My family and I just returned from a whirlwind one-week trip to Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts. Flying from Denver and then road-tripping with a one- and four-year-old, this was no real vacation, let me tell you! But we managed pretty well—and it was rejuvenating nonetheless. A few things helped us get through.

Lots of snacks. Absolutely key when on the road (particularly in places that favor fried anything over nutritious fare). Before leaving, I bought a handful of emergency Mojo Bars, Oskri Sesame Bars, and FruitaBu Organic Smooshed Fruit (my daughter's absolute favorite). They saved us from some major low-blood-sugar, where-are-you-going?, just-stop! meltdowns.

It always seems like you need extra bags to carry wet clothes, or seashells, or picnic lunches. I stashed a few Travel Hammock ECO Travel Bags (available at REI) and they really came in handy. Because they weigh so little (a mere 1 oz. on the small bag, 2 oz. on the large) and compact into an attached pocket smaller than your fist, we had no problem weighing in under the limit at baggage claim. Pretty cool.