Have you ever noticed that when you get ready to go on a trip you absolutely need multiple lists and bags to stay organized? Otherwise you seriously will not be able to find any fucking thing. I like to save lists from year to year in case I ever forget anything… and I always do.
I have developed a system for car travel that enables me to quickly put my hands on anything we might need on our journey. It’s the Bag System. We’ve got bags for every purpose. That way we know it’s in the purple bag, the green bag, the plaid bag, the media bag, the food bag… you get the picture.
We’ve got the snack foods down to a science. Nothing too messy because it’s hard to eat a drippy sandwich while you’re driving with your knees talking on the phone. (Just kidding. I would never do that.) You will be thankful for a homemade turkey sandwich when you opt out of roadside fast food. You must stop for coffee, however, unless you want to die.
Crackers, dried fruit, string cheese, nuts, turkey sandwiches, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, individual servings of yogurt and hummus, bagels with cream cheese, small containers of juice, apples, carrots, Balance Bars, and at least one case of water. All food is packed in individual plastic bags for easy consumption.
The food stuffs are divided into two categories. Paper towels, wet wipes, a small cutting board, a knife two plastic spoons and dry goods go into the Good Earth Bag and refrigerated items go into the ice chest.
One large suitcase suffices for two adults on a weeklong trip. We each take five complete changes of casual day wear and two changes of fancier go out to dinner clothes. Five shirts, five shorts or capris, six underwear sets, two dress pants and two dress shirts (which means Hawaiian).
Shoes are a problem. Take as few as possible. Anything more than one extra pair will require a separate shoe bag. Designated plaid bag for shoes. Any driving day you will be sweating through one outfit, so consider it done, and don’t forget to pack a large plastic bag for the dirty clothes. Light jackets or hoodies are stuffed in the outside pockets of the large suitcase for easy access in case they are needed.
In the smaller carry on case I pack all the toiletries, make-up, deodorant, combs, and any necessary pharmaceuticals or prescriptions in large ziplock plastic bags – one for each of us, along with night clothes, slippers, some Dial soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
Bathing suits have their own bag – the Hawaiian print bag – along with sunscreen, an extra large beach towel, a cover up, sun visors, and a magazine or two.
A large purple bag holds items of interest to the author and wife of this expedition: a wallet-sized purse, some Kleenex, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, gum, candy, sunflower seeds, writing tablet, pens and pencils, binoculars, and i-Phone.
In recent years we have added a media bag to our collection. The i-Pad, phone chargers, and various chords and plug-ins are stored in a bag appropriately marked with a Micro-soft logo. Sirius. Sirius has gotten us through even the most boring stretches of desert with Electric Zone, Trance, and whatever your pleasure is.
Green Music Bag. I am a singer. I need to carry my charts.
Pillows and cuddle blanket mandatory for car comfort on long trips.
Are we there yet?
(First published 9/27/13)
