Do As I Post, Not As I Pack

My husband and I are leaving today for a few days of skiing in the Aspen-Snowmass area. I haven't yet packed, and neither has he, but when we get going, we'll load into the car two pairs of Alpine skis and poles (his and mine), two pairs of Nordic skis and poles, two boot bags, two bigger bags with clothing for each of us (skiwear and winter streetwear are bulky) and a bag with a couple of bottles of wine, some fresh fruit and perhaps even some holiday leftovers (we're staying at a friends' mountain home, so we'll be eating in now and again anyway).

How ironic this morning's E-mail brought the suggestion that I look at a website called One Bag, subtitled "The Art and Science of Travelling Light" (it's British, so "traveling" has two Ls). When going skiing, it is impossible to travel light, unless you are renting all your gear and are willing to wear a parka and perhaps insulated ski pants en route. Same with scuba diving. Divers don't lug their own weights and certainly not air tanks around (unless they own their own boat or go shore diving from home), but even though tropical clothing is light and compact, a BCD, mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, etc. are bulky and require a big bag.

I like to think of myself as an experienced traveler (I'm American, so I just use one L) who can pack light fast to travel efficiently, but in truth, I really don't travel light much these days. I often am on the road with recreation gear (and a laptop computer too), only for the rare short business trip to a city, can I manage with just a carry-0n. I have two that will fit into an airplane's overhead compartment: a small, off-brand wheeled version (BiBoss is the brand) that I bought on on New York's Orchard Street for $20 or a smaller but heavier L.L. Bean wheeled bag. I also take a paded briefcase for my laptop, some papers, a small purse and a book to read on the plane that I stick under the seat in front of me.

When I travel to a longer meeting or convention that requires dress and/or business clothing, as well as something casual for off-hours, I take a bigger but very lightweight rolling bag by Delsey. If it's a ski or other sports trip, I take my High Sierra rolling duffle. It's rugged, has a couple of big compartments and a couple of separate smaller ones for boots. I particuarly like the pack straps that zip out of the back. They are not usually necessary, but they make it easier to haul the bag up a couple of flights of stairs in a B&B or when changing trains at small stations in Europe that requires walking downstairs, under the tracks and up a flight again.

In any case, I usually take a padded briefcase too for my laptop and a small backpack for my purse, book(s), noise-canceling headphones, etc. With the TSA security policies, toiletries have to go into checked luggage anyway. And when I it's a road trip, there's no motivation or reason to pack light.