Packing for a trip

[RSKY]

Leaving this afternoon for a week in a city two-three hours away. What amazes me is the packing we do now as opposed to when we were in our twenties. My shaving kit is still the same BUT packing all the electronics and their associated chargers...... It is a pain in the *****. I-phones chargers for each of us, I-pads (two minis and her big one), her Nook, out Fitbit watches, and all the associated chargers..... You get the idea. Then when we return home it will be getting all those back in their usual places. Oh yeah, don't forget the power strip to plug everything in. It wouldn't be such a hassle except for two parents, 90+, and four grandkids, three months to nearly eight years, and the possibility of having to rush home to take care of somebody. Thus we must keep in touch.

In the old days it was pack enough clothes to live out of a suitcase for a week. Now we have a washer and dryer in the room and throw everything in the washer when we leave for the day, into the dryer when we come home, and it is ready to wear again. So two shirts and pairs of jeans is all I take besides what I wear on the trip down.

We are coming back next Friday and picking up the seven (I'm nearly eight granddaddy) year old granddaughter and taking her to her first pro hockey game. To say she is exited is putting it mildly. She didn't even know what hockey was until a month or so ago. Now she has googled all the rules.... Kids..... On the other hand it is a Saturday afternoon game and they are all sell outs so I was told. Usually you can call the team and tell them you are bringing somebody for their first game and they will give a discount. NOT on Saturday afternoon.

Good day

RSKY

 

[EddieWalker]

Don't forget to bring a power strip. I've learned that with everything plugged in and charging, that you never have enough empty outlets.

 

[Bird]

Yep, packing had definitely changed. Our 12 year old granddaughter has been here for the weekend; just 2 nights. And she brought more luggage, backpack, books, and bags, etc. than I used to carry on a week long trip.

 

[aczlan]

BUT packing all the electronics and their associated chargers...... It is a pain in the *****. I-phones chargers for each of us, I-pads (two minis and her big one), her Nook, out Fitbit watches, and all the associated chargers.....

Might I suggest a multi port charger? I picked up one on Amazon that looks like a laptop power supply. It has 4 2.4A USB jacks and a 1A MicroUSB plug.
It lives in my laptop bag and will charge 5 devices from one wall plug.

Aaron Z

 

[Stimw]

Just learn to put it all in a Duffel Bag for 2 years! US ARMY!

 

[dmccarty]

And if traveling overseas, you need to take transformers and plugs to match the different countries. What is a real PITA is getting through security at the airport and having to unpack and then pack again. PITA. For some reason when we flew out of Dublin last year we had to go through security TWICE!

When we started traveling with the kids by car, the vehicle would be packed solid with stuff. Now, they don't really pack that much but they do have the chargers for their phones and computers. They don't use tablets for some reason, thank goodness! We will have a big trip by car this year and we won't have much luggage but we will be caring quite a bit of food and drink that will take up space.

For our trip to China a few years back we bought a lithium power pack that can recharge our tablets and phones multiple times before it is drained of energy. It came in handy though we managed to find power outlets to charge our devices. The plane to China had USB outlets so that was nice. On the trip to Europe last year, the power pack was a bit more useful since finding power outlets was more difficult and we were on the move quite a bit. The charger really came in handy last year when we lost power for a few days and we used the power pack to keep the phones charged up.

The wife and I can carry what we need for a couple of weeks in one large and one small pack back for each of us. Both will fit in the overhead storage on planes but it is a PITA going through security.

Later,
Dan

 

[jerrybob]

Wouldn't it be something if people just talked to each other in person instead of needing all those electronic gizmos and plugs??? Just sayin!

 

[aczlan]

And if traveling overseas, you need to take transformers and plugs to match the different countries.

It depends on the charger, the one I bought ( Amazon.com: KMASHI 24W 4 Port Portable Desktop USB Charger Charging Station Hub (3 USB Port, 1 Micro USB Cable), Travel Charger for iPhone iPad Samsung Bluetooth Speaker Headset and More: Cell Phones & Accessories ) can handle 100-240VAC input, so you just need plug adapters. It looks like it has been replaced with Amazon.com: KMASHI 5-Port USB Charging Station 5W 1A, Desktop Charging Dock for iPhone iPad Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge S5 Note 4 Tablets: Cell Phones & Accessories (which has 5 USB jacks).

Aaron Z

 

[robbyr]

Wouldn't it be something if people just talked to each other in person instead of needing all those electronic gizmos and plugs??? Just sayin!

Can't do that Jerrybob as you've not given me your number.
We've driven to Angel Fire the last three years for a week's stay. The wife and I fit everything in one suitcase and a handy bag. I had the set of clothes I wore out there plus one extra. But usually wear ski pants the whole week.

 

[jerrybob]

Can't do that Jerrybob as you've not given me your number.
We've driven to Angel Fire the last three years for a week's stay. The wife and I fit everything in one suitcase and a handy bag. I had the set of clothes I wore out there plus one extra. But usually wear ski pants the whole week.

I hear ya.......we have a travel trailer.....when we go......up to three weeks.......no TV....no PC....nice to get away without all the gadgets......my wife does take her smartphone.......she's missed a lot of pretty country while reading facebook and the like.......I take my flip phone but don't turn it on. New technology is good........although today's kids are learning that talking to people isn't important......tweeting is better.....go figure.

 

[EddieWalker]

Wouldn't it be something if people just talked to each other in person instead of needing all those electronic gizmos and plugs??? Just sayin!

If that happened, TractorByNet wouldn't have a reason to exist.

 

[dmccarty]

It depends on the charger, the one I bought ( Amazon.com: KMASHI 24W 4 Port Portable Desktop USB Charger Charging Station Hub (3 USB Port, 1 Micro USB Cable), Travel Charger for iPhone iPad Samsung Bluetooth Speaker Headset and More: Cell Phones & Accessories ) can handle 100-240VAC input, so you just need plug adapters. It looks like it has been replaced with Amazon.com: KMASHI 5-Port USB Charging Station 5W 1A, Desktop Charging Dock for iPhone iPad Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge S5 Note 4 Tablets: Cell Phones & Accessories (which has 5 USB jacks).

Aaron Z

For our last trip we bought a USB charging station similar to what is in the links and it was VERY nice. But what we got only works on USB devices so the computer bricks have to have country specific plugs.

Later,
Dan

 

[s219]

I used to wonder why families with small kids needed such large vehicles -- now I know. We only go on 2-4 day trips most of the time, but that is enough to pack our mid-size SUV to the gills, and have stuff on the roof rack. And we tend to be frugal with packing. Most recent was a ski trip to a rental condo, and between ski clothing/gear and food/supplies on top of normal clothing, we were packed to the gills.

 

[MacLawn]

I travel internationally a lot. Here's the scoop: 2 pants, 3, shirts, 3 each of underwear (socks too), simple shaving, etc. gear, then the clothes I wear. Done. What? You going to take enough to last three weeks or whatever without doing laundry?! Nope. Washing clothes is the key. Think about it: you have to wash clothes. This fits in very small roller bag. Then, a small computer bag for all the electronic mess. Whew, I hate flying. This piddling inside America 3-5 hours, I'd about hang onto the wings for those little flights. No, it's those ridiculous 14-15 hours flights that'll test ye old body.

 

[KennyG]

Last year we went to Europe for two weeks and, because of close connections and European carry on limitations, we restricted ourselves to one bag of less than 20 pounds each. Once we went through the adjustments it was great not having all that luggage to deal with.

 

[jerrybob]

If that happened, TractorByNet wouldn't have a reason to exist.

Maybe we would spend more time driving our tractors and talking face to face.......a skill many are loosing quickly!

 

[Oaktree]

Leaving this afternoon for a week in a city two-three hours away. What amazes me is the packing we do now as opposed to when we were in our twenties. My shaving kit is still the same BUT packing all the electronics and their associated chargers...... It is a pain in the *****. I-phones chargers for each of us, I-pads (two minis and her big one), her Nook, out Fitbit watches, and all the associated chargers..... You get the idea.

No offense, but why do 2 people need so many electronic gadgets for a one-week trip? Sounds like Ginger on Gilligan's Island with a couple dozen evening gowns for a 3 hour boat tour. You mentioned grandchildren so you're clearly not some millennial who'd break into hives if they can't check their facebook page every 15 minutes. 3 tablets plus an e-book reader??? Really?

 

[dmccarty]

Wouldn't it be something if people just talked to each other in person instead of needing all those electronic gizmos and plugs??? Just sayin!

Having the gizmos allows you to check in at the airport, see if your flight is delayed, check bus and train schedules, look at maps and communicate with people. When we were in Dublin we were using an old fashioned map to walk around the city. Everyone else was using their phones or knew their way around. By using a paper map, it was a big flag that were were tourists. The only negative we had in Dublin was because a begger came over to us and was aggressively begging because he saw us using the map. If we had been using the phone I doubt he would have approached us.

We were not using the phone since we did not want to have roaming charges.

Later,
Dan

 

[scdeerslayer]

I don't carry many electronics with me. Usually just a phone, maybe a tablet, occasionally a laptop. Things I plan to take on trips with me I buy a charger and the charger stays in my travel bag. Don't buy chargers at the phone store, they're much cheaper online.

 

[EddieWalker]

No offense, but why do 2 people need so many electronic gadgets for a one-week trip? Sounds like Ginger on Gilligan's Island with a couple dozen evening gowns for a 3 hour boat tour. You mentioned grandchildren so you're clearly not some millennial who'd break into hives if they can't check their facebook page every 15 minutes. 3 tablets plus an e-book reader??? Really?

I can't speak for anyone else, but when my wife and I travel, we both bring our phones. She is with AT&T and I'm with Verizon, and we've found that coverage is better with one or the other. We've also found it to be very useful being to get online to find places to see, and use the map to get there. When we where in Venice, we saw an amazing sunset over the canals and got lost running around trying to get pictures. Her phone map was awesome at showing us how to get back to the cruise ship in the dark.

We both carry tablets for reading. I usually download half a dozen books for a trip, including travel guides. Travel means lots of sitting around time. Having something to read is very important.

Both of our cameras use rechargeable batteries. Mine will usually last a full day of taking a lot of pics, but not always, so I carry a spare that also has to be charged before we go anywhere for the day.

So during the night, we will be charging two phones, two tablets and a total of four batteries. This is why I suggested bringing a power strip when traveling.

Back in the 80's, when I was overseas in the Marine Corps, I got to travel quite a bit. Then I carried two 35mm cameras, several lenses, several fresh, brand new packs of batteries, at least a dozen rolls of film, and three to 4 books. Considering what I felt I needed to have with me back then, to what I carry now, it's a lot less.