Let's Go, Jane!

It’s GO time. Just when I’ve learned where all the light switches are in my sister’s house, it’s time to pack up and hit the road. I will spend almost a week at my parents’ house before flying to Spain to begin the first 3-month leg of my trip. On our way to their house, we will stop and sell my car at one of those CarMax places. I’ll be gone for at least six months, and when I get back I am buying a van so I won’t need my car anymore. Can’t drive two vehicles at once. One more possession, released back into the world. It’s sad, I will miss my little Crosstrek.

I did a trial run for packing this week and found that all the items I added after returning from the 2-week test run in Europe meant that my bag could no longer be zipped closed. I went item by item, weighing “nice to have” against “will use often.” After setting several items aside, I got to the point where everything fit again. I don’t want to be wrestling with zippers every time I pack up to move to a new location, or go through airport security and have to dig through my entire bag to find the toothpaste tube they always seem to flag for closer inspection.

I love my backpack. It’s an Osprey Fairview 55L in Night Jungle Blue (what I would call teal). I love, love, love this bag. It’s actually two bags, a 40L main backpack and a 15L daypack. I will be traveling carry-on only for months at a time and this bag is perfect for me. The big backpack easily fits in any overhead compartment, and the small backpack slides under any seat. When necessary I can stuff my Fjällräven hip pack (purse) inside the small backpack.

Over the last year of travel (seven countries so far!), I have been perfecting my packing process to the point where everything has its place and I can now find it in the dark. I have four compression cubes of different sizes. The smallest has warm clothing (a light down jacket, wool socks, a hat, and gloves). The medium one has pajamas, underwear, and lounge wear. The large one has all of my non-clothing items like a rain jacket, sunglasses, and a microfiber towel. The largest one has my merino wool wardrobe in neat little rolls. 

In the daypack, I store my laptop, tech kit, a small stuffable down blanket and neck pillow, snacks, and my kindle. All the things I might need on a flight. Lastly, I have a small toiletries kit, a quart-sized bag of liquids, and a shoe bag. Through trial and error I have figured out how to fit everything neatly in the backpack using the compression straps. I will say, when they flag me for toothpaste inspection, I’m kind of proud of how organized my bag looks on the inside.

The other great thing about this bag is that the daypack can either be strapped to the main backpack to make a larger backpack, or, it has clips to wear on the front. I like wearing it in the front as it counterbalances the weight of the larger pack. Using the waist belt to take the weight off my shoulders, I am completely hands free. I can sit on the edge of a train seat and I can pee without taking anything off. The last item is the straw hat I bought in Puerto Rico. Totally impractical and non-stuffable, but I love it. It gets tied to the front of my daypack and fits in the overhead compartment.

I’m ready. For adventure, for challenges, for whatever I may find along the way. I have no doubt this extended travel period will change me, I just don’t know how. I’m happy to have this blog as a place to process feelings, capture memories, and share my experiences with you.

P.S. Big news — my second book is officially out! 🎉 Downsizing After 50: A Practical Guide to Letting Go of Stuff and Gaining Freedom, Time, and Peace is now live on Amazon. It’s part practical guide, part personal story of how I went from a four-bedroom house to just a carload of things. If you’re curious (or know someone who might be), you can check it out here.