Have you noticed? It's that time of year when SPRING FEVER strikes. It's like you've been cooped up in the cabin all winter with a smelly ol' dog, moth-eaten blankets, and questionable salt pork. The water's stale, we're all wondering what that smell is, and if we have to play Musical Chairs to Grandpa George's bassoon one more time... well, there's no telling what will happen. Definitely, a change of scenery is needed. Definitely.
Around here, we decided a quick trip would be just the thing to brighten the dull days of unemployment. After tossing around a few options, my pal J. and I had a brilliant plan ready to go:
Destination: Los Angeles, CA
Duration: 2 days, 2 nights
Planned Activities: J. Paul Getty Museum, Disneyland
The weather forecast may have helped our decision too -- sunny and warm (76o F / 24o C). Sweet! Buddy passes* offered by a good friend and our hotel points took care of the critical items, which just left the dilemma of what to pack...
Packing Considerations:
Salt Lake City is still having colder winter weather, but I don't want to haul a winter coat around LA for two days. I want something a little dressier for the Museum, but I also really want to take advantage of the warm weather with short sleeves and sandals. And I only want to take a light carry-on bag, if possible. The smaller, the better.
Ready... Set... PACK!
Sometimes we talk about packing by color palette and all that jazz, but for a casual trip like this? It's all about comfort, my friends! Comfort, flexibility, and layers.
Exhibit No. 1 - The Clothes: 2 pairs of pants, 2 short-sleeve tees, 1 long-sleeve tee, 1 jacket, 1 long cotton scarf, 1 pair socks, travel hair brush and deoderant

A light, unlined jacket was perfect for the flight and the Museum. For our early morning departure I added a favorite long cotton scarf to ensure I wasn't cold. Similarly, for the flight home to chillier weather, I packed a long sleeved white t-shirt for warmer layers. I wore the long jeans on the flight and packed the pair of lightweight cargo pants for our day at Disneyland -- all those pockets come in handy! And I brought two short sleeve t-shirts... which meant I had a spare shirt, if needed.
Now the socks at first seemed like a really dumb idea, considering I only took sandals on this trip...
Exhibit No. 2 - The Personal Stuff: Summer pajamas, light toiletries, simple make-up, day bag for the museum, flat sandals to wear at Disneyland, dressier sandals to wear on the plane and at the Museum, Dramamine and ear plugs (just in case!), a little mesh pouch of 'emergency essentials' to throw in my day pack, and my travel diary, annual, and a good book for reading.

I always think keeping shoes to a minimum is pretty critical. They just take up so much room in your bag! However, one weak formerly-sprained toe later, I was at Target buying a pair of running shoes for the Park -- and glad I already had good socks! Which just goes to show that throwing in a pair of unneeded socks really is never a bad idea.
Then there's all the really important stuff pictured below...
Exhibit No. 3 - The Accesories: Snacks (because you definitely don't want to starve on a quick getaway, right?), Kleenex, Sunscreen and Tylenol, Shout Wipes, sunglasses, minimal jewelry (a pair of earrings, a watch, and my favorite ring worked out just right), hair elastics, games.
And if you must know, that mobile phone isn't mine. It's J's, but we threw it in the picture anyway. Afterall most people probably would have a mobile, right? On the other hand, that electronic mini-Yahtzee game? That's totally mine.
Exhibit No. 4 - The Bags: all carry-on and a bit of style

When it came time to choosing what bag to pack, I was incredibly indecisive. I knew I needed to take something small, but expandable -- just in case. But I also really really wanted to use my cool 'Something for the Weekend' bag. Which is not expandable, but is just the sort of bag for this kind of getaway. In the end, I decided to take both. C'est la vie! Packing light and carrying the cool bag? Priceless
A few Packing Rules (but cleverly disguised as Postcripts)
- P.S. #1 - If I'd been going somewhere cooler, I would have added a light cardigan sweater. Possibly a rain jacket or a heavier sweater, based on the weather forecast. And definitely would have swapped out the sandals for warmer / drier footwear. For a longer trip, I would have added another shirt, a belt, maybe another jacket, a robe, and possibly a skirt -- and switched to a roll-aboard suitcase.
- P.S. #2 - Did I pack underwear? Yes, yes I did. However, I subscribe to the philosophy that nobody really needs to see your underwear, so it was omitted from the photo call. LOL! I also packed a camera, but was using it to take the photos, so it didn't show up either.
- P.S. #3 - For this trip, I would have saved $25 if I'd brought my running shoes to wear to Disneyland in the first place. But that brings up a good point -- almost everywhere you'll ever travel to? Well, they sell clothes and toiletries there too. I've bought clothes in some funny corners of the world, my friends, so trust me on this one. If you forget something, don't. panic. Chances are pretty good they sell toothpaste there too.
- P.S. #4 - And if you truly do have something that's non-replaceable? Well, if it's not critical to your trip - leave it home. Otherwise, put it at the top of your packing list, put it in your carry-on bag first, and then put a note on the front door to double-double-check that you've got it. Something as important as, say, your passport, shouldn't be left behind.
- P.S. #5 - Wait, a packing list?!? Who said anything about a packing list?! Sorry, did I leave that out? Yes, no matter how organized you normally are, it almost always helps to make yourself a list on a sheet of paper. I've packed for hundreds of trips and I still find I forget things - like fingernail clippers or a toothbrush - by simply forgetting to move them between suitcases. So take five minutes, get a piece of paper and make yourself a list. You'll be glad you did.
- P.S. #6 - And if you're also packing for Other People? Make. a. List. Check it twice. (And for goodness sake don't forget to pack their underwear. You'll never hear the end of it if you do!) And once you're done? Take a deep breath, let it out, and repeat to yourself the point of #3 above.
So now, my dears, you've got the idea of Quick Trip Packing. YOU are ready for a short, but fun adventure of your very own! Basically once you've got the essential gear worked out for your quick getaway... you'll just switch in more locale-appropriate gear or add on for a longer trip. And definitely don't forget those important snacks - you'll be glad you had them. Easy!
Bon Voyage and Happy Trails!
*Want to know what a "buddy pass" is? It's a free ticket to fly stand-by. Employees receive them as a benefit and can use them for family or friends. Pretty cool, huh?