“If you wait to do everything until you’re sure it’s right, you’ll probably never do much of anything.” – Win Borden

Having the freedom, and the courage, to say YES when unexpected opportunities present themselves is one of the great joys in life. Some of the greatest adventures are the unplanned twists, turns and deviations from our chosen path. So many of us turn a blind eye to these spontaneous opportunities because we are scared or unprepared to take on the unknown. With a little preparation and confidence, we can more easily approach these forks in the road and take the path less traveled…

On our recent accidental trip to New Orleans, we were fairly unprepared for such a detour. Ultimately, that didn’t hold us back and we made the trip anyway and had an amazing time. We were able to stop and grab most of the items that we thought we needed from a common grocery store, but had we packed the items ahead of time the decision would have been even easier.

“Only in spontaneity can we be who we truly are.” – John McLaughlin

That got me thinking about putting together a simple “Go Bag” that would include some basic essentials for spontaneous trips. I thought about the things we needed and asked around for more suggestions and came up with a pretty basic list of items that would be easy to keep in a small bag in your car for those unexpected cross-country road trips.

The Go Bag: Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Tissue

Hand Sanitizer

First Aid Kit

Feminine Hygiene Products

Water bottle

Deodorant (via Beth)

Sunscreen (via Jennifer)

We also came up with a list of items that should go with you anytime you head out, just in case you need them. Sometimes, something as simple as taking spare shoes or an extra jacket will allow you to be better prepared to accept a spontaneous adventure. It helps knowing that you have some basic items “just in case you need them”.

And again, being prepared will make it easier to be spontaneous and add adventures to your schedule without stress or worry.

Day Trip Essentials: Change of Clothes

Layers (jacket, sweater, etc)

Snacks

Extra Water

Cash

Camera

Multi-Tool

Phone Chargers

Local Maps

Prescription Medications ( via Anthony)

Plastic bags (via Jennifer)

Pen/Pencil and paper (via Jennifer)

Being prepared for a spontaneous road trip also means keeping your vehicle maintained and ready to cover some miles. Always start with a full tank, keep basic oils and fluids in the trunk and always carry a roadside emergency kit. My wife also keeps an emergency bag in the trunk with extra water bottles, blankets, sweater, hat, gloves, and food.

What do you keep in your car for unexpected adventures? What would you add to these lists?

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