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Travel Lightly

© Mari Brodersen

I sit here in the Denver airport, resting from hauling around a laptop and carry on bag which grow noticeably heavier with each step I take. I think, there has got to be an easier way to do this.

Now I like to travel - always have and probably always will. But there is one thing about it that I absolutely hate (okay, maybe that's too strong a word), and that is my heavy baggage. Nobody can make a suitcase heavier than I can! Packing is one area in which I need to do some serious simplification.

This time around, I packed too many sweaters. Do you know how much room they take up in a suitcase, and how much heavier they can make it? Well, I've certainly learned! My mistake was that I listened to numerous people (who have never lived in a mountain climate) warning me that I would freeze to death if I didn't take all these sweaters. I've lived in a mountain climate, and I should know better, but I followed everyone's advice rather than my own knowledge (I always think that maybe other people know better than I do). So sweaters, gloves, a hat, and a heavy scarf went into the suitcase. When I arrived in Vail, it was shirt-sleeve weather!

So I've learned that one principle of traveling lightly is: Listen to yourself if you have any knowledge of your destination.

Another thing I'm learning is: Utilize the laundry room at the resort or hotel! That way, you only have to pack half as much clothing.

This trip, I packed only two pairs of shoes (in addition to the loafers that I wore on the flight) - a pair of well-broken-in walking shoes for in town, and a pair of lightweight hiking boots for out of town. That's the third priniciple I've learned: Don't pack too many shoes!

I don't wear makeup when I'm on vacation. Number 4: Don't pack makeup.

I always pack books because vacation is a great time to make some progress in my never-ending quest to get caught up on my reading. This is probably the hardest part for me - I always want to pack six or seven books, but I've learned that I don't ever really read that many on vacation. For this trip I packed two small paperbacks. Number 5: If you must pack books, make them small paperbacks.

Toiletries are a pain because you have all these bottles of shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, etc. What a disorganized mess!! I've learned to buy travel sizes of everything that I can (even if it's not very cost effective) and pack them all in a toiletries bag with toothbrush, toothpaste, and other necessities. Number 6: Pack travel size toiletries and keep them all together so that they will be easy to find when you need them.