Get the Ricochet app

Ricochet will work fine in a browser on your mobile devices, but for the best experience please download our app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Become a member.

Tired of the toxicity of social media? Why not join Ricochet for just $5/month? Think of it as an online bar. Come in, have a drink, hang out, say whatever you want. But don’t badger, bully, or berate the other drinkers. That's our only rule.

Travel thoughts

Southern Pessimist
@SouthernPessimist
Join to bookmark15likesJoin to like21comments

Packing for travel is often more stressful than traveling. My wife and I have traveled the world for several decades, so we have learned through trial and error how to balance what we absolutely need to bring to avoid lugging the stuff around the planet that we should have known we would never need. We never check our luggage. If you check luggage your vacation is at the mercy of a vast bureaucratic system that is not your friend. Everything we think we need has to fit in a carry-on piece of luggage and a backpack no matter how long the trip is. It should go without saying that we differ on what constitutes the essentials.

We differ on shoes of course. I won't denigrate Mrs. Pessimist's choices but I stick to a lightweight pair of hiking boots that are waterproof and very comfortable. I only wear them for travel and serious hiking. You can recognize good hiking boots by the spots of epoxy glue that repair the worn seams. I haven't worn them for a while, but when I tried them on yesterday, I thought, "I may sleep in these things." I also bring simple lightweight rain gear. A camera, some deodorant, charging wires, and travel clothes that can be washed in the sink and worn the next day.

I am not a professional photographer but I look and travel like one. Professional travel photographers look like they have 40 pounds of camera equipment on their backs and one change of clothes. Mrs. Pessimist does not dress or look like a professional photographer but she still packs a lean and mean backpack.

I am posting this just before getting on a plane that I hope will take us to Scotland. By the time I read your thoughts about essential travel gear, it will be too late, but they will be appreciated nonetheless.

This post was promoted to the Main Feed at the recommendation of Ricochet's members.

Discussion (21)

  • MarciN@MarciN

    My grandparents traveled all over the world. My grandmother would put the opened suitcases (this was a long time ago :) ) on a guestroom bed for a couple of weeks before their departure. That would give them time to think about what to put in and what to take out. :)

    I can't imagine traveling for more than a couple of days using just carryon luggage. That said, I know there are some travel clothing lines available that are astoundingly lightweight and easy to wash and pack. It's fascinating stuff. :)

    I too am devoted to hiking boots. My son-in-law used to work for REI, and he bought me some for Christmas one year. They were the best shoes I've ever had. I would love to see the design used for people with mobility issues. What distinguishes hiking boots from regular sneakers and shoes is the very rigid sole. The hard sole creates an instant flat stable walking surface no matter where you are or what you are walking on.

    Enjoy your trip. :)

  • Southern Pessimist@SouthernPessimist
    ReplyingtoMarciN

    MarciN (View Comment):

    My grandparents traveled all over the world. My grandmother would put the opened suitcases (this was a long time ago :) ) on a guestroom bed for a couple of weeks before their departure. That would them time to think about what to put in and what to take out. :)

    I can’t imagine traveling for more than a couple of days using just carryon luggage. That said, I know there are some travel clothing lines available that are astoundingly lightweight and easy to wash and pack. It’s fascinating stuff. :)

    I too am devoted to hiking boots. My son-in-law used to work for REI, and he bought me some for Christmas one year. They were the best shoes I’ve ever had. I would love to see the design used for people with mobility issues. What distinguishes hiking boots from regular sneakers and shoes is the very rigid sole. The hard sole creates an instant flat stable walking surface no matter where you are or what you are walking on.

    Enjoy your trip. :)

    Mrs. Pessimist follows your grandmother's packing regimen. Your description of the benefit of good hiking boots is spot on. I think my hiking boots look much better than Joe Biden's mobility shoes.

  • Southern Pessimist@SouthernPessimist
    ReplyingtoFront Seat Cat

    Front Seat Cat (View Comment):

    Forget the gear, let’s see some photographs of your trip! :-) How has travel changed since Covid? How about your destinations?

    Check out James Lileks' Bleat from last week. His photographs are always better than mine. I have traveled five or six times overseas since covid hit and have seen no changes. I did have to extend my stay in Rome for five days in 2021 when I tested positive for covid the day before flying back. That was an expensive change but I still enjoyed the extra days of vacation. It would have been a longer vacation if I had not figured out how to cheat on the covid test.

  • MarciN@MarciN
    ReplyingtoSouthern Pessimist

    MarciN (View Comment):

    My grandparents traveled all over the world. My grandmother would put the opened suitcases (this was a long time ago :) ) on a guestroom bed for a couple of weeks before their departure. That would them time to think about what to put in and what to take out. :)

    I can’t imagine traveling for more than a couple of days using just carryon luggage. That said, I know there are some travel clothing lines available that are astoundingly lightweight and easy to wash and pack. It’s fascinating stuff. :)

    I too am devoted to hiking boots. My son-in-law used to work for REI, and he bought me some for Christmas one year. They were the best shoes I’ve ever had. I would love to see the design used for people with mobility issues. What distinguishes hiking boots from regular sneakers and shoes is the very rigid sole. The hard sole creates an instant flat stable walking surface no matter where you are or what you are walking on.

    Enjoy your trip. :)

    Southern Pessimist (View Comment):

    Mrs. Pessimist follows your grandmother’s packing regimen. Your description of the benefit of good hiking boots is spot on. I think my hiking boots look much better than Joe Biden’s mobility shoes.

    I hiked all over the White Mountains in them. Amazing shoes. I really loved them and my son-in-law for getting them for me. Getting to top of the mountains . . . :) What a gift. :)

Scroll for later comments
+16 more comments
Join the conversation

You're seeing five of 21 comments. Sign in, or join for just $5 per month, to read them all and add your own.