Publisher: RLI Press

ISBN: 0-9752928-0-3

The following review was contributed by:  Jennifer Brown & Click Here To View Jennifer Brown's Reviews

I have to admit that when I first opened LIVE YOUR ROAD TRIP DREAM by Phil and Carol White, I wondered who in the world could pull off such a task? I mean, really. Living on the road for a whole year? What about responsibilities? What about possessions? What about finances?

I quickly learned that Phil and Carol White had already thought of these things – and more! In fact, their decision to carefully plan absolutely everything turned this feat (and yes, I do mean feat, as even the most dedicated traveler might be overwhelmed by lack of planning when attempting to vacation for an entire year) from an unrealistic dream into a doable possibility.

Fortunately for the rest of us, the Whites lived their road trip dream with the objective to share with us their experiences, warts and all. Because of their meticulousness, their journals, their detailed accounting, and their willingness to be pioneers of travel, the rest of us can avoid the minor pitfalls and poor decisions that can inconvenience or derail even the tiniest vacation, much less a year-long trip across the country.

Through the Whites we learn about (among a great many other things):

*What to do with your house while you’re gone

*Who will take care of your responsibilities while you’re on the road

*Traveling with pets

*Choosing a vehicle for the trip

*Packing a year’s worth of clothing without dragging along everything you own

Quite possibly the most detailed vacation planning guide you could get your hands on, LIVE YOUR ROAD TRIP DREAM will have you more than wishing you could spend a year away – it will have you actually believing it is possible!

The first half of the book is dedicated to planning for your trip, with tons of advice that could be useful for even shorter trips and proves to be absolutely necessary for a year on the road. The second half is a travel journal of sorts, complete with pictures, that chronicles the White’s vacation experience and offers glimpses of what is to be seen in regions literally across the country. Unlike typical travel guides which offer prices and hours of exhibits but little in the way of commentary on what was enjoyable and what was not, LIVE YOUR ROAD TRIP DREAM attacks the vacation experience from a refreshing angle – like that of a trusted neighbor who’s just come home from a holiday.

In addition, there is a lengthy appendix at the back of the book that is packed full of worksheets, tip sheets, and templates that would get a prospective year-long traveler well on his way of getting started.

A good resource guide to have around for future vacations of any length, LIVE YOUR ROAD TRIP DREAM is a tempting book for any travel fan. And, who knows? Maybe with the help of Phil and Carol White, your own road trip dream can become a reality.