What's in Your Car?

With the holiday driving season upon us, many Americans will be taking to the road for long trips this weekend. I'll be heading up to Seattle (only about a three-hour drive), but I'm already planning everything: I'll be carrying core beverages, backup beverages, a selection of audiobooks, a pile of outdated maps, and of course a trunk full of weird junk that might be used in case of emergency (an unopened AAA "Emergency Kit," a squeegee on a stick, oil, a lot of bungee cables, an expired Washington license plate that came with the car, and for some reason about a thousand paper napkins). I think I'm prepared. But what about you?

Blogger Mary Wheeler recently wrote up a list of what's in her car. I reprint it here in its entirety (emphasis added):

• ancient iPod Nano -- not worth stealing (I hope) • persimmon (from my mom's tree, for the fresh scent, 'natch) • back scratcher -- especially for those long drives (I use it a LOT!) • Whoopie cushion -- you know, for hitchhikers • iPhone adapter (in case the Nano runs out of batteries) • inspirational Tarot card • rubber beetle • ecdysiast button -- this just appeared in my car one day -- I think it might have been left there by a hitchhiker. Not pictured: napkins, flashlight, screwdriver, electrical tape, hose clamp, rubber belt of some kind (like I'd know what to do with it if I needed it), pens, maps, rags, extra oil, tire gauge, dirt. What I don't have, but should: flares, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, money.

In case of hitchhikers, all I have is additional audiobooks.

So what about you? What's in your car? Share in the comments. Also, if you realize you really need a whoopee cushion, now would be the time to stock up.

(See also: The Items We Carry and On My Desk.)