The View from a Drawbridge

I have done quite a bit of traveling in my life. It’s what I live for. I’ve been to 22 countries and to at least 41 of the 50 US states. Travel is my reason for being.

I think travel to at least one foreign country should be mandatory for every American, because it broadens your horizons and gives you perspective. It makes you realize that “our” way of doing things isn’t the only way. It isn’t even necessarily the best way. It’s really hard to be xenophobic when you’ve been to the place where people came from. It’s hard to be racist when you discover that our roots are profoundly intertwined.

Travel is important to me because I feel that in order to be truly alive, you must be continually learning. There’s no better way to learn than to have new experiences by being somewhere that you’ve never been before. I want to see and do it all!

The easiest way for me to plunge into a deep, dark depression is to dwell on the fact that, if the average life were to fit into a day, I’m already at 6 pm, and midnight seems to be rushing toward me, and it’s not unreasonable to expect that in the last few “hours” I may be unfit to travel. I’m never going to see it all. I won’t even get to see a tenth of it at the rate I’m going. I better get to the point of this post before I burst into tears.

So, I’d like to think that I have a bit of expertise about travel, and I want to share some of that with you. There were many times in my early travel days when I forgot to pack something crucial. It’s really annoying to waste valuable travel time running from shop to shop, trying desperately to replace that thing you’ve forgotten, especially in a place where you don’t speak the language.

To avoid that maddening, helpless scramble when I would otherwise be sightseeing, I’ve created what I call a Master Pack List, and I’ve added to it over time. It includes everything I’ve ever packed or felt the need for on every trip I’ve taken for decades.

Now, understand that no to trips are alike. For example, if you’re headed to the tropics in July, you can probably skip the hats, coats, sweaters, and gloves. If you’ll be staying in 5-star hotels, you won’t feel the need for tents and sleeping bags. If your dogs are staying home, there’s no pint in packing the kibble and the water bowls.

Using the entire list each time would be silly, because you’d waste a lot of energy marking off all the unnecessary stuff. To avoid that, my Master Pack List is a Word document. Prior to packing for a trip, I’ll copy that Word document into another document, and then delete all those things I don’t need. This gives me a comprehensive list for a specific trip. Only then do I print it out so I can carry it with me as I rush about the house during that my-god-why-do-I-always-wait-until-the-last-minute-to-pack panic.

So here is my current Master Pack List. Feel free to use it. Modify it to your personal circumstances and tastes. For example, you’ll see I haven’t listed any cosmetics. I’m not a girly girl. And since I’m child-free, there’s a distinct lack of kids stuff. But at a bare minimum, I’m hoping this will inspire you to create a Master Pack List of your own.

And if this post seems familiar to my most faithful readers, that’s because I posted a version of it in 2013. That one seems rather quaint now. It includes things like digital cameras, tape recorders, and a calculator for currency conversion. We’ve come a long way, baby! Any seasoned traveler will know to modify this list over time. So without further adieu…

Packing List for:___________________

Beforehand:

Medicine/Health/Toiletries:

• Vitamin C
• Melatonin
• Antibiotic Ointment
• Shampoo
• Bubble Bath
• Sawyer Controlled Release DEET Formula (Best anti-malaria bug spray.)
• Hair Gel
• Physical Therapy equip.
• COVID Tests
• Razors
• Night Guard
• Safety pins
• Hair Brush
• Floss
• Band-Aids
• Soap
• Wash Cloth
• Towel
• TP
• Epsom Salts
• Ear Plugs
• Moleskin
• Nail Clippers
• Thermometer
• Pulse Oximeter
• Toothpaste
• Detergent
• Lotion

Cellphone/Wallet:

• Proof of vaccines
• Credit Cards W/Pin
• AAA Card
• Nexus Pass
• Health Insurance Cards
• Bank Card & Pin
• License/Auto Insurance
• In Case of Emergency
• Cash in Small Denominations (incl. foreign)
• Eyeglass Prescription
• Stamps and addresses for postcards
• Directions

For Carry On:

• Windbreaker
• 1 Change of Clothing in case you lose your luggage
• Empty water bottle
• Stims sound-blocking headphones, and meltown meds (Those of you on the spectrum will know how important these are .)
• Neck Pillow
• Pens and paper
• Laptop/plug
• Inhaler
• CPAP
• Itinerary
• Reservations printouts
• Face Masks
• Aspirin/ Aleve
• Migraine meds
• Prescriptions
• Diarrhea Meds
• Sinus Meds
• Snacks
• Book
• Cellphone
• GoPro
• Wallet

For Rental Car:

• Kleenex
• Thermos
• Sun Tan Lotion
• Phone Charger cord
• Snacks
• Park Passes
• Lumbar support
• Cooler and ice packs
• Hand Sanitizer

For Backpack:

• Hats
• Flashlights
• Bird book
• Binoculars
• Compass
• Thermos/water
• Guide Book
• Natl Parks Passport
• Pen and paper
• Hiking stick.
• Fanny Packs

Dear Spouse List:

• 1 Change of clothing for carry on or my suitcase
• Tums for putting up with me.
• Coffee thermos
• TV to Laptop Cable for watching streaming movies and shows
• Itinerary
• Tickets
• Reservations
• Selfie stick
• Snacks
• Cellphone holder for car
• Cellphone Charger
• Hearing aids and charger
• Sunglasses
• Suitcase Straps
• Lip Balm

Entertainment:

• Books
• Kite
• Puzzle
• Snorkel/Fins
• Telescope
• Playing Cards
• Crafts and supplies
• Writing ideas & Paper
• Massager

Misc.:

• Light Mesh laundry bag
• Extension cords
• Clips for hotel curtains
• Garbage Bags
• House Key
• Chargers
• Back Pack
• Batteries
• Scissors
• Extra Glasses
• Eyeglass String

Kitchen Stuff:

• Utensils
• Ziploc Bags
• Can Opener
• Dish Washing Liquid
• Plates/bowls/cups
• Paper towels
• Strainer
• Fry Pan/Spatula
• Pots
• Dish Scrubber
• Aluminum Foil
• Plastic Storage

International:

• Valuables Receipt from US Customs
• Language Dictionary
• Passport/Visas
• AC Adapter (2-3 prong or converter for intl)
• Photocopy of Passport
• Intl Drivers License

Camping:

• Sleeping bags
• Blankets
• Candles
• Sheets
• Portable Shower
• Lawn Chairs
• Cheese cloth
• Pillows
• Tent
• Camp stove and fuel
• Charcoal/matches

Dog Stuff:

• Dog food
• Food Scoop
• Crate
• Dog Bowls
• Vet Records
• Harnesses
• Poop Bags
• Dog coats
• Leashes
• Sheets to cover furniture
• Water
• Dog brushes
• Dental stuff
• “No Chew” spray
• Toys
• Dog Pills and peanut butter
• Carpet Cleaner

Get Upon Arrival:

• Distilled Water (or at the very least, bottled water) for CPAP
• Foreign Currency

Last Minute Stuff Before You Leave:

• Double check for Tickets, Passports, Wallet, ***Cellphone
• Pack Deodorants, Pillow, Blanket, Toothbrush, and Cellphone charger.
• Make sure that there is nothing in your luggage that would disturb airport security.
• Pill and feed dogs
• Put water in thermos, and water for dogs.
• Remove perishables from fridge.
• Get ice for cooler.
• Leave Money, Key, Vet Records, contact info, and Instructions for Dog Sitter. Change sheets and put out fresh towels. Leave lights on. Confirm receipt of key and arrival time.
• Dispose of any trash or recycles.
• Adjust Thermostat, and make sure burners are off and faucets aren’t dripping. If no one is going to stay at the house, shut off as many breakers as possible. Unplug things
• Water Plants
• Leave pepper spray at home.
• Wear shoes that can be slipped off easily for TSA

May all your travels be safe, edifying, enjoyable, and well-equipped, Dear Reader!

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