How to pack for your trip

A back pack is the best way to pack
everything you need for your trip

If you are like most people then you hate packing for trips.  No matter how short or long the trip is, you hate packing.

There is no need to worry about packing anymore if you just follow these easy steps.

The first thing you need to do is get yourself a back pack.

Most peoples problems with packing stem from having an over-sized suit case.  A back pack is portable and easy to carry around and will alleviate much of the problems.

When you find yourself at the air port and needing to walk a long distance with your bag it can seem daunting.  But with a back pack you just throw it over your shoulder and get going.

Most back packs can be taken as a carry on item onto the plain.  Eliminating the hassle of waiting for your luggage to arrive on the carrusel at your destination.

When you begin to pack for your trip remember that light is best.  You are going to be carrying that bag around everywhere you go and you do not want to have something heavy.

Bring only the essential clothing items you will need for the trip.  If it is a long trip you will be able to find a washing machine to wash your clothes.

Same goes for toiletries, only bring what you absolutely need.  All the extra things you bring will only weigh down your bag.

This website http://www.mysteryranch.com/hunting/daypacks has tons of great bags to get you started.

Hiking in Ogden

Me at the top of Mount Ogden

There are many great hiking trails in Ogden.  Many of which are just a minutes drive away.

Beus Canyon and Malans Basin trails are great hiking paths with scenic views and rewarding foliage.  

A few weeks ago a few of my friends and I hiked Beaus Canyon.  It took us about seven hours round trip.  Though we stopped and had lunch at the summit and talked for a while.  

The trail is 11 miles round trip and quite steep at some points.  It raises over 4,000 feet in elevation.  

Mountain biking is not recommended on this trail, as you will have to walk your bike frequently.  There are many other trails in the Ogden area that accommodate bikes as well as horses though.   

To access Beus Canyon trail head east on 4600 So. Street until the road curves south near the microwave towers. Watch for the signs, it is clearly marked.  

There is no drinking water or restrooms at the trail head so plan accordingly and make sure to pack enough water for the trip. 

My friends eating lunch near the summit

The trail starts out at a moderate pace for two miles before turning into a steep climb.  The first part travels along a winding river.  The trails goes over the river multiple times before leaving it in the distance.  

Once you begin to rise above the city below the path becomes more open.  Trees begin to become sparse and shrubbery starts to consume the landscape.  Looking down you can see the sprawling city below.  

The trail eventually leads to a ridge line, where it continues for two more miles before reaching the summit. 

Beautiful scenery 

From left to right: Coco, Dave, Justin and Me.
Manny is taking the picture

Once you are at the top you can see the entire Ogden valley to the west.  And to the east you can see into Snow Basin ski resort.

From here you can either head back or continue down the mountain by taking Malans Basin trail.

Malans Basin is slightly steeper than Beus Canyon and near the top the trail is often lost in the rock slides.  But if you continues on you will be greeted with a great view as you dip into the canyon below.  

If you are looking for a great way to spend the day and not spend much money these trails are perfect for you.

This website http://weberpathways.org/ has tons of great information on hiking in Ogden.  

Choosing the right car for your trip

When you think about the perfect vehicle to drive for a cross country road trip, the first thing that comes to mind has to be the iconic VW Wagon.  

If rolling around in a hippie wagon is not your style, then you will have to find something a little more subtle.  You can get all the great amenities of a huge VW wagon in a much smaller more discreet vehicle.  You just have to know what you are looking for.   

Iconic VW wagon

If you plan on sleeping in your vehicle then you will want to look for something that accommodates your size.    Look for a vehicle that you can completely remove the seats as opposed to just folding them down.  This will give you extra sleeping and storage area, which is vitally important.  

Do not be afraid to thoroughly test out the car you are considering purchasing.  Take out the seats, lay down in it, and see if it is the right size for what you need.  

Gas mileage is an important factor to consider as well.  You want a spacious vehicle but you do not want to pay for tons of gas.  

Being able to take out the seats of your car completely will
give you that extra sleeping and storage space you need.

A midsize SUV is perfect for cross country road trips.  It provides enough room for the average sized person while maintaining decent gas mileage.  

A midsize SUV will not look suspicious when parked somewhere.  Which makes it so you can park and sleep anywhere you want.  A huge VW wagon parked somewhere with the curtains drawn will draw attention.  People will know someone is sleeping in that wagon.  

When you are searching for a vehicle to go cross country and sleep in consider the size, gas mileage and suspiciousness.  But above all your feeling towards the vehicle should be great, you are going to be spending a lot of time in that thing.  

Cross Country Road Trip For Cheap Asses

The now extinct Pontiac Aztek

sleeping in your car at Wal-Mart parking lots, stealing continental breakfasts from hotels and seeing the plethora of tourists attractions this country as to offer.

You have a desire to see the country, from sea to shinning sea yet you don't want to spend very much money.   Well look no further because you are about to learn how to do just that.

In the summer of 2005 my father and I loaded up the Pontiac Aztek with a bunch of crap and set out to tour the country.

We started in Salt Lake City, UT and headed East with a final destination of Maine.  Traveling through the barren landscape of the Midwest we made our way over the Mississippi river and up through Ohio and Pennsylvania, turned around in New York and headed back through Kentucky and Oklahoma.

Continental breakfast at hotels

If you want to travel on the cheap, sleep in your car at Wal-Mart parking lots.  Wal-Mart loves to have customers camp out in their parking lots in hopes of them shopping at their stores.

Hotel parking lots are great as well, and in the morning you can eat their free continental breakfast or swim in their pool.  Many hotels have free wi-fi, as well as comfortable lounging areas for relaxing.

When you can not find a hotel to steal breakfast from just go to the dollar menu at McDonald's and eat for real cheap.

My favorite item at McDonald's is the spicy chicken sandwich.  You can ask for some sweet and sour sauce to put on it and it makes quite a delicious meal.

Wal-Mart loves to have travelers camp out in their parking lots!

Do not ever purchase a drink, simply ask for a water cup and then fill it up with what ever you want.  If you get there around 10:30 when they are changing over from breakfast to lunch you can often score some free food that they wold otherwise throw out.

Follow these simple guidelines and you will be able to travel all over the country for extremely cheap.  And you will have a much better time traveling when you spend less money.

This website http://www.walmart.com/storeLocator/ca_storefinder.do 

will help you find Wal-Marts near you.