Travel organizers to keep the peace

It seems simple enough: you carefully plan your itinerary, neatly pack the car, load the kids in, and off you go. Incredibly, within minutes, it all seems to unravel. "I'm hungry"; "I'm thirsty"; "I dropped my game"; "Can I unbuckle for just a minute so I can reach my headphones?" On and on it goes. Did we really think this year was going to be any different?

Finally, relief came in the form of the Insulated Seat Back Organizer ($19.99) by Lewis N. Clark, from L.C. Industries, Chicago. With a large, insulated compartment for keeping food and drinks cool, and mesh pockets for holding travel games, pens, and other small items, it's perfect for keeping all the essentials within reach of the kids. Adjustable fasteners attach to most seats and there's also a shoulder strap for portable use.

Another useful item for keeping the car in order is the versatile Trunk Organizer ($27). This 21" x 10" x 13" tote is invaluable for containing toys, sporting equipment, groceries, or whatever else may be rolling around back there.

If you just can't manage to fit it all into your car or van, consider the Weatherproof Rooftop Carrier ($69.99). Made of heavy-duty PVC and nylon tarpaulin with welded seams, this container adds 15 cubic feet of additional storage. With adjustable fasteners to keep contents secure, it fits most vehicles with raised, four-way roof racks. For more information on these wonderfully practical products, visit www.iewisnclark.com.

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