.
  • Avoid rings from the spots you treated by drying your clothes with the in-room blow dryer.

Photo by 23hours / shell belle, flickr.

In survivalist, explorer Tags back to basics, road trip files, learn, how-to guide, tips
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I'm Libby Zay, a Baltimore-based writer and all-around curious person. I love roadside attractions, taking photos, and campfires. Let's earn some badges and explore together!

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