And Mario Andretti had to be a wake up :-)
Michael in San Antonio
91GL AT 'Gringo'
73 Beetle

On Thu, Nov 12, 2009 at 8:29 PM, craig cowan <phishman068@gmail.com> wrote:

> I drove from Sydney Nebraska to Pittsburgh PA in one stretch (36hrs),
> alone,
> with two failing gears in my transmission.
> Mind you i'm young.....
> But here are my suggestions:
>
> Bring plenty of music you haven't heard in a while. I intentionally had
> mixes and CD's from a while back. SING ALONG!!!!
> NO BOOKS ON TAPE, you'll fall asleep. Just eat and drink as you go along.
> Plenty of snacks and beverages, not necessarily with caffeine. Even water
> makes a difference. Just the physical act of eating or drinking and
> planning
> it out and looking forward to your next little bite can help.
> Stop for gas more often then you need to. The act of getting out and taking
> even just a few steps wakes you up and clears your mind. When you stop try
> to hold a 2-3 minute conversation with the gas station employee about
> something local. It gives you something fresh to think about when you're
> driving along and a fresh set of questions to think up for next time.
>
> The best thing that happened to me to get me home safely was being bit by a
> spider (or something) on the foot while in Salt Lake City. My sandal strap
> went right over the bite. When i started falling asleep, i'd flex my foot
> and the searing pain would wake me right up : )
>
> I don't believe in energy drinks.
>
> -Craig
> '85GL turned WESTY
> BOSTIG in the back
>
>
> On Thu, Nov 12, 2009 at 8:29 PM, John Reynolds <kayakjr@comcast.net>
> wrote:
>
> > My wife and I and two kids under 5 drove Massachusetts (coast) to Cody,
> > Wyoming (over 2,300 miles) in under 48 hours in Ford Escort wagon. (we
> were
> > in our 30's then)
> > We stopped for a swim at one place and caught 3 hours sleep in the
> Dakotas,
> > but did stop in restaurants for the most part to eat. Th e kids did
> great.
> >
> >
> > It was a bit grueling at times and we did not plan to do it this way, but
> > it worked out.
> > It's essential that both of you are capable of sleeping while the car is
> in
> > motion. I can , my wife can't very well. That way your replacement is
> ready
> > to take over when you need them to.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > I agree with skipping the caffeine (and sugar), at least until the end.
> > Carbonated water I drank in droves on my long drives.
> > Switch drivers more often towards the end. Books on tape can be great for
> > some.
> > I find the morning hours when the sun starts to rise the danger time.
> It's
> > like the body says "Whoa, I need to go to bed".
> > You have only one sunrise, so don't sweat it.
> > Your timing is pretty good, but I would try and time it so you are there
> > before the sun goes down on the 2nd day.
> > Don't be afraid to take a sleep break if it gets too much.
> >
> >
> > Happy trails,
> > John
> >
>