Have you ever noticed how much it costs to even prepare for a vacation? Not the reservations or meals, but only the items needed for said vacation? I think we've spent enough $$ to buy an entire second vacation in preparing for this one.
Granted, "items needed" is a relative term and the definition varies from day to day and store to store, really. For example, we were all set a few days ago, then someone turned us onto solar power for the trailer, and BAM - we went on a quest because we so needed solar power. We never thought we needed solar power before we saw the neat looking solar panels at the RV store. Suddenly we had to have solar power as a backup. Of course, we decided weeks ago not to buy a portable generator (because they're annoying and not conducive to peaceful camping) and knew we wouldn't have a backup power supply. "That's okay" we said. We could go without for a day between campgrounds - until the next place with hookups - if we have to. So now we have a fancy solar set-up for the tent-with-wheels. $300 of solar preparation.
Then, the bikes. So Bubby got a new bike a few weeks ago and we knew we'd bring it on the trip. It's what kids do at campgrounds when they've done everything else; ride their bikes. Then Hubby thought it might be neat to fix his super-duper hybrid mountain/racing bike so he could ride with The Boy. I, course, had to get in on this and then there's always Deso. So now we needed a family solution (and special trailer-hitch bike rack) for bike riding during vacation. Do we ever ride bikes while not on vacation? You guess. $400 of bike preparation.
And since we've made reservations at hotels and campgrounds with swimming pools, we need pool stuff (toys). Need it. $50 of pool preparation.
There is, of course, all the gadgets and special crap made specifically for the tent-with-wheels. New sewer hose, organizing trays, special cleaners (for your plastic or vinyl windows!), hose couplers, water storage, new fry pans, trailer-only fold-able waste baskets, camp shoes for everyone, folding mesh laundry basket, etc., etc., etc. $50 gazillion for crap preparation.
So now that we're about to set out on a road trip when gas prices are at their peak and we've spent way too much money already, I'd say we're just about ready to go. Is that how you know you're done packing? When you can't afford to buy anything else to pack? When you've purchased everything out there already so you might as well give the actual vacation a try? Yep - that's us. If preparing well for a trip is an indicator that we're ready to go, then we're ready to go. We are soooo- ready to go.
Comments