Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Just call me 'Lady MacGuyver" with my essential "Go" Bag

Whenever I head out the door on a new adventure I tuck my "Go Bag" in to the corner of one of my bags. Through the years I've added to and subtracted from this bag until I've reached the balance between being prepared for every situation (not gonna happen) and being able to come up with a solution to a whole lot of situations.

I'm the kind of gal who can drive for hours without turning on the radio because I entertain myself with different "what if" scenarios. It's a game that goes like this: "What if I was traveling in the amazon jungle and my pecky peck (boat) sprung a leak, my paddle broke (as in up a creek without a paddle) and I was about to become lunch for a hungry animal." With my "go bag" near at hand I could grab the inflatable pillow, duck tape it around my waist as a flotation device in case the following steps fail. 1) Slap a ziplock bag over the hole in the boat securing it with duck tape and keeping it weighted down by my foot (this is because duck tape doesn't hold all that well when wet but I had to use it because it is used for everything), 2) grab the flashlight, position it across the break in the paddle as reinforcement and duck tape them together, and 3) scream like a lunatic while trying to look inedible - sorry, even duck tape won't keep hungry animals away.

The essential 'go' bag and a few of their uses

ziplock bags - snacks, leftovers, slit the edge and make a rain hat, put wet or dirty clothing in it
duck tape - repair broken luggage, shoes, and just about everything
sharpie - label things, write your name on your arm in disasters, graffiti
scissors - trim your bangs, open things
safety pins - repair clothing, hold just about anything together, connect things
clamps - clamp your silk bag (below) to something to make a changing station, put up a clothesline
Travel clothes line or cord - hanging laundry or tying things together
carabiner - hook things on a belt loop, hang your water bottle/bag on a bus/plane seat hook
filtered water bottle - in emergency situations you can purify water for hydration
sarong/scarf - cover up at religious sites, warmth on chilly days, throw to sit and relax on the ground
wind up flashlight - no need to depend on batteries, just crank this flashlight for power
inflatable pillow - you never know when you need to catch a few zzz's
travel blancket - plane, bus, blanket, picnic throw, use inside questionable bedding. Other options are bulkier fleece travel blankets.

There is not room to list all the ways I have used these things, but with the right "go bag" and a little imagination you will be amazed what these little items can accomplish.

Here are some samples of the items mentioned above which I own and use:

Energizer Weatherready 3-LED Carabineer Rechargeable Crank Light
Love it! It is small, lightweight and never needs batteries. The crank keeps it charged up and ready to use.

Travelrest Inflatible Pillow
I just received this travel pillow for Christmas and I am really looking forward to trying it out! I am a side sleeper so this should allow me to roll to the side a bit and get the support I need without a big roll behind my neck.

Cocoon CoolMax Blanket

100% Polyester
Imported
Measures 55"x70"
Ultra compact and lightweight Travel Blanket
The CoolMax Travel Blanket is the perfect companion on planes, trains, in your car and at home.
It is small and lightweight enough to be carried along wherever you go.
The blanket's special midweight CoolMax knit is warm, breathes well, wicks moisture away effectively and feels great on your skin.

Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you

Monday, May 6, 2013

Before you head out the door

Leave a copy of your itinerary with friends or relatives.
Put your mail on hold, you can easily do this online at www.usps.com
Contact your credit card companies and let them know you will be traveling, especially if you are leaving the country. They can put a travel note in your file to keep your account from being flagged and frozen.
And as we are thinking about credit cards, check the expiration date and make sure it is valid until your return.
Also, check the expiration dates on your identification - Drivers licence and/or passport. Some countries require that a passport be valid for six months past your scheduled departure, so check the requirements for your travel destinations.

Water your plants. I love these little water globes, Aqua Globes AG011706 Glass Plant Watering Bulbs, 2-Pack that you can place in your plant to keep them moist in your absence. And they are so cute!
Clear out the refrigerator of any items that might spoil in your absence.
Run the dishwasher and the garbage disposal.
Don't forget to take out the trash or your return home may be a bit odorous.
Put a couple of lights on timers like the Stanley 38425 TimerMax Digislim Daily Digital Indoor Lamp Timer, White, 2-Pack to give your home an occupied appearance while you are gone.
Unplug your power strips and unneeded appliances. It is safer.
Make sure your doors and windows are locked. Let a trusted neighbor know when you are leaving and returning so they can watch for unusual activity. But also be sure to give them a list of individuals who are authorized to enter in your absence.
Confirm your reservations: air, hotel, rental car, etc.
Before you head out the door make sure you have your drivers license or passport, your wallet and credit card. If you forget anything else your credit card will take care of the replacement :-)