PACK RIGHT

Oh, no; I forgot to pack it - now what??

How familiar is that? Big Frank has looked soooo many times when on the road in search of this that or the other, only to find it not there. Here's a small list of the things that he has forgotten on trips: pants (not just a particular pair, but ALL pants, phone recharger, deoderant, shaving cream, athletic socks, gloves, scarf, sleeping pills (essential for long flights, and to combat unexpectantly nasty cases of jet lag), snacks (especially the hot tamales), ties, money clip, camera, . . . (it goes on and on). The eyes always widen when the recognition dawns on him that an essential item was left behind, then they narrow as he realizes that most of these things can be purchased in most cities and most countries. However, this posting is to help all you other travelers avoid that wide-eyed woe-be-gone look of loss (OK, that's little melodramatic, but so what).

Here are the tips: get OR-GAN-IZ-IZED! Yeah, all have to do with being and getting and staying organized (yes, Big Frank DOES know how to spell that word, but he has an affinity to a less organized spelling).

Tip - website number one is called the Universal Packing List. It's all done online, and through a series of questions on the kind of trip, the place, the length, the time of year, what size bag(s), and the electronic stuff you have etc. etc. You give it the info and it gives you the way to pack.

You can also go to Independent Traveler for lots of help. They have a list of more than 100 commonly packed items separated into categories. Online, you then check off the items you need and then add up to 10 additional itmes of your own.

If you find yourself in need of some travel clothing, suitcases, travel gear, special packing organizers etc. then go to Magellans. It has everything you could need and more - even special packing stuff to take wine with you!

Finally, for those who like to travel light - take a look at this recent slideshow from the New York Times on how to pack for 10 days in a Carry-on. The key thing is not to fold your clothes, but to roll them up.
OK - next time Big Frank will NOT have that WTF-I-was-sure-I-packed-that look in his eyes!