So we went on a road trip this past Presidents’ Day weekend. It’s the first pack-your-stuff travel I’ve had in 2023. After my four conferences last year, you’d think I’d be a pro.
I’ve got these handy-handy travel items:
- Packing cubes to fit my gear; I even have these compression ones (not that they pack any tighter)
- Compact rolling suitcase; the story is that I actually ordered a super lightweight case, and when it “showed up” on my doorstep, it’d morphed into the heaviest suitcase set imaginable (dear reader, I returned those—with much help)
- Toiletry bag with a nifty hook to hang it anywhere (and oh so many pockets!)
But despite my detailed list and travel tools, I still managed to forget things on this trip:
- Music: There’s this area where you go through the mountains, and it has zero radio reception. I usually bring along some CDs to entertain
the kidsme (yes, that’s right, I said CDs—don’t judge) - Ereader: The smart me decided to carry my phone for reading to save on space. Only I’d forgotten that these library books I e-borrowed had recently expired. Whoops. (Never fear, I did also take a physical book along with me. Yeah, not sure how I did that math on saving space.)
- Plug: I poorly timed this outing with an online event I was supposed to run. I even brought along my Yeti mic on the road…but I forgot the connecting plug. And I couldn’t find that type of mini USB cord in any nearby store! My daughter eventually suggested that I just pose behind the mic as a prop…
Here’s hoping I’ve refined my trip techniques before all the conferences happening in the near future (next up: Left Coast Crime).
Oh, and there was a sweet ending to the roap trip I took (for my daughter’s volleyball tournament):
Share your travel tips and stories!
Chicks on the Case 
Congrats to your daughter and her team.
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Thanks so much, Dru!
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All’s well that ends well. Congrats to your daughter and best of luck at LCC!
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Hurrah! Am excited about LCC!
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Jen, I was extra-delighted to read your post, b/c last night at 2 am I took the plunge and signed up for my 4th conference of the year: Bouchercon in San Diego. So now it’s Left Coast Crime, Malice, Bouchercon and New England Crime Bake. I am definitely with you on the organization anxiety. I start mentally packing weeks ahead of time, then I throw things in a (huge) suitcase at the last second in a huge whirlwind of panic. (I tell myself I’m trying to spare the cat the trauma of seeing that packed suitcase for days ahead.) Watching a Reese Witherspoon rom com recently, I learned that one must have a “spinner” suitcase. (I do.) Then it matters less how heavy it is, ha. Huge congrats to your daughter and her team–and can’t wait to see you soon!
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Woohoo, Lisa! You’ve got a whirlwind of travel ahead. Best with all the conferences–and I’ll see you at three of them!
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Ha! We just watched that Reese Witherspoon movie! Yay for spinner suitcases!
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I feel like I should get on the bandwagon & get a spinner case. My kids love them! (They even have luggage tags with their initials…although those got misprinted!)
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I had to laugh when I read this line, Jen— “Packing cubes to fit my gear”—because I read “Packing cubes to fit my anger.”
Rage packing is all the rage, I guess! But I must admit, I have packing down to a science and have a list I pull out every time so I don’t have to reinvent my wheel every time. I took a 3-week trip to Iceland (cold) and Italy (hot) with a single carry on. And I don’t stress any more about forgetting anything because I never forget to pack my credit card.
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Rage packing–love it! I have this image of someone in a movie splitting up with their partner and rage packing as they get ready to stomp out of the house. With a spinner suitcase, of course.
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OMG,Leie, then they fall down because the suitcase gets out of control. More hilarity, and/or a murder, soon follows.
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I think we may have invented a new kind of movie genre: the rage-rom-com!
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Don’t people have scream jars? But I love that rage-rom-com idea!
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You’re my hero, Becky! Extreme temps with one carry-on? And I need those rage packing cubes!
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Congrats to your daughter, Jen! And long live CDs. I like having that physical copy of my musical interests.
Alas, experience has taught me I have no packing advice to give. I’m notorious for forgetting something every single trip, so that disqualifies me from offering suggestions.
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We have an extensive CD collection…the only problem is finding a device to play them on. Ha about the packing tips, JC!
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Robin and I always take CDs on road trips–shows our age, lol. And given my memory these days, packing lists are a must!
Congrats to your daughter’s medal–woo hoo!
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Yes, packing lists are so helpful!
Yay about the medal! On the last day, they had to play three straight games and win them to snag a medal!
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Congrats to your daughter! By the way, the prop worked. I didn’t have a clue. LOL
I’ve been intrigued by an ad I keep seeing for this “hang-up” suitcase. You pack it and then hang it in the closet where you’re going – or wherever. No unpacking, instant closet. But I’m afraid I’ll order it and be terribly disappointed.
Like J.C., I’m not sure I have tips. I start with the best intentions, but alas. Something always goes wrong.
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Instant closet sounds great. Is this like those packing boxes they have for moving where you don’t dismantle your wardrobe but bring everything along with their hangers?
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Sort of. It seems like cubes that collapse. There’s a hangar at the top. So when you arrive you hang, unfasten, and the thing drops down to expand the cubes with clothes all nicely folded inside.
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Like Becky, I always end up needing the credit card to buy something I’ve forgotten. Jen, you are much more organized than I!
Yay, team — and congrats on the win! I was captain of my junior high volleyball team back in the mists of time. We were NOT the champs!
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Maybe I should just “forget” something on my next trip so I can go shopping…
Ooh, you were captain? Congrats! (And I need pics.) Do you get anything special for being captain?
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Other than being listed on the roster as captain, not much. Oh, I went out for the coin toss to see which team served first. Go Lady Warriors!
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Sorry for the delayed response! Sounds like you made the trip work. Glad you got out of town!
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And it’s Ellen. Not anonymous. Grrr….
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Congrats to your daughter!
I still buy music on CD, so I won’t be judging you at all.
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Congrats to your daughter! That’s awesome!!
I have become a packing cube convert. I can cram sooooooooooo much into those cubes. I love them. I also have some things that are perma-packed, as it were, so I can quickly add whatever is needed for a specific adventure. Makes putting everything together faster and I’m less likely(ish) to forget things!
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