I’ve got a road trip itch. I want to get up at 6am, pile in my Pathfinder with some tunes + snacks + my camera, and hit the road. I want do drive through small, simple towns. I want to have a general destination but be okay with taking all kinds of adventurous detours. I’d like to drive and drive, stopping for meals, meeting all kinds of people.

These are my daydreams. Drive to Utah for Mt. Zion. Adventure through Georgia and photograph small town scenery. I want to ride a train to Maine and back. I want to hike some of the Appalachian Trail.

I made a fun wish list of a few things I wouldn’t mind bringing along if I woke up at 6am to hop in the car.

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Disclaimer: This article is not a paid advertisement and all opinions are my own.

Some of these I already have. A comfy, loose sweatshirt perfect for long car or plane rides. This cool bookbag from Fjallraven to round up my wallet, chapstick, journal, headphones, a small toiletry bag, Bible, sunglasses, etc. My camera, of course, for documentation. Depending on the length of the drive, some extra juice for my phone can come in handy. My Kindle, because I’m likely to read more than one book on a roadtrip (having a movie or two is also not a horrible thing, especially for a plane ride). A small pillow — less bulk than a regular size one, great for car naps. Comfy shoes, because… comfy shoes. Highly valuable.

Any destinations in your daydreams? What are your travel essentials? I’d love to hear about them.

PS – Let’s play, and my favorite dessert.