Travel (and Travel Bag) Envy....

[WhiteStar]

Since I started reading the forum threads here a couple months ago, I've developed a strong case of travel envy. Most of you will laugh if I admit to having been on a plane just twice in the past 18 years!

That's not to say I don't go anywhere.... I bet I've seen more out of the way fairgrounds than any ten of you put together (Montezuma County CO, Albany County WY, Garden City KS) but its not very "glamorous" and it's all by car.

The worst part? Absolutely no reason or justification to even consider getting an Aeronaut. Or a WF or a TriStar. I have plenty of bags that do just fine from the house to the car and the car to the hotel.

Sigh.

[snowbot]

WhiteStar, I have road trip envy. The only road trips I've been on in the past 18 years have involved moving across country (by catching a ride with someone else). I did manage to catch a bit of sight-seeing on one of them, but that's it. Methinks there should be a road trip in my future...

[dorayme]

@whitestar, Several of us mostly travel by car, and there are still advantages to a lightweight, organized, easy to manage travel bag. I love using my WF as a mini dresser drawer of sorts both in hotel rooms, and in our Travel Trailer. I know I'm keeping our fuel costs as low as possible by packing light. And when I get where I'm going I don't have to have help carrying my bag, I can do it myself plus have a hand or two free to help my kids.

[WhiteStar]

snowbot, you made me feel better! I have seen some amazing places in my drives. I love the Arizona desert, the 4 Corners/Mesa Verde areas of New Mexico and Colorado, and of course any drive thru the Rockies is amazing. The drive to Tenneesse (southern route) a couple years ago was beautiful. And Montana? Oh my word, parts of it are gorgeous!! I do get a little tired of "the middle of nowhere New Mexico" at times, but I still remember how excited I was the first time I drove down there and saw my first mesa right at the Colorado-New Mexico border.

dorayme, "packing light" is rarely an option. Time is precious, there's no time to do laundry. And there is the inherent danger of getting really dirty at any time. (Ever been slimed by a St Bernard while sitting ring side watching a dog show? YUCK!!) So I always pack at least one casual top and bottom for every day I'm gone. PLUS a dress suit to show in, one for every day. (Yes I really do take 5 suits if I'm going to a 5 day show... imagine how much space that takes up?!)

[ncb4]

snowbot, you made me feel better! I have seen some amazing places in my drives. I love the Arizona desert, the 4 Corners/Mesa Verde areas of New Mexico and Colorado, and of course any drive thru the Rockies is amazing. The drive to Tenneesse (southern route) a couple years ago was beautiful. And Montana? Oh my word, parts of it are gorgeous!! I do get a little tired of "the middle of nowhere New Mexico" at times, but I still remember how excited I was the first time I drove down there and saw my first mesa right at the Colorado-New Mexico border.

dorayme, "packing light" is rarely an option. Time is precious, there's no time to do laundry. And there is the inherent danger of getting really dirty at any time. (Ever been slimed by a St Bernard while sitting ring side watching a dog show? YUCK!!) So I always pack at least one casual top and bottom for every day I'm gone. PLUS a dress suit to show in, one for every day. (Yes I really do take 5 suits if I'm going to a 5 day show... imagine how much space that takes up?!)

Driving through Colorado and Tennessee: yes! Now I have a sudden urge to jump in my car (gasoline prices notwithstanding) and head back to both those places right this minute. OK, so Denver has four feet of snow on the ground, which is another problem...but it will melt eventually.

And I had to laugh in sympathetic recognition, whitestar, about your reason for not being able to pack light. Yes, I have been slimed by St. Bernards...and Newfies in my case as well. Since I'm often driving with my Newf, to visit my parents and sisters, all of whom have Newfs (and/or Saints and/or Bernese Mt Dogs), I too need to always have lots of spare clothes for quick changes after a run-by sliming. Ewwww!

[TavaPeak]

White Star, I just took my Tristar on a field trip to Santa Fe. It went in the car with my new Zephyr and a 22" REI roller bag. Ok, I did not pack light for this trip. I wanted all my warm, fleecy comfy stuff with me - we were renting a casita near Canyon Road. Tristar was great about keeping me organized. Can't say enough about my Zephyr. It was my mobile office while I was away. I did some writing while I was there, and had everything with me that I needed. These bags work great for car trips. And, the Dyneema linings are easy to wipe off if they get muddy. ;-)

We don't take our trailer out much any more, but Tristar would be great for that. Nice size, and you can always find clean socks in the dark, if you have to get dressed to take the dog out before dawn.

Hope you didn't get nailed by the blizzard. We got about 8-10" of snow that got drifted around, but didn't get the brunt of the storm. --Sherry

[WhiteStar]

Hope you didn't get nailed by the blizzard. We got about 8-10" of snow that got drifted around, but didn't get the brunt of the storm. --Sherry

Exactly what we got. But a lot of it blew away into 5 foot drifts. Driveway is bare, front door is buried! Falcon/Peyton area....

[Moose]

Hi White Star,
I spent a lot of time in the Falcon/Peyton area, a couple of my high school years in Lincoln County, have family just north of Cheyenne and happen to know they've got a great hospital in Garden City. Spent a week there one night many years ago. Still have family in the Springs and Elbert.

You may have lots of bags that are functional but I'm sure you really NEED a TB bag. Will be interested to find out what you decide on. A steel/ultraviolet Tri Star is in my not too distant future, I hope.

Welcome to the forum,
Moose

Oh, and if you think travel bag envy is bad just wait for TBAS, its worse.

[TavaPeak]

Wow - we're in D20. Drifted, but manageable. My brother in Broomfield got 18+ inches. Stay warm, WhiteStar - you'll want that Dyneema Synapse for water repellant features, and ultraviolet so you can find it in the drifts.

[malamalama]

It's warm and sunny here in Hawaii. Mighty hard to drive to other states, though.