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Traveling Light (Or Not)

7/30/2013

13 Comments

 
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My family is incapable of packing light. 

The equation for our recent road trip went like this: 
   2 adults (one of whom thinks a plastic grocery bag filled with multiple full-sized containers of shaving cream, toothpaste and mouthwash is a "toiletries case") 
+ apparel enough to cover both very hot and potentially chilly weather 
+ a cooler, snack sacks, hotel supplies bag, and bed pillows 
+ 2 Corgis with their beds, food, treats, and pen 
+ a certain male's fishing pole and tackle box 
   1 fully loaded CRV.

After two decades of road-tripping, despite all evidence from past experience, I still approach each new

travel adventure with the optimistic conviction we can simplify the baggage we travel with. I make lists. I put things-for-the-trip into a specific place. I make piles of clothes, then cut out items I deem unnecessary. I offer G (what I consider) appropriately sized duffel bags for his things. And for the dogs' things, which is G's domain. By departure day, I'm ready to load our vehicle in such a way as to enable efficient unloading/reloading as we travel. Or so I think.  

Before we get out of the driveway, I realize I've deluded myself yet again. My mental image of how everything would neatly fit into our car evaporates as I attempt to stow tote bags and bundles into the available space. I scowl at the sudden appearance of boxes (to be delivered to offspring) G forgot to mention were going with us. My sweet nature dissolves into streams of sweat as I push/shove/relocate items so everything will fit. When the panicking pooches are loaded in and we're finally ready to roll, my attitude needs some definitive readjusting.

It may be unnecessary to point out that G doesn't share my dream of traveling lightly. He thrives on the benefits of traveling by personal vehicle, which allow room for things from the four main packing groups: Must-Have, Might-Want, Just-in-Case, and Here's-an-Empty-Corner-Stash-It-In. Yet I can't quite give up my fantasy of being light-packing, efficient road travelers who can see out all the car windows and unload/reload within five minutes at any destination.  In the meantime, I follow a few survival tips for dealing with our travel-reality:

1. Do not load the car wearing the same clothes I will travel in. They will feel clammy and grungy (much like my mood.) Changing into clean travel clothes just before leaving feels better, and helps shift my mood back into vacation mode.

2. Chant while loading and unloading: No one cares what the inside of our car looks like. No one cares how long it takes me to load/unload. Repeat for as long as needed.

3. Have a humorous self-deprecating comment ready for those awkward moments when our gear fills up the elevator at the hotel or is being unloaded at a friend's home: We can't help ourselves; we travel like the Beverly Hillbillies.

4. Celebrate the last leg of travel. The car will never, ever repack the same way twice. But on the last day of travel, I won't care! I'll just throw it all in, hope it's anchored enough that nothing will topple on the dogs, and look forward to the final unloading.

13 Comments
shel harrington link
7/30/2013 11:44:14 am

While I find it hard to believe that anything would be able to displace your "sweet nature," I can see how changing into fresh clothes right before taking off would lift change the mood - great tip!

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Natine
7/31/2013 08:06:56 am

Merci, Shel! Not sure why it took me 10,000 road trips to figure that one out... :)

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Dee Dee Chumley link
7/30/2013 01:40:55 pm

Too funny! I feel so much better about our own traveling experiences. My husband has never used a plastic bag for his toiletries, but for an extended period of time, he did think a heavy-duty shoe box worked just fine.

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Natine
7/31/2013 08:15:56 am

Nice to know other men have creative toiletries bags, Dee Dee. My guy needs a bag just for his cans of shaving cream. It's a mystery to me why he needs more than one "flavor", but considering my own stash of cosmetics and hair care products, I'm in no position to make much noise on the subject. I am, however, still working with him on the concepts of "travel-sized" and Walmarts/drugstores in every corner of the country... :)

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Annie Bonannie
7/31/2013 08:14:25 am

Would you consider taking "... a certain ... fishing pole and tackle" on a road trip to Pierre, SD? Next summer we should have "Annie's Barn" finished. B will be happy to take G fishing on Missouri. And, the barn will have hot and cold running water, toilets, air-conditioning, real beds. Dogs welcome.

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Natine
7/31/2013 08:17:59 am

Now that sounds like an offer hard for us to resist, Bonannie!! WOW! I will definitely put that out to the G-man, and I already know he will be interested! Thank you!! How soon ahead should we make our reservations? :)

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Annie Bonannie
7/31/2013 08:36:48 am

I'll put on the preferred company list and let you know when the barn is ready.

Annie Bonannie
7/31/2013 08:39:11 am

I'll put you on the VIP list and let you know when the barn is done.

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Natine
8/1/2013 05:41:11 am

YESSSS!!

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Jill W link
8/2/2013 11:35:30 am

This is hilarious! I'm the worst packer....you would not want me in your car. :) Thanks for the good Friday laugh!

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Natine
8/2/2013 02:22:09 pm

You are most welcome, Jill! I'm pretty sure no matter what you believe, you are NOT a worse packer than my G! Maybe we can do a "pack-off" competition some day. :)

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cmk link
8/3/2013 12:13:20 pm

I STILL am a horrible packer, despite the fact that we do at least one overnight road trip a month! I have gotten to the point where I have a carry-on always packed with most of the cosmetic-y stuff that is needed everyday--about all I have to pack is makeup, etc--but I manage to over-pack clothes way too much. This is why we drive everywhere we possibly can: it would cost too much to take the suitcases I need if we flew. ;) (And MY hubby used to use a brown paper grocery bag as his suitcase--any wonder why I do all the packing these days? :D)

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Natine
8/5/2013 02:02:42 pm

I am almost positive we are Michi-sisters of the heart, CMK! I still do not pack for G...just try to convince him to use more respectable suitcases. Thank God for the evolution of the duffle! :)

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