I have been known to decide to head north and camp out overnight just because. I have also been known to get into my van and drive a hundred miles or more on a whim or take a day trip and wind up staying overnight. By carefully planning ahead, I am prepared to give in to my travel urges. My arrangements might best be termed 'prepared spontaneity.'
Prepared spontaneity begins with the standard seasonal auto check up. I have my van's oil changed and the tires, brakes, fluids, shocks, air conditioning, wiring, etc checked. Once my minivan has received a clean bill of health from my mechanic, I really start preparing for summer.
One of my favorite products is the entire range of self-closing plastic bags better known as Ziploc bags. I fill a gallon bag with my personal items - toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, a couple of old washcloths, socks and undies. I also fill one with simple first aid items - aspirin, bandages, sunscreen, alcohol pads, an Ace wrap, mosquito repellant, etc. Once the basics are taken care of, the fun begins.
I fill yet another gallon-sized bag with paper plates, napkins and a couple of plate holders. Sometimes I have extra plastic ware from fast food restaurants and I add those to the bag.
I use the snack size bags for odds and ends like packets of salt, pepper, sugar, sweetener, vinegar and mustard left over from fast food restaurants. I don't 'liberate' these, I use the extras I get when going through the drive-thru. I also pack disposable salt, pepper, garlic powder, and other seasoning containers in a sandwich size bag. My favorite packets of marinade, drink mix and salad dressing mix go into another small bag.
In yet another large bag I pack a few utensils for cooking - a paring knife, cooking fork, spatula, two fork/knife/spoon sets (picked up at a dollar store), bamboo skewers and a vegetable peeler.
Into a box I pack a few bottles of water, a small 4 x 6" cutting board, a few cans of my favorite fruits and vegetables, a can opener, battery powered lantern, aluminum foil, disposable plastic table cover, matches, a roll of paper towels and extra boxes of Ziploc bags. I add the plastic bags of supplies to the box so they won't slide all over the car
I put my sleeping bag into a garbage bag. I load either my portable tabletop propane grill or my trusty tabletop Smokey Joe charcoal grill into another box that also contains a propane tank or a bag of charcoal and a can of lighter fluid.
I have a variety of ice chests and usually put a small six pack cooler inside a larger plastic cooler. If I have enough warning that I might be gone a few days, I will take the back seats out of the van and replace them with a twin bed mattress and a pillow.
There is a new product on the market called the Neat Sheet ground cover. It is waterproof, sandproof, washable, foldable, and looks like it will be the next new item to be added to my list of essentials!
When the mood or opportunity strikes, I stop at a local grocery store, buy my favorite foods and either picnic alone or invite friends. Some of my favorite picnic foods include sirloin steak, peppers, onions, potatoes, cherry tomatoes, hot Italian sausage, potato salad, rolls and soda. My favorite marinade is Adolph's Meat Marinade. I cut the sirloin into bite size pieces and place them, along with the marinade and water, into a quart bag. I soak the bamboo skewers in a gallon bag with enough water to cover them. By the time I have all the veggies cut up and bagged it is usually time to assemble and cook my Shish-ka-bob.
Another favorite meal includes hamburgers or steaks, cheese, cole slaw, tomatoes, and chips. These items, together with a bag of ice, usually go directly from my shopping cart to my cooler. Any leftovers after a meal are placed in another bag and put in the cooler for later.
The above are not my usual preparations for a camping trip - which would include my tent and my dogs -- rather, these are simply my preparations which enable me to say 'Yes' when I am visiting and a friend invites me to stay overnight, or I want to get away by myself on the spur of the moment. I have found that a little advance preparation enables me to be spontaneous, and yet have all my essentials with me.
For me, prepared spontaneity is not limited to the summer. I always keep a small suitcase packed with a travel blow dryer, curling iron, duplicates of my favorite makeup, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, brush, hair spray, mousse, extra socks, underwear, nightgown and swimsuit.
In my suitcase are several Ziploc bags. One contains candles and tea lights. Another contains small items such as bandages, mints, matches, packets of salt and pepper, etc. Yet another contains a deck of cards, small travel games and dice. The plastic bags contain little things I like to have handy or have found a need for in the past.
Now you know that I am always ready to travel! Someone invite me somewhere!!!
