In Search of a Travel Pack
I recently needed to acquire a new bag. It had to fit certain requirements. I couldn't be too short, it had to be wide enough. It needed to be a backpack with at least one shoulder strap (over shoulder), preferably two (old fashioned backpack style). And, most importantly, it couldn't be bright and eye catching. The idea is simple one-bag-travel. Everything needs to fit, without excess space to invite unneeded extras.I was imagining the cost of this new bag. But then, new wasn't on the required list. So, this old bag. That makes a sub-list; if it's used (and cheap) it is not absolutely necessary that it be durable (as long as it would last 24 hours without falling apart or loosing it's contents). On the other hand, if it is new (and costs more than an old used one) it should be durable and resilient enough to last for years.
I finally found it!
It's dark, wide enough, tall enough, and not too big! Everything fits like a glove; it's perfect! It did have some straps (with extra ones added on to those), but all were removed easily enough.
Little Travel Tip
The final thing that came with this pack? It also came with wordless travel advice: always bring along extra large safety pins. How so? Well, on a side zipper was a tag. It clearly stated that the former owner was a wildlife fellow. He seems to have made good use of this bag; even adding strap extenders, tagging it, and then leaving 2 large safety pins attached to the zip-pull on the very front of the bag. Hmm. Well, they certainly had potential (and were useful to Mr "Wildlife" for something), so when I removed all the extraneous straps and tags, the pins stayed. They wouldn't added any noticeable weight, and I a use for them could come up...Take Large Safety-Pins on Your Travels: You'll probably use them
Not two hours into the trip this bag was destined for, I found use for those pins! It's worth passing on the idea, so when y'all are traveling, you'll know to pin a couple extra large safety pins to your bags; they're almost certain to be useful as lightweight carabiners! |
| A Little Travel Tip: Safety Pin = substitute carabiner! |
Just be careful not to clip something too heavy with them; you don't want it to come tumbling down and an inopportune time! (pictured is an empty water bottle on it's way to be returned to it's forgetful owner) :]
