Vacation Planning
The Saint and I have opposing methods for getting ready for a vacation. I am a planner. I plan far ahead. I make lists. If I'm planning a big trip, or extremely far ahead (our potential drive to Alaska next year) I even have a list of my lists.
Alaska Lists
1. Barb's luggage
2. The tote bag (this bag carries the book I'm reading, Game Boy, the iPod, etc.)
3. The cooler list
4. The car list
5. The pre-trip countdown lists
a. Cleaning list
b. List of pet needs
c. Pre-packing list
d. Things we need to buy list
6. The other bag list (this bag carries the camera, computer, cell phone chargers, etc.)
7. Day before shopping list
I am sure there will be more lists.
If we are flying, my bag is packed a week before the plane takes off. I will have previously made a list of outfits I will wear each day, and made sure they are all packed. This will include accessories, and extras.
If we are not flying, I will still have a clothing list. Even if we are staying mostly around home, I will have a clothing list list. And of course, a to do list for the week before.
Also, the house must be cleaned, very well, before I leave. Almost Thanksgiving clean, but not quite. I usually try to clean the week before my vacation. This also entails a cleaning list.
The Saint takes a more zen-like approach. Throw some clothes in a bag the night before. Do whatever he must to keep me from freaking out the week before. If we are flying, make sure we have the tickets. If we are driving, take the car in for an oil change the day before we leave.
True, my way can make for a very stressful week prior to leaving. Of course, there is always something forgotten, no matter how many lists I make.
Luckily, we are both more spur-of-the moment people when it comes to the actual vacation.
We don't plan every day out, no matter if we drive, or fly, but take each day as it comes.
One year we were headed for the Oregon Coast and ended up visiting Disneyland. We had to stop and buy clothes along the way, as we had packed for rain and cold and not 80 degree California sun.
Another year we decided to drive to Reno, and took what we thought was a direct route, which took us miles out of the way. It was luck - we got to see beautiful country, and stopping the car while horse-back riding cowboys drove a herd of cattle across the road.
We have had some amazing vacations, and luckily, in spite of our disparate planning styles, we generally end up having a fabulous time. Now, where is my list of lists......
