Car Ride Games - Part 3

            We continue our list of car ride games this week with four more ideas for passing the time while on those long road trips this season.

1.)  License Plates (#2) – There are many versions and variations  of license plate games depending on the difficulty and age group of those playing. 1^St: Participants call out letters in alphabetical order; the first one to Z gets a point. The player with the most points by the end of the day/trip wins. For a greater challenge look for double or triple letters.

Variation: Use the letters in the plate to create a word. For example the letters CBE can spell celebrate. Where the first letter is the starting letter of the word, the last letter is the last letter, and the middle letter is any letter in between the final word.

2.)  20 questions – One Person acts as a judge and chooses one random object, it can be anything. Go around the car asking the judge yes or no questions about their object. The first question is always “Is it an Animal, Vegetable, Mineral, or Other?” If the guessers fail to guess the judge's object in 20 questions they all get one last guess. If the object is still not guessed then it is revealed and a new judge is selected for the next round.

3.)  Find the Alphabet – Utilize any reading material outside of your side of the car to call out the letters of the alphabet in order. Roadsigns, store names, logos on trucks, ect. should all be utilized. This game can be played in teams or as solo players.

4.)  Billboard Haikus – Each round one player chooses three random words from three different billboards. Once all three words have been chosen the other players have one minute  to create a haiku. That is, a three lined poem with 5 syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third line.

5.)  Road Trip Bingo – This game is played much like a combination of Bingo and I Spy.  Create a list of objects (street signs, fire hydrants, traffic lights, garbage cans, ect.) and randomly assign them to different boxes on multiple cards. Hand the cards out to all the participants. Whenever someone sees the listed object on their card they can cross if out. First player to cross out an entire row calls out BINGO! and wins.

Car Ride Games - Part 2

            While summer time is the season of family vacation and long rides, the winter holidays are another popular travel time. Provided below are a list of some popular road trip games to help pass the time.

1.)  Going on a Picnic – The first player begins by saying “I'm going on a picnic and I am bringing (anything that begins with the letter A. Apples for example)” Players then take turns repeating what the previous player is bringing to the picnic but then adding an item to the list beginning with the next letter of the alphabet. For example the 4^th player of the game might say “I am going on a picnic and I am bringing (A)pples, (B)ananas, (C)ats, and (D)odgeballs.”

ALTERNATIVE RULE: Instead of going on a picnic players can choose to describe an object. This game varies in that players can use adjectives instead of nouns. For a further challenge rather than repeating the list from A-Z, begin your turn on the next letter, (F for example) and repeat the list backwards,. For example if you were describing your dog the game might sound like this, “My dog is a (F)rosty, (E)normous, (D)eath-Defying.......(A)dorable person” 

2.)   Speak In Song – Carry on a conversation using only the titles or lyrics from songs.

3.)  50 States – A game for those geographical enthusiasts. List the numbers 1-50  on a piece of paper.  Then try to name all 50 states. To make things more interesting try to compete in groups of teams.

ALTERNATIVE RULE:If this is not enough of a challenge try another round of naming all 50 state capitols.

4.)  Listen and Draw – Supply each passenger with a piece of paper and writing utensil. Choose one person to be the “judge” for the round. The round beings by the judge drawing a quick picture on their own piece of paper, without showing anyone. Once the judge is finished they then proceed to describe their image to the other players. Once this is done, the player who's image most closely resembles the image of the judge wins and becomes the judge of the next round.  

Car Ride Games - Part 1

            Long rides in the car can vary within a large spectrum of  entertaining and exciting to painfully dull. The accompanying passengers, final destination, and length of the journey can all play a factor in quality of the ride. Provided below are a list of some popular road trip games to help pass the time.

1.)  Color Hunt – At the beginning of the trip each player chooses an uncommon type of color ( pink, yellow, orange, purple, ect.).  To avoid confusion try to avoid some of the odd or ambiguous colors such as scarlet or lavender. Throughout the trip players keep track of how many cars they see painted the color they have chosen and receive a point for each one.

ALTERNATE RULES 1: Players can steal points from one another if they spot and call a car of another passengers color.

ALTERNATE RULES 2:  One person chooses a color. The other passengers continuously count out loud each time they see a car (or object) of that color. Whomever counts the 10^th / 20^th / or any other predetermined number wins!

2.)  Secret License Plate Message - Pretend  each license plate contains a secret message and try to decipher it. For example  “ETE 830” could stand for “Elephant Tamer Enthusiast 8 days a week 30 hours a day.”

3.)   Fortunately, Unfortunately: One passenger shares a statement beginning with the word, “fortunately.” Another passenger then follows the statement with the word “Unfortunately.” For example one passenger might start by saying “Fortunately, I packed everyone lunch before we left.” and another might follow up with “Unfortunately, a bear broke into the house and ate all of it.” Have fun with the phrases and try making up some absurd combinations.

4.)  Buzz Word – At the start of the trip determine a word or a mixture of words that will be forbidden for the remainder of the trip. (Choose common words such as “Mom” or “Dad”, the more common the word the more difficult and entertaining the game becomes.)

ADDITIONAL RULE: Hand out 10 paper clips or other markers to each player. Whenever someone says a Buzz Word, the first player to exclaims “BUZZ!”  gets to take a paperclip (or marker) from the offender.  

That's all for now. Check in later when we continue our list of automotive entertainment.

How to Jump Start a Car

Whether it's because you left the car lights on, the radio running, the keys in the ignition, or simply because it is old, almost all car owners will face the problem of a dead car battery at some point or another. However, this is an easy problem to solve through jump starting your car, and this article will walk you through how to do just that.

What you'll need:

• Jump leads/cables
• Another functional car with the same voltage as your own
• Safety glasses

The steps:

1. Park the two cars close enough so that the jumper cable can reach both batteries, and turn both cars off (especially the electrical equipment such as lights and radios).
2. Make sure your battery isn't corroded, leaking or damaged (do not attempt to jump start if any of these conditions hold true; call a professional). Keep metal objects and flammable items away from the battery, and remove all loose clothing (such as long sleeves or scarves). 
3. Attach one of the red clips of the jump cable to the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery.
4. Attach the other red clip to the positive terminal of the good battery.
5. Attach one of the black clips of the jump cable to the negative (-) terminal of the dead battery.
6. Attach the other black clip to any unpainted metal surface under the hood of the dead car; this can be as small as a bolt of bracket. Do not attach it to the negative terminal.
7. Start the working car and let it run for 2-3 minutes to build up the dead battery.
8. Start the dead car, which should have a working battery now.
9. Remove the jump cables in the reverse order to the way you connected them. Make sure you do not touch them together or against any metal surfaces.

Voila, you're done! Remember: the hardest part is simply remembering which end of the cable goes where. If your car still doesn't start, you may have a more serious problem than a dead battery and should call your mechanic. 

3 Great Driving Destinations in Northern California

If you find yourself with a bad case of 'cabin fever', it might not be a bad idea to go out and experience the open road. While planes are a nice and fast way to see the world, they often leave out Ralph Waldo Emerson's old adage, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” The wind in your face, the open scenery stretched out before you, and a nearly unlimited list of places to go and things to experience – sometimes going by automobile is the best cure for wanderlust.

Here are some places that prove to be not only amazing destinations, but also beautiful drives along the way!

Yosemite National Park: The place that first inspired the idea for National Parks in our country thanks to John Muir. Located in the heart of California, the ride entails beautiful sights of the valley, surrounding forests, and rolling hills. In the warmer months one can practically visit the majority of Yosemite's grand monuments by car including Glacier Point, Inspiration Point, Bridalveil Fall, and El Capitan. While driving is nice, it is also a great idea to step out of the car and do some hiking around Yosemite Falls or the Giant Sequoia Grove!

Monterrey Bay Aquarium: While going by car might not seem the best way to view some of the Pacific Ocean's most fascinating wildlife, getting to this world famous aquarium provides a breathtaking view of the California Coastline. Arguably the most impressive place to drive, Highway 1 snakes its way up and down the very edge of California, giving drivers spectacular vistas of the Pacific from its steep cliffs and turns. The aquarium is build on the Monteray Bay, featuring local wildlife from jellyfish to sea birds, and the mammoth 90-foot window Open Sea exhibit.

Lake Tahoe: If it's already winter, then you might as well enjoy all that winter has to offer including skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and more! If snow adventure is your calling, then Lake Tahoe can be no better. Surrounded by a huge number of slopes and ski lodges, this destination is a picturesque place to slalom and mogul your way down the mountains. Make sure to have chains ready or snow tires equipped for the frigid trip into the peaks of his high elevation basin. It's truly a winter wonderland as you will be met with snow-frosted trees and shimmering lakes of ice.

*Here's a little factoid: The photo above was actually taken by one of our employees during her trip last summer to Yosemite!

Emergency Kits: What to Have in Your Car!

Emergencies happen. You never know what life is going to throw at you. It is better to be prepared in the event of an emergency. Here are some handy things to keep in your car at all times.

• First aid kit
• Fire extinguisher
• Hazard triangle or road flares
• Tire gauge
• Flashlight
• Jumper cables
• Gloves
• $20 in small bills and change
• Pen and pad of paper
• Basic tools: a multi-head screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, and a pair of pliers
• Some rags or old cloths
• Small tarp
• GPS navigation and a paper map of the area
• Tire chains
• Blanket
• Hand warmers
• Rain poncho
• Roll of paper towels
• Pocket knife
• Food: granola bar, energy bars, and bottles of water

Store them in a small duffel bag in your trunk so that you are ready in any emergency. If it is too difficult to make your own emergency kit, there many pre-made kits you can purchase and throw in your car.

It may seem crazy or overzealous to keep this many belongings in your car, but in an emergency, these items could save lives. Create and store your own emergency kit today. You never know when it will come in handy!

How to Prepare Your Car for a Road Trip

Often, preparing your car for a road trip can be a nerve raking experience. You have to pack up your car with clothes, food, equipment, entertainment, and materials needed for an emergency.

Before you leave, here are a few things that you need to remember:

• Get repairs done: How long has it been since your car's last check-up? Make sure you fixed that taillight that went out or that cracked windshield before you head out on the road.
• How is your tire pressure and tread? Make sure your tires are well inflated and that the tread is good.
• Do you have a spare tire? In the event of a flat tire, make sure you know how to change a flat and also have the material needed to accomplish that in your car.
• Do you have your owners manual and registration? Keep your manual handy in case you have car trouble and have your registration ready in case you get pulled over.
• Is your car clean? Outside and inside? Having a car that is clean inside and out will make it a better experience for the passengers and the clean windows will make it easier for everyone to enjoy the view.
• How's your air filter? Changing your air filter regularly can help with your fuel economy and save you some gas money!
• Do you have a map or a GPS? I know we depend on our smartphones for a quick look at a map, but often we don't get service coverage when we are out exploring. Keeping an old fashioned map handy as well as a GPS can prevent that frantic “oh no, we are lost” moment.
• Do you have car insurance or roadside assistance program? In the event of a breakdown or car accident it is important to have coverage. Do it now so you don't regret it later.
• Are you loading and storing everything evenly? Remember that storing belongings or equipment on the roof rack of your car will decrease fuel economy. Also, distribute heavy items evenly throughout the car.
• Do you have emergency items: jumper cables, flashlight, batteries, a gallon water, first aid kit, blanket, food, sunscreen? It's important to have these items in your car at all times.
• How are your fluids? Oil, transmission, coolant, power steering, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid. All of these help your car run smoothly and efficiently. Remember to check their levels before you head out on the road!
  
  
  

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