Road Trips: How to Deal with Snags Along the Way

Summer is one of the most popular times for travel. Everyone is loading up the cars, strapping in their kids and setting off for weekend getaways. 657 million long distance summer trips were taken during the time between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend in 2001. No doubt that number has increased in recent years. Whether it be on the road or by air, there will be a lot of people on the move this weekend for Memorial Day. With the increase in traffic for the holidays, you need to be more careful on the roads.


1. Stay Connected

Be aware of what’s going on around you. Listen to local radio stations to keep track of any traffic jams occurring in the area. Apps like Waze let travellers work together to find the best routes to avoid traffic and save gas and time. SitorSquat will find you the nearest bathrooms along with other users’ reviews on the cleanliness of each one. That’s an amazing resource for long trips and weak bladders. When it’s time for a fillup you’ll want to find the cheapest gas station. Use GasBuddy to help find the most affordable gas stations in the area.


2. Avoid Hunger Pangs

Long car rides or airplane rides can be incredibly unpleasant if your stomach is rumbling the whole time. Airline food and food found in the airport shops can be pretty hard on your wallet. To avoid breaking the bank, pack your own snacks. Best Health Magazine compiled a list of the best snacks to bring on long trips. However, if you’re stuck in the airport without snacks and you’re feeling hungry, the Travel Channel can tell you the best airport restaurants to look for and what to get while you’re there.


3. Pack Earplugs/Headphones

Does the driver’s choice of music grate on your eardrums? Is that baby 2 rows back ever going to stop crying? Earplugs and headphones are the perfect way to tune out distractions on long trips. Blocking out the noise is the best way to ensure you have a peaceful and restful nap in the backseat or on the plane. Consider an eyemask too!


4. Be Prepared

Batteries die. Tires can pop. Detours can get you lost. Make sure you’re prepared for all of these things. Keep a phone charger in your car to make sure your phone battery is full in case of an emergency. Pack jump cables in the trunk in case of a car battery dying. Also, make sure to have a flashlight in case you break down at night in a poorly lit area. Tools to change a tire and a spare tire are imperative! If you’re not sure of your route, bring along a GPS or use a map application for your smartphone. Getting lost on the way is a time waster and can be dangerous if you run out of gas in the middle of nowhere. Preparation is the most important step of a road trip.


5. Just Breathe

The guy that just cut you off, the 2 hour traffic detour, the cancelled flight, the lost luggage: those are all minor snags. Staying calm is the only way to handle them. Freaking out on the woman at the desk or your family won’t bring the plane any faster or fix your flat tire. The best part of these mishaps is that they’ll make the best stories when you get back from your trip.


Happy travelling! What’s your worst travelling experience?

National Bike Month Events Near San Antonio

May is National Bike Month! Each hour that you spend exercising extends your life expectancy by 2 hours! Opting for a bike instead of a car is not only good for your health but it’s good for the Earth’s health as well. Last week we celebrated by ditching 2 wheels and riding our bicycles to work for Ride Your Bike to Work Week. If you want to participate, here are some local events celebrating the cyclist:


Once a month, you can swap your bike with others for a day at Frankenbike. This month at Alamo Bike Shop, sell your bike gear or parts to others looking to improve their bikes. After, head to Taps y Tapas to enjoy some delicious tapas and beer while listening to live music by Stoic’s Descent and streaming music from Richard Parrilla and Merge 98FM. 

Every Thursday from 4 to 7, gather at Tuckers for some music from DJ Tech-neek and some bike talk with other cyclists. Happy hour is from 4 to 7.


Bike World organizes rides every Thursday night and Saturday morning departing from different bike shops in the area. Make sure you have bike lights for the Thursday night rides as these events do occur at night! Check their event page each week to find out what location to meet at.


Zombies riding bikes? Sounds spooky! Every Monday the Zombie Bicycle Club meets for a ride around town. Led by “Chicken Fried Zombie” aka Matt Martinez, the ZBC meets outside the Blue Star Bike Shop. Rides may include stopping at local bars.


Mark your calendars: this event doesn’t take place for a few months but you won’t want to miss out. This free event clears the streets of San Antonio of cars to make room for walkers, bicyclists and runners. On September 27th for 5 hours, Siclovia lets you participate in exercise classes, ride your bike or go for a jog all in the middle of the streets.

For more information and events head to Bike Texas.

San Antonio's Culinaria Festival: Foodie Paradise

This week is San Antonio’s Culinaria Festival: a celebration of foods and flavors that you won’t want to miss for the world! Bringing some of San Antonio’s best chefs together to craft flavorful cuisine, Culinaria will thrill your taste buds and leave you asking for seconds.

Kicking off on Wednesday, San Antonio’s finest chefs will be preparing their finest dishes for their guests. However, a dinner isn’t complete without its perfect partner: wine. Wednesday’s restaurant and winery pairings include Bliss featuring Elden Burgundy Selections, Boiler House featuring Bending Branch Winery & Freetail Brewing, and Southerleigh featuring Cupcake Vineyards. Continuing Thursday, enjoy dishes at Arcade Midtown Kitchen featuring Becker Vineyards, J Prime Steakhouse featuring Atalon Vineyards, and Stella Public House featuring Bastianich Wines.

From 6 to 9 on Thursday, make your way to H-E-B Alon Market for some food on the go. Food trucks from the area will be gathered to cook you up some delicious dishes. H-E-B Wine Garden will be providing a selection of wine and beer to make the dinner complete. Expect to see B Daddy’s BBQ, Cheesy Janes, Church’s Chicken, Crepe Nation, Duk Truck, Lick, Sabor, Colombiano, Say She Ate, Sir-Wacha, Slider Provider, Tailgate Bistro and Where Y’at.

You won’t have to head very far for Friday’s event because it’s located on our rooftops! The Residences at La Cantera will be hosting the Best of Mexico with the best that Mexico has to offer: tequila! Join us for happy hour and sip some tasty tequilas while learning more about Mexico’s most famous beverage.

On Saturday, make your way to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and prepare to travel through the tasting districts on a tastebud vacation. Start in the cocktail district for some interactive cocktail demonstrations and carnival games or maybe the culinary district where Chef Andon Whitehorn will be fusing the tastes of Japan and Native America together for one tantalizing combination. Once you’ve made it through the rest of the districts, you’ll want to head to the cinema district to recline with a glass of wine and take in a drink-themed movie. (Or nap. Whichever.)

Culinaria will knock your socks off every day with a different event and tasting. San Antonio’s best chefs are gathered to overwhelm your senses and take you around the world with all of their flavors. This is the can’t-miss event of the month. From May 13-17. For information on more events head to Culinaria’s website.

Pamper Mom This Mother's Day

Think of all the amazing things your mom has done for you over the years. Mother’s Day is the day to pay her back! These restaurants are offering special Mother’s Day brunch menus to really appreciate the special lady in your life.


Crumpets

From 11-3, treat your mom to some delicious brunch options at Crumpets. Brunch includes Appetizer, House Salad, Entrée selection, Assorted Breads, Dessert, Coffee or Iced Tea and Wine or Champagne. With options like veal scaloppini and Mediterranean salads, you can’t go wrong!


Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar

From 10-3 pamper your mom with a choice of lobster bisque, modern caesar salad or fresh seasonal fruits. Follow that with an amazing dish like baked brioche French toast or a blue crab omelette. You can’t leave a wine bar without sampling one of their 100 wines. So sip on a glass of wine while you enjoy your dinner.


Blue Ridge at Omni Grove Park Inn

From 12-4 savor the tastes of the brunch buffet at the Blue Ridge in the Omni Grove Park Inn. There are so many choices it’s impossible to decide where to begin! From composed salads to smoked fish to savory biscuits and an immense dessert selection, you won’t know when to quit! Children under 5 eat for free.


The Little Aussie Bakery & Cafe

The 100% gluten free menu is made entirely from scratch. With Australian and European influences you’ll send your tastebuds on a trip! Try some the traditional eggs and bacon done “Down Under Style”, or quiche and salad. Follow that up with a chocolate extreme brownie.