Don't Make Me "Carry On" About Your Carry-On

Graduation music has started playing in the background of my 18 year old nephews life and I am crying as I write this. It seems like I blinked and overnight Josh became a man.

You see, I am the youngest of 3 girls and he was born when I was 16. I remember holding him in my arms and loving him instantly. He was bald, wrinkled and looked slightly like a tiny old man. I spent hours cuddling him after naps, watching him take his first steps, shrieking with laughter as he ran by. I went on field trips, watched his school programs, kissed his boo boos and cheered his name as he played soccer. Russ even coached him in t-ball!

Really we all grew up together.

Now he is about embark on a new chapter in life and we feel this warrants a serious celebration! What better way than to make a memory with him? So in a moment of crazy spontaneity, we have decided to take him to Mexico for 5 days.

His first international trip, we plan to hike the ruins of Coba, see Tulum, swim in cenotes, snorkel Cozemel, eat on the beach and expose him to how big and beautiful the planet really is.

Packing for adventures can make people feel crazy. You want to pack light, but still have everything you need. Just yesterday I had a friend ask, what she should put in her carry-on. She told me it always seem “so effortless for us”.

In response, I thought perhaps you might like to take a peek into our SINGLE carry-on bag? As seasoned travelers, this is what works for us. Feel free and add a few of your own things, but keep it simple and it will always be easy to carry.

First, meet our leather travel bag/carry-on.

A fantastic find from Groskopf’s, a local luggage store in Grand Rapids, it is small enough to fit under a seat - meaning you will never have to check this bag (even if the overhead space is full). At 16” x 14” x 8”, this bag will never leave your side or be lost in transit.

Packables include:

Travel Journal and pen to record your thoughts about the adventures.
Passport, tickets and wallet.
Copies of any reservations you have made and actual printed directions.
A quality book. Don’t judge- I can’t help my love of Lord of the Rings.
Quality Headphones, guaranteed to cancel noise out if you desire to sleep.
Sleeping mask to block ensuring you can succumb to slumber or block out that overly chatty seatmate if required.
Sunglasses.
Gum.
Travel hairbrush and for the ladies, a splash of mascara.
Any medicine you cannot live without. For me that is one 1 dose of ibuprofen and an allergy pill for Russ, just in case.
Large scarf which is a delightful accessory that can double as a blanket.
Travel pillow. Ours converts from a neck pillow to a head pillow which is is genius!
Protein bars and a cookie, because a “hangry” traveler is never pleasant.
Travel pack of face wipes to eliminate the post flying grime.
Card game to occupy you should you be stuck in that airport for longer than desired.
Phone charger.
Change of underwear. If you lose your luggage this makes you feel comfortable while you wait for it to be found, which could take days.