Has Bins Will Travel: Getting Ready part 2

Cat who hates to travel

As I mentioned in the previous post, after deciding what we need, the next question is how to organize all to reduce chaos and make it easy to find my pajamas or my sunhat. The redesign of our camper included removing a large closet and replacing it with drawers from Ikea. This redesign also allowed Captain Q to enlarge the tiny kitchen counter, and add some under counter drawer space.

Summer camper trials showed that though this was a huge improvement, the large drawers quickly became a mess of stuff in no particular order. So, bins were the next idea. We spent several hours, tape measure in hand, looking for just the right bins for each storage area. This accomplished, we began to sort our stuff into categories, and then into their appropriate bins. We fit these into specific spaces. We each have four bins for clothing - all summer stuff in one, warm clothes in another. Everyday items are most accessible. So far so good.

Food and food prep items are also now arranged in the bins and drawers, as well as in overhead compartments - according to type. Cups hang on hooks, knives are on a magnet. Pots and pans and cleaning items all have place.

I have a nice zip bag that holds all my art supplies; tools have their place. Chains for the van, and anything repair related are tucked under one of the seat benches. Bedding is under another. Everything dog is loaded into dog bins, medicines and first aid are handy. With all of this accomplished, the final push focuses on prepping the house to leave. We have rerouted our mail, stopped the newspaper, and turned off cable TV. Its mighty quiet around here.

My refrigerator is now empty, all items either frozen, distributed or in the camper fridge ready to feed us on the road. My plants (a minor jungle's worth) are gathered together in sunny places to make it easy for our caretaker to take care of them. There is a pile of food for our cat who is staying home, and the rugs are all vacuumed.

Lights are on timers, the security system is in place and cars are filled with non-ethanol fuel for over wintering. Everyone who is home watching and caretaking knows their role. Loved ones have all been kissed good-bye. Tomorrow we roll.

Wish us luck and safe travel.