Sherman's Travel

For avid hikers or bicyclers, it may be tough to remember the routes you’ve conquered, which remain your wish list, and which were your favorites. For those who enjoy spending as much vacation time as possible in the great outdoors, you may be itching for ways to capture those special excursions in order to look back on what made certain trips so worthwhile. If you just so happen to be a smartphone owner, I’ve got a few apps that can be of assistance. Read more

I admit that I’m pretty particular when it comes to packing for a trip. I have my trusty roller bag that’s perfectly packed with my trip essentials. (I never check luggage – even for month-long trips.) And, I have my carry-on. This is where I keep the necessities for the most comfortable flight possible. Here’s what goes under my seat:

Reading material
I bring print magazines and books on the flight. Sure, they’re bulky, but I hate being the sucker staring off into space when we’re asked to turn off all electronics. I like to pay it forward and leave old reading material for the next passenger. Read more

Water, a wallet, and wipes are somewhat obvious things to pack in a carry-on bag, especially if you’re a parent with more than 25 minutes of experience. But summer, being as it’s conducive to heat, splashing, grime, and a desire to pack and travel light, should inspire all summer travelers – families, beach goers, and all-around outdoorsy types – to put a smart twist on these three basic items.

Here are my picks, each coming in comfortably under twenty bucks.

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What’s a good Father’s Day present for a dad who travels? At last night’s Traveling Mom Twitter party, a GPS device emerged as an easy answer – and perhaps a self serving one, since many present at the hour-long Tweetfest have endured creatively navigated car rides with their fathers and husbands.

And then there are those who just think the gadget makes a nice gift, like mother of four Christie Lombardo, who bought her dad a GPS system for Father’s Day last year “since he loves to travel, but he still uses his maps as backup.” Mom Tammy Sigond seconded the GPS idea and also suggested a AAA membership, which you can easily give as a first-time gift or renewal to the dads in your life.

Blogger and mom Mary Heston concurred that swell Father’s Day presents might include “AAA membership, GPS (handheld that coordinates with online maps)” as well as “corn nuts, beef jerky, and ChapStick.” And business owner and mom Karin Sheets says she bought her husband a “computer reader for car repairs last year,” which he thought was cool.

For a twist on the “help dad find his way” gift idea, consider giving dad a driver for Father’s Day, suggested Kerrie Gallagher, who developed the iPad car games app Road Trip: Family Fun.

As you might expect, the Twitter party-goers had Father’s Day gift ideas that went beyond the automotive. Read on for more.

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