Now that we've had a few months practice in travelling in "Baby B.", what are the most useful, and the least useful things we've taken along? Here is the list, not necessarily in order of importance.
Most useful:
1. Laptop computer.
This works well when there is WiFi. When there is not, it's demoted to the least useful list. Since my cell phone stopped working, I can at least call people through Google.
The laptop serves as a handy encyclopedia, recipe book, (for me), Canadian news source, sudoku puzzle site, and atlas (for Terry). When we're bored, we look at Facebook, and check our e-mails. Hardly anyone e-mails, though.
2. Kobo reader
A library card provides access to books which can be downloaded onto my e-reader. I still packed a few paper books.
3. Electric heater
Boy, have we been grateful for this little space heater to supplement our furnace.
4. Toaster oven
This doubles as a bread toaster, and is easier to use for baking than the gas oven. Even though muffins have to be baked in 2 shifts. Great for drying kale to make yummy kale chips.
5. Coleman lantern
Useful for those times of camping in parking lots or at the side of the road. Also for the occasional power failure.
6. Indoor/outdoor thermometer
We love to check the outdoor temperature first thing in the morning, and note the daily high.
7. Terry's I-phone. Not as a phone, but with a useful bird book app complete with bird calls and songs.
Also Terry finds it useful in church to look up Bible references. I prefer my regular Bible.
8. Clothesline
Useful for hanging out towels and facecloths, as they USUALLY dry much faster outside. In the dry Coachella Valley, laundered clothes can dry in a couple of hours. But not here.
9. Umbrellas
Terry's never used an umbrella so much in his life! In fact, he's never before had one of his very own.
10. Duvets
I didn't realize we'd be so grateful to have these winter-weight bed coverings.
Least useful:
1. Too many clothes!
This is the result of double packing. As we were getting ready to go again, Terry didn't realize I had already selected certain clothes, and packed them away in the trailer four months previously. I forgot just what I had packed.
2. Two 4 kg yogurt containers full of honey.
Our neighbours had picked up the honey for us, and stored it in their relative's garage. I didn't want to have to go there again, so brought along both buckets.
3. Firewood
Last year Terry brought a bin full of lumber, thinking we would need it for cozy campfires. We only had "cozy campfires" a couple of times. Apparently SOWERs don't sit around staring at a campfire, let alone roasting wieners. The full bin was useful as a step stool, though, when I scrubbed the awning, or as an impromptu seat when we hadn't pulled out the slide, and space was limited.
4. Vacuum cleaner
The little Dewalt battery powered vacuum sounded like a great idea, but it's so noisy, I prefer to sweep the floor. Besides, the batteries are usually at the work site when I want to vacuum.
5. Non-functioning cell phone. Who knows why it's not working.
6. Second skipping rope
Another instance of "double packing" One of these did double duty as another clothesline.
7. Folding table
This one is a mystery. It looks so useful, but usually by dinner time it's dark and cold, so we eat inside.
8. Hair curlers. Curled hair is not worth the work when you wear a tuque, which just flattens it again.
9. Extra set of tennis raquets
We haven't found anyone yet who plays tennis.
10. Slow cooker
I need to research new and exciting recipes so that this item can join my list of useful items.
Next trip, we hope to pack more efficiently.
No comments:
Post a Comment