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Restaurants come and go. Some are memorable…some, not so much. Some are trendy, some offer amazing food, and some offer all that and more. I love it when we find that amazing place with tasty food on our travels. I also love it when that place is close by.

Backdoor Bistro in Vacaville, CA is one of those finds. Serving locally sourced and sustainable food as much as possible, Chef Lindsey and her staff are to be complimented on making this spot a ‘go to’ place in Vacaville.

Check out their wine maker dinners or go for a burger and a beer.

The duck with creamy polenta and broccoli slaw was awesome last week. I wonder what the special will be this week?

Are you one of those who travels with a carry on bag and stows it in the first available overhead space you find…even when your seat is toward the back of the airplane?

Or, are you a traveler that brings a huge bag and tries to pass it off as a carry on bag?

Or, do you travel with two large bags; one as your carry on and one as your personal bag? Do you put them both in the overhead bin because you want the space under your feet free and clear?

Recently, we experienced all three of these on a short flight. 

In the first instance, the flight attendant asked the passenger to remove his bag and place it near his seat. They offered to gate check it for free if that didn’t work.

In the second one, the gate agent did not allow the passenger to take an oversize bag on the plane as a carry on. She firmly, but politely, told him it would be gate checked.

In the third instance, the flight attendant move one of the two bags to another bin several rows back…and the passenger decided to put it under his feet instead.

What are your thoughts?

Have you thought about bringing toiletries with multiple uses? I’ve mentioned before that baby shampoo doubles as laundry detergent. You can also find shampoo and conditioner in one. Use a lotion that doubles as your sunscreen to save room.

If you still concerned about room, take a look at the new shampoo, soap, and laundry detergent sheets. I haven’t used them but am going to investigate their use…stay tuned. If they work, they would really be a huge space saver. Plus, you wouldn’t need to worry about having them in your one quart plastic bag for TSA to inspect. They aren’t liquid!

Overpacking…Part Two

How many pairs of shoes do you take? It probably depends on what you’re doing and where you’re going. Ideally, you could get by with two pair. Wear one pair for walking and pack one for going out at night.

If that doesn’t fit your trip, you may need to pack an additional pair. Other than that…you’re probably overpacking. If you’re going hiking in the Alps…you might need yet another pair. It depends on your trip. Keep in mind, you really don’t need a different pair for each day. Save some room in your suitcase by having the right shoes for your trip.

How many outfits do you pack? You can pack less bottoms and more tops for a change of pace. Think about lightweight, washable fabrics. These can be washed at night and will be dry by morning. Another benefit…if you roll your lightweight clothes, they don’t take up much room in your suitcase.

Have you ever packed an outfit or a top that you never wear at home? Maybe it’s not your favorite color or it isn’t a style you like. Chances are…if you don’t wear it at home, you probably won’t wear it on vacation. Leave it home…

You’ve probably overpacked your suitcase at one time or another, especially if you really wanted to squeeze one last pair of shoes or a bulky sweater in at the last minute. But, do you really need everything you think you need?

Can you travel with just a carry on bag? I can go to Europe for two weeks in a carry on bag. But, if you are typically an overpacker or think you need to take so much stuff with you, check out some ideas that may help you think about what you really put in your suitcase.

First, make a list of what you need. By writing it down, you won’t forget an important item. You also may see where you can eliminate items.

Having said that…don’t pack at the last minute, especially for a long trip. You may forget things, something may need to be cleaned before you pack it, or you may throw too many things in…just in case you need them.

Speaking of the just in case items…don’t pack them. A rain coat…just in case it rains. Check the weather first and if no rain is anywhere in the forecast…your just in case rain coat is unnecessary. A fancy dress or nice suit…just in case you go to an upscale restaurant or event. Are you really planning on this type of event and do you often frequent places where these type of clothes are required? If so…pack them. If not…these just in case clothes are unnecessary.

On a long flight you need to take some extra precautions. 

Make sure your neck is supported adequately. Use a pillow to support the lumbar region of your neck and keep it aligned parallel with the center of your seat.

You can roll up a sweater or blanket to support your lower back.

Walk the aisles every 30 minutes to keep your blood circulating. If you have room, stretch out your hamstrings and hip flexors to ease tension in your lower back.

Move your ankles and toes regularly.

Make sure your shoes aren’t too tight. Loosen or remove them if possible. Just make sure you have something to wear when you get up to walk around.

Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol. Flying dehydrates your body and the high altitude promotes drying out of the skin and mucous membranes. Alcohol furthers that dehydration.

Share your itinerary with friends, family, or travel companions through an app on your smartphone. TripIt is just one of them. I do know TripIt will automatically create an itinerary from all of your confirmation emails, including flight status. You won’t have to search through a bunch of emails as all the information will be in one spot.

Have you wondered how long that security line is going to be at the airport? Download the My TSA app as it provides security line wait time as well as a list of airports that have TSA Pre Check lines, other airport information, and a list of which items are okay to be carried on to the plane.

Before you leave on a trip, download a book to read, games to play, or a guidebook for information. Don’t download them at the airport as that could waste your battery or take forever to download.

In 2015 you can visit our National Parks free on nine different dates. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: January 19
Presidents’ Day Weekend: February 14 to 16
National Park Week’s opening weekend: April 18 and 19
The National Park Sevice’s 99th Birthday: August 25
National Public Lands Day: September 26
Veterans Day: November 11

If you are a member of the US military or permanently disabled, your visits are always free.

See our National Parks, forests, grasslands, wildlife refuges, and other federal lands. There are more than 2,000 total.

Traveling in the winter? Did you check the weather of your destination before you packed? Good. 

If you are flying, did you check the weather of your flight route? It would be a good idea, especially if you’re flying through weather prone airports. Denver, Chicago, San Francisco, and more…all have weather related issues during the winter months.

This way you’ll know if delays can be expected, if you’ll miss any connections due to weather, or have any plans that may be upset. Download a weather app to keep updated on the conditions along your route and at your destination. Many airline apps include weather, but you can download an independent one as well.