February 23, 2004—
A frequent topic of discussion on the
Great American
RoadTrip Forum centers around whether or not to make lodging
or camping reservations when on a road trip. For me, the only
difference between a "drive" between two points
and a "road trip" is the shift in perception by
the participants. In my world, a "road trip" is
synonymous with freedom and adventure and the constraints
imposed by having reservations en route is antithetical to
that process.
Back in March, 1994, Megan
Edwards, Marvin the Road
Dog, and I hit the road with no destination and no definite
return date. During those early months on the road, we gained
an appreciation for living "an unsliced life," a
term Megan coined and discussed in her first book Roads
From the Ashes. One component of that lifestyle was
the ability to choose directions and routes based on the whim
of the moment. Such whims made it impossible to arrange for
lodging reservations, since we never really knew where we
would be the next night.
These days, our road trips and those of
just about everyone we know are governed by a variety of constraints,
not the least of which is time. In the words of frequent RoadTrip
Forum poster "Uncle Bob," "…Lessee
how far can I go before I have to turn around and head home."
Other common constraints involve health issues, the comfort
needs of fellow travelers, recreational preferences, availability
of cash, and tastes in food and lodging. Sometimes, reservations
are the best way to ensure a comfortable experience for all
participants. We often travel with our dog, for example. When
we do, we make reservations at motels that welcome critters,
since many don't.
We also make reservations when we know
we'll be in the vicinity of an establishment we know and love.
After nearly a decade roaming the roads of America, we have
a number of favorite hotels, motels, and campgrounds. When
I know that a planned trip could include stopovers at these
favored spots, I'm on the phone to make sure there'll be "room
at the inn." What I avoid is making reservations just
to "feel safe." It's just too much fun to see what's
available on the spot. Sure, we might get a disappointing
meal or a lumpy mattress once in a while, but reservations
don't prevent that. What they can prevent is unexpected delightful
discoveries. These have been, in our experience, far more
plentiful than the unpleasant kind.
It's really a matter of assessing how
much risk you enjoy taking. If you know you'll spend all day
worrying if you don't know where you're going to stay at the
end of the day, by all means make reservations. But if the
thought of letting the road, the weather, and your mood be
your guide sounds the least bit appealing, why not try a reservation-free
road trip next time? You're guaranteed to meet new people,
discover new delights, and keep a feeling of adventure at
the forefront of your wanderings.
Yours from the road,
