Packing with No Wrinkles???

[PNW Judy]

{May, 2006 Update: Click here for some new "wrinkles" on this subject!}

It's interesting how this has switched from wrinkles to planning your packing.

I have a list but I don't have to start it from scratch. I have a list saved in MS Word covering just about any possible contingency, type of weather, etc. I print it out and first I go through it crossing out everything I know I won't need for this trip. Then I'll write next to it a number. For example, if it's a 5 day trip in warm weather, I'll write in 5 next to t-shirts. This makes things easy to I rarely forget anything important.

Bob...here's a hint on the sunscreen. Basic things like that are always in my trunk so I have 'em when I need 'em, even if going on a day jaunt around town.

Like Mark, I keep some items always in my car for just in case. Except on rare occasions, the only passenger that ever rides in the backseat is my dog. And that's only when someone rides shotgun stealing her favorite away from her. :-) So, on the floor behind the passenger seat, I have a tote with a rain jacket, hat, gloves, a fleece blanket, a Totes-brand backpack because it's lightweight and zips into something about the size of 2 decks of cards, and one of those small camping pillows that stuffs small in its own little drawstring bag.

In another tote bag behind the driver's seat, I have an atlas, a couple of more detailed local maps, a good guidebook particular to my state, a starmap, and the following in case I'm in a situation where I'm forced to leave my dog in the car when it's really warmer outside than I'd like to leave her there (and then I'm very quick): windshield sunscreen, sunscreens for side windows that have suction cups to hold them in place, and a little, folding, battery-operated fan.

In glove boxes and dooor pockets: backpacker-size first aid kit, individual packets of handi-wipes and Shout (I'm always spilling something), travel-size hand sanitizer, dental stuff (toothbrush, toothpaste, floss), a couple of lighters and some matches (you never know if you might need a fire, right?), GPS, flashlight, Leatherman, headlamp, extra small pocket knife, 12v battery recharger with extra rechargeable batteries, FRS radios, my old prescription glasses in case I lose or break my current pair, tape, small pair of scissors, small sewing kit, dog treats, scissors, pen/paper, tire gauge, and probably a few other odds and ends I'm forgetting right now.

I always have a towel with me because I have a beach towel in my car's colors tucked in to cover the bottom of the backseat for when the dog ends up back there. Sure, it might get a tad dirty and have dog hair on it (I do take it out and wash it once in awhile), but at least I have a towel if needed. And I also have another blanket because I have one of those flannel blankets backed with vinyl that I put on my passenger seat, vinyl side up, for the dog to sit on when she's riding shotgun. It makes a good ground cloth, if needed, in addition to being a really warm, lightweight blanket.

Not done yet....

In my trunk, in one of those trunk organizers, I have a small lantern that telescopes into itself with extra batteries, duct tape, a couple of 24-hour/multi-wick candles that you can use for a bit of heat and even some rudimentary cooking, about 5-6 protein bars, a couple of those new pouches of tuna, jerky, several packets of cup-a-soup and cocoa (in case I'm ever stranded, starving and need to use those 24-hour candles to cook with), an small aluminum "sierra" cup to heat water in, a fanny pack with 2 side pockets to hold 16 oz water bottles, 2-16 oz. water bottles with water in them and a 1 litre bottle of water, a cloth/vinyl folding dog bowl so she can get her water regularly, a a roll of toilet paper, a half-used roll of paper towels (so it's not quite so bulky), sunscreen, bug spray, several glow sticks, can opener, deck of cards, teeny travel-size chess and backgammon games, a small bottle of quick-shine car polish and a microfiber towel to clean off bird poop ASAP (I'm kinda particular about my car and don't want the paint to etch), and the usual car staff: folding, emergency triangle, a couple of flares, some basic tools, jumper cables, rope, fix-a-flat).

Not done yet....

In something called a saddlebag which is a storage unit a couple inches thick that is connected to the underside of the hatch-cover in my trunk, I have my car's manual, a cool kit particular to my car with extra fuses and light bulbs, a small stuff-a-kite that has it's own little stuff sack (for fun on the beach), and a stuffsack with some of the 10 essentials for hiking (the rest are in other places in my car and can be added, if needed: compass, waterproof matches, whistle, reflector, 2 of those foil-type reflective "space" blankets, 2 ponchos, flexible reflective mirrow for signaling, and a small paperback book called "How to Survive in the Woods" with tons of helpful hints if stranded somewhere like how to build an emergency shelter, etc.

My husband gives me a bad time for carrying so much but I love it. I feel like I'm ready for anything.

My sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, medium-sized folding vinyl cooler, and telescoping camping chair are in a medium-sized duffle bag ready to toss in the car. My backpacker's stove, fuel, cooking set, cooking/eating utensils, pot scrubber/biodegradable backpacking-type dish soap, some basic spices, a small plastic cutting board, folding knife, and some restaurant-type individual packets of ketchup, mayo, and mustard is in a small duffle bag ready to toss in the car.

And, like any good traveller, I keep my grooming kit with small travel-sized bottles stocked and ready to go, including make-up.

So, really, getting ready for a trip is just throwing the 2 duffle bags descibed above and my grooming kit in the car, adding the clothes and food, and my little 12-volt cooler and I'm ready to hit the road. As long as my clothes are clean, I can be ready to go in about 30-minutes tops.

Oh....and my bed pillow. I always sleep best with my regular pillow. :-)

[Mark Sedenquist]

It's interesting how this has switched from wrinkles to planning your packing.

Yep -- and recognition of that observation, the thread has hyperjumped to the Gear-up topic.

I have a list but I don't have to start it from scratch. I have a list saved in MS Word covering just about any possible contingency, type of weather, etc. I print it out and first I go through it crossing out everything I know I won't need for this trip. Then I'll write next to it a number. For example, if it's a 5 day trip in warm weather, I'll write in 5 next to t-shirts. This makes things easy to I rarely forget anything important.

Now, I know far more than I expected I would learn about you. But the specifics of your gear and the inherent organization of your system is really great -- I expect this post will have scores of referrer links (inbound) within a few days. Good Job!

I have just one question -- how often does the combined weight of your in-car gear + travel duffles + people + dog exceed the GVW of your beetle?

Oh....and my bed pillow. I always sleep best with my regular pillow.

Yes, that is a stardard for us too.

Mark

[PNW Judy]

I have just one question -- how often does the combined weight of your in-car gear + travel duffles + people + dog exceed the GVW of your beetle?Mark

:-) Notice that I use the words backpacking, small, teeny, lightweight in there quite a bit.

If the Baby Dog and I watch how many McD's double-cheeseburgers we're eating on the road, we can keep it just a tad under that GVW.

[zxa]

I once took a Travel Iron, when I had some dress shirts with me - it only cost about $20 and did the job ok. A full sized iron wouldn't take up too much room in the trunk.

[Mark Sedenquist]

I once took a Travel Iron, when I had some dress shirts with me - it only cost about $20 and did the job ok. A full sized iron wouldn't take up too much room in the trunk.

I find that full size irons and boards are available at virtually every motel I stay in. ...And I have been known to iron a few things as necessary.

Mark

[RoadTripper Brad]

Judy, from an AAA standpoint.... I only wish that every traveler on the road was even HALF as prepared as you are! If they were, I think my job (and that of everyone on the REACT teams, passer-bys, police, etc.) would be much easier. Myself, my standard items include First Aid Kit, Fire Extinguisher, the neccesary tools (including tire iron, jumper cables, etc.), Jack, my Mini-mobile CB and GMRS radios (now that I have my GMRS license).
Brad M.

[Syv]

So I guess there is no easy fool-proof solution. Thanks everyone for your tips.
I take about 3-4 interchangeable "outfits" and live in/out of the same mix & match clothes for the entire 2-3 week trip.

[PNW Judy]

Thanks, Brad...I think that's your name, right?

I've been thinking about getting a hand-held CB. That's probably a great investment that I should consider. While I take the tire-changing items, etc., there's no way I could change the flat myself. Hence, the AAA membership. In April, I was heading to eastern WA and hit a big rock. I got a flat tire and....well, thank goodness for AAA. Since I was heading to a meeting for which I was gonna be late, I decided to get as much done ahead of time for the AAA guy as I could while waiting. So, I took the stuff outta the trunk to get to the spare tire (in an area under the trunk). I'm a weanie. No matter how hard I tried, I could not lift that dang tire out of the storage area. No way, no how. I guess I better start lifting weights?

My car comes with a full-size spare instead of a donut....maybe donuts are lighter? But I sure like having a full spare. This way I could make my trip on it and not worry about getting a new tire until I got home. (The beading?...I think that's what they called it...was toast.)

Well, I just thank God for you speedy, considerate, and capable AAA guys. You've saved my bacon more than once. :-)

[PNW Judy]

Syv, sorry I high-jacked your thread a bit. Except for buying clothes that don't tend to wrinkle as much, I really don't think there's much good advice.

I know that places like Magellans and Travelsmith (both on the web) sell stuff that's particularly designed for travel, made of things like tencel, coolmax, and similar materials, that are supposed to not wrinkle. And most are designed to be washed in a sink, hung to dry, and made of quick-drying cloths. Anyway, their stuff looks pretty neat, some of it is quite attractive, but pricey. They have a lot of ensemble, mix-and-match items as well.

I think if I hit the jackpot and could get to someplace like Europe, I might splurge on some of their clothes. I know that many places in Europe aren't as casual as they are here in the US and those clothes would probably be more appropriate for traveling in those areas. Here, in the casual US, I find t-shirts, jeans, and polar fleece items tend to do the trick quite nicely for me.

Anyway, you might want to check those websites out for some ideas.

[Quebec Gen]

Whew,
that's quite a list you got there Judy! I'll probably steal some of your ideas for my next road trip! Yep you're right, Americans dress very casual, but at least it's comfy. I wouldn't dare wearing white sneakers to go out in Montreal, or even think about wearing anything other than high heels..Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to get in any decent club or lounge! Here people get all dressed up just to go to the convenience store, it's kind of quirky I know but that's the way it is here:o)) People tend to be more easy going in rural areas. I rarely bring more than one or two fashion items (shoes and clothes) when I road trip so I have to be creative when it comes to going out in more upscale places.

I'll definitly add a Shout bottle and the "half used" roll of paper towel and leave the ironing stuff aside. I completely agree with you, shopping for clothes is a pain especially when you don't know where to start because you're not familiar with the stores and the city! I'd rather wear wrinkled clothes! I usually use the onion layers method on trips, depending on the season of course : I bring short sleeved and long sleeved shirts, a warmer jacket, 2/1 pants/shorts, hat, gloves, scarf, jeans and maybe a skirt or a dress. The biggest problem I have is shoes... I always bring like 5 pairs of shoes : sneakers, high heels sandals, hiking boots, sport sandals and high heels boots... That's the secret of my overpacked bags!:o(( Does anyone know about any brand that sells a 5 in 1 footwear??

Gen