VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY

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Ultimate Road Trip Checklist

Rohtang Pass - Road curvves into Clouds

Make Road Trip Enjoyable & Stress Free!

Check Before Driving

Become a Film Maker!
Get Your GPS Destination Right!
Avoid this Mistake on GPS
Monitor Weather Conditions

Run Return GPS Route
Gas Station Proximity
Avoid Prohibited Road, Trails
Keep Tire Pressure Updated

Turn into a Film Maker!

No road trip is complete without at least some video clips on stunning routes and the journey itself. The smartphone dashcam is a modern day tech marvel!

Often as the driver, you cannot enjoy landmarks during the road trip
Turn to technology for the next best thing - Smartphone DashCam!
The smartphone dashcam is a modern day tech marvel!

Hook it up to the Car Windshield & Press Video Button
Voila! Now, every twist, turn is captured in stunning 4K detail
Modern day smartphones record at almost DSLR Camera resolutions

No road trip is complete without at least some video clips on stunning routes and the journey itself. The smartphone dashcam is a modern day tech marvel!

Lakshmi Soundararajan

Wildlife Enthusiast

Get Your GPS Destination Right!

Duh! Am I joking? No, I am Not! It is important to get the correct GPS address where you would want your car to stop. This often means taking the following precautions:

If you are driving to a National Park, it often has multiple gates / entrances.
Moreover, the Car Park may also be way off
Ask Yourself: Headed to the Visitor Centre, Car Park, Restaurant etc.

After parking, you do not want to find out that you were wrong
So, get the exact GPS address of wherever you want to stop
Check whether Parking is Paid or Public (so Free)

Duh! Am I joking. No, I am Not! It is important to get the correct GPS address where you would want your car to stop. This often means taking the following precautions:

Lakshmi Soundararajan

Wildlife Enthusiast

Avoid This Mistake -Check GPS Terrain Map!

Google and Apple Maps now provide Terrain Versions which allow you to see elevation, switchbacks and other critical information. Don't make the mistake of not checking terrain!

My family and I were driving from Lake Tahoe South to Yosemite National Park:
I saw Route 49 on Google Maps - & did not check the Terrain Map!
Huge Mistake! - Route 49 turned out to be the 2nd Most Dangerous highway in California
Tons of switchbacks and get this - NO CRASH BARS!!

I drove for about 3-4 hours on this notorious highway where there was no cellphone signal!
It was one of the most terrifying drives I made
The highway bent right and left hundreds of times even as we climbed into the mountains
Elevation was consistently above 7000 feet (began with 9200 feet in Lake Tahoe!!).

Google and Apple Maps now provide Terrain Maps which give you elevation, switchbacks and other critical information.

Don't make the mistake of not checking terrain!

Lakshmi Soundararajan

Wildlife Enthusiast

Monitor the Weather - Thunderstorms etc.!

It is is most critical to check the weather before a road trip. Remember, weather at destination may not be the same as origin. Check continuously for changes in weather.

Check the Weather Before You leave the origin
Keep checking weather for any changes
In particular, watch out for thunderstorms, snowstorms, etc.

Checking weather becomes life or death during winters
As far as possible, avoid driving during snow, hail, hurricanes etc.
Check Times of Sunrise / Sunset for daylight

It is is most critical to check the weather before a road trip. Remember, weather at destination may not be the same as origin.

Check continuously for changes in weather.

Lakshmi Soundararajan

Wildlife Enthusiast

Run Return GPS Route

This may seem trivial but it is not. Ensure that you have checked GPS on Google or Apple Maps for the return trip. Often, return route may not be same as the onward one.

Check out GPS Routing for the Return Trip
Why? Because often the return route is not the same.
You Want to Ensure that you are comfortable with the return routing
Remember, you have set out on road trip but will return to origin finally.

What happens if the return route is different?
This might impact the duration of your journey
Longer return trip might mean appropriate stops
If Onward trip turned out not so good, you might have to route differently on return

This may seem trivial but it is not. Ensure that you have checked GPS on Google or Apple Maps for the return trip.

Often, return route may not be same as the onward one.

Lakshmi Soundararajan

Wildlife Enthusiast

Gas Station Proximity

This may seem trivial but it could be life or death. Seriously No exaggeration. See precautions below when you drive to Death Valley National Park, California.

Note where you are entering the park
Fuel Up before entering the park as there are only two gas stations
Furnace Creek is one of them and there are restaurants nearby
Note approximately how long you plan to be inside the park.

During April to August, temperatures range from 95F to 120F
Preferably have a SUV which is not too old
Air Conditioning may conk off if heat turns up
Keep an eye on your Fuel Tank while inside the park

This may seem trivial but it could be life or death. Seriously No exaggeration.

See precautions below when you drive to Death Valley National Park, California.

Lakshmi Soundararajan

Wildlife Enthusiast

Avoid Prohibited, Closed Roads, Trails

You may feel adventurous but it could turn into life or death. No exaggeration. Don't wander off into prohibited roads, trails. See precautions below when you drive to Death Valley National Park, California.

There are reasons why the Park has Prohibited Roads, Trails
It may mean anything from vehicle breakdown to landslide to wildlife attack
In Death Valley National Park, strictly avoid prohibited roads, trails

There is a reason Death Valley is called that
With no cellphone signal, there is way to call for help It is nothing short of blatant suicide.
Map out the areas you wish to visit in Death Valley National Park

You may feel adventurous but it could turn into life or death. No exaggeration. Don't wander off into prohibited roads, trails.

See precautions below when you drive to Death Valley National Park, California.

Lakshmi Soundararajan

Wildlife Enthusiast

Keep Tire Pressure Checked, Updated

Your car runs smoothly on updated tire pressure (apart from the engine!). No exaggeration. If you plan to drive on dirt tracks, off roads, this is a life saver. Ignore at your peril.

Your car runs smoothly on updated tire pressure (apart from the engine!).
If you plan to drive on dirt tracks, off roads, this is a life saver
If you get a bust tire which is not inflated enough, you could be in trouble

Check your stepney tire - you may need it when the ones running pack up
Inadequately inflated tires are not good during peak summer
Get your tire pressure updated before embarking on a long road trip

Your car runs smoothly on updated tire pressure (apart from the engine!). No exaggeration.

If you foresee driving through dirt tracks, off roads, this is a life saver. Ignore at your peril.

Lakshmi Soundararajan

Wildlife Enthusiast

Best National Parks of USA

United States of America is home to some of the most iconic national parks. Where nature thrives in all its unbridled spontaneity! Learn more about the Best National Parks of USA.

Amazing Alaska

Alaska is nature's amazing creation. It is a cornucopia of glaciers, wildlife, geology, marine life and vast wilderness.

Sandstone Stunner - Zion

Zion National Park is Nature's Wonderland. Its 2000ft sandstone slot canyons carved out by meandering Virgin river inspire awe.

Geological Wonder - Yosemite

Yosemite National Park is about the strength of granite, power of glaciers and the tranquility of the High Sierra.

Death Valley - California

Death Valley National Park in California boasts the lowest below sea level while also the fearsome highest recorded temperatures in the entire USA.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Hawaii Af Ph Cor

Power of Lava - Hawaii

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii encompasses the summits of two of the world's most active volcanoes - Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

Endless Canyon - Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park - West Rim is less visited but boasts Eagle Point, Skywalk as well Native American Hualapai Tribe Village.

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Every jaw dropping experience through videos, pictures are my own during travels around the world! Join the excitement!

Hi, I'm Lakshmi Narasimhan

I am a traveler, adventurer and blogger rolled into one. Wildlife and Nature fascinate me. My travels have taken me to more than 25 countries and 5 continents.

The Voyages of Discovery blog is my ode to the enthralling pursuit of travel and experiences. Every video, picture, guide and tip is based on my personal experiences. These are not based on hearsay. I write blog posts on two carefully chosen topics in each episode.

Learn valuable tips on road trips, videography, photography, destinations and adventure through the Ultimate Guides based on real experiences. I promise that the content will be worth your while. Sign Up to stay updated on all our adventures.

Lakshmi Narasimhan