I think we've all heard the expression 'Opportunity is knocking - answer the door!' 

It has become part of the lexicon, implying that at various points in one's life, an opportunity will present itself.  If one is open-minded, optomistic, and perhaps willing to take a risk, they shall be rewarded.  We've all heard people say, "When Opportunity knocked, I was ready!"  Many people I know have a story or two about the time Opportunity knocked on their proverbial door.  Some will say they answered it and were rewarded in some fashion; others rue the day they let the door go unanswered and Opportunity slipped away.  Nobody home. 

I would like to suggest an alternative.  If Opportunity isn't knocking on your door, get off the couch and go out and look for it.
 

 

As the road sign suggests, one has to not only have their eyes open to see the sign, but also be open-minded to what might constitute an opportunity.  Just as it can be difficult to tell whether the knock on the door is Opportunity or a door-to-door aluminum siding salesman, so it is sometimes difficult to see an opportunity when it is staring you in the face - or worse, as glaringly obvious as a highway road sign. 

For those of you who think this is a clever Photoshop creation, simply pull up a map of Montana.  Yes, Virginia, there really is an Opportunity, and it's a small town in Montana. 

Which should suggest to you that if you look hard enough, you may see the way to Opportunity.  You just have to watch for the signs.

Taking a cross country road trip through the United States is something that every person should experience. Packing an RV and hitting the open road with some good friends can lead to some great adventures and once in a life time experiences. But you can’t just pack up and start driving without a solid game plan. You should carefully map out what you want to see, where you want to stay, and decide what you need to bring. Trips like these require lots of planning and there are several steps you should take before you even think about getting behind the wheel.

Before you even begin to plan your route, you should get your RV carefully inspected by a licensed mechanic. Let them know that you plan on driving across the country and ask them if they foresee any problems that you may encounter along the way. Stock up on spare tires and any other automotive tools that may prove useful if you encounter any unfortunate debris in the road. If you don’t already know how to change a tire, now would be a good time to learn.

If you have a GPS system then you’re in luck. If not, then be sure to invest in a map or road atlas to help keep you on track. You definitely do not want to get lost or miss any important sites during your trip. By the same token you should also join an auto club like AAA or AARP to help you plan your course. Associations such as these can help you plan your trip and may even get you discounts on lodging and other amenities.

Plan to ditch the RV for a night or two and camp out under the stars. This will save you money on lodging and will also help you escape from the RV for a while. Invest in a mattress and other camping supplies to help make your outdoor excursion a little more comfortable. Try to find great camp sites and national parks along your route and plan to spend at least a few nights outside, weather permitting of course.

Plan your trip around events and festivals across the US. Having specific destinations in mind will give you something to look forward too as well as help keep you on track. Go online and see what’s going on around the country and find something that interests you. You may find something regional that you may never again get a chance to experience.

Lastly, take some time to plan out the actual drive. You should spend a maximum of 10 hours a day on the road. Make sure that drivers are only driving for short 2-4 shifts to help reduce fatigue. The last thing you want is an exhausted driver who may miss an important exit, or even worse fall asleep at the wheel. Make sure there is plenty of food and water for the driver to help keep them energized and well nourished. Driving may seem like an easy task, but a few hours behind the wheel can take a serious mental and physical toll on a human being.