Road trip gift?

[bouncybouncy]

I wanted to burn a CD of music to give to a friend who is about to embark on a road trip across the country...but for technical mumbo-jumbo reasons that does not look like an option!

Any ideas of what to give someone that will not dig too deep in my pocket?

I was thinking food related stuff but maybe someone might have an idea that will perk other ideas...THANKS!!!

[Cataboo]

a can of fix-a-flat?

an emergency kit for the car or first aid kit?

A handcrank radio/flashlight?

A fleece sleeping bag, just in case ....?

[msincredible]

An audiobook

A book of road maps, or a travel guide

[smurfalicious]

Do you have Triple A? They make really awesome maps and if you tell them Point A and Point B they'll print out a handy little flip book with turn by turn directions and section of the map to go with it. My mom had one made for me when I left for Colorado. Didn't need to too much since it was a pretty straight shot, but actually I stopped before the worst pass for food and called the road conditions line. I marked on my map where it was supposed to be bad, where it was blowing, etc so I had an idea.

[AnnieBikes]

My DH is on an 800 mile trip by bicycle and when he retired, they gave him a bunch of gifts, some gag, but there were definitely some good ones.

A mini bike pump, good quality
Velcro pants protector for when wearing rain gear or long pants, to keep them tight, with reflector tape on them
GORP and Clif and Luna bars
Tube patch kit
Hydration system (he likes bottles, though!)

Other ideas:
Jimi wallet Jimi Wallet/ (http://www.thejimi.com/) (He and I love this thing for daily rides, too...holds a driver's license and a few dollars)
Small dry bag for holding cell phone, camera etc on rainy days Sea to Summit Dry Sack (http://www.rei.com/product/786438)
Velcro One-Wrap Velcro one-wrap (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=272648-388-94257&lpage=none) I got mine at Walmart, but office supply places have them for bundling cables and such on electronics. I also got some at Lowe's. They are awesome instead of rubber bands (which dry rot and/or break), or anytime you need to secure something...he uses them around his rain gear to keep them rolled up (and hopefully he won't have to use raingear!) He also secures his brake and wheel with them when parking the fully loaded touring bike. It keeps it from rolling! He always carries extras for some job or another...lightweight and very handy.

Hope you can get some ideas here...makes me want to buy them all and find someone going on a ride!!!
:D :D

Perhaps a little box of mixed items would be helpful. You are a nice friend to think of this! ;)

[canonsue]

I would find out where the person plans to eat and give a gift certificate. Or even a gift certificate to Safeway or another grocery store.

-Sue

[Becky]

I don't know what your budget is, but what about a small (1 or 2 GB) MP3 player loaded with good roadtrip songs?

[Kalidurga]

William Least-Heat Moon's Blue Highways (http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Highways-Journey-into-America/dp/0316353299), either in book or audio form. That was the inspiration for my road-trip and I took it along with me to re-read various portions as I passed through those areas.

[Becky]

William Least-Heat Moon's Blue Highways (http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Highways-Journey-into-America/dp/0316353299), either in book or audio form. That was the inspiration for my road-trip and I took it along with me to re-read various portions as I passed through those areas.

That's an awesome book, and an excellent idea! :)

[Tuckervill]

I like the Triple AAA Trip-Tik idea (or even a AAA membership) and I really like the food certificate idea. A AAA membership is a little spendy, but it pays for itself in hotel discounts if you ask me. And then it's that insurance for the possible breakdown. I would also lend my name and password to a good-enough friend so they could make their own hotel reservations through AAA if they would like that.

Also, you might want to get them a copy of the Cracker Barrel locator map, and then a gift certificate for their books on audio program. (Buy a BOA, then trade it in at any Cracker Barrel and get your money back except for $3.95 a week.)

Karen