Packing perspectives

Continental North America is big; this makes it all the more surprising that it was a while before it was discovered by the Europeans.

Being a big place, the climatic variations that occur across it can be quite large in scope, the Mediterranean like climate of the Californian coast segues dramatically to the arid desert climate of Nevada and Arizona, whilst the intervening range of the Californian Sierra Nevada Mountains can be subject to significant snowfall seasonally.

With this in mind what to pack, how much or how little, has been somewhat of a trial, one piece of advice I read suggested that when visiting the USA pack half the clothing you think you will need and twice the cash. Not advice I can readily accept.

Previous excursions to Florida with its summer heat and humidity have been adequately equipped through the inclusion of numerous shorts, shirts, swim wear and open footwear. The variety of potential climates presented by this road trip would indicate that a more varied selection of clothing is required.

With this in mid we commenced our packing, each working independently to achieve the same goal. A selection of shorts, shoes, trousers and shirts rapidly accumulate in my suitcase whilst the Teenager tries out combinations of selected garments for appearance before folding them roughly and tossing them into the vacant chasm of his case.

At one point I happen to question the quantity of ‘pants’ packed, to receive the retort ‘one’, questioning my hearing I physically check, sure enough only one pair has been packed. This is sorted in short order by a quick conversation with his Mother and the prospect of an uncomfortable situation arising is avoided.

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