This year I find myself with lots of extra time, the shutdown last year gave me time to get a lot of things done. It also gave me time to reflect.
Do we really need to take all that stuff on a vacation, after all it is supposed to be a time of relaxation, not a time to be bogged down with all kinds of things that we take "just in case" we might need them. I had a 4 page packing list, that now is down to half a page. That page does not include my list of clothes. I determine how much I take by how many days we are gone. Never want to run out of underwear on a trip. But the rest, well I really do not need all the stuff that used to go along.
I discovered the the secret to packing light is to only have one person do the packing. I listen to what others want to take, but now I just do it my way. IF we really need something I did not take, there are stores to get it.
The other thing I discovered is that duffel bags are easier to manage and carry than tote boxes, plus they take up less room in the vehicle, and when we get their they can be folded up and out of the way.
So when we go on vacation again, it will be a much lighter load.
