Travel Archives - Page 4 of 6 - Seams Like a Story

September 4, 2022September 4, 2022

How to Pack Like a Pro

It depends on who you ask…

There’s a trip in my future. Though not a travel newbie, I’m always looking for ways to improve my experience, especially in packing. For this post, I have assembled a team of experts to help alleviate my suitcase insecurity. Here’s what they have to say:

Expert #1

RS is widely known for his travel books and videos. In the videos, we see RS sprinting all around Europe with a carry-on sized backpack. With this slung across his shoulders, there is no need to check luggage, and he nimbly hops on and off planes, busses, trains and taxis. In one episode, he dumped the contents on the bed in his hotel room and showed the audience what he packs: 2 pairs of slacks (jeans and a lighter khaki pair…. one he wears and one he packs) 3 shirts, a light sweater, a rain jacket, socks and underwear, and a small bag of toiletries. He wears his only pair of shoes. He describes methods for washing your clothes in the hotel room, including using a 2-gallon zip-lock bag and a squirt of laundry detergent or the hotel shampoo to create a mini washing machine. That explains how he gets by on such a limited wardrobe. I like the idea of traveling light and picutured myself squishing socks and undies around in a sudsy ziplock bag in the hotel bathroom, rinsing, then hanging them on the towel racks and shower curtain rod. Hmmm…

Inspired by RS, I spread my proposed travel wardrobe out on my bed. At last count I had 9 tops (because you need sleeveless, short sleeves, long sleeves) 4 pairs of slacks (yoga pants for the plane, joggers, cropped pants in black and khaki) a sweater, a jacket, an umbrella, socks and underwear, 3 small clear bags of toiletries ( 3 oz. or less) a pair of sandals. a swimsuit, and a packable sun hat. Sorry RS. It will not fit in a backpack. I need some further advice.

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August 21, 2022July 23, 2023

3 National Parks, 1 Monument, and a 10-Year-Old

Lillian’s Decade Trip

The Decade Trip

When each of our grandchildren turn 10, Ed and I take them on a “Decade” trip (AKA “Skip-Gen” trip, no parents allowed) We choose this age because, according to the AARP article that inspired us, 10-year-olds can take care of themselves (mostly), have fairly flexible schedules, and are still eager to do things with their grandparents. Six summers ago we took our first decade trip with Michaela, and if you follow my blog you will remember the trip we took last summer with our special needs granddaughter Melanie.The RV Adventure Begins

This summer it was Lillian’s turn to celebrate her first decade of life . She is a bright, fun-loving girl who, as it turns out, is a savvy traveler. (Check out her hilarious travel-tips here: Travel Tips From a Ten-Year Old) Several years ago, we started a National Park Passport for Lillian, so her Decade trip was centered around the theme of National Parks and Monuments.

The Grand Canyon

Our trip began with a train ride from Williams, AZ to the Grand Canyon. The two-hour train ride takes you directly to the village at the South Rim. (If you have a National Park Pass, the park entrance fee is deducted from your ticket price) There are several packages to choose from, but we found the day trip was perfect for an introduction to the Canyon.

The first glimpse of the Canyon takes your breath away! We walked on the paved pathway around the rim, then went to the visitor’s center so Lillian could get her Jr. Ranger Booklet. We enjoyed lunch in the Canyon Room at the historic El Tovar Inn. Travel Tip: If you plan to eat at the Inn, make reservations ahead of time.

Lillian looks over her Jr Ranger book, while Ed peruses the menu.

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January 29, 2022April 29, 2024

The Runcible Spoon

What’s in a Name?

On a quest for biscuits and gravy, my son Matt recently led the family to the Runcible Spoon Cafe tucked away in a quaint section of Bloomington, Indiana, near the campus of Indiana University. Curiosity about the name of the cafe led me down the proverbial rabbit hole.

Stay with me. Here we go….

Clue #1 : The Menu

Enterning the bungalow/cafe, the warm smells of coffee and bacon greeted me. I was already in love. The hostess seated us at one of the last available tables in a little nook by the front window. Mismatched chairs and tables, floor to ceiling bookshelves, and an eclectic assortment of wall art and knick-knacks added to the charm.

We started with lattes and a pot of hot tea as we perused the menu. Sadly, the sought-after biscuits and gravy had sold out, but we made other yummy choices. Clue #1: There was a picture of an owl and a cat with a spoon on the back of the menu. Hmmm..

Clue #2: The song

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November 12, 2021December 28, 2021

Homecoming

Back Home Again in Indiana

I’m a Hoosier transplanted to Arizona. Though I love my southwest home, after “Autumn in Arizona” http://seamslikeastory.com/autumn-in-arizona/ I needed to experience fall for real. A three hour plane ride and I was back home again in Indiana. http://seamslikeastory.com/fly-away-thoughts/ Several things made this trip important to me:

A Wedding

John (not his real name) was a student in my first grade class and, nine years later, was also a student in my husband Ed’s high school biology class. I remember him as a lively red-haired little guy. By the time he was in high school, “lively” would be a mild term. Ed saw through the antics and challenged this bright young man to live up to his potential. After he graduated from high school, John joined the Marines. Ed and I kept in touch, often taking him out for lunch when he was home on leave. We’d lost touch for a while, and were excited to receive an invitation to his wedding this fall. Of course, we had to go.

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November 5, 2021November 5, 2021

Fly-Away Thoughts

from Phoenix to Indianapolis

My thoughts from Phoenix to Indianapolis on a recent trip:

Traffic from Tucson to Phoenix is horrendous
Glad we reserved a parking space in the garage.
Made it to the airport in plenty of time
Ed’s bag doesn’t get through security. “Do you have any aerosols in here?”“NO.” “What’s this?” Agent pulls out a container of shaving cream.“I forgot about that…” Dangerous shaving cream tossed in trash.
Spent $18 on a sandwich, bottle of water, and Rolaids to take on the plane. Sheesh!
Group 6 boarding…Waiting…waiting…finally board and find our seats. Right behind the wing. Ed has to have an aisle seat. He thinks the aisle seat gives him more room to stretch his legs, but can he really? I don’t think you’re allowed to stick your legs into the aisle. I take the middle seat.
Lucky day! The plane is loaded and no one is in the window seat! I move over leaving the middle seat open. Wiggle room!
American Airlines is offering free movies on your own device. I finally get it figured out and get Ed settled in with Ghost Busters. They look so tiny on his phone’s little screen, but Ed’s content and occupied. I settle in with a book.
Had a hard time packing for this trip…high 80s in Phoenix, will be 50s-60s and probably rainy in Indiana.
Going to a wedding…in a barn…invite said “casual formal”…what the heck does that mean?
Packed my only dress. It’s sleeveless. Threw in a jean jacket and boots. Is that casual formal? It’s a barn wedding… Indiana… In October…I’ll be fine.
Dinner. Ed and I share the $12 sandwich I bought before boarding, Airline pretzels round out the meal. Eating slowly so we can relax with our masks off for an extra moment or two.
I dangle my mask from one ear so everyone knows I have one and will put it on as soon as I finish eating and drinking. I’m such a rule follower…
On American Airlines you get a whole can when you order a diet Coke…not just a little cup. I almost feel like I’m in first class. I refill my little cup of ice three times!
One hour in…the bathroom line forms…probably all those people who drank a whole can of Diet Coke.
Two more hours to go. Hope I can hold out. Rather not use the plane bathroom unless I have to.
11:00 pm Indy time… dark, but I can tell we’re getting close. We experience turbulence as we descend through dense cloud cover. Why is it always raining when I get to Indiana? I hope I get to see some Fall leaves. The Fasten Seatbelt sign blinks on as we bump into Indianapolis.

Threads of thought

It’s interesting to be traveling again. Have you ventured out yet?

Happy Travels!