Ready for takeoff

because life is one beautiful trip

How do you flycamp?

Photo and inspiration lost-roads.com

It's less than a week away
The next adventure for Gypsy Sister (Joelle) and me is Big Sur. So that we can spend more time on the coast and less time in the car, we have decided to fly into California, then rent a VW bus to drive up the coast. And this presents an entirely new challenge. How do you flycamp? In the past, we carefully arranged all we would use into the Jeep (leaving space for Scooter). Our biggest concern was being able to see out the back window. This year, I'm reduced to 2 checked bags. 

Challenge accepted. Fit the camping gear into checked baggage.

Last night, I picked up the family camping gear from Griffin and Shannon, and it fills the trunk of my car. This is the minimum stuff. 

The VW comes equipped with a range and utensils, so we don't have to pack the camp stove. We aren't crossing the dessert, so we don't need the 5 gallon water jug. We are going to live life on the edge and forgo the snake bite kit and the bear bell. 

Joelle and I decided that our essential needs would be sleeping bags, tent, and coffee. And if room was at a minimum, we could sleep on a warm rock as long as we had our morning coffee. 

Add one more detail to the equation
After Joelle and I booked our trip, I found out that I need to be in Chicago for an American Marketing Association conference the next day. As soon as we drop off the VW, I'm hopping on a red-eye. How much can one woman pack? For a week in a tent, I had not planned on taking a flat iron and hairspray, or dresses and high heels.

Friends to the rescue
Kelly and Amanda are also attending the conference and flying out of my hometown. Bless their sweet hearts. They volunteered to check a bag with my (pretend I'm a grown-up professional) conference clothes. 

So, I'm getting into Chicago at 1:30 in the morning, don't know at which hotel I'm staying, and not really sure of the conference location. But as Amanda said, "Well, you'll have your sleeping bag!"