Sleeping Accommodations

Hotel clubs - We recommend that if you are going to travel a lot, you need to choose a hotel club to travel with.  Hotel clubs offer discounts on rooms and frequent traveler rewards programs like free nights.  Remember when checking in to always ask for AAA, AARP, Government employee discounts, what ever applies to you.
Site Hotels Nights stayed to earn a free room
Hotels.com Most Major and Some Minor Hotels World Wide Not applicable, this is an internet hotel booking service that gives significant discounts. In most cases the discounts are even better than if you go through the hotels own reservation office. This is an affilate site.
ParkInn.com Park Inn ONLINE RESERVATION INFORMATION
Choice Privileges
  • Comfort Inn
  • Comfort Suites
  • Quality Inns
  • Quality Suites
  • Sleep Inn
  • Clarion
  • Mainstay Suites
  • Econo Lodge
  • Rodeway Inn
 Approx 10 normally, often there are seasonal offers where it is as little as 2 nights and get one free.  You can save the free rooms for up to 2 years.
Hampton Inn
  • Hampton Inn
  • Hampton Inn and Suites
 16 nights
Country Inns & Suites
  • Country Inns
 NLINE RESERVATION INFORMATION. Weekly Specials
Ramada
  • Ramada
 20 nights
Travelodge
  • Travel Lodge
 ONLINE RESERVATION INFORMATION
Radisson Hotel Radisson Up to 50% off if booked online
Camping Clubs - Like hotel clubs, camp ground chains often have frequent visitor clubs
Travel Club Information Bonuses
CampingWorld.com The world’s largest supplier of RV accessories and camping equipment with over 40 retail outlets in key regional locations. online shopping
KOA Kamp Rewards KOA Kampgrounds Discounts on every night you stay

Travel Planning Assitance and Reservations, and
Pre-Trip Shopping

When you are traveling there are serveral things you will need, hotel, car, money, these are just a few of the places we go to get these things
Company Information
Reset Travel Fantastic site for making travel reservations and bookings.
Hotwire Hotwire.com is good for booking reservations, airline tickets, car rentals etc.
Luggage Online Purchase quality luggage online
LastMinuteTravel.com Book those last minute arrangements
Western Union Agent After Last minute, this is more of an oops im out of money place
EasyClickTravel.com Daily Specials
Shutterfly.com This is a place you can go with all of your post trip pictures and make your own suveniers.

Computer Software

Mapping Software
Mapping software is a must when traveling.  When integrated with a GPS antennae, it gives you a constant eye on where you are at.  Choose a software based on the ease of use, accuracy, and compatibility with your computer. All of these can be purchased online
Software Title GPS Capable Web updates Hot Spots / Points of interest Mileage estimator Other
Delorme Street Atlas YES YES YES YES Has a "Radar" feature when used with a GPS unit that finds hotels, restaurants and gas stations (among other things) within up to 25 miles.
Microsoft Streets and Trips YES YES YES YES Includes Canada
Yahoo Maps       YES Web based only
MapQuest       YES Web Based only

Web Page Editing and Updating tools
Web Authoring software is a personal choice.  There are hundreds of them out there, so rather than list all of them, we are going to list the tools we use.
Software Title Use
DreamWeaver GUI interface to create your web sites. Allows for quick updating on the road.  Easy web page themes included and customizable
WS_Ftp Pro GUI interface FTP upload utility that allows for FTP and SSH FTP uploads
Dynamic DNS client Interfaces with DynDns.org giving your mobile computer's dynamic IP address a static DNS name.  This is needed if you are going to do web cam streams and do not want to constantly have to update the ip address on your website  
Webcam32 Easy webcam interface, Allows you to stream video from your vehicle or hotel room.  You will need a cellular modem if you plan on doing this from your vehicle while you are on the road.
Paint Shop Pro Again, this is a personal choice thing, there are hundreds of graphics programs out there.  But you will need to pick one that is easy to use if you plan on updating from the road.
Eudora

 

 It is best to take the email client you use at home or use a web based email client that you are familiar with. 

Places to eat, shop and stop

Restaurants

When you are on the road, you are going to want a restaurant that is consistent.  Yeah the regional food is nice, but after a while, that can become old.  You will want something that you can count on for a good meal.  Some chain restaurants have listings of where to find their locations across the country.

Cracker Barrel Country Cooking, and atmosphere. 
Denny's Specializes in breakfasts, open 24 hours in most places so good for late night travelers
Hooter's Great wings and sandwiches.  Warning though, they will cause heartburn so be prepared.

Shopping

Avoid buying things at service stations.  Yes you can get things quicker, but it will ruin your budget.  Take the few extra minutes to find a chain store and go in to get your supplies.
Wal-Mart If you can find a Super Wal-Mart, you can get your equipment and food supplies all in the same place. 
K-Mart Not quite as prevalent as Wal-Mart but good if you can find one.

Rest Stops

Rest stops, also known as truck stops are a good place to get a quick shower if you are on a long trip.  The showers are there for the truckers so some places may not let non truck drivers use them, but most do.  It will cost you a small fee to use the showers.  Rest stops are also a safe place to stretch your legs and get information about the upcoming stretch of road.  Truck stops also often have restaurants in them... back to the be prepared for heartburn comment.  Another advantage to stopping at a truck stop is that you can also fill up your gas tank at the same time, an all in one stop.
Loves All American Plaza's TA Travel Center Am Best
Pilot Travel Centers Flying J Petro Quick Trip Travel Centers

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