Wk by Wk Planner – Packing List

Two months Out

• Research activities that we are able to do
• Research: Beaches, Bird Watching, Driving Tour, Fresh Water Fishing, Local bus tour, Museums, Parasailing, Park & Nature Preserves, Railroad Tours, Restaurants, Salt Water Fishing, Screen capture maps, tide charts, etc
• Start searching for hotels with the following critical criteria
  • Elevator
  • Make sure stairs are not required to reach the lobby
  • Near Public Transportation
  • Accessible – or at least Shower rather than Bathtub
  • Verify claims through Yelp
  • Desk is nice – if not, a suitcase stand or ironing board is needed
  • Bathroom counter large enough for our stuff
  • King sized bed (or two twin beds)
• Airline – Not economy, but at least premium economy
• Take out travel insurance
  • Lifetime evacuation:  MASA (Medical Air Services Assn)
    Plantation, FL 800-643-9023 – Masaassist.com

One Month Out

• Review pills – Order more if necessary
• Eat the fridge – Start anyway
• Find out:
  – Does unit have tape or CD player?
  – Are non-smoking suites available?
  – Is there a grocery located nearby?
  – If there is a fireplace
  – Is there a charge for firewood?
  – Can we get a single story suite?
  – Can they mail us any maps
  – Prefer a unit with a kitchenette
  – Determine access to groceries & liquor
  – Call a few days before – upgrade avail?
  – Gather maps and info of the area
• Gather immunizations if necessary

Three Weeks Out

• Stop buying groceries that we cannot finish within three weeks
• Start “Eating the Fridge”

Two Weeks Out

• Finalize Research: See TWO MONTHS OUT
• Continue “Eating the Fridge”
• Notify house keeper
• Photocopies of passport, papers, etc
• Gather receipts for expensive items

One Week Out

• Start aggressively “Eating the Fridge”
• Review pills – NUMBER OF DAYS + 2 – – – Pack pill strips
• Schedule Stop mail
• Review bill pay
• Review all reservations and docs
• Itinerary to family
• Put cox on vacation hold
• Make backups
• Update thumb drives and Dropbox
• Print out luggage tags
• Print ship boarding pass
• Verify liquor
• Take out Suitcases… Start packing
• Verify reservations – plane, hotel, auto
• Print out confirmations
• Get $400 in 20’s
• Get $60 in 1’s
• Get haircut / mani / pedi
• Refill prescriptions
• See family one more time
• Cynthia – Shave legs
• Check expiration dates of (eg) repellant
• Evaluate meds 2 to 3 days before leaving.
• Adjust irrigation appropriately.
• Figure out GARBAGE plan

Three Days Before Leaving

• Fill hummer feeders
• Print Baggage ID tag for INSIDE suitcases
• Ice cubes in bags in freezers
• Put hold on mail or paper
• Arrange for airport transport
• Charge camera
• Final crop harvests
• Gather batteries for those items
• Talk to neighbors
• Make sure all travel date in iPad
• Check conversion rate if using local currency
• Go to grocery store and get any needed items

Two Days Before Leaving

• Water plants
• Coordinate with Jack
• Write check for Patricia and notify of schedule
• Finish laundry
• Clean house
• Charge shavers and toothbrushes
• Verify Bill Payments will be made
• Next to final packing
• Final shopping: snacks, liquor, etc
• Backup computer system
• Coordinate with house-sitter
• Fill car with gas

The day/night before leaving

• Print boarding pass
• Take out final garbage
• Lock Garage
• Lock irrigation and fuse boxes
• Pack Infrared Thermometer
• Remove charge cards not to be used
• Change Bed Linens and Towels
• Pick up mail one last time
• Final packing – last minute items
• Secure anything outside from wind damage
• Verify reservations, etc.
• Take out garbage
• Fill hummingbird feeders
• Secure patio furniture
• Water plants – Watering system?
• Check weather information
• Pack food and snacks
• Print out address labels
• Secure windows and back door
• Sync iPad Calendar, mail, to do list
• Print boarding pass PM if leaving AM
• Set up and test light timers
• Put ice cubes in bag in freezers
• Remove HOME charge cards
• Insert TRAVEL charge cards
• Charge electrical toys and other items
• Change bed linen.
• Make sure we have AAdvantage Cards
• Adjust thermostat warmer or cooler.

Timeline Planner

• _____ Wake up, dress, prep
• _____ Call Uber or other Transport
• _____ Leave for Airport
• _____ Arrive Airport
• _____ Pass through Security
• _____ Flight boards
• _____ Flight leaves

Hours Before Leaving the House

• Unplug television, computers, etc
• Unplug bug zapper, TV, PC, etc
• Pack final electronic chargers
• Make sure garage is locked
• Long trips… store computers
• Arrange car to fit into garage
• Turn off AC / Heater . . . or adjust up/down to 65º in winter or 85º in summer
• Print boarding pass AM if leaving PM
• Request UBER with extra time built in

At the Airport

• Check on upgrade using points
• Arrive early enough we do not have to rush
• Request wheelchair(s) if necessary
• Discuss C-PAP bag
• Eat or dispose of liquids before security
• Double check carry on items are OK

Arrival at our Destination

• Use buses, trams, taxi or Uber rather than the subway which may have stairs
  • Consider subway to major stop, then street transport
• Travel, Arrive, Unpack, Relax
• Consider buying “immediate access” tickets to popular places
• No TOURISM purchases first day
• Make Jasmine a lumpy bed
• Put out birdseed for her “large screen TV”
• Buy distilled water for C-PAP machines
• Network:  RC-TravNet – RC*27 – 4 am-12M
• Guest Password:  RC_GuestNet – BEGOOd-OK? – 6 am-12M
• Admin:  http://tplinkwifi.net/ – RA::TP-Link-RC
• Factory Reset Values stored in Keeper

Cruise Control

• Be on top deck as the ship approaches the port
• At port:  Leave as early as possible.  Board as late as possible.
• Book excursions at port, not on ship – unless time is a factor
• Hire a private driver and car with two other people
• Experience local cuisine while in ports

Destination Shopping Trips

ACCOMPANIMENTS Sugar, Stevia Bread Granola Jerky Instant Coffee Tea bags Toriani coffee flavor Water Wine	SPICES / ETC GTP Spices Baking soda Baking powder Corn starch Bisquick Flour Toriani
MEAL ITEMS Fruit Vegetables Potatoes Eggs Milk Yogurt Meat Cottage cheese Beans Pasta Tomato sauce Tomato paste Broth	NON-MEAL ITEMS Scotch and Vodka Lemon juice Chewing gum String cheese Salt, Pepper, Garlic, Onion Dijon mustard Olive oil, butter Bisquick and Flour Some sort of meat Cottage cheese Tortillas
SNACKS Popcorn Chips, pretzels, etc. Dark Chocolate Chocolate	NON KITCHEN Extra clothes Stamps Toiletries
DURABLE EQUIP Stock pot Cutting board Immersion Blender Food processor Electric skillet Subset of mixing bowls Strainer, Colander Spatter screen Sun tea jar Crock pot Egg poacher Omelet pan	ALL OTHER Maps Distilled water Shelves Dinner trays Straws, Bibs Sink brush Cast Iron Skillet Green scrubber Little scraper Toiletries

The Day Before Heading Home

• Verify transportation home
• Verify checkout
• Pack

The Day of Departure

• Verify travel schedules, etc
• Refill rental vehicle with gas

At the Airport

• Arrive early enough we do not have to rush
• Request wheelchair(s) if necessary
• Discuss C-PAP bag
• Eat or dispose of liquids before security

Arrival in Phoenix

• Take train to Light Rail to avoid high Uber surcharge

Return Home

• URGENT:  Unlock garage door to avoid damage
• Plug in electronics
• Reset thermostat
• Check damage to back yard, garden, etc.