Travel Must-Haves!

I've been flying all my life, navigating airports and transfers all on my own since I was about 10 years old.  I know my favorite airports, where their best food stops are, and what to bring onto the plane with you.  I've got this down to science, and I'm a fast packer!  Here are my tips for your 'personal item' bag to tuck under the airplane seat.

1.  Check all your other stuff at the counter.  I love to check a bag; you don't have to fight for overhead bin space, which has become a battle since the airlines started charging baggage fees. People shove their way through boarding just to make sure their bag gets on board.  You also don't have to drag it through your connections.  If you don't want to pay a fee, ask at the gate if they will accept planeside checking of your carryon before you even board; if you have time at your next connection, this can help you out immensely.

Oh, and my pet peeve?  People who can't lift their carryon into the overhead compartment unassisted.  Okay, if you're elderly, or you're holding a baby and have to haul their stuff too, I understand.  But my personal rule is, if you can't carry it, don't pack it.  Maybe it's the military part of me talking, but I cringe when I see people overpack.  Pack your bag, then go back and remove a few things that are less important; I guarantee you don't need them.

2.  Carry a good, solid bag.  I always carry a large tote, something I can slip my laptop into if I choose to bring it.  I bought a black leather Coach tote years ago, which I think was from the Men's section; it's my workhorse bag.  (It's much like the leather Coach Bleecker Legacy Weekend Tote they sell now.)

3.  Stay organized.  I keep all of my travel documents in a cute, small tri-fold that I bought at a museum in Montreal years ago.  (A similar one is here; simple but functional!)  It holds my frequent flyer information, parking/shuttle receipts, itinerary, and tickets.  I can grab it out of my bag without having to fumble through a billion things.  I also keep track of my flight on my iPhone; I typically fly Delta, and their app is great; I can figure out what my connection is before the plane even reaches the gate.  It even lets me load my flights into my calendar.

4.  Bring along some entertainment.  Travel is a hurry-up-and-wait game.  I usually travel with my MacBook Pro and Kindle.  (I supplement my Kindle with the purchase of a trashy magazine or two at the airport bookstore, so I can read during takeoff/landing.)  I also bring my headphones to listen to music on my iPhone, which also has plenty of games!

5.  Stay hydrated!  I try to drink a lot of water when I travel (it helps to prevent jet lag), so I usually buy a small bottled water once I am through security, then refill at water fountains along the way.

Bottom line?  Keep it simple.  You're going to be hauling this bag for the day.  Sometimes I pack a snack or two, but other than that, my bag is pretty much limited to these items!  Maybe I'll have a pair of sunglasses, definitely my wallet, and any valuable jewelry I might bring along.  But you don't need to haul anything else.

Savannah Bridge Run 10K

Me and my running buddies... who both beat me.  :)

If I had to describe the Savannah Bridge Run in one word, I think my feet would choose "OUCH".  The Savannah Bridge Run is probably the most iconic Savannah road race there is; tons of runners sign up for the 5K, 10K, or even the 'Double Pump', which means running them both nearly consecutively!  It's a huge celebration, with costumes and a party afterwards.  It's the only time you're allowed to run over Savannah's gorgeous bridge, and if you choose the 10K (like me!) you run over it twice.

I hadn't trained as much as I should have beforehand, and I was nursing some blisters from earlier this week, but I really wanted to do this race before I move away from Savannah.  It's such a tradition here, and the view from the bridge is incredible.

That said, it was probably one of the toughest runs I've ever done.  The steepness of the ramps and bridge go for so long, and even the downhills are hard on your legs.  I was able to manage about a 10-minute pace per mile, but I couldn't will myself to go any faster; I even had to walk at some points.  But it was pretty cool to see the view that you would only otherwise see from your car, and having TONS of other runners made you feel like keeping with the flow.  We also ran down Broughton Street, which was decorated for the holidays, so I enjoyed that too!

All in all, I'm glad I did it, and glad my friends VV and BD could join me.  My feet are almost covered in blisters that I need to nurse, but at least I've got my bragging rights!  I made it across the bridge.  :)

@Bota_Box Wine

www.botabox.com

I love wine...  red, white, sparkling, and rose, I don't discriminate!  My favorite white wines are Gewürztraminers and Rieslings, but I also love a good Cabernet Sauvignon.  The problem is, I only drink a glass or two, and then I'm stuck with a partial bottle that doesn't keep very long on the counter or in the fridge.  (I'm not a heavy drinker!)  It's such a shame to me to have good wine turn to vinegar before I can finish it all!

Then, while browsing at a local beverage store, I noticed a pretty box of wine on the shelf.  I know what you're thinking... boxed wine is cheap and unrefined.  Yeah, I thought so too.  But when I saw the high ratings on Bota Box's Cabernet Sauvignon, I was intrigued.  Even Wine Spectator rated the Cabernet Sauvignon with 87 points, and Wine Enthusiast gave it 85.  I also saw that, once opened, the wine will stay fresh for over a month.  That's because Bota packaging keeps the wine away from light and air. 

I decided to try it, and I wasn't disappointed.  The box was easy to set up, and the wine tasted great!  It was the same caliber as the wine I buy in bottles.  The box is perfect for a countertop, or even the fridge.  And the price is right too; I paid the same for a 3L box that I would for one bottle of wine.  That's like getting three bottles for free.

I know that there will still be people who turn their nose up at boxed wine... but now the technology is there to make it both good and practical.  If you live alone and like a nightly glass of wine, this is the perfect match.  You can still bring out your fancy bottle for company, but when it comes to the everyday, Bota Box has definitely got a new convert in me!