03-February-2024. The Logistics

I've been so busy on my Adventure that I haven't had time to share some behind-the-scenes info that I thought might be interesting. I'm currently enjoying some amazing food, a mimosa, free Wi-Fi and a super comfortable chair with a view of the tarmac in the Capital One Lounge at Denver International Airport. I've got a couple hours layover on my way to Jackson Hole and thought I would share how I have packed and organized everything into my car to make this Adventure possible.

The above pic is how I'm traveling around in my Honda Passport. I have all my clothing in 3 suitcases: 2 large ones and a small “carry-on” size. Using suitcases was intentional as I will be flying places while on my Adventure and thus need the large and carry-on size options. I’ve found that the key to being able to find things is to be organized …. and that the key to organization is compression bags. I was gifted some compression bags prior to my go Greece trip last fall (thanks Randy!) and wow are they a game changer! Not only can you fit more in a smaller space, but you can organize things so that when you dig thru to find something you don’t ransack your items all over the place. For Greece I organized by days, knowing I’d need certain clothing for certain locations/activities. On my Adventure I organize by “item type" and have individual bags for socks, tshirts, long-sleeved athletic shirts, sports bras, light sweaters …. you get the idea. Each compression bag is labeled, and one suitcase has the smaller stuff, the other has the more bulky sweaters and sweatshirts and warmer clothing. I pull what I need for a few days into my “location bag” (small duffle) and that (and my toiletry bag) are all I need to take in and out with me.

My carry-on bag has my “fancy don’t need often” clothes in case I ever go out to dinner or do something requiring more formal attire. It basically stays in the car untouched …. until such a time as I need something from it or want the bag to use for air travel.

I also have a toiletry bag with 4 compartments that conveniently hangs and displays all its contents. I do have a small bin in the car with all the stuff that was in my bathroom that I use to resupply my toiletry bag: large containers of shampoo, conditioner, suntan lotion, extra toothpaste, toothbrushes, Q-tips ... it's all in there.

And yes, I did have to think ahead and I have clothes for all seasons, activities, holidays and locations. And I have found that I re-wear my usual favorites and could actually make do with less. But nice to have options when I need them.

“Going somewhere”, like when I flew to Germany for a funeral or now flying to go skiing, is when it gets tricky as I leave my car that has everything at my fingertips and have to “reshuffle” everything. Last night I literally brought 3 suitcases, ski bag, boot bag, computer bag, several small bags with dirty laundry, ski helmet and various other items into my hotel room so that I could pull what I needed from my compression bags and re-pack everything into a ski bag, a boot bag and my carry-on. Whew! It would all be a huge mess without the compression bags!

In addition to my 3 suitcases I have a few bins: large ones for shoes and jackets, and small ones for kitchen food, road snacks and beverages. The road snack bucket is particularly convenient as it helps me snack with more nutritious options (apples, almonds, granola bars,etc) and without stopping, and it's a lot less expensive than buying items at rest stops. Plus I'm sure I'd buy Cheetos and a Diet Coke if tempted, so just as good to limit myself to car options. I also always have a gallon of water with me – I found that in many places the drinking water is not very good and I keep my large national park water bottle filled and at the ready.

I also have my Thuele sports container on top which has my "need less frequently" stuff - mostly sports gear: ski stuff (skis/boots/poles/helmet and all the necessary clothing), hiking boots and poles, sleeping bag/pillow, swim mask, pickleball stuff, beach towel ... all the random stuff. I keep my bicycle in the passenger compartment alongside my suitcases and bins (wheel removed so it fits in nicely on the side).

When on my Adventure I just put the bins and suitcases in my car and voila - I'm ready to roll! I do laundry when I'm at a pet sit, friends house or even at a hotel (like yesterday). And yes ... I have laundry detergent with me too.

And for your daily chuckle, here's the yin and yang ... the overloaded baggage cart that I had to bring into my hotel room last night to reshuffle everything and then my reward today sitting at the lounge in the Denver airport. Cheers!

Todays WILD idea: get compression bags and a credit card with airport lounge access (I have capital one venture). Both are total game changers!