I’m now back in the desert.
Last summer I bought an army surplus backpack from a family friend for $35. Since I’ve never been backpacking and have no immediate plans to do so, I figured I didn’t need an Official Backpacking Backpack. What I wanted instead was a backpack big enough to hold everything I would need for extended periods of travel, forcing me to pack light. This summer was the first time I got to test it.
The verdict: it is possible! I need some more practice, but I am capable of living out of a backpack.
I took precautions with clothing to reduce what I’d have with me. I didn’t bring tennis shoes, for instance, so that I wouldn’t have to pack socks. I only brought four t-shirts with me, and one nicer shirt for church. I bought a beach towel when I got there instead of trying to figure out how to stuff a bath towel from home into my pack. I should have taken more precautions when it came to non-clothing items, though.
My main problem was my computer. It fit, but it was really too wide, and because of the pack compartments I couldn’t put it in long-ways. It was too heavy. I think if I go on a longer trip, I’ll try to acquire an eReader or tablet and take that instead. I want to be able to use a real keyboard, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I need a full computer. If I were rich, I’d get a Macbook Air. Until that day, I’ll make due.
I also brought two books, two notebooks, and a binder full of my Master Guide curriculum reading. Bad idea. I barely did any of the work, and might as well have not done anything. The books never got read beyond a page or two. The notebooks were used plenty, though. Another benefit to having an eReader: the books I plan to read and then don’t would be digital and wouldn’t take up any space.
I’m kind of sad I’m not using the backpack again any time soon. But I do have five new patches to sew onto it that I got from various places in my travels! So that should take a while.
(Now back to regularly scheduled posting.)
Daisy M. Hall 