Packing to hit the road
You don't need to pack much when you won't be gone long.
When I came to Costa Rica almost a month ago, I didn't check any luggage on the plane. I had my backpack and a small personal bag.
The picture at the top of the page shows the backpack and personal bag I carried on the plane.
I will only be here for five months, so why check any luggage?
I wouldn't have needed the small bag, but I brought a dozen books, two computers, and video and lighting equipment.
I wore jeans and a long sleeve shirt because it was cold in February in Knoxville, TN. Other than that, I only need shorts and tee shirts. There is a washer and dryer here, so I wash a lot of small loads.
Whether packing up your RV for a weekend trip, taking off on a month-long trip, or traveling around the world, you probably don't need all the stuff you think you do.
Traveling light gives you a lot of freedom
My policy is that anything that fits into the "I might need this" category doesn't get packed. Unless I'm sure I will use something, I don't take it. I still end up taking too much.
I've been here a month and haven't used half the stuff I brought in my backpack and personal bag.
When I'm flying, I usually try not to pack heavy items. Bags seem to get heavier the farther your gate is away. With 12 books and computers, I had some heavy things, but I put all the heavy items in my backpack. They didn't seem so heavy that way.
When I'm going somewhere in my car or motorhome, it's easy to keep throwing things in.
After living ten years in my motorhome, when I've been in one spot, and I'm getting ready to hit the road, I sometimes catch myself thinking, "Am I really going to need to take this?"
Then it dawns on me that when the motorhome pulls out, I'll be taking everything I own with me. I guess old habits die slowly . . . very slowly, it seems.
Bottom line: When traveling, don't take everything you think you might need. After all, there's a trading post almost everywhere.