Trip Details:
Month Visited and Temperature: End of May/first of June (2021). 72-90 F (22-32 C), dry, some windy days
Cities Visited: Yakima, WA (USA)
What to Wear?
Washington State is pretty casual. You will find most people in comfortable clothes such as jeans, shorts, t-shirts, trainers/sneakers, flip flops, etc. Home to Eddie Bauer (https://www.eddiebauer.com/) and REI (https://www.rei.com). Depending on your itinerary, you may find more business casual attire (trousers, collared shirts, dresses, jacket) is called for. Keep in mind the state has a wet and a semi-arid (dry) side. The wet side (Seattle) brings a mild climate with rain (in the winter months) and the dry side (Yakima, Tri-Cities) have full on four seasons (hot dry summers and snowy winters). Your packing list should reflect your itinerary.
Samsonite Mobile Solution Convertible Tote/Backpack
TravelPro Platinum® Elite International Expandable 19″ Carry-On Spinner
Luggage:
For this trip I initially selected my Hynes Eagle 42L Rolling Backpack Wheeled Backpack but swapped it out for my slightly smaller TravelPro 19” soft side spinner bag. Being a former flight attendant, I love my TravelPro. The one BUT I would have is that I am not a fan of spinner bags in general (even though I have two of them), I find they tip more easily (running through airports and just standing) than the two-wheeled kind but to each your own. My personal carry-on item was a Samsonite Mobile Solutions Convertible tote/backpack. This is the first time travelling with the Samsonite tote and I loved it. I did not check either bag.
Personal carry-on bag contained: This bag was roomy enough to pack a light scarf (for the cold plane), my crazy ass heavy work laptop (I worked a bit and would not normally bring a laptop on personal travel with me), TSA liquid bag, power cords/headphones, a few snacks, travel wallet, two mobile phones (work and personal), sanitizer/extra masks, keys, small Burberry crossbody handbag, and soft sided small travel jewelry case.
Note: If you are from outside the U.S. do not forget to pack a plug adapter(s) and a converter.
Packing List:
I knew the weather was going to be warm to hot so I packed lightweight items. Below is a list of the items I packed:
1 Short sleeve t-shirt (ended up not wearing, no reason)
1 Long sleeve tissue weight t-shirt (ended up wearing this with lounge around pants)
2 Long sleeve tops (1 dressy tunic top (wore this only on the plane), 1 linen button up)
2 Tanks
2 Sweaters (1 tissue weight tie front, 1 lightweight duster)
2 Pairs of pants (1 black skinny jean, 1 twill joggers
8 Undies
2 Bras
1 Pair of socks
1 Pair of PJs (the bottoms doubled as lounge around pants)
3 Pairs of shoes (1 TOMS canvas slip-ons, 2 sandals (1 flat and 1 heeled))
1 Lightweight scarf
1 Crossbody handbag (Burberry)
Toiletry Kit:
- Streamlined makeup
- Travel shampoo & conditioner (spray & cream)
- Travel toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Deodorant
- Lotion
- Moisturizer
- Contact solution, case, and drops
- Tweezer
- Mini sewing kit
- Q-tips
- Hair twisty and clip
- Door stopper (for hotel security, did not use)
- Razor
Glasses - Alarm clock (took out for this trip, but normally take on international trips as a backup)
- COVID masks (not shown)
Small First Aid Kit:
This is jammed pack with a few of everything. Band aids/plastics, tummy medicine, allergy medicine, aspirin, antibiotic gel, flu medicine, etc. I leave this packed and in my toiletry kit.
Electronics
Hanging Toiletry Bag from Mountaintop
Satin Travel Jewelry Case (not available on Amazon any longer)
Electronics Case:
Phone power cords
Power bank (took this out at the last minute)
Anker wall port/plug
Earbuds (2)
Note: I did not do laundry whilst on this trip
Travel Tips: Most hotels and AirBnBs have hairdryers but suggest calling to confirm if not noted on your intended lodging’s website.
Travel Tip: I like packing cubes, most of the time. This trip I put all my items in packing cubes going and half of my items in cubes on the return. It depends what you are putting in the cubes and what type of trip/bag you are using to see if they make sense and or save space. I actually had more room in my bag on the return. For both directions I rolled my clothing.
Note: Not all packing cubes are created equal. I have several brands but like the Bagail and Gonex Compression Packing Cubes the best. I like how the second zipper compresses your items even smaller. The Bagail are thicker material and have a top opening, where as the Gonex are a thin material with a side (easier) opening.
Note: I did not have much room left over for many “souvenir”, but was able to add in a box of candy from my favorite candy store (Boehm’s Candy https://boehmscandies.com).
