However, there are certain things that you can do to ensure more lasting recollections of your next trip. Though it's slower than flying, taking a road trip is a good way to start, because it provides a more intimate and thorough vacation experience.

When taking a road trip, here are some additional steps you can take to make the memories last:

* Rock on. Rocks and sand may not seem like the most exciting souvenirs, but they'll serve as evocative reminders of the places you traveled to.

Whether it's a stone from California's Red Rock Canyon or a pebble from the Pacific Northwest, a physical reminder of the land you visited should jog your memory well. Try to collect a memento from each state you traverse.

* Let your memories cruise. With products such as an in-car camera mount by CruiseCam (www.cruisecam.com), your entire trip can be recorded, hands-free.

You may be surprised by the emotional resonance of filming your vacation's passing scenery; trips through sprawling countryside or breathtaking mountains may be especially fit for recording. The CruiseCam mount is light and easy to install, so even if you are renting a car, it is easy to bring along.

* Keep a journal. In addition to filming the scenery and attractions of your vacation, carry a journal so that you can record all five of your senses. Noting the musty smell of the foliage in Vermont or the sounds of the locusts in Alabama can go a long way toward evoking vivid memories.

* Send a postcard to yourself. Why should friends and family be the only ones to receive the postcards from your vacation? Sending yourself a postcard not only provides a convenient way to record your journal, it can also give you an opportunity to slow down, sit back and absorb some of the atmosphere of whatever town you're visiting.