Mobility and freedom... Hmm, we might be on to something

"You're not checking any bags?!? Why not?!?"

That's pretty simple to answer. Mobility and freedom.

At first we decided to go light out of consideration for the grandparents' backs. The girls will be traveling with Grammy and Grampa for 2 weeks before Chummy and I get there. Honestly, our girls are a little on the small side to be managing big luggage, and we didn't want Grampa to have to haul multiple heavy suitcases in and out of trunks, up stairs, and through narrow doorways. With hand carries, the girls can better manage on their own (their clothes don't take up a lot of room anyways).

We also knew that packing light is fairly liberating. Do you really use all of your clothes on vacation anyways? Why not leave that extra baggage (literally and figuratively) behind? Just pack your favorites and essentials, and you are good to go. Anywhere.

A few other reasons to hand carry?

 - no airline baggage fee

 - no standing in line to check your baggage at the airport

 - less chance of missing your flight

 - no waiting around at the baggage carousel

 - less stress if there are last minute flight changes

 - no lost luggage

 - less likely your luggage will get broken or stolen

I admit that traveling light takes a little more planning. Shoes are a challenge - comfort plus decorum. Check! Toiletries - liquids in 3oz or less. Done! Layers for all weather conditions. Bingo! But now that we have it dialed in, we could go 4 weeks or 4 months. We might not come back...

Maps and Rainy Days

Us little "Mountain Mice" are so excited! In just under two weeks, we'll be leaving Truckee and on our way to Europe. In the meantime, we've been busy planning everything from where we're going, where we're staying, and (at Dad's urging) what we're bringing (see this weekends post for more details on that). Anyway, one of our biggest helpers in the planning has been this big 'ol thing:

That's our handy-dandy map. Dad ordered it off the internet a few weeks ago and ever since then we've been using as a reference guide and a tracker of our possible destinations. The fact that it's laminated is very handy indeed....

Outside the weather is pretty yucky, so in the meantime I've been going over some of my French and failing to pronounce the names of various towns we're visiting. Practice makes perfect, so I'd better keep trying. Until next time!
-Mountain Mouse Mikaela