By Blair Qualey
As we enter the final weeks of summer, theresa国际传媒檚 nothing quite like the feeling of a road trip sa国际传媒� and whether itsa国际传媒檚 for a sa国际传媒榮taycationsa国际传媒� or a weekend getaway, it can be difficult to choose the best spot here in B.C. The picturesque Sea-to-Sky Highway offers a scenic drive to Whistler, which is always beautiful, even without the snow. For people who donsa国际传媒檛 mind a ferry crossing (unless already on the Island), Tofino offers surfing, hiking, whale watching and spectacular sunsets. A visit to one of the provincesa国际传媒檚 many vineyards is also a real treat.
sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 not the destination, itsa国际传媒檚 the journey.sa国际传媒� sa国际传媒� Ralph Waldo Emerson
When it comes to a vacation, some people might disagree with Emerson, but a little planning is needed for a smooth journey.
Itsa国际传媒檚 best to expect that there will be frustrating, annoying, and stressful moments. Why? Because thousands of other people are probably also headed to sa国际传媒榶oursa国际传媒� vacation spot. There will likely be heavy traffic along popular routes and at various times during the day. Where theresa国际传媒檚 bumper to bumper traffic, there are usually impatient drivers who do something unsafe like trying to get ahead by zipping through the road shoulder.
has plenty of useful, essential and emergency information. The website has road conditions, construction activity, highway webcams, info on the Lions Gate Bridge, ferry delays and links to Environment Canada forecasts for specific highways.
Review your route the night before and in the morning, to check for possible issues, closures or construction slowdowns that could, for example, result in a missed ferry crossing.
Another important thing to watch for: forest fires. Firefighters are battling numerous blazes in B.C. and driving through one can be dangerous. Smoke reduces visibility, clogs up air filters, and ash clings to car windows. Keeping up to date on the latest news will ensure you donsa国际传媒檛 end up in a fire zone and have time to plan an alternate route.
Be kind
According to medical experts, showing kindness can reduce the ultimate stress hormone sa国际传媒攃ortisol. So, let another vehicle pass in front of you. Wave to the driver who let you in their lane to say thanks. Donsa国际传媒檛 blare the horn at other drivers who arensa国际传媒檛 following the rules of the road.
Remember back when you could find a hotel or B&B when you arrived and possibly negotiate a good price because itsa国际传媒檚 late in the evening? Well, thatsa国际传媒檚 not a good idea these days. Reservations for ferries and accommodations are generally made online and if it says sa国际传媒榝ully bookedsa国际传媒� or sa国际传媒榥o vacancy,sa国际传媒� believe it.
After all, as much as the family loves their new car or truck, they probably donsa国际传媒檛 want to sleep in it all night.
Happy vacationing!
Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at bqualey@newcardealers.ca.
