My entire theory of Traveling Light gets tossed out the window when a car enters the scene.
Homeland Security restrictions, weight, bulk, liquids; all of it becomes moot with the glorious space and abundance of the motor vehicle.
One hat, now two, well hell, couldn’t we throw three of ‘em up there on the back seat window ledge?
Do I need travel-sized face wash or sunscreen when the entire Costco-sized bulky item will do?
This sudden no-restriction packing policy, is both a glorious gift and a messy burden. It’s not easy finding stuff when there’s tons of it.
Kevin is driving and I am typing this post while we head east from Vancouver on Canada’s Number One highway. Let’s not flatter ourselves here….it’s not like there’s a Number Two or Number Three alternative route. This is a Super-Sized country; one highway is about as much as we can manage.
Within arm’s reach I have my purse-basket, a huge Morrocan bag full of books & my day-pack that carries all my electronic paraphanelia. We have apples, cheese, baguette and trail mix, portable coffee mugs and water bottles. The trunk is stuffed and the fully-loaded rooftop carrier is humming in the wind.
There is a nomadic comfort in having everything but the kitchen sink packed up in our good old Hyundai. I like knowing that our new humongous tent, inflatable Queen-sized mattress and duvet is stuffed in the trunk (Old People Alert!).
All these accountrements remind me of the fabulous memories I have of our early-retirement days when we took our burnt-orange VW everywhere we could. In those cases, we actually did travel with a kitchen sink and a fridge and a stove…
At every Mexican checkpoint the army dudes would express wonder at our little casa on wheels. Then again, maybe they were just grateful for the icy cold Cokes we’d hand out in the hopes that they’d leave us alone.
I miss our old VW van, though my body is grateful that we gave up that flattened old foam bed. It was a little easier when we were both in our 30s, but in the later years, it was getting harder and harder to get out of there in the morning…
I have always maintained there are many ways to interpret Traveling Light (not to mention that I’m pretty good at rationalizing almost anything). But this time, Traveling Light is not applying to the amount of stuff.
Instead, I’ve decided Traveling Light is about a spiritual lightness; about having no expectations of how it should or should not be.
I am entering this trip with an open heart and mind – ready to see what the road presents.
I am Traveling Light.
Colleen, this poem has been written by Nadine Stair -Age 85 – Louisville – Kentucky.
I think you might like it.
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER.
I’d like to make more mistakes next time. I’d relax.
I’d be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously.
I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice-creams and less beans.
I would have more actual troubles perhaps, but I’d have fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I’m one of those people who live sensibly and sanely
hour after hour, day after day. Oh! I’d have my moments, and
if I had to do it over again, I’d have more of them. In fact,
I’d try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another,
instead of living so many years ahead of each day,
I’ve been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without
a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute.
If I had to do it again, I’d travel lighter than I have.
If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the
spring and stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-round
I would pick more daisies.
You’re right Catherine. I’ve seen that poem before and quite agree with it!
Hilarious! We just bought a new (to us) 2011 Chrysler Town & Country van bec Bob thought our 1996 Dodge Caravan (same size as the T&C van) might pack it in on the trip down south in the winter. Our vehicle has to be big enough for golf clubs, suitcase (summer clothes), clothing rod behind 2nd row of seats that holds easily accessible change of clothes, jackets and dressup clothes, large cosmetic bag (Costco size shampoo, mouthwash, toothpaste, grooming tools, curling iron, etc), large nylon purple bag (think hockey bag) of winter gear, my pillow, a portable fridge (gotta keep those snacks and beverages cold), shoe bag, paraphanalia bag, computer bag, blue box of cooking/food/staples/utensils — and that’s just for the trip down to Az. When we check into a hotel, I’m sure the clerk can’t believe how much stuff we load onto the luggage cart — even the fridge bec it has to stay plugged in. On the way home, we seem to have accumulated all sorts of bargains that we just couldn’t live without … new golf stuff, gifts, etc. Travelling light — not likely!
Ah Martha. You win with the traveling fridge! Love the list.
I think when you’re going on a road trip, why not have your creature comforts?
It’s kind of fun to be in a closet with four tires and a steering wheel.