Camp Arrival/Departure
Arrival
park on flat ground
move stuff from behind passenger seat to front
set up tent
put stuff in tent: lighting, valuables/ID, camera, phone
set up clothesline/carabiners
hang laundry & anything wet
bathroom/explore
light citronella candles
make muesli
dinner
do dishes
cribbage
set alarm, < 30 min if showering
Departure
get up with alarm
coffee
shower (if nec)
breakfast
wash dishes
journal
get dressed
empty tent
break down/pack tent
prep the day’s snacks
repack car
drop off trash
refill water container(s)
Things that worked well
Food
self contained eats
tortilla roll ups in Saran rap (not foil)
peanut butter pretzels
grapes
apples
muesli made each morning for the next day
cold brew coffee kit
small water container to keep in cooler that can refill both ‘driving’ water cups
applesauce squeeze packs
sausage rolls
pasta
Inside Car
kit for gas stops
kit for restroom stops
kit for clean masks
spray hand sanitizer
Camping
inflatable solar light (when it worked)
roof top tent with sheets/blanket/pillows kept inside
flip flops
small collapsible strainer
Brita filter water container
separate drinking water and rinsing water
small scrub sponge for dish washing
zip top clutch purse for utensils
small measuring cup (1/4 cup)
self hanging clothesline
state/national campgrounds
prepared/ planned meals
plot our possible campgrounds in advance
set up camp before last light
camp out of earshot of the interstate and trains
motion sensor light (rechargeable closet light)
touchless soap dispenser (SimpleHuman)
collapsible small cooler with small ice pack
bath/beach towel with pocket to stash shower stuff
Driving
straps for roof rack stuff (tent) front to back instead of side to side
mapping out Costco gas stations ahead of time
thermoelectric cooler
converter with normal plugs that uses cigarette lighter
cups with straws for water
Gas Buddy app
glass cleaner + paper towels for inside windshield
accessible lip balm
small container of snacks - the day’s portion
avoid weekend
switch drivers often
slightly change seat position often
Misc
BunBun - mascot to document trip
license plate spotting game
ponytails
packing during-drive and after-drive clothes separately
TripTik for public campgrounds
First Aid Kit
Misc
Hand sanitizer
Tweezers
Safety pins
Q-tips
Cotton rounds
Friction block stick
Moleskin
Disposable gloves
Cuts
Alcohol prep pads
Aquaphor
Band aids
Liquid bandage
Cough / Allergies
Aleve/Advil
Benadryl
Musinex
Zyrtec
Cough drops / hard candy
Thermometer
Sore / Itch
Calamine lotion
Cortizone
AfterBite
Icy Hot
Sunburn care
ThermaCare healing wrap
Masking tape (tics)
Wound Care
Gauze squares
Medical tape
Finger splint
Alcohol prep pads
Small scissors
Rolled gauze
Bandage compress
Triangular bandage
Ace bandage
Specialized Packing List
Tech
Cables
Charger, plug-into lighter port
Charger, phone bank
Computer backup
Laptop
Phone
Phone stand
Plugs
Rechargeable battery charger
Tablet
Bathroom Kit
Disposable gloves
Toilet seat covers
Toilet paper
Wet wipes
Spade
Litter genie
Air freshener spray
Hiking
Binoculars
Trekking poles
Refreshment Support
Can opener
Chip clips
Colander
Cooler, thermoelectric
Corkscrew & bottle stopper
Flexible covers for bowls
Funnel
Insulated cups
Muffin liners
Napkins / paper towels
Plates
Refillable water container for cooler
Snack bowls
Straws
Thermos
Towel, hand
Utensils
Wet wipes
Ziplock bags
Cleaning
Baby powder
Disposable gloves
Dry shampoo
General cleaner
Hand sanitizer
Hand vaccum
Mouthwash
Soap dispenser, touchless
Towel, hand
Water for rinsing (Brita dispenser)
Wet wipes
Laundry
Clothesline, self hanging
Laundry bag
Laundry detergent
Mesh zippered laundry bag
Tie hanger
Towel, bath/beach
Water for rinsing (Brita dispenser)
Miscellaneous
Carabiners
Combination locks
Cribbage board + cards
Goggles
Magnetic closet lights
Pompom maker
Resistance bands
Rubber bands
Safety pins
Scissors
Shoelaces
Whistle
Foreign Trip
passport
cash - USD + taxi fare in local currency
business cards
language aids
whistle
Beach/Water
waterproof ID case
rash guard
water shoes
dry bag
Snowboarding
helmet
goggles
neck cozy
hot chilis
turtleneck
jacket
waterproof pants
ski boots
snowboarding socks
snowboard
cozy hat
snow boots
Car Comfort
Binoculars
Bluetooth speaker
Cameras
Cash
Cozy socks
Eyeshade
EZ Pass (Illinois and east)
Headphones
Mascot
Mirror
Neck pillow
Peppermint oil
Sewing kit
Shade for window + suction cup
Shopping bags, collapsible
Sunscreen
Zipties
Car Emergency Kit
Bungees
Battery charger
Distilled water
Duct tape
Fire extinguisher
Flares
Gas can
Hazard triangle
Jumper cables
Leatherman multi tool
Radiator fluid
Rags
Safety vest
Small toolkit
Spare tire
Tire pressure gauge
Wiper fluid
Work gloves
Sleeping
Ambient light
Blanket
Earplugs
Eyeshade
Pad (under sleeping bag)
Pillow
Sheet
Sleeping bag
Warm hat
Window coverings
Yoga mat (pad option)
In a Tent
Candles
Flashlight / headlamp
Lighter , rechargeable
Mosquito net
Small axe
Tarp for under tent
Tent
Home Emergency Kit
Instructions
How to turn off water, gas and electricity
Location/use of fire extinguishers
Fill containers, sinks, tubs with water
readysandiego.org
Light & Communication
30+ Hour Candle
Flashlight - squeeze one best, else extra batteries
Waterproof Matches
AM/FM Radio w/ Headphones
AAA Batteries for radio
Solar Charger
Map of Area
Compass
Shelter & Warmth
Poncho
Sleeping Bag
Blanket
Earplugs
Eyeshade
First Aid
Latex Gloves
10 Plastic bandages (3/4''x3'')
10 plastic bandages (3/8''x1 1/2'')
2 Gauze pads
3 Alcohol cleansing pads
1 Butterfly closure
Antibiotic Ointment
Burn Ointment
Thermometer
Scissors
Tweezers
Petroleum Jelly or Other Lubricant
Masking Tape (tics)
Ace Bandage
Tylenol, Aleve
Insect Repellent, Anti-Itch
Car
jumper cables
battery charger
gas can
flashlight + batteries/charge cord
rags
Help sign
plastic tarp
first aid kit
tire pressure gauge
duct tape
blanket
small tool kit
rope
AAA card
Important Papers
Fireproof Box
Flash Drive with Electronic Copies of Documents
Household Contacts
Drivers License
Passport
Social Security Card
Birth Certificate
Marriage License
Photo of Pet With Owners
Pet Microchip Information
Emergency Contact Information
Mortgage Information
Real Estate Ownership Information
Utility Information
Credit Card Information
Automatic Payment Information
Bank Account Information
Retirement Account Information
Investment Account Information
Auto Information
Home Insurance Information
Auto Insurance Information
Personal Property Inventory
Recent Pay Stubs
Rewards Program Accounts
Most Recent Tax Return
Property Tax Statement
Will
Trust Documents
Living Will, Power of Attorney
Health Insurance Information
Doctor Contact Information
Prescription Information
Prescription Insurance Information
Record of Immunizations and Allergies
Copies of Prescriptions - incl. eyeglasses
Vet Contact Information
Pet Immunization Records
Tools
Whistle
Dust Mask
16 Function Knife
Safety Goggles
Wrench or Piers to Turn Off Utilities
Work Gloves
Duct tape
Gas Can
Car Charger
Clothing
Long Sleeved Shirt
Long Pants
Sturdy Shoes
Rain Jacket / Windbreaker
Hat - Warm and Sun
Bandana
Socks
Underwear
Swimsuit
Watch
Other
Pet Carrier
Fire Extinguisher
Pencil / Pen
Notepad / Post-Its
Playing Cards / Dice
Dry Bag
Car & house Keys
Jewelry
Computer Backup
Cell Phone & Charger
Locks
Carabiners
Safety Pins, Rubber Bands, Paperclips, Shoelaces
Ziplock Bags
Cash
Towels
Sunscreen
Shopping Bag
Crocheted Blanket
Wedding Album
NAS
Camera + Cards + Chargers
Music + Earphones
Hygiene
Hand Sanitizer
Prescriptions
Glasses - Normal and Sunglasses
10 Cotton tips
Wet Naps
Comb, Brush
Razor
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Dental Floss
Feminine Products
Soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
3 packs Pocket Tissues
Sewing Kit
Waste Bag
Lotion
Unbreakable Mirror
Nail Clippers
Toilet Paper
Food & Water
Food for 3 Days
Utensils, Paper Towels
Can Opener
Water Pouch / 3 Gallons per Person
10 Water Purification Tablets / 9 parts water to 1 part bleach
Regular Chlorine Bleach
Pet Food
Travel Food Ideas
Keep Close While Driving
small bowls with lids that fit between front seats
insulated water cups with straws
mints
container of a day’s worth of peanut butter pretzels and goldfish
protein bars without too much sugar
nuts and dried fruit
homemade oatmeal raisin cookies
Emergen-C
napkins
clutch purse with utensils
drinking water
rinsing water
In Thermoelectric Cooler
grapes
apples / clementines
tortilla rollups
refillable water container to used to replenish insulated cups
individual applesauce or yogurt cups/bags
lunches, dinners
opened oat milk carton
Prepped Food
Muesli - bring container of toasted muesli, and each morning after breakfast fill the thermos with muesli + oat milk
Cold brew coffee - bring “beanbags” of cold brew coffee and fix as needed in container with a spigot
Tortilla Rollups - cream cheese + veggies ; hummus + veggies (don’t use fresh basil)
Veggie Sausage Rolls
Spinach Pasta
Squash Risotto
In the Back
wine
cold brew coffee bags (concentrate)
oat milk carton (unopened)
honey
small colander
water for rinsing
paper towels, napkins, plates, cups
ziplocks
hand/baby wipes
tissue box filled with trash bags
can opener, corkscrew & bottle stopper, funnel, scissors
Cross Country Trip Planning
We will be trekking across the country from California to Pennsylvania to visit family. Since we are in the midst of a pandemic, we will go as quickly as possible with minimal touristy stops. We will also avoid hotels by camping or sleeping in the car, and as much as possible bring the food we need.
Map the Route
AAA has a great online TripTik tool, also in their AAA app. You can say how many hours of driving you want to do each day, and it will tell you where to stop! And you can add layers to show gas stations or campgrounds.
I also create a Google map where I can map the planned route, and expected points of interest/gas stations/overnight locations. But you need the internet to see it, so that where the Opensignal app comes in handy. You can choose your provider, and it shows you a map of cell signal!
Apps / websites:
Gas Buddy app
AAA TripTik in AAA app
Roadtrippers app
Rand McNally TripMaker website
Opensignal app to check cell service
Car Supplies:
a cooler that plugs into the cigarette lighter port!
a battery charger that has USB ports to charge devices
rubber gloves, sanitizing wipes, litter genie borrowed from our cat supplies for trash
neck rest for bobbing head front seat napping
Cruising Suggestions
I did a bunch of research on what to pack, and how to get the best cruise experience... and some ideas were very useful while others we tossed overboard :) Here's my advice:
Some things to pack (in addition to clothes, toiletries, etc - check out the comprehensive packing list):
over-the-door organizer - with limited counter space, this was an easy way to keep everything organized and in reach
comfy slip on shoes - I got a pair of Sketchers GOWalk and they were perfect
team/school/town clothing - a great conversation starter
binoculars
games, if you want to play them with your group. We brought cribbage and Dixit (without the box)
sunscreen, after-sun aloe, bug spray, anti-itch med
Emergen-C and/or Electromix packets - really help if you start feeling under the weather, or dehydrated
lanyard - you can get the desk to punch a hole in your card and then wear it around your neck. Much more convenient, and harder to lose than if you keep it in your pocket. Majority of people do this.
rash guard - if you are going snorkeling or kayaking, you should get one of these.
decent map of the whole area you are cruising, plus more detailed ones of your ports. We didn't do this, and were wishing we did!
Take advantage of:
stretch class in the morning - it was a great way to start the day, though it's hard to do any yoga on one foot with the gentle rocking of the boat!
progressive trivia - fun and you get to feel more of a community since you see people consistently
art auctions - educational and fun
cruisecritic.com - you can get on a message board for your specific boat/trip and meet up with them and some of the crew one of the first days of the trip. They also have lots of tips.
wine packages - makes it easier (and cheaper) to choose wine at dinner
excursions sponsored by the boat - sign up early if there is anything you really want to do, or that might last until you need to board at the end of the day. The boat will wait if you are on an excursion sponsored by them but not if you made private arrangements. But if you just want to wander around town, or something short go ahead and do it on your own. Best to do some research on providers and preferably book it beforehand instead of relying on picking one of the many vendors hawking experiences on the dock.
laundry specials - on our ship, every 4 or 5 days, we could fill a (provided) large bag with laundry for $25, versus paying per piece, as at a hotel. Tip: roll up your clothes to make more fit!
the game room - it was pretty full each night. If you have a group, and like to play games, this is great. Our games were cribbage and Dixit!
Don't fret about:
coffee - you can make it in your cabin
hair dryer - also supplied
internet - take a break! If you need to check email (or if you want to do quick blog posts on the road!), you can use a kindle with 3G to do so while docked at most ports, for free though it is slow and klunky. They do also have internet on board for a price.
portable clothes line - there's one in the shower to hang swimsuits, etc.
"today only" on-board shop/jewelry sales - they will be going on for the whole cruise