Raven and I have been working on minimizing for 3 years. It seems just when we think we have it figured out, the boundaries drop away and we are challenged to let even more go. I really believe the essence of what you truly need is based on what you are going to be doing.
It is that philosophy and having run across the blog post All 51 Things I Own over at Colin Wright’s blog Exile Lifestyle that inspired me to really put myself to the test for an upcoming 16 day trip to the Costa del Sol and Morocco. How much do I really need to take while on the road? After all, whatever I can get by on for 16 days would work for 32 or 64 or . . . !
The Gear:
My new Osprey Waypoint 65 Travel Backpack with daypack attached
A new travel backpack purchased over the holidays a month ago is what is really making a minimalist trip attractive. This backpack can get me around the world and out on the trails . . . if I know what to put in it!
The Osprey with the daypack detached - 2 in 1!
One of the clever things (and there are many) about this backpack is that it has a detachable daypack. Gone are the confusing packing moments of wondering how I’m going to carry snacks and water while out hiking for the day!
Room for more?
Opened, the main compartment of the Osprey is pretty big. Here is just about everything I’m taking all packed in. I feel like I’m taking too much stuff, yet again, but there is still room for more. So, it can’t be all that bad, can it?
What’s Inside:
The shirts I'm packing
5 shirts are going: 2 long sleeved and 3 half sleeves. I checked the weather not sure what to expect in Europe in February. Highs in the 60’s, lows in the 40’s, still A LOT warmer than Maine! Packing, I realized that the yurt was 68, warmer than warmest part of most days I can expect. That helped bring the temperatures into perspective.
Pants, travel skirt, and vest
A pair of jeans and 2 pairs of pants, the whites ones can roll up to Capris. I’ve got a feeling I don’t need the tan ones. They match what I’m going to wear on the plane, but those can switch into Capris as well. Maybe I’ll leave them home. Otherwise, also a travel skirt (nice for Morocco) and a windbreaker vest. It isn’t my favorite vest, but it serves a different purpose than the lightweight jacket I’m taking which isn’t a windbreaker.
Merrell shoes keep my feet happy!
I don’t know if I’ll really need the sandals unless it is warm enough to roll up the pants to Capris . . . then I’ll want the sandals! They are small and don’t take up much room. I’ve hiked jungles in these, so I know I can rely on them in a pinch. The boots are my new Merrell Tetra Launch. I’m so completely in love with them. Being Merrells, I trust them to be rugged enough to handle a climb even if they look pretty. Waterproof and lined, they’ll be great on cool days and long walks. I haven’t had a single blister or hot spot with them yet, which is more than I can say for every other pair of shanked hiking boot I’ve EVER owned (I flex my foot a lot when I walk). I’m excited to see how these boots hold up to some heavier duty than 14 inch snow storms!
Socks, bras, swimsuit?
I know, it seems insane that I’m taking exactly two pairs of underwear, one being worn on the way. I wouldn’t do this with any other pair of undergarments than ExOfficio. This is all I packed on the 16 day motorcycle trip as well. So, at least I know I’m covered! The swimsuit . . . like it is really going to be warm enough to swim??? But is it vacation if I don’t take one? 😉
Pajamas!
Pajamas on the lounge wear side. It is vacation!
Some of the essentials
Some of the things I can’t do without: passport, wallet, Ipod Touch and headphones (with waterproof case), camera, extra camera battery and charger, the Maui Jim sunglasses I bought after I had my eye surgery and their case, molsekin journal, mechanical pencil and extra lead (learned that the hard way), and the composition book which might not be going after all. I’ve written a novel in a composition book . . . but isn’t that REALLY the same as the journal? Why take both?
Sundry essentials
Sundries: 2 small containers of face lotion, one of face cleaning powder, and a squeeze bottle of hand lotion (I don’t want to discuss my skin – it is a PITA), eco-friendly soap that is good for clothes too, squeeze bottle of curl get (thank you Irish DNA), and sun burn cream. Missing – nearly forgot my razor! and also suntan lotion which I will buy in Spain. Have you ever tried to buy suntan lotion in Maine in January???
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The camera, of course!
My new Pentax is going too: waterproof to 20 feet, shockproof, dustproof, came with a carabiner . . . and is green! It is almost the same green as the backpack. 🙂
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Some Decisions Left:
Which?
Like I said, I’ve written one novel in a composition book, but I have so many things I could edit and work on if i took my laptop. But then I’ll be chained to batteries and need a converter. And let’s not mention TSA! Should I just let it go for a week and write stories longhand? And why not just write them in my journal? It is just a mental handicap that I tend NOT to write full length pieces in my moleskin! The question is: do I really need either?
Water, water but not everywhere
I’m a water-aholic. Seriously, I start to feel thirsty the first instant I realize that I have no free will or ability to go get a sip of water. The new regs on airplane travel are a complete headache to me. But do I need both a hydration pack and the water bottle? The hydration pack would be a bit of a pain on the plane . . . . And yes, I carry the metal water bottle through security screening empty and fill it in the secure area at a water fountain before boarding. Take that airline industry! So, is it unreasonable to take both?
Entertainment Options
Okay, really I’ve got this whittled down to the book and a journal. I can keep myself entertained for HOURS now. Probably a good thing: the tickets bounce us from New England to Canada and then all over Europe. Between weather and delays, who knows when we’ll get there (or home)!
Finally, What I’m Wearing:
What I'll be wearing on the plane
What I’ll wear on the plane: ExOfficio bra and underwear, t-shirt, Timberland breathable trail runners and socks, Columbia zip-up jacket, tan pants that convert to Capris, and a North Face rain jacket – maybe with the liner . . . and maybe long underwear under the pants (at least until we get out of Maine!)
The Tally:
1 backpack (it zips together!), journal and pencil, book, Ipod and headphones, camera and charger, documents and wallet, sundries including sunglasses (hey, they are essential after PRK!), boots, sandals, trail runners, PJs (top and bottoms), 6 shirts, 3 pairs of pants, 1 pair of jeans, vest, light weight jacket, rain jacket, skirt, underwear (2 bras, 2 bottoms), swimsuit, socks (4 pairs), hydropack, waterbottle . . . 30 things? Not bad for a minimalist start! I feel better already. 😉
Sparky helping me test the fit of my new Osprey. 16 pounds of hound and he looks pretty happy . . . I hope he doesn’t think he is going?