How to Prepare to Travel

Obviously I love to travel, but like many people, I hate to pack. And of course I start thinking about what I am going to pack weeks before I ever get the suitcase out ot the closet. If I am going on a long trip, I may even put stuff on a spare bed as I think of things. But usually, I just do everything at once.

Here is my checklist of things I do before a vacation:

  • Weather: I start checking the weather at the destination about a week before I leave. Frequently you think you know what the weather will be, but it may actually be different. For example, this week, it looks like it will be very hot in California, so I need to pack accordingly.

  • Activities: Think of all of the activities you will be doing on the trip. Will you need fancy clothes or all casual clothes? Will you need good walking shoes? How about a bathing suit and cover-up? This week I need shorts and tops, good walking shoes, bathing suit and cover-up, and a few fun outfits for evenings.

  • Toiletries: Toiletries are always a hassle for me. I like to use the products I like to use and they don’t always come in 3 ounce sizes. What I now do, is put my favorite items in small, TSA approved containers so the I don’t get stopped and searched. This has happened a multitude of times.

  • Check-in: Be sure to check-in for flights 24 hours before departure and monitor the flights to be sure there are no cancellations or delays. If you work with me, I put your flight information into an app that lets you know about any changes to your flight itinerary.

  • Paperwork (or emails): Have all of your paperwork or emails in order for the scheduled activities. This week we have a few tours that I need confirmation emails or passes. If possible, I put the information in my “wallet” on my phone so everything is easily accessible. Sometimes, if I am worried about internet connections, I actually print everything and put it into a folder that I take with me.

  • Electronics: I always take my ipad, which I use to read books, magazines and movies. If I am unsure of what entertainment will be available on the plane, I will download shows or movies I have been wanting to see. I also take all of the chargers for my phone, ipad and apple watch and I even pack a surge protector to give me additional plugs for the hotel rooms. And I’m sure that everything is fully charged, especially my phone, before I get on the plane, in case there are no plugs to use on the flight.

  • Pay Bills: In order for me to have a stress-free vacation, I like to have all of my bills paid that will be due while I am gone. This may sound crazy, but I don’t trust that I will remember to do this when I am away and the days slip by and I don’t want any nasty surprises when I get back.

  • Board Bailey: I make sure that Bailey is boarded in her favorite place where they take very good care of her. I arrange for her boarding as soon as we make reservations to be out of town. I don’t want to be caught without a place for her to stay where she will be happy.

Once I have all of these things done, I know I am ready to go. I also like to get to the airport a few hours before a flight, just to be sure there is no long wait at security, even though I have TSA Precheck. As my family likes to joke, waiting at the airport is my happy place.

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Summer in Seattle