Are you getting ready for that long-anticipated vacation in incredible Concan? Is escaping it all in your future? Have you actually penciled in “drift on down the Frio River in my tube, with a drink in my hand, letting all my cares float away for a while” on your calendar?
Well, hopefully, it is and if it isn’t, you’d give yourself the greatest gift by arranging a vacation here at the Rustic Retreat as soon as you can. Your stress level will thank you.
Now, if you have, you’re going to have to pack and since being care-free is what we want you to be when you get here, we put together a list of the ‘top 10 things’ you should remember to pack to help your vacation along. Think of this as your last minute list..the one you need to check before AND after you pack because we guarantee, these are the most-often purchased items by families on vacation.
1. Towels
Depending upon the number of people coming, and the amount of time you’re staying, we suggest 3 towels per person per week. That will help keep you from doing laundry too much and everyone will have sufficient towels if they do different activities during the week
2. Swimwear
It may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how easy it is to forget your bathing suit. Many summer travel activities will be reliant on having swimwear. If you plan on going to the swimming hole, basic swimwear will be fine, but if you plan on doing something sporty, like kayaking, you may need more specialized water gear. If you’re going to be hiking and using a backpack you may want to pack your swimsuit and other accessories in a Pack-It Sport™ Kit that will keep them organized and keep your dry items separate when you’re done.
3. Sunscreen
Summer sun can really be brutal on your skin and sunscreen is one of those items that you will go the store and get the exact ones that you need for your family, only to leave it home. Pack broad-spectrum sunscreen (with an SPF of at least 30), and make sure that it’s waterproof, so it’ll protect you even when you’re sweating or in the water. Apply it liberally to your skin and reapply every two hours.
4. Sunglasses
It’s important to protect not only your skin but also your eyes. Whether you’re in direct sunlight or it’s an overcast day, sunglasses will keep you from squinting and protect your eyes from damaging UV light. Keep a pair packed in your travel bag at all times, so you’ll always have them when the need arises.
5. Waterproof Camera
You’ll want to capture memories of your summer adventure, right? Your best bet for doing so is using a camera that takes good videos and photos and can also withstand a beating. Bring a waterproof action camera, like a GoPro Hero, and keep it—along with chargers and other accessories—safe in a Pack-It Specter™ eCube L.
6. Family Sized First Aid Kit- Taking care of yourself and your crew while traveling should be priority number one. A first aid kit can go a long way in terms of making you more comfortable and potentially even saving your life if you can’t get to a hospital immediately. Here’s a great video with some helpful tips for packing your own first aid kit:
7. Dry Bag
Rather than worry about where to leave your valuables when you participate in water sports or other water activities, pack a dry bag and bring them with you. The sealable, watertight bag is often used in watersports to keep valuables, electronics, and clothing dry during a day on the water. Not going the water route? The dry bag can also protect your belongings from sand, dirt, and any other messy elements that you encounter in your adventures.
8. Water Bottles
Regardless of the vacation activities that you have planned, you’ll need to stay hydrated, especially during the summer. Rather than repeatedly purchasing bottled water (talk about a money drain!), pack your favorite reusable water bottle. Looking for the bottle that does it all? Check out this H2O dazzler – http://a.co/9OeMp5h – the only thing it doesn’t do, is the dishes!
9. Headlamp
Many activities in Concan may see you out past sundown and a headlamp is a great way to light your trail after dark. You could always bring a flashlight, but using headlamps allow you to be hands-free. If you pack one, don’t forget spare batteries.
10. Batteries
Last but not least, please don’t forget the batteries. Your safest bet is to put fresh batteries in all of the electronic gadgets you’ll be bringing and a backup set in case you lose the batteries, drop them in water or they mysteriously drain because you went someplace haunted.
Wait..you want to know more about the ‘someplace haunted’? You’ll have to check back to our blog to read more about that later, or better yet, come see for yourself.
Special Mention: Please oh please, check and make sure you have all your charger cords! Whew!
