THEN & NOW: Road Trips

Ray and I are about to leave on a road trip to Oklahoma, where I get to read poems at the Scissortail Writers Conference. I was sorting my first-aid accoutrements alphabetically and by container size, and it occurred to me that I don’t pack like I used to “back in the day,” as the Whippersnappers are fond of saying. Here’s a little comparison…

Preparation THEN - Turn off the lights.

Preparation NOW - Start planning and list-making at least 2 months in advance. As departure nears, set thermostat schedule, leave list of directions for feeding dogs, frog, parrots, peacocks and barn cats, stock fridge and pantry for pet-sitter and maybe bake a nice cheesecake to leave, make list of phone numbers (two cell phones, hotel, vet, neighbor, conference coordinator, conference hall), water plants, clean aquarium and parrot cages, do laundry, clean house, wash sheets and change beds. If there’s still a little time, re-paint living room. Day of departure, check all water and gas lines, check stove, lock all doors and windows, turn off the lights.

Packing THEN - Sundress, halter top, one pair of jeans, crocheted shawl, broom skirt, all in a backpack. Underwear is just a symbol of The Man’s attempt to keep us down.

Packing NOW - Enough clothes in every conceivable combination to survive several months without wearing the same thing twice, including enough clean socks and underwear to supply a Girl Scout jamboree. Three suitcases: one for basic clothing, one for 15 pairs of shoes, sandals, and boots, and one for various weights of jackets and sweaters.

First-Aid Kit THEN - You’re kidding, right? The Universe is watching over us. Besides, if you plan for accidents, that’s just what you’ll get, Star Child.

First-Aid Kit NOW - Assorted creams (antibiotic, antifungal, antiitch), Advil and any stronger pain meds on hand, 17 shapes/sizes of bandaids, gauze pads, tape (paper, surgical, duct), finger & nose splints, Betadine, iodine, alchohol, witch hazel, Imodium, Tums and 22 homeopathic remedies, essential oils, and flower essences.

Toiletries THEN - Leather cords for wrapping braids, toothbrush & toothpaste (maybe), patchouli.

Toiletries NOW - Comb, brush, 6 kinds of hair accessories, foundation makeup, eye liner, mascara, 2 kinds of lip gloss, 2 kinds of antiperspirants, talc, nail clippers, tweezers, shampoo, conditioner, 3 colors of nail polish and polish remover, toothbrush & toothpaste, mouthwash, soap, day cream, night cream, cucumber peel, eye serum, neck serum, patchouli.

Extras THEN - Guitar, maracas, sleeping bags.

Extras NOW - Cell phones, travel mug, thermos of Ethiopian coffee, 2 gallons of filtered water from home, camera, laptop, iPods, chargers, travel Chemex coffee pot, coffee filters, corkscrew, beach towels (good for wrapping Chemex), pillows, blankets, travel neck pillow, parkas/gloves/stocking hats, guitar, maracas.

Cooler THEN - Boones Farm Strawberry Hill wine, peanut butter, Wonder bread, brownies.

Cooler NOW – Gaucho Club Malbec wine, yogurt, hummus, oranges, grapes, blueberries, goat feta, flatbread, spelt crackers, V-8, freshly-ground Ethiopian coffee, prunes, figs, organic half & half, homemade deer jerky, protein shakes, frozen water bottles, Chubby Chipmunk crème brule truffles.

Navigation THEN - Love & luck.

Navigation NOW - MapQuest directions, road atlas, AAA phone numbers, fear & trepidation.

Lodging THEN – Kansas cornfield, Oklahoma city park, sleeping bags, stars.

Lodging NOW – Advanced reservation confirmation printouts for Holiday and Comfort Inns, showers, 2 queen beds, breakfast buffet, whirlpool tub, sauna, fitness center, wireless, cable TV.

The drive THEN - Long conversations, frequent stops to play & sing & eat peanut butter sandwiches at roadside rest areas, reorganizing the gigantic box of cassette tapes, listening to one album at a time all the way through, brief playful romantic interludes in the car, at the rest stops, in the bathroom of a Kansas IHOP.

The drive NOW - Alternating driving and napping due to exhaustion from preparation. Occasional minor arguments over whose iPod rules. Frequent stops to go to the bathroom and double-check maps. Frequent texting to make sure kids, pets, and pet sitter are okay. Silent admiration of the diversity of the American landscape. Silent wishes that you were back home already.