Upper Falls, Yellowstone National Park

I’ve been thinking about the lessons I’ve learned while traveling throughout the United States during my adult life. In this article I offer the first three, in what will probably become a series of observations that I have collected along the way. Some of them are more helpful than others. None of them are particularly profound.

One – I never, EVER need as much as I’ve packed. I have yet to master the art of light packing, because I have yet to even try mastering the art of light packing. I find comfort in lugging around at least half of the clothing I posses, even coughing up overweight fees at the counter. Fifty pounds of clothing is A LOT OF CLOTHING. What’s even more ridiculous is the fact that I always do laundry while on a vacation that lasts for more than a few days. I freely admit to washing and re-wearing clothes, while leaving a huge amount of unworn clothing untouched in the suitcase for the entire trip. Clearly, there is something wrong with me. Maybe I’ll buy a smaller suitcase and force myself to pack only what will fit in it.

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I’m getting ready for a beach vacation and went over my packing list for the beach.  Upon doing so, I realized I almost forgot my toothbrush.

Again.

While every vacation, business trip, or overnight stay will have unique packing needs, there are a few basic things that you can expect to have to pack every single time you go on vacation.

Because I love you – and figured I might as well make a post of this since I’m having to make a packing list right now – I’ve compiled a list of things I’ll you’ll want to put on your vacation packing list.

Vacation Packing List

(according to Britt)

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Tim helps prepare me for Hawaii in the only way he knows how.

You’re looking at how much I know about Hawaii.

They make decent beer at cheap prices.

I mean, I’ve heard all sorts of things about it, but have no opinion – reason being is that I was brought up poor, still am, and even if I wasn’t, it’s an expensive place…

And if I’m going to shell out, I might as well go back to Thailand.

But Hawaii got word of this and is set to prove me wrong – something that has proven easily done ever since I proclaimed the Counting Crows to be ‘the next Dylan’ – and have sent for me.

So tomorrow I’m off. Actually, in less than 4 hours I’m off and I’m just now packing.

I’m not bringing much – a carry-on bag and a small backpack, as these luggage fees ad up when you have to fly out of Bend, OR (if this makes no sense to you, just know that there are no direct flights from here to Honolulu…or, well, most places). But I also want to enjoy myself as much as anyone else, so there will be the obligatory cocktail-with-a-tiny-umbrella, some surfing, local music and cheap trinkets to pass off as archeological finds to my family at Christmas. I want a flowery shirt and to go on a boat. Hell, I’ll get my hair put into beads if I can find it cheap enough.

Why? ‘Cause when I come back, I want to look like I just did Hawaii.

I’m just not going to give it my money…which works out nice as I don’t have any.

More tomorrow – can someone call me at 4am?

You know what happened…

Aric Q. is traveling to Hawaii and he’s trying to do it on the cheap.  We will be following his adventures here on UpTake and we will be wishing him well, but we will NOT be wiring him money.