# Lessons on: Traveling As I prepare for a trip to my old home state of California over Memorial Day weekend, I find myself reflecting on the lessons I learned during my first major trip earlier this year. Every trip teaches you how to become a better and more efficient traveler. So, I figured, why not share this in a public space? Over time, these lessons may help someone else. _**Entries will be sorted by newest to oldest**_. ## Athens, GR 2026 **Purpose**: Pleasure and evaluating if we want to live there for a time, or permanently. **Method**: Airplane **Planning**: [[2026 Athens, GR|2026 Athens]] **Considerations** Athens in late October through early November sits in that pleasant Mediterranean shoulder season - warm but not hot, with occasional rain. We will want layers rather than a heavy coat. This is also a long trip (16 days), so packing light and doing laundry will matter more than usual. We should research neighborhoods with an eye toward livability, not just tourism. **Lessons** - ## Reykjavik, IS 2026 **Purpose**: Work for [[Sigrunixia]] **Method**: Airplane **Planning**: [[2026 Reykjavik, IS|2026 Reykjavik]] **Considerations** Late June in Iceland means near-constant daylight - the midnight sun will be in full effect. Sleep masks and blackout curtains will be essential. Reykjavik runs cold even in summer; a wind-resistant layer is a must. This is a team trip, so coordination with the group on shared accommodations and activities will require some flexibility. **Lessons** - ## Erie, PA 2026 **Purpose**: Work for [[Richard Bishop III|Sarkantu]] **Method**: Driving **Planning**: [[2026 Erie, PA|2026 Erie]] **Considerations** April in western Pennsylvania can be unpredictable - late frost, rain, and mud are all possible. Since this is a driving trip, packing constraints are looser, but that also means it is easy to overpack. Worth thinking through what actually needs to come versus what just feels comfortable to bring. **Lessons** - ## Bakersfield, CA 2026 **Purpose**: Getting some sun and visiting family. **Method**: Airplane **Planning**: [[2026 Bakersfield, CA|2026 Bakersfield]] **Considerations** Early March in the Central Valley and Ventura coast is mild and often beautiful. The late-night return flight (11:59 PM out of LAX) means a long final day on our feet - planning rest time before the airport is wise. Ventura is a new stop for us; it is worth researching a few specific places ahead of time rather than winging it. **Lessons** - Do not assume that your relatives will keep house the same way you do. Better to just spend the money to get a hotel. - Planning did help, but most of the enjoyment came from spontaneity. ## Finland, MN 2025 **Purpose**: [[Birthday]] **Method**: Driving **Planning**: [[2025 Finland, MN]]. **Considerations** It is going to be much colder up north in October at this time a year, than it is in the [[Twin Cities]]. Our struggle is going to be making sure we keep warm enough, without lugging up a bunch of deep winter gear. We also know that this time of year tends to be rather [[photogenic]], and so we wanted to make sure we could take some good [[Photography]]. As a result, we bought a nice little entry-level camera set; used, to get us both started. **Lessons** - Remember to look back to make sure spouse is still following me, or if they are taking a photo. ## Palm Springs, CA 2025 **Purpose**: Work **Method**: Airplane **Planning**: [[2025 Pioneertown, CA|2025 Pioneertown]] This trip was more of us to get together and see how we are doing, as well as planning [[Obsidian Bases]]. Unfortunately, we all started getting sick as soon as we joined up. But it was still productive. **Considerations** We will be staying in the Yucca Valley region of the Palm Desert, in February. The desert can get deceptively cold at the night, and windy. We should bring a wind breaker/rain jacket in addition to our normal outfits. Our [Unbound Merino](https://unboundmerino.com) gear we have been very slowly accruing will do us well there. There are plenty of grocery stores nearby, but getting quality items like good [[Match is just very tasty|Matcha]] on the way in may be hard, so may need to bring some with us. **Lessons** - Don't assume the AirBnB has the things you need. - If you have laundry facilities, you absolutely are packing too much. - Lugging around a 15" macbook is a PITA. ## Los Angeles, CA 2024 **Purpose**: Fun **Method**: Airplane **Planning**: [[2024 Los Angeles, CA|2024-Los-Angeles]] For this trip, based on what I learned from the Hawaii trip, I will be traveling with only a personal item bag. Despite my research, I still haven't bought a camera. I also am not using noise-canceling headphones. **Lessons** - Bring your own shampoo and conditioner; don't assume it's available. - Bring lotion, for same as above. - We still packed too much clothes. - But we did need a long sleeve, which we did not pack. - When possible, talk to the locals. :) - LAX is a bad walking airport once past security. - Don't assume showers will be halfway decent. - We still overpacked and every ounce counts after 20,000 steps. - My backpack was too big for this trip. I could have done with a 15-20L. - Minimise electronics, phone and iPad only next time unless it is for work. - Bring small, creative things to do. - Figure out the bathroom situation **Gear purchase or change** - Merino wool clothes - Moisture wicking underclothes; ex-officio? ## Hawaii, HI 2024 **Purpose**: Work **Method**: Airplane **Planning**: [[2024 Hawaii, HI|2024 Hawaii]] **Lessons** - Unexpected things will happen. - Boeing planes are really uncomfortable. - The exit aisle is great for legroom on Airbus planes, 99% of the time. - I need an aisle seat because window seats make me nauseous. - Avoid the low-quality snacks provided with your ticket; plan to bring your own snacks. - Eat breakfast, even if it's small. - Don't let the tour people give you a map. - Cold showers and no microwaves are more likely to happen; embrace it! **Gear purchase or change** - Get a travel-friendly camera that does the job but adds minimal weight. - Pack a single bag; this would have made the unexpected layover in Honolulu more enjoyable without extra luggage. - Invest in lightweight corded noise-canceling headphones.