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Advice & More October 2013

Packing for a Trip

By SueAnn Carpenter

Now for the actual packing: Start with an empty trash bag to line your luggage. This can prevent water damage, but also be used later for dirty laundry... A t-shirt over another shirt rolled together in a fairly tight package takes much less room than the two separately.

Yippee...vacation time for seniors is often in the fall when families are back home with children in school.  However, packing can be so stressful it makes you feel like you need a vacation from the vacation, so here are some tips.

Pack well in advance with a checklist so nothing is forgotten. Just as important, don’t pack unnecessary things — those bags will be heavy enough. Furthermore, the list is a safeguard if baggage is lost — you’ll have an inventory for making a claim. Check the weather (The Weather Channel or www.weather.com for 10-day forecasts) to plan your clothing decisions so you won’t be sidelined by surprises.

If flying, check www.TSA.gov in advance for their guidelines: toiletries such as razors, liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a bag to prevent leakage and for easy inspection. Since there are limits on ounces permitted, get travel-sized products or opt to transfer liquids to small bottles purchased at sporting goods or camping stores. Otherwise, your downtime could be spoiled before you ever get on the plane.

If you plan on returning with souvenirs, leave room in your bag or pack a smaller bag inside for them. Check your specific airline to find out their maximum weight and size of baggage that avoids additional charges. Forget locking your bag, as that seems to be a red flag to be searched. Whether you travel by car, train, or plane, always carry medications, toiletries, jewelry, and electronics in a carry-on. If anything’s expensive or hard to replace, keep it safely at hand.

Limit the amount of footwear to comfortable walking shoes plus another pair. Shoes are the most cumbersome to pack and add extra weight. Pick a neutral color scheme that will harmonize with your entire wardrobe. For the fitness fanatic, leave workout attire home and just take the stairs instead of elevators for your daily exercise. Besides, if you’re going to visit sights, there will be miles of walking in lieu of the gym.

Make a list of your probable activities to help choose the type of clothes needed. Mix and match tops and bottoms so you can produce numerous outfits from only a few pieces. Darks show less dirt, but neutrals can span a variety of climates. Choose easy-care fabrics that retain their shape and look good with a minimum of fuss. Dressing in layers of light clothes offers the same benefit as a heavy coat, and it allows more options as temperatures change.

If you have trouble deciding, lay out each day’s outfit including undergarments, shoes, etc. Then delete half of the pile. Keep items that serve several purposes like a large scarf or shawl — to add color, keep warm, or as a wrap for your swim suit. Then analyze each article of clothing again to decide if you really need it. Traveling with only one carry-on not only increases your mobility, but saves on airline fees, the need for expensive valets and taxis — and gives you the option and flexibility of cheaper public transportation like subways, buses, etc.

Never bring more than one week’s worth of clothes, including underwear, for anything approaching two weeks or longer. Just have the laundry done. That way you’re always wearing your favorite outfits. Lounging clothes don’t get too dirty if you’re just sitting around. Pick outfits for going out so you can get more than a day’s wear out of them. After all, when traveling you’ll always be seeing new people who have no idea how many times you’ve worn that outfit. And who cares? They’re strangers.

Not all clothes are worth their weight. Leave behind those with bulky linings or heavy embellishments. Think thin and opt for pants made of polyester or spandex. Stretchy jeans or leggings can take up half the space of regular denim. Add variety with little things, like belts, jewelry, and scarves. Stash footwear and heavy stuff along the wheel base. Stuff shoes with socks and rolled-up underwear or bulky bangles, then put them in individual bags to save space, with the soles facing the sides of the suitcase. Rest other heavy items next to or on top of shoes. Placing these near the wheels stabilizes the bag’s center of gravity, so it pulls easier, won’t topple, and sits better in baggage racks.

Rather than coiling belts, wrap them around the interior frame of the bag. Store delicate earrings in pill cases, and string dainty bracelets and necklaces through drinking straws, taping the clasps to the ends. Limit jewelry to combos of both silver and gold that will go with everything.

Read and leave your heavy travel guidebooks at home; print and bring only small sections needed. You may be tempted to bring a novel, but most people don’t read as much as they expect. Cruise ships have huge libraries, or you can always buy it new or used on the road. Unless you’re one of those type-A executives who have to stay on top of everything every second (those types don’t enjoy vacations anyway) you’ll discover you can do quite nicely without the bulky laptop. Besides it’s a target for theft.

Now for the actual packing: Start with an empty trash bag to line your luggage. This can prevent water damage, but also be used later for dirty laundry. On the first layer stack any clothing like jeans (fold them in half and they’ll fit just right). Then your clothing rolls go on top. (A t-shirt over another shirt rolled together in a fairly tight package takes much less room than the two separately.) In the outside pockets of the carry-on, place items like reading material, spare glasses and sunglasses, maps, medicines, etc. — items necessary to access while on the move so you won’t have to dig through the innards. Oh, and a holder worn around your neck is great for carrying passport and tickets through the airport when you’ve got your hands full of bags.

Yes, it may seem like this advance groundwork is work, but preparation brings peace of mind so you can relax and enjoy your vacation.

 

SueAnn Carpenter continues her pursuit of watercolor, especially portraits of pets. Recently she launched www.petwatercolorist.com.

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