Packing 101: Pass or Fail?

By the title alone you're probably thinking, "That Robin, she needn't worry about packing! Just throw some stuff in and go have fun!" Well, ordinarily she would.  However, she has become tired of being so bogged down by bags and time after time realizing she has overpacked, yet again. The last straw was having packed the largest suitcase in their set for a single night in a bed and breakfast not THAT far from Hollister and being rescued by a Texan guest who carried her luggage down the stairs for her because it was so heavy.

Never. Again.

So this time, Robin has done her homework! (Mike apparently doesn't need to do homework on how to pack, which many of you can also relate to...BUT if you are like Robin and need a little help in this area, what she found might help you, as well!)

The first idea came to her in the middle of the night a few weeks ago. While she wasn't exactly going backpacking through Europe she always liked the idea of carrying only the basic necessities and why not try to travel that way this time? They'll be gone a long while, changing locations half a dozen times...wouldn't it be nice to pack light? So she decided to try to get everything she needed in one carry-on suitcase and one backpack.

Mike laughed. He said "No way, uh uh, you know by the time we leave you'll be rolling out the door with the biggest suitcase."

Oh, now it is on, Robin thought as she smiled pleasantly in the face of her husband's teasing. You just watch. 

But then, she started to wonder....could she do it? She had to prove Mike wrong!

So she began her research.

First, she found the famous traveler guru, Rick Steves' suggested packing list. Rick Steves always packed only a carry on! Surely so could she! She mostly studied the packing list for women from his website.

Then she found some helpful videos on YouTube. [Robin likes "How to Pack for 2 Weeks in a Carry On" by TheShinyPigeon or "How to Pack A Carry On Suitcase" by Melissa Maker for clothes and things like that and "What's In My Carry On Bag?" by aleexandraxxo, a very well-spoken teen, for more of the backpack-type contents. What does Mike like? Mike can't believe Robin is watching videos about how to pack.]

Finally, she gathered all her things on the list and.....well, she's still not done packing. A little bit of panic set in. 

Why, you ask? 

Well, you see, she's needing to rethink her 3-1-1 liquids bag for airport security. 

She's having a little bit of trouble closing it.

And she doesn't really want to forego her favorite find...

The inflatable foot rest! (What will the other passenger's think? Will they be thinking she's high-maintenance or will they be wanting one, too?)

And what about her all-important sleep mask?

Any bit of light on the plane = no sleep!!! 

DECISIONS, DECISIONS. 

So the big question is....WILL she be able to do it? 

Dunh, Dunh, DUNH!!!!!