On The Road Again

Most of my belongings are now happily stored in their 'room with a view' in Pacific Grove and I'm traveling lighter for the month of August and most likely longer. Though it feels great to hit the highway with only the essentials - it is more imperative that I stay organized. I need to keep up the book, blogging, and songwriting as well as be ready for interviews for my next straight job.

Here's how I pack my bags to stay organized on working road trips.

WHAT STAYS IN THE CAR:
Suitcases:
I have two suitcases and use a canvas bag to tote a few days/nights worth of clothing at a time. For toiletries, I have a small nylon tote that holds daily essentials - but keep a larger plastic tote in the trunk.

Work Box:
I have a terrific collaged box created by my friend Marguerite as I was leaving my Santa Barbara place last year. In it I stocked copy paper (I'm writing a small workbook), workshop materials for Visioning or Creative Journaling, my songbook, books, several books on tapes and batteries, etc. for my electronics.

Shoe Bag:
I have a lovely yellow airline bag that my blogging pal Anne Allen gave me years ago. In this, I stow several pairs of shoes in clear plastic bags to keep them from getting scraped up - plus a couple of hats...and of course - 2 purses.

PORTABLE TOTES:
Essentials:
My first stopover was camp Segovia in Anaheim. In order to navigate campout in the living room I keep a bag with my essentials: writing pen, books, nightlight, journal (which is a clipboard with blank 81/2 by 11 paper), reading glasses and my all important earplugs and sleep mask. No matter how loud the fun familial din - I create my own space by grabbing my canvas Morro Bay library bag and heading for a spot on the back yard swing, front yard sitting area or even a corner in the kitchen.

Office Tote:
I create a portable office with a large canvas bag that my late brother Steev used as his sample bag in his interior design work. Inside I keep a small tote of office accessories, my box of homemade greeting cards and envelopes, address book and my file divider (looks like a purse except for files!).

Sleeping:
Some of the most important things on my road trip are my sleeping bag, pad and two pillows. I even brought one big blanket that I use to cover the stack on the back seat - but this makes life easier if I'm doing quick overnights. It's also nice to 'wake up in my own bed' while I'm traveling.

This is how I keep sane on my trips - please leave me your favorite trip tip in the comments section.

See you on the road!

Aunt Dot