Things I too have learned...also: Took a leisurely four-hour trip up to CT this Sat. morning and then back again Monday afternoon. Went with in-laws. Rented large Chevrolet Suburban (as opposed to the tiny one).

1. Renting the DVD player is worth every penny. Remind me to do this next time. 'kay?

2. Give children night-time cold medicine before trip even if driving during the day...and they don't have a cold.

3. You can go beer then gin-and-tonic then red wine, but once on the red wine plateau, you cannot step back down. Well, you can, but you shouldn't.

4. Nothing tastes better than filet wrapped in bacon, which you have cooked on outdoor grill, as you tip back a local micro-brew, in 20-degree weather, overlooking pristine star-lit Connectitut farmland.