Two must-have items to carry your most important cargo
There are two things that never leave my side when I’m traveling. They’ve become like extra limbs over the course of our road trips. Something just doesn’t feel right if I am not carrying both of these items wherever I go. They are, of course, my backpack and my fanny pack (seriously, can we come up with a better term for this…I don’t wear it on my fanny).
These two items have taken on a mythical status among my family. They are the carrier of all necessary things.
I couldn’t survive without my backpack, equipped with multiple pockets and places to clip on water bottles or other attachments. There’s a spot for everything—my camera, chargers, snacks, and of course the trip bible. The most valuable tip I can share with you about being organized and to alleviate stress is to assign a pocket for a specific thing and always put it there—no exceptions. For example, my chargers always go in the top pocket. I never have to worry about where they are, because I’ll always find them in the same spot. Make sure anyone who takes an item out, returns it to it’s assigned spot.
My fanny pack serves the same purpose. It carries just the essentials that would normally be in my purse, but in travel-conducive compartments: my wallet (lightened with only the essential ID, credit cards, AAA card, and cash that I need), my phone, lipstick, hand sanitizer, and toilet seat covers. Hotel key cards are kept in one of the pockets far away from the phone, which will demagnetize them.
Another valuable tip is to buy a carabineer clip (you can get these at sporting stores or hardware stores). This allows you to clip your keys to your fanny pack. You unclip them to drive, and clip them back on as soon as you park. Using my system, you will never be at a loss for your keys. (I leave my house keys and other keys I won’t need till I get home in another pocket in my backpack for safe keeping which doesn’t get touched till the end of the trip).
notice the fanny pack slung over my shoulder with keys attached
I know the fanny pack isn’t the chicest fashion accessory, so I channel my inner cool and sling it over my shoulder, key’s dangling and all. Occasionally if I am somewhere that feels a little sketchy or I am on a ride, I will clip it to my waist for safekeeping. The important thing here though is to be traveling light. On the road, it’s important to feel free, not weighed down by all the stuff we don’t really need in real life. Traveling lean and mean will free your mind and enable you to more fully enjoy your adventure.
I once traveled with a woman who brought this big purse, and everywhere she went she had to lug that big bag with her. Just looking at her made me feel bogged down. You want to be able to fly on these trips, not be weighed down with a big bag that you have to dig through to find what you’re looking for. Leave the unnecessary things behind, only take what you need and keep it in its place—ALWAYS!
This bag has traveled as many miles as I have-I would never take a road trip without it!
