The Art of Travel

Think I already linked to the article, in one of the recent horoscope, but the impetus is from an article about cutting down the travel equipment, in that example, camping gear, in half.

I did the road warrior thing all over the US, from New Hampshire and Boston one summer – as a roadie – to the Midwest, and as far West as San Francisco and San Diego. Then on my own world tour. Used to be busier. Used to get to travel more.

However, I do have the art of travel compacted to a small package. As such, I prefer to stay in the warmer climates in the winter, Central Texas be about as far north as I’d like to ever go, as we’ll occasionally flirt with freezing temps, but in the summer months, defined by me as May-September, I can freely shuffle around in shorts and sandals.

I figure that comfort is important, and I’m one of those people, much to the family’s disdain, I’m all about what’s comfortable, durable, and easy-wearing. Cargo shorts, or, for years, cargo shorts with mesh pockets as those were good to wear while swimming, and the cargo pockets had little holes so water wouldn’t accumulate. Bonus: the shorts are lightweight and pack well.

Hawaiian shirts. Usually wrinkled. Just pulled out of a pack, the dryer, or even the stack of clean clothes, but with a suitable loud print? Wrinkles never show.

Sandals: my first pair of Teva (brand name) sandals lasted years, the perfect footwear, made by hand in Colorado by out-of-season river guides, basically, the sandals were a pair of rugged flip-flops with an ankle strap. More sandal, less flop. However, that brand eventually became bigger and more “corporate,” what with offshore production, and the materials lasted less than a whole a season.

I tried the expensive Chaco brand, made in the USA, but they, too, have been driven offshore, last I heard. Only had one pair and they split after a long trip overseas.

Piper sandals, “Do one thing well,” as I’ve noted before.

Travel, like many aspects of life, simplest is best.