Hartley's Top 14 Travel Tips

So, you may or may not have noticed some radio silence around these parts. Well, I've not been here! After traveling to Austin, the Hudson Valley, and Chicago over three back to back to back weekends, here are some travel pro-tips I've ascertained:

1. Bring at least four coats. Your friends will thank you.
2. Remember: diesel pumps are not by the regular gas pumps, but that doesn't automatically mean that you should go backwards on the road toward the tractor trailer portion of the rest stop. Check a bit closer to the on ramp, it'll be there. No need to fret.
3. Make sure you watch Forks Over Knives on the plane en route to a BBQ-centric locale. It will make all of the meat, cheese, and beer taste extra delicious and you feel like a bad ass.
4. When your traveling partner suggests getting a bottle of wine to split, and then another, at this cozy little (completely empty) wine bar at 3pm on a Monday afternoon, say yes. It will be one of the most pleasurable afternoons you've had in a while and it will only further cement the fact that you picked right.
5. But also: try not to drink all of the mint juleps at your cousin's derby party. You will say dumb things that you regret in the morning.
6. Sometimes it's okay to just jump on a bus and then find out where it's going. Sometimes, it's not. Like when you actually have a specific destination in mind. But even then: not the end of the world.
7. Be neat. When your host says that his kitty is a chewer, he's not lying. (Although -- this will be very funny when it happens to your travel partner. Either way, proceed with caution.)
8. Be messy! This is a hotel room, after all, there's housekeeping that we're paying good money for!
9. Enjoy the time you spend with your travel partners. Really listen to their stories - sip them in, too, along with your wine. Seeing the people you love out of their day-to-day context is important.
10. Stop worrying about what you think you should be doing and do what you want to do at that very moment. That awesome dive bar that you read about/cool restaurant that's way across town/iconic monument? They will mostly likely still be there if you decide to come back. And if it's not? Again, not the end of the world. (Still working on this one.)
11. Watch out for T.J. Maxxs in fancy suburbs! Your bank account will immediately shrivel up and die upon seeing all of the Kate Spade dresses. 
12. Pack rain boots. This is to ensure that it will not rain the entire time you are at your destination.
13. Actually go: it might seem like a pain before to schedule and pack and take time off, and while you're there, that feeling toward the end of your trip when you feel that merely breathing is costing you money, GO. Being a part of someone else's life milestone/seeing old friends/making memories is worth all of that nonsense.
14. Don't forget extra contacts.