BuzzSugar

Playlist: The Summer Road Trip

BuzzSugar — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 07:30:00 PDT

We're smack-dab in the middle of Summer, and to me, there are few more quintessential Summer vacations than a good old-fashioned road trip. Of course, any good road trip needs a great Playlist, and there is no shortage of songs that pay tribute to motorized wanderlust.

In fact, when I made my trip cross-country several years ago, I asked all of my friends to burn mix CDs so I would have plenty to listen to en route. Of course, that was before these newfangled iPod Playlists, but I've used those original CDs as inspiration for my summer road trip iMix. Clicking the link takes you to a URL that will ask you to launch iTunes, so just click "launch application" in the pop-up window. Since I'm now publishing the BuzzSugar Playlists on iTunes, you can even buy the iMix for your next road trip. Tell me what would be on your road-trip mix, and to see the list of songs on mine,

“The Weight” by The Band
"Ramblin' Man" by The Allman Brothers
"Heavy Metal Drummer" by Wilco
"Sister Christian" by Night Ranger
“Honk if You’re Lonely” by The Silver Jews
“Cecilia” by Simon and Garfunkel
“Another Travelin’ Song” by Bright Eyes
"Band on the Run" by Wings
“Going Mobile” by The Who
"Float On" by Modest Mouse
"18 Wheels of Love" by the Drive-By Truckers
"Women in Black" by The Roadside Graves

Source

How to Take a Road Trip If You're . . .

Lizzie Fuhr — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 02:00:00 PDT

I can't believe it's already August, but that doesn't mean it's too late to plan a last-minute road trip: the quintessential Summer adventure. Make sure you check out these tips before you pack up, put the top down, and hit the open road. Here's how to take a road trip if you're . . .

With Your Best Friend: There's nothing better than blasting music and dancing in the car with your best friend. If you're taking a trip with your wingwoman, try to unwind from your normal schedule and see where the road takes you. On this road trip make it all about the journey, not just the destination. Be silly, sing loud, and surprise yourself. And if anything happens, you have your trusty bestie by your side!
With Your Boyfriend or Husband: If you haven't road tripped together before, this could prove to be quite the experience. Make the most of the time you have together and do something special for your man. Before the trip research a few stops that you know he'll love to surprise him on the way. Is he a sports freak? Take him to a baseball game or a hall of fame. A foodie? Research some stops from Man vs. Food Nation or Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. He's sure to appreciate the time you took for him. Plus, he'll probably be more up for doing things you're into on the trip and on the way home.
With a Big Crew: Whether you're all visiting old friends or you're on your way to an end-of-Summer music festival, the best advice I can give you is to move as fast, but as safely, as possible. Chances are, this trip is about the destination, not just the ride. Be prepared, bring your iPod if you want to snooze and get out of the convo, and no matter what, be sure to keep your cool and not bring up anything too controversial. The last thing you want to be is stressed or frazzled when you arrive at your destination. And remember, you'll be taking the trek home with the same people.
With Your Kids: Take the constant "are we there yet?" out of the equation and be sure to come prepared with ample games and delicious snacks. A great way to involve everyone is to include the kids in planning the itinerary. If you're not looking to take requests, have a few roadside attractions or activities on a list and have everyone pick something they'd like to see happen on the road.
With Your Mom or Dad: Spending this much time with a close family member may sound a little overwhelming, but it can be an enlightening experience. The open road seems full of possibility and without fail, it gets people to open up and start talking candidly. A road trip is a great opportunity to connect with someone you love. Get your mom or dad talking and really listen. You're sure to learn something you didn't know before.

5 Ways Tech Can Help You Save Money While Traveling

Kristy Korcz — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 09:05:52 PST

Summer may seem like the biggest travel season of the year, if you're headed abroad, cross country, or to far-off locales, travel time is ripe 365 days a year. Unfortunately, traveling can also have you racking up the charges on your credit card, but with these handy tech tips, you can save money while on the road now, or any time!

Track down free WiFi - There's a number of US airports that offer free WiFi in the terminals (and more being added all the time), which can save you big money if you need to stay connected. Also, there's plenty of WiFi options getting to and from the terminal. Just don't use that mysterious "Free Public WiFi" signal - it could spell trouble.
Get a Google Voice number - Getting a Google Voice number can help you save big bucks on international and domestic calls wherever you are - rates start at just two cents a minute, and calls to US and Canadian landlines are free! Plus, you can use your laptop to make calls, no cell phone required.

Check out the rest of the tips when you read more.

Beginner Bicycle Buy: The 7.2 FX WSD by Trek

Leta Shy — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:31:30 PDT

You never forget how to ride a bike, but hopping on one for the first time since those school days gone by can be intimidating. So when Trek sent me a bike that it promised was perfect for beginner cyclists, I was hoping it was the ideal gateway bike for me to start navigating San Francisco's hilly roads on two wheels.

What's New
Released over the Summer, the 2012 Trek 7.2 FX WSD hybrid bike ($550) is an update of the company's most popular model. Since it's a part-road, part-mountain hybrid bike, it's made for anyone who commutes in the city, cycles for fitness, or is just the casual rider. Upgrades to the new model include a lighter body, shock-absorbing handlebars, and improved saddle comfort. Also, Trek's WSD line features women-specific design to ensure that the bikes' proportions and sizing are made for your body.

The Ride
As a city cyclist newbie, I loved how comfortable the 7.2 FX felt from the start. From the seat to the shock-absorbing handlebars, I felt confident and at ease. The low-rise handlebars make for back-friendly upright riding, and the bike's sturdiness reassured me that I was in control (everything helps when those cars are whizzing by). When I took the 7.2 FX with me during a camping trip, its hybrid tires - wider than a road bike's but not as big as a mountain bike's - navigated well-worn trails with ease, whether they were paved, rocky, or sandy.

Besides the comfortable ride, many of the 7.2 FX's other features make me a fan. My appreciation for the 7.2 FX's aluminum frame and eight speeds, for instance, grew exponentially as soon as I confronted my first hill. Its light body meant I wasn't weighed down, and once I got a hang of shifting gears I was able to actually make it to the top using the bike's low gears.

Read on for more details about the Trek 7.2 FX WSD.

What to Wear on a Road Trip

Brittney Stephens — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 11:44:04 PDT

Windows down, music blaring, and adventure looming: when it comes to heading out of town for fun, nothing beats a road trip. It's a great way to bond with friends and take some much-needed time to reflect on your life (just don't venture into any Thelma and Louise-type stunts). Whether your final destination is only a few hours away, or you decide to take some roads less traveled for a week, you want to stay comfortable sitting shotgun, while still looking chic for your stops. Click through to see and shop some looks that will ensure that you stay stylish while cruising the open road - and whatever you do, don't forget your playlist!

Take Your Clothes Off: Lonely Planet's Picks For Hot Springs Hot Spots

Guest Writer — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 05:00:49 PDT

Editor’s note: Summer travel season has officially begun! The following guest post was written by Robert Reid, the US Travel Editor for Lonely Planet. He will be guest blogging on Savvy for the next two months, helping you find some great ideas of how to get your vacation on this Summer.

There are so many places in the US to spend a long weekend, or even a week or two, that it can become overwhelming to decide. It’s why a lot of people just go to the same vacation rental every year and don’t change it up. But I think it’s a lot more fun to try somewhere new and have unique adventures. We’ve started a website called 15 Weekends of Summer to get you inspired, and every two weeks I’ll pick one of those themes, tell you some of my favorite places to go in relation to that theme and then let you know how to download a free detailed itinerary of our favorite summer trip within that theme. Sound good? Let’s start with “Take Your Clothes Off”."

The US is full of geothermic activity so why not go hot spring hunting this summer? Soaking in hot water appeals to almost everyone and there’s a wide variety of experiences you can have-from spending a weekend at a resort to hiking out to an isolated spring in the middle of nowhere. Hot springs occur when water is heated from within the earth’s crust and then forced up to the surface. Some feel the water has healing properties due to its high mineral content. Most of the hot springs in the US are in the west, so for some of you, a road trip is definitely in order.

In Northern California, you can find affordable resorts within just hours of the San Francisco Bay Area. Wilbur Hot Springs and Orr Hot Springs are two favorites: both provide either indoor accommodation (private rooms and a bunk house) or camp sites with a shared kitchen to prepare your meals. The tubs are clothing-optional and thus your space is respected - any inappropriate behavior will get you kicked out pronto. Although rustic, these resorts have amenities like massage, yoga and plenty of hiking trails to the adjacent wilderness.

For more hot spots you don't want to miss out on, read on.

5 Ways to Heat Up Your End of Summer Romance

TresSugar — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 10:30:14 PDT

Nothing's more seasonably appropriate than a Summer fling. But with Labor Day here, the sun is setting on this romantic time of year. Whether you're in a long-term relationship that's seen many Summers, or in the midst of a budding romance, check out five ways to keep Summer lovin' hot for as long as possible.

Skip PJs on a warm night: When night falls on one of the few scorchers we inevitably have left, make it a sexy occasion by sleeping next to your partner sans clothes.
Take a weekend road trip: Even if you don't have time to take off work, skip town with your guy before the season of vacation ends. You can spend a night at a bed and breakfast or make a day trip to the beach.
Go on late-night walks: The days are only getting shorter, so appreciate the long days of Summer by taking a romantic evening walk with your man. It can be around the block after work, or around town after a run to your favorite ice cream spot. A hand-in-hand stroll is the perfect way to disconnect from everyday stresses and connect with each other.
See a movie at the drive-in: While you watch a movie from the privacy of your own car, no one will interrupt your make out session or tell you to pipe down as you make flirty jokes.
Take an outdoor nap: Whether it's in your backyard hammock or on a blanket in a park, take advantage of the pleasant weather and Summer smells with an outdoor cuddle session.

Do you have any ideas to add?

Source: Flickr User Foxtongue

Will You Be Taking a Vacation This Summer?

Sponsor — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 03:00:03 PDT

Summer is a great time to pick up the family and get away. Whether it’s an exotic beach vacation or just a road trip to a lake, there’s no better time to plan a trip. However, the notion of a staycation, making your own home the destination for all your Summer fun, is one of the hottest new trends. But whether you’re planning a family vacation away from home or prepping for some good old backyard fun, Walmart is the place to stock up on all Summer essentials. You'll get the products you love at prices that won't break the bank. With low-price guarantees on all your family’s Summer sun care, you’ll find everything to keep them protected, so they can have fun outdoors. So, tell us whether or not you’ll be taking a vacation this Summer.

Running With a Pack in the Hood to Coast Relay

Susi May — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:18:56 PDT

When invited to run on a friend's team in the mother of all relays, you answer yes and start training immediately. This is how I joined the Van Tramps for the 30th running of the Hood to Coast Relay. I had seen the documentary (here's my review of Hood to Coast, the movie) and was honored to be in the 12-women team named partially after the Von Trapp family singers, immortalized climbing hills in The Sound of Music. But our team name is also a nod to the hours spent in a van, tramping around Oregon between Mt. Hood and the Oregon coast. Silly names and decorated vans are all part of the fun of this endurance relay.

The race starts five miles up the eponymous mountain, winds its way through the city of Portland, OR, before ending 200 miles later at the beachy town of Seaside. The 12-member team is divided equally into two vans. Each member runs three legs of the 36-leg race, with stage lengths ranging from just under four miles to just over eight. The race takes over 24 hours to complete, so all racers have the thrill of running in the dark wearing flashing lights (or vests) and headlamps. In fact, race officials won't let you check in at the starting line without first showing them your safety wear. Nothing like sharing a sweating reflective vest with your teammates. It's bonding!

Learn more race deets after the break.

5 Gadget Carry-On Essentials

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 08:13:45 PDT

Summer is waning, but you can still hit the road for a much-needed vacation. Whether they're flying near or far, tech addicts will want to keep these gadget essentials near to them in their carry-on luggage.

iPad or Tablet - If you have the luxury of spending upwards of $500 on a tablet, it's probably the only gadget you'll need to tote during travel season since it can hold your ebooks, surf the Internet, and keep you connected.
eReader - If you're sans tablet, pack up your favorite ereader. Whether it's the latest Kindle or the new Nook Simple Touch, you can read the entire Game of Thrones series without all the paper weight.
Compact laptop - Though the MacBook Air is arguably the most popular lightweight laptop out there, there's plenty of compact PCs to choose from as well. We're big fans of the HP Mini 210, and the Samsung Series 9 is sleek and chic as well.

See the rest of the list after the jump