COLUMN: Travel, packing tips save time

I am preparing to attend the NEAFCS national meeting in Tucson, Arizona; therefore, I decided to share some travel and packing tips.

Glenda McCollum, one of my first friends in Tahlequah and an OHCE member shared a packing list with me many years ago. I still look at that list when packing for several days.

When traveling for several days it is a good idea to use a color theme so that you can coordinate pieces/accessories around a few foundation pieces of clothing. I will be going on a trip for work, so I am planning for dressy casual meetings and a little sight-seeing. I have also checked the weather for the location, and it will be hot during the day and cool in the evenings.

We will be flying, so I am taking a backpack as a carry-on. I will have a few essentials in case my luggage and I are separated.

A few years ago, I was traveling home from a meeting and my suitcase made it to the airplane, but I did not, and I hadn’t packed overnight items. It is quite expensive purchasing those things at the airport or from a hotel.

Resealable plastic bags are also a must when packing items that might leak in your suitcase. Many sources recommend packing cubes or compression sacks to organize your suitcase as well.

Choose some outfits and coordinating pieces, then take about half of the pieces you choose. Think about layering options, so that you can be cool in the heat of the day and warmer during cool evenings. Instead of folding clothing items, be sure to roll to reduce wrinkling. Pack two pairs of shoes; a pair of comfortable walking shoes, and another pair of dressier shoes. Plus, you will have the pair you are wearing.

Be sure to pack undergarments, a scarf, a sweater or jacket, pajamas, other personal hygiene items, medications and make up.

Heather Winn is family and consumer sciences educator for the OSU Cooperative Extension Service in Cherokee County.