19 Comments
User's avatar
Louise Haynes's avatar

Find a little space for a tiny sewing kit, some BandAids and a tube of ointment. They don’t weigh much, and you never know when they’ll come in handy. 🩹🪡

Expand full comment
Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Yes! I was dog bit on my last trip and one of my traveling mates had antibiotic cream. Excellent recommendation.

Expand full comment
Georgia Patrick's avatar

Adventure? Four things only: Passport, camera, American Express card, and tooth brush. Everything else you can get wherever "there" is.

Expand full comment
Joyce Wycoff's avatar

I'm impressed. I also need my laptop, 2 or 3 journals, my favorite pens, half a dozen chargers, and my iPhone ... but that's my camera. ;-)

Expand full comment
Switter’s World's avatar

More gopher, Joyce?

Expand full comment
Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Not unless it tastes like bacon and someone slices it and packages so that I can't tell it ever had a mother. ;-)

Expand full comment
Switter’s World's avatar

That’s my practice. I don’t eat anything that has a face or a mother.

Expand full comment
Switter’s World's avatar

If it involves eating gophers, it’s an adventure. If it involves asking for directions, it is not an adventure.

If it involves sleeping under a truck with a leaky diesel tank for more than two nights, it’s an adventure. If it involves starched linen napkins, it is not an adventure.

If it involves wondering if you have enough fuel to make it to the next gas station, it’s an adventure. If one is riding in the back seat of a car in which the seats individually recline and have foot rests, it is not an adventure.

If it involves flying in a light plane with a pilot who asks you to read something to him from the emergency procedures section of the operating manual, it’s an adventure. If the inflight service includes caviar on the menu, it is not an adventure.

If going to the bathroom involves a path, it is an adventure. If going to the bathroom involves a bidet, it is not an adventure.

Finally, if one finds oneself forced to choose between sitting in the toilet or kneeling in front of the toilet, it is an adventure. If going to the bathroom does not require sprinting, it is not an adventure.

Expand full comment
Joyce Wycoff's avatar

You lost me on the gopher. ;-)

You make my comfort zone look darn appealing.

Expand full comment
Switter’s World's avatar

It’s all sort of relative, isn’t it? Anyway, I only ever had the privilege of adventure so anything I wrote about not adventure is all conjecture.

Expand full comment
Joyce Wycoff's avatar

I want to hear about eating the gopher.

Expand full comment
Switter’s World's avatar

This clip from “Brother, Where Art Thou” will help to bring you up to speed on eating gopher:

https://youtu.be/82_bhD0_Trw?si=eKirGNMueKUPFT73

Expand full comment
Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Oh, thanks for that laugh ... I had completely forgotten that scene. What fun and that's as close as i ever want to get to eating gopher.

Expand full comment
Switter’s World's avatar

Besides, the only time gopher tastes good is when one is on the run from the law.

Expand full comment
Anita Perez Ferguson's avatar

I never let my phone or computer track my whereabouts, but I would do that in preparation for an adventure. I rarely have over $50.00 cash on my person, but I would make better provisions on an adventure. I have a few friends that I check in with weekly, I'd do more of that on an adventure. I would take a small set of Dominoes and a deck of playing cards to aid in casual interactions in a cafe, waiting for a bus, or while lounging and observing a new location. I'd take a small wooden flute for that same purpose. And tiny trinkets to give away in the spur of the moment when someone is friendly or helpful. Oh yes, I have been known to carry a one-page letter of introduction on fancy letterhead from an elected official in my home location. Believe me, it comes in handy. Also, extra socks!

Expand full comment
Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Great ideas. The letter of introduction idea is a bit intimidating.

Expand full comment
Aussie Jo's avatar

I like your what to pack list and so agree with it, life is an adventure if we only let it be

Expand full comment
Michele Miles Gardiner's avatar

Like you, I leave expectations behind. I take my curiosity and open mind.

Expand full comment
Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Loved this one, Joyce. We'll soon know what You pack!! As your adventure awaits.

Expand full comment