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Late night driving advice
vanity ^ | me

Posted on 07/03/2013 11:29:46 AM PDT by gop4lyf

I will be driving from Dallas to Navarre, FL (Pensacola area) in a few weeks. I will be driving at night so that my 3 year old can sleep most of the way. I figure it will be much easier that way. I have two questions for my FRiends, if y'all would be so kind as to lend me your pearls of wisdom.

First, I would like to listen to a "books on tape" or audio book if you will type of recording. I assume that they can be found on a CD or mp3 download. I do love to read, but have never listened to a book before. I like authors like Clive Cussler, Stephen Hunter, Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, etc. Basically anything where the good guys whoop some bad guy butt. How do the audio books sound? Is it just some monotoned guy/gal reading the lines, or is there more inflection? Any suggestions on what to listen to?

My second question, has anyone tried 5 hour energy as a way to keep awake and stimulated? I don't drink energy drinks, just usually iced tea or water. I am diabetic so I can't drink anything with too much sugar in it. I won't go into sugar shock or anything, it just makes me have to go to the restroom really bad. I plan on sleeping most of the day before so that hopefully I won't be so overly tired. Thanks for all advice y'all may have!


TOPICS: Books/Literature; Chit/Chat; Travel
KEYWORDS: 5hourenergy; booksontape
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1 posted on 07/03/2013 11:29:46 AM PDT by gop4lyf
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To: gop4lyf

Stay safe with your precious passenger.


2 posted on 07/03/2013 11:32:27 AM PDT by laplata (Liberals don't get it. Their minds have been stolen.)
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To: gop4lyf

Rockstar no sugar no carbs, blue can. It’s an eye opener.


3 posted on 07/03/2013 11:33:34 AM PDT by novascotianative
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To: gop4lyf

Distance between Navarre, Florida (FL) and Dallas, Texas (TX)

How many miles? 675 Miles / 1086 Km

How many hours? This take 10 hours 28 mins

http://www.distancebetweencities.net/navarre_fl_and_dallas_tx/


4 posted on 07/03/2013 11:34:26 AM PDT by Hotlanta Mike ("Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish - too much handling will spoil it." Lao Tzu)
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To: gop4lyf

My advice: drive during the day, sleep at night.

Driving in the middle of the night on unfamiliar highways is a bad idea for many reason. It is an especially bad idea with a child.


5 posted on 07/03/2013 11:35:10 AM PDT by Retired Greyhound (.)
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To: gop4lyf

America the First 350 Years by Steven Wilkins.


6 posted on 07/03/2013 11:36:06 AM PDT by Resolute Conservative
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To: gop4lyf
Watch out for the other guy!

Expect the Un-expected!

Don't panic if you miss a turn.

Have a safe trip.

Oh Yeah, Stay out of the left-hand lane else you will get run over.

7 posted on 07/03/2013 11:36:09 AM PDT by TexasCajun (Creepy-Ass Cracker)
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To: gop4lyf

Driving at night is rife with many hazards. And driving while your child sleeps sounds like a terrible idea. What happens the next day when you must sleep but your child is awake?


8 posted on 07/03/2013 11:37:16 AM PDT by South40
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To: gop4lyf

You can get books on tape at the library, too.


9 posted on 07/03/2013 11:37:18 AM PDT by winkadink (During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. George Orwell)
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To: gop4lyf

Rolling down the windows when feeling a little groggy usually helps as well, although with a little one sleeping in the back it might not be possible.

Do they still have No Doze brand caffeine tablets at truck stops/gas stations?


10 posted on 07/03/2013 11:38:22 AM PDT by Hotlanta Mike ("Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish - too much handling will spoil it." Lao Tzu)
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To: South40

Driving at night is rife with many hazards. And driving while your child sleeps sounds like a terrible idea. What happens the next day when you must sleep but your child is awake?


You’re absolutely right on all counts.


11 posted on 07/03/2013 11:40:54 AM PDT by laplata (Liberals don't get it. Their minds have been stolen.)
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To: gop4lyf
I would like to listen to a "books on tape" or audio book if you will type of recording. I assume that they can be found on a CD or mp3 download. I do love to read, but have never listened to a book before. I like authors like Clive Cussler, Stephen Hunter, Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, etc. Basically anything where the good guys whoop some bad guy butt. How do the audio books sound? Is it just some monotoned guy/gal reading the lines, or is there more inflection? Any suggestions on what to listen to?

I used to do a lot of long distance driving and I listened to a lot of books on tape. You can rent them from Cracker Barrel for something like $3.50 a week and can return them to any other Cracker Barrel store. They are on CD or cassette tape, although mostly CD these days.

Generally speaking, they are read by actors or people who are skilled at reading out loud. They make the time go pretty quickly, but I sometimes find that I sort of phase out for awhile and when I "come to," I'll have realized that I hadn't paid attention to the last 10-15 minutes of the book.

CB at least used to have a pretty good selection of books and they covered a lot of topics, including non-fiction and fiction.

12 posted on 07/03/2013 11:41:04 AM PDT by Publius Valerius
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To: gop4lyf
I find I can't really follow a book on tape when I am driving as I pay attention to traffic flow and where I am, what is coming up next, looking out for other traffic and such things.

Basically, for me, listening to a book on tape is great if passenger but not as driver. . .just too busy concentrating on the road and not on the plot/characters. I find I miss entire sections of the book because of a car/truck that I am passing or some traffic ahead. . .that sort of thing.

Songs and music, okay, as you don't really need to think about plot-lines or characters. However, stay away from soft sleepy-time “relaxing” music as that might slow your mind.

Late night talk radio can be interesting, like the Art Bell show. Interesting and funny and entertaining as heck but not really requiring a lot on concentration to follow the topic or hilarious callers.

Over-night driving is certainly quieter and less traffic but in my experience it comes with increased risks due to sleepy/drowsy and possibly drunk drivers. Not to mention if you break-down on the side of the road at 0200. . .who is actually “out there” to “help.”

Also, if transiting an urban area or a somewhat complex interchange, limited visibility hampers/delays lane-changes and might be confusing.

I like to leave really early, 0400hrs or so when I drive from Dallas to El Paso. Find I get through Ft Worth with no hassle and find I get to El Paso before late afternoon traffic jams.

Perhaps you might consider where you will be around rush-hour time, as that might affect when you plan to leave.

Otherwise, I would plan to leave with just a few hours of darkness ahead of me and not an entire night.

Just me talking. . .

13 posted on 07/03/2013 11:41:23 AM PDT by Hulka
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To: gop4lyf

There should be plenty of big rigs on the road. They can be a good gauge if Smokey Bear is in the area. When they reduce their speed to around the posted limit, you should do the same.


14 posted on 07/03/2013 11:43:04 AM PDT by Hotlanta Mike ("Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish - too much handling will spoil it." Lao Tzu)
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To: gop4lyf

If a Louisiana State Patrol turns on his blue lights for you, that will be $400 plus whatever the fine is for your alleged infraction.

That should keep you awake while driving as well as disturb your sleep while in Florida.

I hope you get out of Pensacola before Zimmerman is aquitted.


15 posted on 07/03/2013 11:43:44 AM PDT by noprogs (Borders, Language, Culture....all should be preserved)
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To: gop4lyf

A lot of audio books are read by the author, so it’s presented the way they want it. Occasionally, a well known actor will be hired to read one. Either way, it’s probably not going to be a boring monotone.


16 posted on 07/03/2013 11:46:38 AM PDT by real saxophonist (If something is TRULY 'common sense', then a law about it is unnecessary.)
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To: gop4lyf
Drive during the day. Much safer. Your son will sleep anyway. Or not. That doesn't matter. YOUR sleep cycle and safety does.

17 posted on 07/03/2013 11:48:49 AM PDT by BitWielder1 (Corporate Profits are better than Government Waste)
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To: gop4lyf
Download some mp3 sermons from sermonaudio.
I like Alan Cairns.
Ian Paisley will also keep you awake by yelling at you.

www.sermonaudio.com - sorted by speaker

18 posted on 07/03/2013 11:52:17 AM PDT by El Cid (Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house...)
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To: gop4lyf

Your child will sleep a great deal during a daylight trip. Both of you need to take a break from driving and get out of the car and stretch, etc. every 90 minutes. That isn’t a good idea in the dark.
You used to be able to rent tapes from Cracker Barrel. Simply drop the tape off at the nearest location when you have finished the book.


19 posted on 07/03/2013 11:52:39 AM PDT by Wiser now (Socialism does not eliminate poverty, it guarantees it.)
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To: gop4lyf

Children’s benadryl and drive during the day.


20 posted on 07/03/2013 11:55:05 AM PDT by Moonman62 (The US has become a government with a country, rather than a country with a government.)
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