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Strict or lax: Road trip planning is a must
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The infamous vacationing family, Clark, Rusty, Ellen and Audrey Griswold, set off on their adventures in "National Lampoon's Vacation" (1983).
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By Jenna Milly
CNN
(CNN) -- If the idea of organizing a summer trip transforms your face into the uncanny likeness of summer-fun tyrant Clark W. Griswold, then this summer vacation planner is perfect for you.
On the other hand, if your notion of driving directions is a barely legible, pencil doodle of the local highway system, this summer planner could be exactly what you've been searching for -- albeit not among the fast food wrappers in the floor board of your 1982 El Camino.
 | "VACATION" QUOTE |
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Rusty: "Dad, I forgot. Why aren't we flying?"
Clark: "Why aren't we flying? Because getting there is half the fun!"
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For either type, the highly organized traveler or the spontaneous road tripper, summer is here and taking a vacation is your personal right.
This checklist was created with Griswold, Chevy Chase's character in the 1983 ode to summer vacations, "National Lampoon's Vacation," as the model of the quintessential summer traveler. So we begin where Griswold, the all-American "must have fun" guru, did -- at his home computer.
Two months ahead:
__ Log onto the Internet and start browsing travel sites
__ Choose a location
__ Decide who will go with you: Family, friends, pets
__ Decide on a budget
__ Decide how much time you have to spend
__ Start saving extra cash for the trip
__ Research pet-boarding facilities and/or pet-friendly destinations
| "VACATION" QUOTE |
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Car salesman (to Clark): "Now, I owe it to myself to tell you, Mr. Griswold, that if you are thinking of taking the tribe cross country, this is the automobile you should be using. The Wagon Queen Family Truckster. You think you hate it now, but wait till you drive it."
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One month ahead:
__ Tune up your vehicle
__ Decide how long you will spend in each destination
__ Call and make hotel reservations
__ Schedule time off of work
__ Set up house sitting or mail-pick up
__ Pay bills in advance if you'll be gone for more than two weeks
__ Buy light timers for your house
| "VACATION" QUOTE |
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Lasky, a guard at Walleyworld: "Sorry folks, park's closed. Moose out front should have told ya."
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Three weeks ahead:
__ Buy travel books
__ Call about guided tours and park hours
__ Rent "National Lampoon's Vacation" and see what you could be missing
Two weeks ahead:
__ Plan a route to your destinations
__ Double-check your car insurance for expiration
__ Double-check that your license has not expired
__ Research sight-seeing possibilities
__ Make an extra copy of your car keys and leave them with a friend
__ Gather extras like hiking boots, kayaks, canoes, fishing equipment and camping gear
| QUICK VOTE |
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A week ahead:
__ Confirm hotel and other tour reservations
__ Make a packing list
__ Refill prescription medicine
__ Make boarding reservations for pets
__ Set aside road-trip games
__ Give an itinerary to a friend for emergency purposes
Two days before:
__ Check the weather
__ Start packing (consider proper clothing, shoes and accessories)
__ Pack extras: Sunscreen, insect repellent, eyeglasses, contacts, first aid
__ Confirm mail pickup
__ Confirm house-sitting if necessary
__ Gather all travel documents: Reservation numbers, maps, directions
__ Gather all personal documents: Traveler's checks and credit cards
One day before:
__ Fuel up your vehicle
__ Shop for groceries or snacks for the trip
__ Pick up extra maps if needed
__ Withdraw extra cash if needed
__ Finish packing
Departure day
__ Jump in the car and get rolling!
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