@JanaS@hchavers@Mehrocco_Mole This!
If we’re allowed 50 lb suitcases for overseas, she packs 51 lbs and hopes they’ll round down. Now that all our trips this year are within car distance, the weight limit approaches the GVWR.
Now that all our trips this year are within car distance, the weight limit approaches the GVWR.
LOL
That is why you need a minivan. You can put in the kitchen sink and still have room to sleep in there.
Actually all kidding aside, in 2005 when I went from my 1990 grand caravan to a honda element the loss of extra space was seriously noticeable in my packing. The unexpected move back to a mini van (after a commercial truck with no rear bumper ran over the hood of the element while backing up and totaled me out) has been really nice. Still smaller than my grand caravan but a massive improvement over the element. Heaven help me if I ever have to take a longer trip in a sub compact.
At the last possible minute, I throw in as much stuff as will fit in the bag. I usually end up with stuff I don’t need, and lacking things I do need, but it’s just the right amount
I always plan to pack light and then add “just this one more thing”. I mean who knows I might get invited to a fancy night out or decide to paint the barn. You don’t want to miss out or be wet if you get soaked in a downpour. I need a bigger place for my stuff!
I always fall victim to the dreaded “what if” disease. What if it’s cold? What if it’s raining? What if it’s hot and humid? What if there’s too much sun? What if we need to dress nice? What if we need work clothes? Bottom line: I worry too much and always bring too much.
The secret is to pack way, way too much stuff with you on a daily basis and be Mr. Utility Belt. The only thing that makes a planned trip different is a toothbrush.
“just right” was closest… i may pack a teeny bit too much, not “way too much”.
it took a lot of practice, but my secret is to remember that anything i pack could be left behind when i come home, so if i don’t need it and i don’t want to lose it, i better leave it.
for beauty supplies i remind myself i can go a week (never done just a weekend trip) without leave-in conditioner, special soap just for my face, etc. it’s all got to fit in a particular small travel bag i got from meh or morningsave . i probably pack a little more than i need here if i have room in the bag.
for clothes i drag everything out that i would want to wear, then combine it into the right number of outfits (including underwear) and put the un-outfitted stuff back. i roll each outfit up all together to avoid having to dig around for clothes when i get there.
and i have a phone and tablet for books, puzzles, notes, etc, so i don’t need paper/pens.
i tend to overpack electronics and socks. for some reason i’m always worried about needing more socks. which is weird because most of the traveling i do is to see family, and they have washing machines. as for electronics i always pack my laptop in the unlikely event my home is burglarized while i’m gone. i also pack my backup external drive in case i decide to use vacation time to upgrade MacOS, which i never do.
@katylava I leave my desktop (my main computer) and take my backup drive in case of burglary or fire or…(none have ever happened). I take a ChromeBook which does most of what I need. We won’t talk about my overpacking of clothes here. Perhaps I’ll make a second comment.
@katylava Of all the things you could overpack, socks are just about the best. They don’t take up much space, they’re great for protecting fragile or loose items, and honestly, I’d rather wear dirty underwear than dirty socks.
After spending a few years working on the road, you learn exactly how much you will wear in a given time period. Never bring more than one extra days clothes.
I always overpack, no matter how hard I try, for reasons noted by several above. You (I) never know what will be needed outside of the essentials. Besides, I am the Founder, and President for Life, of the Congenital Overpackers of America (TM, Copyright) so must keep up my appearances (use of this joke requires attribution to the source-me).
I travel a lot so a carry on is enough for a week.
If I can get it at the hotel (toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash. etc) I don’t pack it. I use their amenities. Shampoo and conditioner can be picked up at the local drugstore if I do not like the hotel brand.
Things like face wash, toner, moisturizers and face masks. I hit the local Sephora and load up on samples. I then ask for extra empty tiny containers - they will give them to you if you ask. Those are great for foundation, earrings, etc. That leaves setting powder, blush and eye makeup. You can usually find travel sizes in all of these.
I pack a swimsuit, because you never know, one extra outfit, an extra pair of undergarments and an extra pair of contact lenses - god forbid something happens and I am rendered unable to see during a trip!! My carry on has built in compression panels so I tighten it down and throw the shoes on top!
One pair of pants plus the ones I’m currently wearing. One more pair of socks, pair of underwear, and shirt than days I’ll be gone. A week’s worth of medications in case I get stranded. Guitar if it’s that kind of trip. Toiletry bag, laptop, camera, jacket, good to go.
Hmm… so the year I worked in the UK I went over with 50 pounds of stuff in a backpacking backpack. I came home with 80 pounds of stuff in a backpacking backpack. When I drive 1000 miles to see my mom I fill the minivan with crap since I have the room and it takes more time to pack intelligently than to just throw it in “just in case”. Of course first I have to empty the minivan because, to quote that women who was on the Click and Clack brothers, her car was an extension of her purse - or in my case the garage, basement and storage room I don’t otherwise have.
Backpack has things I wouldn’t leave without: batteries, laptop, some Excedrin, instant coffee for emergencies, other misc. stuff. Add rolled up clothes and maybe a traditional book for a plane ride, tooth brush, and you’re done.
I actually just went on a camping trip a week ago, and simultaneously managed to pack too much and too little. (Forgot to bring shirts, for one. Fortunately, we went to an isolated cabin where nobody would mind if I had my tits out.)
@chienfou no? Not sure how that’s related? And definitely can’t carry there.
Also last time I checked illinois had finally fixed their restrictions so you could drive THROUGH the state with an out of state license. Just not carry it. Used to be you would be in trouble just for having one in the vehicle on your way to somewhere else.
I’d drive around chicago anyway because traffic, only reason I’d go there was if I had kids for shedd aquarium and museums.
Obviously when traveling check carry laws on your route. I think the below may still be correct for illinois but since I have no plans to go there don’t quote me on it.
(e) Nothing in this Act shall prohibit a non-resident from transporting a concealed firearm within his or her vehicle in Illinois, if the concealed firearm remains within his or her vehicle and the non-resident:
(1) is not prohibited from owning or possessing a
firearm under federal law;
(2) is eligible to carry a firearm in public under
the laws of his or her state or territory of residence, as evidenced by the possession of a concealed carry license or permit issued by his or her state of residence, if applicable; and
(3) is not in possession of a license under this Act.
If the non-resident leaves his or her vehicle unattended, he or she shall store the firearm within a locked vehicle or locked container within the vehicle in accordance with subsection (b) of Section 65 of this Act.
@chienfou no way to tell what with protests up, Trump ranting about nonsense, illinois generally frustrating carry laws… I’ve only been there as a kid in the station wagon for a day. I have no context or frame of reference for what may be going on in chicago today.
I would probably not be able to fuction in a large city.
@chienfou well that’s clearly all around awful. No idea what to think about that. And never lived in a city so my thoughts about what’s wrong in one don’t matter.
Just got back from 6 days in Colorado last week. Packed everything I needed:
2 pair of shorts
6 pr socks
6 pr underwear
6 shirts
1 pr Swim trunks
hat
windbreaker (never wore it)
sandals/river shoe (i’m currently in a cam boot for a torn achilles tendon so only brought one of these.)
one pair of pants (in case it got too cold in the evening for shorts (it didn’t))
into this bag as well as all my electronics (phone chargers, cables, tablet, P&S camera charger, camera, binoculars, BT speaker, earbuds, battery pack etc) and bathroom stuff. Plus the paperwork we had printed for things to do, car reservations etc.
I could have put in a few more things but didn’t need them, so I had room to bring some gifts back from the trip.
I still managed to fit it under the seat on the Frontier flights we took.
It’s much easier to pack with a good weather app and an understanding of what you plan to do while you are gone.
Oh… and you can always get stuff you “have to have” at the destination. For instance, we bought a small kitchen/paring knife and soft sided cooler at the Dollartree for the picnics we took up in the mountains. since we couldn’t bring a knife on board the plane with no checked bags.
Now if you had asked about how the wife packs…
Going to Mom’s for the weekend. She lives 80 miles away.
@Mehrocco_Mole Father-in-law always has that worried look when we arrive, like she coming back.
@Mehrocco_Mole Haha. Wasn’t it you who said sleeping on the couch was like camping? How about now Boy Scout?
@JanaS @hchavers @Mehrocco_Mole This!
If we’re allowed 50 lb suitcases for overseas, she packs 51 lbs and hopes they’ll round down. Now that all our trips this year are within car distance, the weight limit approaches the GVWR.
@hchavers @JanaS @mehcuda67 @Mehrocco_Mole
LOL
That is why you need a minivan. You can put in the kitchen sink and still have room to sleep in there.
Actually all kidding aside, in 2005 when I went from my 1990 grand caravan to a honda element the loss of extra space was seriously noticeable in my packing. The unexpected move back to a mini van (after a commercial truck with no rear bumper ran over the hood of the element while backing up and totaled me out) has been really nice. Still smaller than my grand caravan but a massive improvement over the element. Heaven help me if I ever have to take a longer trip in a sub compact.
@hchavers @JanaS @mehcuda67 @Mehrocco_Mole Meant to say in 2015, not 2005, my minivan bit the dust. It was replaced then by a 2005 honda element.
I am the baby, and I pack just right.
At the last possible minute, I throw in as much stuff as will fit in the bag. I usually end up with stuff I don’t need, and lacking things I do need, but it’s just the right amount
I always plan to pack light and then add “just this one more thing”. I mean who knows I might get invited to a fancy night out or decide to paint the barn. You don’t want to miss out or be wet if you get soaked in a downpour. I need a bigger place for my stuff!
@speediedelivery ‘a bigger place for my stuff’
That’s what I say about my house. I don’t have too much stuff, I just have too little house. lol
My secret? I know where I am going and what I am doing.
I always fall victim to the dreaded “what if” disease. What if it’s cold? What if it’s raining? What if it’s hot and humid? What if there’s too much sun? What if we need to dress nice? What if we need work clothes? Bottom line: I worry too much and always bring too much.
The secret is to pack way, way too much stuff with you on a daily basis and be Mr. Utility Belt. The only thing that makes a planned trip different is a toothbrush.
@brennyn Luckily they sell toothbrushes here.
@brennyn @pmarin What? You don’t always carry a toothbrush with you?
not my first rodeo.
“just right” was closest… i may pack a teeny bit too much, not “way too much”.
it took a lot of practice, but my secret is to remember that anything i pack could be left behind when i come home, so if i don’t need it and i don’t want to lose it, i better leave it.
for beauty supplies i remind myself i can go a week (never done just a weekend trip) without leave-in conditioner, special soap just for my face, etc. it’s all got to fit in a particular small travel bag i got from meh or morningsave
. i probably pack a little more than i need here if i have room in the bag.
for clothes i drag everything out that i would want to wear, then combine it into the right number of outfits (including underwear) and put the un-outfitted stuff back. i roll each outfit up all together to avoid having to dig around for clothes when i get there.
and i have a phone and tablet for books, puzzles, notes, etc, so i don’t need paper/pens.
i tend to overpack electronics and socks. for some reason i’m always worried about needing more socks. which is weird because most of the traveling i do is to see family, and they have washing machines. as for electronics i always pack my laptop in the unlikely event my home is burglarized while i’m gone. i also pack my backup external drive in case i decide to use vacation time to upgrade MacOS, which i never do.
@katylava I leave my desktop (my main computer) and take my backup drive in case of burglary or fire or…(none have ever happened). I take a ChromeBook which does most of what I need. We won’t talk about my overpacking of clothes here. Perhaps I’ll make a second comment.
@katylava Of all the things you could overpack, socks are just about the best. They don’t take up much space, they’re great for protecting fragile or loose items, and honestly, I’d rather wear dirty underwear than dirty socks.
After spending a few years working on the road, you learn exactly how much you will wear in a given time period. Never bring more than one extra days clothes.
I have learned, I just haven’t learned to listen to what I learned!
I always overpack, no matter how hard I try, for reasons noted by several above. You (I) never know what will be needed outside of the essentials. Besides, I am the Founder, and President for Life, of the Congenital Overpackers of America (TM, Copyright) so must keep up my appearances (use of this joke requires attribution to the source-me).
I travel a lot so a carry on is enough for a week.
If I can get it at the hotel (toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash. etc) I don’t pack it. I use their amenities. Shampoo and conditioner can be picked up at the local drugstore if I do not like the hotel brand.
Things like face wash, toner, moisturizers and face masks. I hit the local Sephora and load up on samples. I then ask for extra empty tiny containers - they will give them to you if you ask. Those are great for foundation, earrings, etc. That leaves setting powder, blush and eye makeup. You can usually find travel sizes in all of these.
I pack a swimsuit, because you never know, one extra outfit, an extra pair of undergarments and an extra pair of contact lenses - god forbid something happens and I am rendered unable to see during a trip!! My carry on has built in compression panels so I tighten it down and throw the shoes on top!
Easy peasy lemon squeezey!!
Extra underwear and some laundry soap, should your clothing get filthy. Credit card and some cash goes a long way when packing light.
One pair of pants plus the ones I’m currently wearing. One more pair of socks, pair of underwear, and shirt than days I’ll be gone. A week’s worth of medications in case I get stranded. Guitar if it’s that kind of trip. Toiletry bag, laptop, camera, jacket, good to go.
Hmm… so the year I worked in the UK I went over with 50 pounds of stuff in a backpacking backpack. I came home with 80 pounds of stuff in a backpacking backpack. When I drive 1000 miles to see my mom I fill the minivan with crap since I have the room and it takes more time to pack intelligently than to just throw it in “just in case”. Of course first I have to empty the minivan because, to quote that women who was on the Click and Clack brothers, her car was an extension of her purse - or in my case the garage, basement and storage room I don’t otherwise have.
Backpack has things I wouldn’t leave without: batteries, laptop, some Excedrin, instant coffee for emergencies, other misc. stuff. Add rolled up clothes and maybe a traditional book for a plane ride, tooth brush, and you’re done.
Always pack way to much and to many shoes. I like to have options.
i keep a mostly-prepacked bag. just add clothes and go. it makes packing super fast, and i almost never worry about forgetting things.
I actually just went on a camping trip a week ago, and simultaneously managed to pack too much and too little. (Forgot to bring shirts, for one. Fortunately, we went to an isolated cabin where nobody would mind if I had my tits out.)
@sanspoint I mean who objects to free range tits.
@unksol Hardcore right-wing conservative rural Pennsylvanians, I imagine. Fortunately, none were close by enough to see them.
@sanspoint
perhaps time to change your moniker to seinspoint.
A .45 and a .40. Wait what were you talking about?
@unksol
So, headed to Chicago are you?
@chienfou no? Not sure how that’s related? And definitely can’t carry there.
Also last time I checked illinois had finally fixed their restrictions so you could drive THROUGH the state with an out of state license. Just not carry it. Used to be you would be in trouble just for having one in the vehicle on your way to somewhere else.
I’d drive around chicago anyway because traffic, only reason I’d go there was if I had kids for shedd aquarium and museums.
Obviously when traveling check carry laws on your route. I think the below may still be correct for illinois but since I have no plans to go there don’t quote me on it.
(e) Nothing in this Act shall prohibit a non-resident from transporting a concealed firearm within his or her vehicle in Illinois, if the concealed firearm remains within his or her vehicle and the non-resident:
(1) is not prohibited from owning or possessing a
firearm under federal law;
(2) is eligible to carry a firearm in public under
the laws of his or her state or territory of residence, as evidenced by the possession of a concealed carry license or permit issued by his or her state of residence, if applicable; and
(3) is not in possession of a license under this Act.
If the non-resident leaves his or her vehicle unattended, he or she shall store the firearm within a locked vehicle or locked container within the vehicle in accordance with subsection (b) of Section 65 of this Act.
@unksol
sorry, the “tongue-in-cheek” got lost in the process…
/giphy mea culpa
@chienfou no way to tell what with protests up, Trump ranting about nonsense, illinois generally frustrating carry laws… I’ve only been there as a kid in the station wagon for a day. I have no context or frame of reference for what may be going on in chicago today.
I would probably not be able to fuction in a large city.
@unksol
Chicago has been a total shitshow this year with an astronomical shooting/homicide rate.
@chienfou well that’s clearly all around awful. No idea what to think about that. And never lived in a city so my thoughts about what’s wrong in one don’t matter.
@unksol …wisely said…
Just got back from 6 days in Colorado last week. Packed everything I needed:
2 pair of shorts
6 pr socks
6 pr underwear
6 shirts
1 pr Swim trunks
hat
windbreaker (never wore it)
sandals/river shoe (i’m currently in a cam boot for a torn achilles tendon so only brought one of these.)
one pair of pants (in case it got too cold in the evening for shorts (it didn’t))
into this bag as well as all my electronics (phone chargers, cables, tablet, P&S camera charger, camera, binoculars, BT speaker, earbuds, battery pack etc) and bathroom stuff. Plus the paperwork we had printed for things to do, car reservations etc.
I could have put in a few more things but didn’t need them, so I had room to bring some gifts back from the trip.
I still managed to fit it under the seat on the Frontier flights we took.
It’s much easier to pack with a good weather app and an understanding of what you plan to do while you are gone.
Oh… and you can always get stuff you “have to have” at the destination. For instance, we bought a small kitchen/paring knife and soft sided cooler at the Dollartree for the picnics we took up in the mountains. since we couldn’t bring a knife on board the plane with no checked bags.
(travel partner’s bag is under her coat)
@chienfou Hope you had a blast!!
@Kidsandliz we did… re-visited our old stomping grounds for our 43rd anniversary.