We love taking trips in the car. You know how Thursday rolls around and you start asking yourself “what do I feel like doing this weekend?” Our go-to answer always seems to be “let’s go for a drive.” Whether its a four-hour drive north to Denali National Park, or an hour south to arrive at the magical Portage Glacier, we find taking day trips through Alaska to be a great way to spot wildlife, explore new trails, and enjoy unparalleled views along the way.
Whenever we get ready for an adventure on the road, I make sure our ride is equipped with:
- Camera–for me, that’s my Canon T6i, usually paired with my Tamron 150-600mm lens for catching wildlife.
- Cell phone & car charger–about half the photos on my Instagram are taken with my iPhone 8+, so I make sure to keep it charged and at the ready even when there’s no service. Don’t forget the charger!!
- Water & protein bars–sometimes a picnic lunch, too. We are obsessed with cranberry Baked Flats as a go-to snack.
- Small cooler–we love our Yeti Roadie. It’s small enough to fit easily on the floorboard or backseat and it keeps everything cold all day without even adding ice!
- Binoculars–a must for winning the argument over whether that blob in the field is a boulder or a bear. Our current favorites are the Leupold 10×42 Acadias; they’re compact enough to slip into the glove box and tack sharp at long distances.
- Muck/rain boots–you just never know… they come in handy. The ones I’m currently rocking have been discontinued but when I replace them I want the extra-tall Mucks in black and tan.
- Map/atlas–there are places out here with -gasp- NO SERVICE. If you can remember how to read one, your map will be your best friend in no time. For Alaskan road trips, the MilePost is your best friend.
- Waterproof jacket–the weather can turn quickly and a proper jacket will keep you dry and warm. I love how compact my Columbia Arcadia jacket is when I have it packed away and the hood is a must for me!
- Music–no road trip is complete without blasting your favorite tunes! Our usual Pandora stations are Jewel, Chris Stapleton, Neil Young and 90s Rock, but we also keep good old-fashioned CDs handy for long stretches of road without cell service!
- Emergency road kit–my husband loves planning and packing emergency kits. We carry this trauma kit from Everly (more geared toward hunting/backpacking adventures) and then have our own custom kit of everything from compact air compressor to flashlights and extra bandaids. Always make sure you have a proper spare tire and the tools needed to change one if the need arises. Safety first!
What are some of your must-haves for a day of adventure in the car? Share your tips below.
Until next time, happy wandering!
–Jenn
Alisha April 18, 2018
You forgot the sunflower seeds π We like to have some beef sticks and jerky, candy, John Denver, Eagles, and trail mix to add to that.
Jenn April 18, 2018 — Post Author
So true!! We love the ranch sunflower seeds the best and we definitely like to have John Denver along for the ride every now and then π