Band drops our new album with a big Chicago show on the 12th, then that weekend, we hit it for 2 weeks. If you want to see the dates/cities, DM me - but given that its August and we’ll be going through some desert area, any tips? Never been in a proper desert before.
Compared to other tours I’ve been on, we’ll be in much hotter places. So, ive got sunscreen and sunglasses on the list, and ill make sure we get some hydration tablets. We’re using a rental van, so we have AAA in case we next anything out in the middle of nowhere with the van. Cases of water are a must, and beyond that im kinda drawing a blank. I will be taking my Luffy hat for the sun as well. Wet wipes too.
As far as entertainment shit, im covered on that so really just looking for “what would you take if you had to drive hours through the desert?”
Oh, comrade, its hot and humid as fuck all the way up to the north western parts of “The South”. Bring extra shoes (or sandles), socks and underwear to keep your bits and peices from being destroyed by fungus. Maybe some anti fungal cream and foot powder.
Do it yourself “Gatoraide”:
In a
Add-
Mix in-
Depending on how much you’re sweating, drink a few of these during the day seperated by several containers of plain ol’ water.
(Adjust the juice part if you’ve got shelf stable juice concentrate or elminiate it completely if you’ve got some powdered drink mix.)
If there’s space in the vehicle, get an Igloo water cooler (or a 5 gallon water jug) and whenever you get near a larger Walmart, check to see if they have a “fill it yourself water dispenser”. You’re supposed to pay but nobody is going to check if you get some cheap road snacks but “forget” to add the water when you go through the self checkout.
A small mesh bag with a strong lanyard will help when you need to dry damp socks/underwear. Underthings go in the bag, tie the bag to something on the outside of the truck and be on your merry way. Socks and undies will be dry and mostly aired out by the time you make your next pit stop. (Try to put it someplace it can be seen and occassionally check its still safely secured. Bring everything in when it gets too dark to see.)
Isopropyl alcohol makes a pretty good underarm and foot deotorant. (I find its a bit too harsh for the groinal region though) A few bucks should get you a 16 oz bottle just about anywhere that has a pharmacy or personal care department, if you’re lucky you might even find a sprayer that will fit on it to make application easier. Apply directly to stinky areas or to clothes to keep the smells a reasonable intensity. Also fits in with the first aid kit.
Desert’s will be hot as fuck during the day and will cool off in the early hours of the morning. Probably won’t matter if you’re not planning on sleeping outside but if there’s a breakdown, you won’t regret having a warm sweater, knit hat, big blanket or sleeping bag.
If you think you’ll be spending driving time, driving directly into the rising or setting sun… make sure you’re sunglasses are very darkly tinted. Hell, see if an optomologists office will give you some of the glasses inserts (for free) they give to us old people who get our pupils dialated when we get our eyes looked at. Night driving is a lot easier with those yellow tinted polarized night driving glasses that you can get cheaply from like, Walmart’s and some gas stations.
Somebody is bringing at least one pair of heavy duty work gloves right? Changing tires, checking radiator or oil goes much easier with the gloves protecting your hands from hot engines, lug nuts, asphalt, etc.
Some bug spray and something to help with itchy bug bites.
All good stuff, thanks much!