Vacation Packing Checklist » Vacation Packing Checklist

Vacation’s Over… Time to Evaluate the Checklist

Vacation Packing Checklist Pro — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:31:42 +0000

I just returned from 2 months of summer fun traveling in the Midwest and the Northeast. It was great fun and I don’t think I was quite ready to see it end, but then again, it’s always nice to be home.

Unpacking is always so much easier than packing, but we’re hoping to make next year’s planning and packing a little easier by taking time this week to evaluate the packing checklist that we used and making any adjustments that are needed. We’ll post the updated list when we’re finished.

This post is from Vacation Packing Checklist where you can prepare for all of your trips and travels.

Vacation’s Over… Time to Evaluate the Checklist

Avoid This Vacation Packing Mistake

Vacation Packing Checklist Pro — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:33:29 +0000

I’ve been traveling for over one month now and that has given me plenty of time to notice any packing mistakes that I made. On a long trip like this, I need versatile clothes that are interchangeable so that I will have a variety of outfits. It turns out that I packed several shirts that only go with one pair of shorts, which has really limited my selection of outfits. I’ll make a note on my packing checklist so I do a better job next year.

This post is from Vacation Packing Checklist where you can prepare for all of your trips and travels.

Avoid This Vacation Packing Mistake

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Road Trip Checklist Must Include Healthy Snacks

Vacation Packing Checklist Pro — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:29:12 +0000

Today is a 10 1/2 hour day in the car (mini-van). There will be a number of long driving days throughout the next two months of our summer vacation road trip, not to mention many shorter travel days. We call the food we eat while we travel “car food”. One of the jokes is that even if it wouldn’t be something we would choose to eat if we had other choices, it always taste great in the car. It’s also true for us that if we don’t plan well, and just pick up what’s available in convenience stores, we will eat junk food along the way. Needless to say, sitting in the car and eating high sugar and high fat foods, is not the best way to take care of your body and ensure that you’ll feel your best on vacation. So we have learned to keep healthy foods that we enjoy eating within reach during our drive. Fruit is always a winner and its no problem finding fresh local fruit during the summer. We also like whole grain crackers and lower fat cheese. So find some healthy snacks that your travelers will enjoy and add them to your road trip checklist.

This post is from Vacation Packing Checklist where you can prepare for all of your trips and travels.

Road Trip Checklist Must Include Healthy Snacks

Checking the last item off our packing checklist!

Vacation Packing Checklist Pro — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 04:15:28 +0000

It has taken several days, but finally we’re off. We’ll be gone for two months, which is a shorter trip than usual for us during the summer, but that didn’t make the packing any easier. In fact, we used the same old packing list that we’ve used for our longer trips and didn’t really need to adjust it. For me, getting ready for any vacation or travel is a little bit stressful, but it’s just drawn out a little longer for the extended trip. Tonight we’re making a toast to “checking the last item off our packing checklist!” I’ll post the final checklist in a few days.

This post is from Vacation Packing Checklist where you can prepare for all of your trips and travels.

Checking the last item off our packing checklist!

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Pack a Vacation Journal and a Camera

Vacation Packing Checklist Pro — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 13:46:14 +0000

My sister and me in Colorado Springs 1973

I’m over 40 now and much to my dismay, many of my childhood vacation memories have faded away. I can remember the sense of happiness that I associate with different places that we went, but many of the details are buried deep or gone completely. What’s really interesting is that the memories that I do have, are often having to do with something that was captured in a photo. So probably having seen those photos in the years following the trip kept those memories fresh. So make sure you take a few pictures of the things you want to remember on your trip. Usually the best ones are not just the scenery, but have your family and you in them as well. Don’t hesitate to ask a stranger to snap a shot of the whole group.

As for the journal… Well, my father who is the master of vacation planning, always kept a little spiral bound notebook with a few details of every trip. The dates, locations, hotel names and I think restaurants. So this summer my family has started a new game. Once a week, my father will e-mail everyone in the family a question about a long-ago vacation and we will all respond with our memories of the trip. Then we help each other fill in some of the blanks of our partial memories. What fun we are having!

That’s why I am recommending that you add a journal to your vacation packing checklist. You don’t have to write much, but you could ask everyone in the family for a highlight each day or even at the end of the trip, have each person share a few highlights. I promise, years later they will be fun to read.

This post is from Vacation Packing Checklist where you can prepare for all of your trips and travels.

Pack a Vacation Journal and a Camera

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Packing for a Long Road Trip

Vacation Packing Checklist Pro — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:03:42 +0000

In less than two weeks, I’m leaving for a two-month road trip. It’s mostly vacation, but of course I’ll be working too, so I’ll have to make sure I have all of my fun stuff for vacation and all of my computer equipment and client files. Since I’ve been doing this for many years of my life now, I do have a pretty thorough packing checklist for this type of trip. It’s a long list since you can fit much more in a mini-van than you can in suitcase when you’re flying. I’ll clean it up in the next few days and get it posted.

This post is from Vacation Packing Checklist where you can prepare for all of your trips and travels.

Packing for a Long Road Trip

Vacation Packing Checklist News on June 16, 2009

Vacation Packing Checklist Pro — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:25:54 +0000

Families spending £1bn per year on forgotten holiday items – Bounty
June 16, 2009
- I’m sure it is not only Brits who are spending money on forgotten vacation necessities. But you’re ahead of the game if you’re researching what to pack for vacation!

Simple Tips on Packing Bags for Travel – hitched
June 16, 2009
- Besides the sweetness factor, what a great idea to have the person in the family who is inclined to be the most organized packer, doing the vacation packing. There are some good tips in this article as well.

Staying healthy on vacation series: Tips for traveling on the road
May 26, 2009
-Consider these ideas so that you don’t put on the extra pounds during vacation. Packing a few healthy snacks can make it easier.

This post is from Vacation Packing Checklist where you can prepare for all of your trips and travels.

Vacation Packing Checklist News on June 16, 2009

Summer Travel Checklist for Flying

Vacation Packing Checklist Pro — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:29:24 +0000

Well, I’m on the plane on my way to visit my family for 10 days, so I’ll find out for sure how good this check list is. I’ll call it my Summer Travel Checklist for Flying – it’s just the basics for a trip to the Midwest in the summer months. The only limitation is that I’m flying and everything needs to fit in one large suitcase and a carry-on bag. The carry-on has to include my laptop, so I won’t be stuffing it with extras that should have fit in the suitcase. I’m still paying the extra $15 to check the bag on Delta, but for a ten-day trip, I think it’s worth it to have all my “stuff”.

The thing I struggled with the most before the flight was deciding what laptop bag I would use as my carry-on. I have a beautiful shoulder bag, but with my neck pillow and other carry-on items it would have been overstuffed and probably very uncomfortable for carrying over the shoulder. I was leaning toward bringing my larger laptop bag with wheels, but was concerned that it wouldn’t fit under the seat and I wanted to be able to get to the laptop easily during the flight. I set out to find a laptop sleeve so that I could put the computer under the seat if I had to put the bag overhead, but my search for the sleeve led me to a different choice altogether. The least expensive sleeve I could find (at a nearby store) was over $20 and I knew I had seen them at IKEA a few weeks ago for $5, so I just couldn’t bring myself to pay that much. However I did find a Targus laptop backpack for $30 and it seemed that it would have all the space I needed, fit under the seat and be reasonably easy to carry… so now I have yet another bag for my laptop! As it turned out, by the time I got on the plane, the airline was gate-checking any bags that didn’t fit under the seat as all overhead space was taken. My decision was a good one.

Here is my Summer Travel Checklist for Flying:
Excel Version
Word Version

This post is from Vacation Packing Checklist where you can prepare for all of your trips and travels.

Summer Travel Checklist for Flying

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Travel Checklist for Family Visit

Vacation Packing Checklist Pro — Sun, 31 May 2009 02:19:41 +0000

I’m flying to Illinois in a few days to visit family for a 10 day vacation. That’s a long time to stuff into one suitcase, but who wants to pay for a second! I’ll have to scale down my usual summer travel checklist for this trip. When it’s all trimmed and ready to go, I’ll post it here!

This post is from Vacation Packing Checklist where you can prepare for all of your trips and travels.

Travel Checklist for Family Visit

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Golf Checklist

Vacation Packing Checklist Pro — Sat, 30 May 2009 02:02:55 +0000

You can download the golf checklist formatted for Microsoft Word or as a web page.

Even though I competed all through high school, college and even played a little bit on the mini-tours, I didn’t create my own golf checklist until I started caddying for a friend who played on Tour – slow learner I guess! I used packing tape to laminate my list and actually even kept a spare handy during my caddying days.

What you keep in your golf bag may depend on whether you are riding in a cart or walking. This checklist for golf will help ensure that you have everything you need for planning vacation golf trips or for a weekend round at a local golf course.

This post is from Vacation Packing Checklist where you can prepare for all of your trips and travels.

Golf Checklist

Printable Golf Checklist

Vacation Packing Checklist Pro — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:30:24 +0000

BEFORE YOU PLAY

MAKE A TEE TIME – Ask course conditions… Have the greens or fairways been aerated recently?… Is walking allowed?… Is it cart paths only?….
NEED RENTAL CLUBS? – It’s a good idea to reserve rental clubs before you arrive. Indicate your request for men’s or ladies clubs and if you need a right- or left-handed set. The quality of equipment will vary.
GET DIRECTIONS – And note the course phone number in case you get lost.
CHECK THE DRESS CODE – Many courses don’t allow jeans, may require shirts with collars, shirts to be tucked in, shorts to be a certain length etc, etc. and some don’t!
CHECK FOR DISCOUNTS – Some courses give discounts to AAA and/or AARP members. Others have newspaper and online coupons.
HAVE CASH plus CREDIT or DEBIT CARD (if you use them) – For greens fees, tipping and food & beverage purchases.
HANDICAP INDEX – If you will be playing any kind of event that requires your USGA handicap, you may need to bring your handicap card or know your index. Your index will determine your handicap based on a conversion chart at the course.
CHECK THE WEATHER – Make sure you have the right clothing. Layering is a great way to handle varying weather conditions

GOLF EQUIPMENT ESSENTIALS

GOLF CLUBS / BAG – Always count to make sure you have all of your clubs – 14 is the MAX per the USGA. It’s a good idea to have your name and phone number on a label on each golf club shaft in case you leave one behind. Also, have a “bag tag” with your name on it for easy identification if you’re playing in an event.
GOLF SHOES – I met a guy who manages to forget to pack his golf shoes on every trip, so he has closet full of new golf shoes waiting at home!
BALLS – No need to stuff your bag with golf balls – most of you know roughly how many you need to get you through an average round of golf, so take that number plus four. If it’s a really hard course, you may want a few extra, but you can always restock at the turn if necessary. If you’re a fairly new golfer, a dozen balls should be enough and if it’s not, consider sitting out some of the more treacherous shots on the course.
TEES – If you use more than one height or any specialty tees, remember to stock your bag before you play. Keep in mind the number of holes you’ll be playing – no need to carry 50 tees if you’re walking.
BALL MARKER (for putting) – It’s easy to get to the first green without a ball marker. Keep one or two in your pocket and a few extras in your bag. If you use a visor clip, remember to put it on the visor or hat of the day.
GOLF GLOVE – I like to keep at least one extra in case I accidentally flush it down the toilet. (I’m one of those people who puts my glove in the back of my shorts when I putt… and sometimes I forget it’s there!)
GOLF TOWEL
HAT OR VISOR
SUNGLASSES – Even if you don’t like to play in them, wearing them between shots is recommended.
DISTANCE FINDER – SkyCaddie, Golf Logix, Laser Rangefinder. Charge it up before you play and make sure you’ve downloaded the course(s) if necessary. If you use a rangefinder, you might want to keep an extra battery and a small screwdriver on hand as well.
USGA RULES OF GOLF BOOK – It’s a good idea to read this sometime before you play and to learn how to find the information you need quickly.
SUNSCREEN & LIP BALM w/SUNSCREEN – For reapplying on the golf course, it’s nice to have hands-free sunscreen (spray or other) so you don’t make your grips slippery or sticky.
SNACK – Something low-fat with protein is always a good bet.
WATER BOTTLE

OTHER USEFUL GOLF GEAR

SCORECARD & PENCIL – Don’t you hate it when you get to the end of the first hole and you don’t have a scorecard?
YARDAGE BOOK – If you have one for the course you are playing.
PERMANENT FELT-TIP MARKER – I like to put my mark (a line on each side of the brand name) on my golf balls before I put them into my bag.
CLUB CLEANER – A wet towel or wire brush so you don’t end up wiping your clubface on your shorts! Grass stains and mud are hard to get out!
BALL RETRIEVER – Just in case one of your playing partners hits into a water hazard.
VALUABLES POUCH – If you take off your watch, rings or have other valuables, you’ll want to have some place to keep them together in your bag.
INSECT REPELLANT
FIRST AID (YES, I’M SERIOUS) – Ibuprofen, aspirin, sting stick, meat tenderizer for fire ant bites (make into a paste with water), and anything you might need to have handy.

WEATHER GEAR

UMBRELLA – Check the hourly forecast before you haul your rain gear around.
RAIN SUIT & WATER PROOF HAT – A regular hat will do if it’s not a downpour, but you’ll definitely want something to keep the rain out of your eyes or off your glasses.
EXTRA TOWEL – At least one so you can keep your hands and grips dry.
RAIN GLOVES – If you’re so inclined…
CLUB COVER FOR RAIN – A plastic bag will do if you don’t have a fitted cover.
WINDSHIELD – If the course you are playing doesn’t have them and it’s a cold day, they are really nice to have.
HAND WARMERS – If you play when it’s cold, keep one of these in your pocket. Just remember not to put your ball in that pocket if your golfing friends are sticklers for the rules.

WHEN YOUR ARE FINISHED PLAYING

GET EVERYTHING OUT OF THE CART – Check all the nooks and crannies for valuables.
COUNT YOUR CLUBS – Make sure you have as many as when you began!
PUT YOUR CLUBS AWAY – For safe-keeping while you’re at the 19th hole.

OTHER TIPS

CELL PHONE – Turn the ringer off before you start (some clubs won’t allow their use in the clubhouse or even on the property), but it’s nice to have one for cart problems or for emergencies.
FILL OR REPLACE DIVOTS? – If you’re at a course you’ve never played before, find out if you replace divots or just fill with sand. It all depends on the type of grass.
COURSE MARKINGS – Are there 150 markers? Are the sprinkler heads marked? Are all measurements to the middle of the green? How are pin placements indicated? In the U.S., measurements are in yards, other places are in meters. (150 yards = 137 meters and 150 meters = 164 yards – about a 10% difference)
CHECK THE WEBSITE – For additional information about the course, including hole layout, yardages, course rating, slope and more.
CONSIDER TAKING A CAMERA – If you’re vacationing or playing a once-in-a-lifetime course, make sure you have your camera along. You don’t need to snap photos all day long at the expense of your game, but capture a few select stunning views!

This post is from Vacation Packing Checklist where you can prepare for all of your trips and travels.

Printable Golf Checklist

Vacation Packing Checklist News on May 27, 2009

Vacation Packing Checklist Pro — Wed, 27 May 2009 19:10:53 +0000

Staying healthy on vacation series: Tips for traveling on the road – Examiner.com
May 27, 2009
Not only can you keep yourself from gaining vacation weight, you’ll will likely feel more energetic if you add healthy snack choices to your vacation packing checklist.

Organize your *camping* trip ahead of time
May 27, 2009
In this economy, more families will be spending less and choosing to try a camping trip this summer. Many campgrounds are already reporting an increase in reservations.

This post is from Vacation Packing Checklist where you can prepare for all of your trips and travels.

Vacation Packing Checklist News on May 27, 2009

Why we’re creating My Vacation Packing Checklist…

Vacation Packing Checklist Pro — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:08:10 +0000

It happens every day. Someone arrives at a vacation destination, ready to relax or ready for an adventure only to discover that something was left behind. If you’re lucky, it will only require a trip to the hotel gift shop, but all too often, it will cost money and time that you didn’t need to spend. The vacation packing checklists that will be provided on this website may not have everything you’ll need for your travels, but they will give you an excellent start and probably remind you of a few things you might have missed. When our readers make suggestions for things we’ve forgotten, we’ll update the list.

We’ll make our travel checklists available in several formats, so that you can download them and make them your own.

Happy Packing!

This post is from Vacation Packing Checklist where you can prepare for all of your trips and travels.

Why we’re creating My Vacation Packing Checklist…

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Vacation Packing Checklist » Vacation Packing Checklist

Vacation’s Over… Time to Evaluate the Checklist

Avoid This Vacation Packing Mistake

Road Trip Checklist Must Include Healthy Snacks

Checking the last item off our packing checklist!

Pack a Vacation Journal and a Camera

Top Vacation Packing Checklist posts from Jun

Packing for a Long Road Trip

Vacation Packing Checklist News on June 16, 2009

Summer Travel Checklist for Flying

Top Vacation Packing Checklist posts from 1st May – 7th May

Travel Checklist for Family Visit

Golf Checklist

Printable Golf Checklist

Vacation Packing Checklist News on May 27, 2009

Why we’re creating My Vacation Packing Checklist…