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First, I'd better make a basic list of clothing, then each family member can add or subtract as they see fit. Think about the weather: We are going up to Rapid City, SD, so it will probably be a bit chilly (but, you never know, sometimes it warms up and surprises everyone, so I'd better let them take one pair of shorts each...). We will be gone about 10 days, and I only want to go out to do the laundry once (I think our motel has laundry facilities, but usually it's more expensive to do it there, so I can combine a laundry trip with a shopping excursion and not be out too much time.)
So, with all that in mind, I think each person should take one pr. shorts, 3 pr. jeans, 4 T-shirts, 5 changes of underwear & sox, one pr. pajamas or other bed wear, 2 long- sleeved shirts, 2 sweatshirts, and at least 2 pr. of shoes. (I say "at least 2 pr. shoes" because I know how my three teen girls will pack: they already own enough shoes to stock a shoe store...I may give them an upper limit of 4 pr) I also will bring out the "glove box" that's been stored away all summer to take enough gloves and hats for everyone in case it snows. (Yes, it does sometimes snow in October in Rapid City...) I just put the hats and gloves in a plastic bag in the back of the trunk, and usually don't bother taking in into the motel unless we need it. Last year we didn't need them at all and the bag just rode around in the trunk of the car for the whole time we were in South Dakota. But, it gives me peace of mind just knowing we do have them if needed (something like knowing I have AAA if the car breaks down somewhere along the trip).
Speaking of AAA, I'd better go get some new maps and area information from our local office (I really should have done this before now, but you know how it is when you get busy...). I really appreciate having AAA for the family. We get free maps anytime, along with brochures about the area we're going to. I also get an extra membership for each teen- ager ($15 per year per extra membership card). I find this has been money well spent: the girls have used their for free help when they needed a tire changed and for help in getting a car unlocked when they inadvertently left the keys inside...
We are taking two cars (remember, we have six children still at home, and we might be taking our 5 year old grandson with us...)so I have invested in some hand-held CBs to communicate as we're driving. I have found hand signals and signs held up to windows just do not work too efficiently...Last year we bought one CB at Radio Shack (since daughter's '79 Mustang came equipped with one, and it still works!) for our car. I'd gotten it on sale for $39. The Mustang is not up to a long trip this year, so we're taking something different. I went back and asked for the same model of CB and discovered it was being discontinued, so the remaining stock was on sale again: I got the last one off the shelf for $29 (regular sticker price was $59).
We have arranged for two adjoining rooms: I put the teen girls in one (they also keep their 5-year old sister) and the rest of us are in the other room. I try not to double up on bathroom supplies: one tube of toothpaste will do for one room, as will shampoo, etc.
We take two coolers for use in the room to hold pop and sandwich making supplies. Sometimes the motel can provide a small refrigerator, but I don't count on it; the coolers will be handy to have anyway, and we take them full of sandwiches and drinks for the long drive up there. (I make an entire loaf of bread into sandwiches and put them back into the bread wrapper instead of wrapping the individual sandwiches)
I try to think of all the other items we might need while there, and take from home rather than run out to buy, such as bandages, sewing items, safety pins, tape, extra batteries for flashlights and cameras.
Each year I say I'm going to make a master list of things to take and do before the trip, and I never seem to get around to it....but, after so many years of taking a large family on a trip, most of it is in my head anyway (you should have seen my lists when we took 8 kids camping for 10 days when they were all younger!)
Then, there's those things to do around the house before we leave: talk to the neighbor girl about taking care of the pets, stop the mail and newspapers, set up a timer to turn lights on and off so the house looks lived-in, and return all library books (we have a rule about not taking library books on trips).
That should be about all--I'm sure to think of more as I get closer to time to leave. Oops! What about money? I'll go get traveler's checks a few days before we leave. Some businesses will take out-of-state checks, but I never count on it. I have one of those check-cards that looks like a credit card (it takes the payment directly out of my checking account, but I use it just like a credit card) so that is great to have that option now.
Clean out the cars, pack spare oil and antifreeze, don't forget an umbrella, pick up my husband's suit from the dry cleaners, did someone put the garden hoses in the shed in case it freezes while we're gone? Address book, stamps (it's sometimes too much trouble to find the post office in an unfamiliar area), books and small games to keep the younger kids occupied in the car, did I pack an alarm clock? The list goes on and on....I will still be thinking of things that I need to do or take as we pull out of town next Thursday....and usually I find we packed more than we really needed.
Did everyone remember to pack swim suits? Remember, this motel has an indoor pool......
Have a good day....I'm off to Rapid City and the Badlands! -
Rae
Rae is the mother of nine (and grandmother of two) in central Nebraska. She says her house runs smoothly due to "organized chaos, and lots of lists! Anyone wishing to drop her a line is welcome to at rae@kdsi.net
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