Did you know today is National Coffee Day in the US?

For those of us who are addicted to coffee and its many variations, finding a decent cup of java while on the road can present a challenge. I love my hometown Community Coffee, but I’m not adverse to seeking out small coffee shops when I’m traveling. When staying at hotels, I always pack a few days' supply of coffee grounds with me. Here’s my take on the various products offered to help one enjoy coffee while traveling:

McDonald’s iced coffee drinks – Two words: Run Away.

Burger King’s iced mocha -  It would do in a pinch and is a deal at $2.

Sonic’s frozen coffee blend – This was pretty tasty, but I could feel the fat contained in this concoction sliding down my throat and straight to my behind.

Starbuck’s – I don’t care for their regular brews, which taste over roasted and burned. However, when in an airport, I will line up for a Cafe Mocha or Frappucino. Beggars can’t be choosers when enroute to a destination. I did sample their new instant coffee, VIA, and was disappointed.

McDonald’s iced coffee was the most disgusting thing that has ever passed through my lips with VIA a close second. I usually try to find something redeemable to say in my experiences and to make my opinion a bit more palatable, but there is no other way to word this opinion.

Another challenge for getting a great cup of coffee is brewing it while camping or experiencing a lack of electrical power. When my family goes camping, we bring along an old percolator and brew Community Coffee over a campfire. We even used this method during Hurricane Gustav when hubs and I were working nights through the emergency. No power anywhere, but we seriously wanted the comfort of our favorite coffee. I tried using a power inverted to hook up our electric coffee pot, but it was a no-go.

After Gustav I found a neat gadget for brewing coffee from a vehicle: Koolatron Travel Coffee Maker – This coffee maker is affordable, portable, and 12 volt. I wouldn’t recommend brewing the entire pot while the car is in motion (wouldn’t want to burn yourself). It would, however, be useful at a rest stop, camp site, or just in case of a power outage.

Here are some tips on finding coffee while traveling:

Text: Send a text message to Google (466453) with the subject coffee

Web browser: Find the nearest Starbucks at mobile.starbucks.com

Phone: If all else fails, in the US call 800-235-2883 and the Starbucks operator will assist you in locating the nearest Starbucks.

For more travel gear reviews, check out my Travel Gear Review Blog.