Every trip begins with a list of essential items to make the trip more enjoyable and make the traveler most comfortable. Whether it’s a seven day cruise, a hiking trip, a day at the beach there are some things that will help make your planned excursion go off without a hitch. Our travel host, Tamiko Perryman, shares her list of six must haves for her most recent day trip to Seattle Food Festival 2019 presented by Amazon.

1. Pad and pen
2. Hat
3. Power
4. Fanny Pack
5. Watch
6. Snacks

1

As a creative I always have to have a place to jot down idea at a moments notice so I don’t let a thought or opportunity to create pass me by. With that being said I make sure to drop one of several journals and a pen in my backpack or purse before I jet out the door. Of course in today’s world of technology I also have an electronic notepad of some sort on my smartphone. However, the handy dandy notebook allows for the flow of ideas to move more swiftly for me. If I’m on the go I need to be able to get back to business of snapping my next photo or eating some delicious treat I’ve picked up on my adventure.

2

Second on my list of essential items for day travel is a hat or some sort of head covering to protect my head from the sun or rain, if that be the case. During the summer months especially I will find a place to store a hat for use when I’m sight seeing.

On my most recent trip to Seattle, Washington my go to head cover was my red “Carlos” by Carlos Santana fedora I purchased on a previous trip to Oahu, Honolulu, Hawaii. This hat proved to be a hot topic of conversation everywhere I went during my trip from the airport to the streets of Seattle and back. It’s not too flashy, in my opinion, however, men and women complimented it all throughout the day. What I love most about it is it not only keeps the sun from my face but it also helps keep my head warm during flights and in the airports where I’m usually very cold.

3

Absolutely, positively can’t leave home without back-up power for my electronic devices. Doing so would result in an epic fail on my part. I have to keep my devices charged to capture photo and video memories of my trip. When traveling in unfamiliar places I have to ensure that I can use an electronic map, a ride share app, mobile messaging and calling in case of emergencies or to make reservations on the go.

I usually drop two to three sources of power in my go bag along with the wall charger. The night before a trip I make sure my external chargers are either at full power or charging. I also take a wireless charger that can be plugged into the external power packs so I’m never without power.

A word of advice; plug your electronic devices in using the wall charger while waiting in the gate area and on the plane during your flight in order to conserve the charges on your external power until you need them during your trip.

4

It’s not the 80’s but just like all other fashion the fanny pack has made a comeback and it’s another smart essential in my day tripping. Being a child/teen of the 80’s I only know it by the name fanny pack but it’s being marketed to pop culture as a side bag, fanny bag, belt bag, belly bag or bum bag depending on where in the world your travels take you.

They come in so many colors and sizes to fit every personality and outfit du jour. For me, it’s a regular sized bag with a rainbow of hearts and it proved to be another hit with other travelers and the locals during my trip.

No matter the name, the function is to keep close at hand and safe some of my most important items during my adventure. In my case some of those items were cash, identification, external charger, bank card, tissue and a lipstick. The fanny pack gave me quick access and a more secure storage than the small backpack I was also carrying could afford me.

5

Whether it’s a wristwatch, a pocket watch or the time on your electronic devices it’s imperative to have a timepiece when taking a day trip. Since it’s such a short trip time, planning and being on time will be very important to keeping up with your day’s scheduled events and those last minute changes. You’ll never miss an event, flight, train or reservation on your trip when the time is at hand.

When I’m home I seldom wear a watch because the time is digitally everywhere. There are clocks built into my phone, the stove, the microwave, my laptop and even in the car. My go to wristwatch for my trip to Seattle was this little rose gold number I picked up as a gift to myself a few years ago. I prefer to wear a more durable plastic watch during travel however, between, being on movie sets and changing purses so frequently in the past week it has been misplaced.

6

Last and certainly not least I always drop a few snacks in a bag that I will keep close to me while traveling. It never fails, because I like to begin my day trip travel by catching the earliest flight to my destination, that I miss breakfast at home. Food in the airport is expensive and a bag of peanuts and a cup of water is not going to pull me through.

In this case I usually try to grab something with sustenance and nutrition. Even if you have to pull them out of the bag as you head through the security screening checkpoint having a granola bar and a banana if your flight is delayed is well worth those extra 30 seconds. I would even go as far as packing a small salad in a toss and go container if my small carry on bag has room for it. If I’ve lost my way I’ll stop in one of the shops for a snack. Otherwise, I’ve got a cereal bar, granola bar or some kind of fruit that’s not too messy.

Share you day trip essentials in the comments below. Thank you for reading.