pre-127 yard sale: how to outfit your car for a massive drive

(currently driving though The Rez)

No, i didn't abandon my blog! Everyday for the past few months i have been feeling horrible about not posting, but the past 3 months have been incredibly busy...a little too busy. Not only have i had my usual Road Less Traveled/jam sales/Patchwork Craft Fairs, but for the past 4 month i have been working on the first ever LA Eat Real Festival.  Remember last year i flew out to Oakland to talk about kimchi?? Well, I was hired as the Event Manager for LA, and there went any free time that I had- I wasn't even at the shop the last 8 weeks-it has been nuts/awesome/exhausing in so many words.  More on that next week though.

The real point of me starting up with the blog again, and in particular on this day is because:

it's 127 yard sale time again!!!

Yes, as i write this post we are making our way to Kentucky to shop at the largest yard sale in the country.  This time around we brought a flip camera to do videos, i am going to take more pictures of the wacky signs and i am going to blog about the trip there and coming back.

How are we able to do this, and work on the various other things that i am a little behind on?? We have outfitted our car (or rather Gustavo's parents SUV) into a mini snack bar/DJ booth and office! By stocking some quality snacks and multiple things to occupy us, we are able to pull 12-17 hour treks without going crazy or eating tons of gas station food.

(the carffice- front seat was electronics, back seat the galley)

THE LONG HAUL CAR TRIP (trips with small kids would probably not find this the best resource)

• inverter: we use this one and powered all electronic devices around the clock (it has been super worth it, we use it in the VW all the time)
• zip ties/ twisty-ties: something to organize all of the damn wires or you will go crazy, tape, scissors some basic office items (the tape is great for taping papers up on the dashboard to increase the sqft-age of your "desk"
• tethering: the whole reason I can work on the go was because we had an internet connection (sometimes slow-but SO MUCH BETTER than nothing!) via the smart phone.
• SIRUS: Howard Stern, non-stop 80's music, no commercials, tons of stations-what are you waiting for!
• laptop desk: helps for organization and keeping the hot laptop off your legs.
• baby/sanitation wipes & paper towels: clean your hands, feet or face before you eat or whenever you are getting that nasty travel grim going on.
• a few large paper grocery bags: just start a trash bag as soon as you turn on the engine
• The Complete Book of Questions: there is always a conversation that comes from this book.
• Food: lots of fruit, hummus/pita, cheeses, cured meats, breads and a good mustard.  Your can easily make a sandwich using the top of your cooler as your counter. I also made orzo salad prepackaged in plastic containers (with roasted tomatoes, feta and pepper flakes). of course drinks!
• food tools: bottle/wine opener (i always find myself buying these when we stop!), a small cutting board, spreader/cheese/sm bread knife, eating utensils, bring a large mason jar with a plastic lid for the coffee stops too.
• driving: leave as early as possible (we left @ 3am), you will make great time and avoid all the traffic...and cruise control makes life easier.

(first purchase: a turquoise necklace and some sweet leather hair ties!)

Tomorrow's post: the stops for the trip and the shopping list