Ten for Tuesday: 10 things to bring on every trip

People like lists and I am nothing if not a sucker for a good list. So on this rainy "summer" day in Juneau, I thought I'd share my must-have items when I'm going places warmer and sunny than this one. Because friends, that day cannot get here fast enough.

On this blog, I'm not going to offer advice for how many pairs of underwear to pack or what kind "work" best- those unmentionables are your business. Nor am I going to offer a one-size fits all approach to packing because each trip and individual person have different requirements. Instead, here are a few of the things I bring on every single trip, whether I'm going to be laying on a beach somewhere warm, spending cozy winter holidays with family, or exploring a big city.

1. Emergency snacks


The only thing worse than being stuck in an airport when everything is already closed, is being stuck there when you're hungry. And even if you have instant access to a cornucopia of airport fast food, are you sure you really want to do that to your body, not mention, your wallet? For this reason, I always make sure I have something to snack on, even if it's just a granola bar or a bag of nuts. However, on a good day, I try to pack things I actually like to eat so when faced with the conundrum of whether to purchase a cold $12 sandwich, or to eat what I've brought, the choice really isn't too hard.

Here are some of my favorite snacks to travel with:

Babybel cheeses- favorite, hands down.
Laughing Cow cheese- also really good, but can get smushed.
Organic Valley cheese sticks
Crackers, especially Triscuits Dill
Bumble Bee tuna and cracker snack packs- anyone know of a more natural version?
Salami
Wasabi peas or oriental snack mix
Nuts, especially this mix... yum.

Raisins
Luna Bars

Snickers bar- why wait, right? ;)
Justin's Peanut Butter Cups

I also try to bring an empty water bottle and fill it at a drinking fountain once past security so I'm not forced into buying a $3 plastic bottle en route or dying of thirst on the tarmac.

And this container recently purchased for lunches is also so perfect for the road.

2. Copies of important documents accessible electronically, including contact information for people I might need to reach

I don't know about you, but now that we use cell phones to "dial" with the press of a single button, I don't have anyone's number memorized that I didn't call before this technology. With that, I've found it a good idea to keep this information accessible via email or internet while on the road. Same goes for financial (debit cards, credit cards) and passport information. That way if anything important gets lost or ripped off, it will be much easier and quicker to take action.

3. Layers

Staying warm on the Brooklyn Bridge, NYC~ February 2012

I grew up in the weather bi-polar state of Minnesota, so I know all about layering. When I travel, I have enough layers in my carry-on bag or backpack to survive the very coldest flight, or the ability to take off many articles of clothing while still remaining decent. Just because you're going somewhere tropical doesn't mean someone's not going to get overzealous with the A/C. And it kind of makes me feel like I have special powers... it's a bird, it's a plane, it's... Layering Woman!

Todos Santos, Mexico~ November 2011

4. Good walking shoes

Hoofing it in NYC, March 2012

There aren't many better ways to wreck an otherwise good day than with a poor choice of footwear. Been there, done that. So I try my best to break in shoes before a trip and skip the heels when I know I'll be walking for any extended period of time. A woman (or man) in pain is never attractive, IMHO.

5. Small bills

Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic, January 2013

There are so many good reasons to have small bills on hand when you hit the road or skies. Tipping service workers for one, is important. And when it comes to small purchases, I'd rather hand over a dollar or two than my credit card every time I want a latté. Plus, a lot of smaller, non-chain businesses still have a minimum purchase amount. And also, in case you skipped packing #1, that $3 bottle of water or bag of chips will not taunt you from behind the vending machine glass.

6. A camera with charger, extra battery(ies), and memory cards

Eagle Beach, Juneau, Alaska, September 2012

Missing a photographic moment is frustrating. Sure, you can re-create apparently genuine human emotion, but a rainbow or a whale breaching? Forget it. Don't be cheap- buy the extra rechargeable battery and memory cards for your trip. And no, a smartphone camera is not just as good.... not yet, anyway.

7. Something to read

I don't get enough reading time in my everyday life, so when I travel I relish the time to zone out with a good book or magazine. As a kid, I used to follow my mom around in the grocery store while reading a book. But it was the 80s so no one seemed to notice or care. I like to think those same principles apply today. And being glued to a book is a great way to ward off the overly chatty ones.

8. Packing cubes

These puppies by Eagle Creek make packing and finding things so. much. easier. I almost don't know what I did before I used them. Oh yeah, I was that person, rummaging in my luggage like a squirrel who lost her nut. Or something like that.

They also work great in all types of backpacks!

Play with an assortment of shapes and sizes until you find what works best or do what Scotty did and buy an all-in-one type cube (this one is Eagle Creek's Pack-It Compete Organizer) that fits perfectly in his Marmot 30, 1850 cubic-inch, front-loading backpack. Because my pack is top loading, I stick with an assortment of medium-sized and small cubes.
 
9. A swimsuit

Morro Bay Inn, Morro Bay, CA, November 2012

It's a sad, sad day when there's a beautiful pool waiting and you've forgotten your swimsuit. Depending on your choice of underwear or the hotel's choice of pool lighting, there are ways around this. But it can be nice to have piece of mind. Life's a trip- keep a swimsuit packed.

10. A passport

Because you never when the opportunity might arise to go international... or if you'll suddenly have to leave the country, duh.

¡Buen viaje!