Ensuring a Smooth Journey: Preparing Your Car and Home for Your Road Trip
Embarking on a road trip can be an exhilarating experience, blending adventure with the open road. However, the success of such a journey often lies in the meticulous details of preparation. Proper planning not only minimizes stress but also enriches the overall travel experience, ensuring a memorable outing. In this article shared courtesy of the Route 20 Association of New York State, we delve into the critical aspects of preparing both your car and your home for your upcoming road trip.
Give Your Vehicle a Check-Up
Before you set out, the condition of your vehicle should be your foremost concern. It's crucial to perform a comprehensive check to ensure that it's in optimal running condition. Essential components to scrutinize include tires for wear and correct pressure, brake functionality, and the status of various fluids such as oil and coolant. Additionally, you'll want to confirm that your vehicle's lighting components — headlights, taillights, and turn signals — are all operational. Regular maintenance and pre-trip checks reduce the risk of inconvenient and potentially dangerous breakdowns.
Fortify Your Home Security
Equally important is the security of your home, which you'll be leaving unattended for an extended period. Locking doors and windows may seem like common sense, but it's easy to overlook these basic measures in the frenzy of departure. Advanced options, such as security systems, offer not just safety but also add value to your home, making it a worthwhile investment. Remember to document all the changes you’re making, as well as the cost/receipts, so you can show these adjustments to your real estate agent.
Tailoring Your Travel Insurance
Insurance isn't the most glamorous aspect of road trip planning, but it is a crucial one. Be sure your auto insurance coverage is tailored to the unique requirements of your journey. Several variables affect the cost of insurance, such as the market value of your car, its age, and even your own age as a driver. Evaluate and possibly adjust your coverage to fit your current needs.
Crafting Your Route
A well-thought-out route can significantly influence your road trip experience. Modern technology has made it easier to navigate with the use of GPS and mapping apps, yet one should not underestimate the value of familiarity with the route. Being aware of key landmarks and stops can help prevent delays or diversions, making your journey smoother and more enjoyable.
Document Preparedness
The last thing you want is to be hundreds of miles away from home and realize you've left crucial documents behind. Necessary paperwork includes your driver's license, vehicle registration, insurance documents, and of course, your travel itinerary. To further safeguard against any unforeseen complications, it's wise to store digital copies of all essential documents.
Assembling an Emergency Kit
Readiness for unexpected events should be an integral part of your road trip preparation. Your emergency kit should be comprehensive, including first aid supplies, basic tools, flashlights, and non-perishable food items. The presence of this kit could prove invaluable during any roadside emergency, acting as a safety net that grants you peace of mind.
Tackling Household Tasks
Don't underestimate the significance of completing household tasks prior to your departure. This involves everything from shutting down unnecessary appliances and adjusting your thermostat to arranging for pet care if you have furry friends at home. A well-prepared home allows you to leave your usual surroundings without worry, contributing to a serene state of mind.
A successful road trip is not just about the destination; it's also about how smoothly you get there. Adequate preparation, both in terms of vehicle maintenance and home security, goes a long way in ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable experience. By following these guidelines, you equip yourself with the best tools for an unforgettable adventure.
Been working on this coming year’s marker submissions, they have to be in by mid-January. These include Bridgewater train station, Western Star Lodge in Bridgewater and Nine Mile Swamp in Sangerfield. Was planning on doing Klinkhart Hall in Sharon Springs but it seems they weren’t quite ready to move ahead on that yet (so substituted Western Star for this round). All three received preliminary approval from Pomeroy so just need to document sources and marker locations. Working with local historical societies for all three.
It's all about the drive! Rolling hills, spectacular views, working landscapes, tranquil communities, and deep history. That's US Route 20, the longest highway in the United States stretching 3,365 miles coast to coast from Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts to the junction of US 101 in Newport, Oregon. US Route 20 is also New York State's longest highway; 372 miles from the border with Massachusetts to the border of Pennsylvania.
In New York State, 108 miles of Route 20 from Duanesburg (Schenectady County) on the east to LaFayette (Onondaga County) on the west is designated as a New York State Scenic Byway because of its spectacular beauty and unique history to the westward migration of the state and the nation.
The area stretching about 30 miles either side of the Scenic Byway is considered the Scenic Byway Corridor. The corridor features even more idyllic communities, numerous specialty shops, local farm markets, and numerous community events.
Welcome to America's Main Street! Traveling the Route 20 Scenic Byway will make it seem like the world is not racing by quite so quickly.
U. S. Route 20 began as Native American trails in the early years of America. During our nation's first century, these trails were transformed with the construction of several turnpikes to handle the burgeoning westward traffic by horse and wagon. The most famous of the turnpikes connected Albany to Cherry Valley and later was extended to Cazenovia and the Syracuse area. This roadway became known as the Cherry Valley Turnpike and soon was dotted with taverns, hotels and other amenities for travelers. In the 1860s, the Cherry Valley Turnpike became the property of New York State. State and federal programs began providing funds for road building and management assistance by the turn of the century.
With the coming of the automobile, the highway had once again taken on a new life. In 1926, the road was designated as U.S. Route 20, the longest road in the country, running coast to coast a distance of 3,365 miles.
Roadside attractions and tourist cabins provided entertainment and much-needed services to a whole new kind of traveler. One can literally track the westward migration of the state and the nation in the buildings and the landscapes found along Route 20. The quiet neighborhoods and Main Streets of its historic villages showcase Federal and Greek Revival architectural styles of the Colonial/Turnpike era, a testament to the long history of the region.
Along Route 20, travelers pass New World Dutch, English, and gambrel-roof dairy barns, the numerous drive-ins and motor courts of the 1930s-1950s, all against the backdrop of the productive fields and tranquil pastures that first brought prosperity to the region.
So let's get started: take a look around to rediscover Route 20 and the surrounding area. You will find Excursion Routes from Route 20 to numerous points of interest throughout our nine-county Scenic Byway Corridor region. While the excursions are set up for those driving west to east, we've included complete route numbers in each of the scenic tour descriptions and provided maps to allow east-to-west drivers to "reverse" the trip easily. Either way, the journey will be as much fun as the destination.
Our Mission: The Route 20 Association of NYS, Inc., a regional partnership of communities, balances the promotion of local interests with the protection of scenic, agricultural, recreational, and historic resources by encouraging preservation, visitor accommodations, education and access; coordinating interpretation, promotion and signage and emphasizing the important historic transportation role of Route 20 and the resultant cultural / agricultural development so important to the westward expansion of the country.
The Route 20 Association of New York State was formed in 1999 to promote and preserve the unique and historic character of the Route 20 corridor and its many communities. It also serves as stewards of the NYS Route 20 Scenic Byway.
New historic marker commemorates baseball history in Bouckville
On Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, area historians, the Route 20 Association, the William G. Pomeroy Foundation and new campground owners Kim and Adele Artz got together to unveil a new historic marker at the entrance to Cider House Campground on Canal Road, Bouckville. The marker commemorates the Summits, the local team who played from 1866-1935 and is located near the original baseball field owned by S.R. Mott who in the 1860s who donated its use to ball players for practices and games. Two Summits alumni. Louis "Snake" Wiltse and George "Hooks" Wiltse from Pecksport, Town of Eaton, were brothers who went on to the major leagues. Snake Wiltse played for several teams in his short big league career while Hooks Wiltse became an important part of the pitching staff for John McGraw’s New York Giants. At the time of his retirement, ‘Hooks’ Wiltse was considered to have been one of the best lefthanded pitchers in the game.
Speakers at the event included Phil Durkin, Co-President of the Route 20 Association of New York State; Matthew Urtz, Madison County Historian representing Pomeroy Foundation who graciously provided a grant for the marker; Jim Ford, local historian and author of "The Pride of Cidertown", a book about the Summits; Diane Van Slyke, Town of Madison Historian; and Sue Greenhagen, Town of Eaton and Village of Morrisville Historian. Also in attendance were Jessica Moquin, Executive Director, Chenango County Historical Society and Museum; Madeleine Olesky, intern from Cooperstown Graduate Program; and Route 20 Association administrator Bill Kwasniewski who helped procure the grant. The new marker represents the 4th historic marker in the Town of Madison.
Route 20’s Place in History Marked
A new roadside historic marker in Cherry Valley traces the development of what is now known as U.S. Route 20. The nation’s longest highway began its journey in 1799 as the first Great Western Turnpike and grew along with settlers moving west. It would later become known as the Cherry Valley Turnpike and eventually, in 1926, after the arrival of the automobile, part of the U.S. highway system. In 2006 it became a New York State Scenic Byway.
The new marker, located on Route 20 at The Tepee in Cherry Valley, was dedicated in a short ceremony held Thursday, September 22, 2022. Phil Durkin, co-president of the Route 20 Association of New York State, spoke, expressing appreciation to Cherry Valley Supervisor Tom Garretson and the Board along with Highway Superintendent Marty Field and his crew for their role in the marker’s installation. He also thanked Donna, Dale, and Pete Latella for allowing the marker to be placed on The Tepee property, “a gem in the crown of the Route 20 Scenic Byway”. Donna Latella remarked they were honored to have the marker located there; “You couldn’t pick a place with a better view”.
Donna Latella, The Tepee; Phil Durkin and Bill Kosina, Route 20 Association; Andrea House, Town of Springfield; and Dale Latella, The Tepee.
The marker came about as a result of a generous grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation from Syracuse procured by the Route 20 Association.
