Memorial Day weekend is just about here and like many people, I am heading out of town. To be more specific, I am going to my annual family reunion in Robbers Cave State Park, which in my opinion is just about the prettiest part of Oklahoma. It has rolling hills, glistening lakes, and interesting rock formations. Plus, it once was the hideout of famous outlaws like Belle Starr and Jesse James so you get to explore the place where they once hung out.
Going on a trip to a state or national park means that your packing list is going be different than if you were spending the weekend at a seaside resort since you will probably need hiking boots (not sparkly high heels) and clothes that can get a little bit dirty. (These 10 tips are a good place to start when you are staring at your suitcase with no idea what to put in it.) But to make my packing list even more complicated, I am taking Amtrak (most of the way) to my destination. I am a huge fan of long distance train travel so my packing list is down to a science and everything I need to comfortably enjoy a train ride can fit into a large tote bag.
Going on a trip to a state or national park means that your packing list is going be different than if you were spending the weekend at a seaside resort since you will probably need hiking boots (not sparkly high heels) and clothes that can get a little bit dirty. (These 10 tips are a good place to start when you are staring at your suitcase with no idea what to put in it.) But to make my packing list even more complicated, I am taking Amtrak (most of the way) to my destination. I am a huge fan of long distance train travel so my packing list is down to a science and everything I need to comfortably enjoy a train ride can fit into a large tote bag.
A sunrise view from behind the Belle Starr Lodge at Robbers Cave State Park in Wilburton, OK.
First off, what should you wear when you have a 22 hour trip (which is the length it takes on the Texas Eagle train to get from Chicago to Dallas)? Since you will be sitting for long periods, choose pieces that are stretchy, but stylish and make sure to wear layers that can be easily added or removed. It is tempting to just put on yoga pants and a sweatshirt and call it a day, but I have found that I feel much better when I change my clothes partway through the trip instead of trying to make one outfit work for the whole time. I will leave Chicago early in the afternoon on Thursday and not arrive in Dallas until late morning the next day, so I have two daytime outfits and one nighttime outfit for the trip. Although I travel in coach, it is really easy to take a change of clothes to the bathroom and freshen up.
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When you are choosing your outfits, make sure that you save your most comfortable outfit for the end of the trip because that is when you will be getting antsy and any discomfort will irritate you more than is strictly reasonable. For the first outfit, start off with denim (of course, choose a style that is loose or a fabric with a decent amount of stretch) paired with a tank and a cozy cardigan. Train cars are kept cool so even if it is sweltering outside, you need to make sure that you have an outer layer handy. When I took the Southwest Chief from LA to Chicago during the summer, the woman sitting across the aisle from me was not prepared for the air conditioning and ended up putting on all the thin t-shirts she had packed in her luggage in an attempt to stay warm! I like to wear a tank top under my sweater so that if I get overheated (which often happens to me when I am in a confined space) I can easily adjust my outfit to reach a better body temperature.
Comfortable shoes are a must because you will want to get up and walk around the train. The western routes have sightseeing cars with big windows where you can enjoy the views and you'll likely want to take a trip to the dining car or snack car to get something to eat or drink. Even if you don't have a destination in mind, it is nice to stretch your legs and you will see many people doing a lap of the train every hour so their legs don't cramp up. I usually wear my Birkenstock Gizeh sandals, but sneakers in a bright color work equally well for melding style with practicality. |
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When it gets close to your bedtime, you will want to slip into something more comfortable. If you are riding in coach, you will be surrounded by other people so your nighttime outfit will likely be different than your pajamas at home. I like to wear athletic wear because it is soft and stretchy, but is still appropriate in public. My winning combination includes yoga pants, a long tank top, a sports bra, and a hooded sweatshirt. The key is to avoid zippers, buttons, underwire or anything else that will poke and prod you in the night. Once again, you want to have the option to adjust your temperature easily by adding or removing the outer layer. On this blog I often implore my readers to not wear athletic wear in public unless they are working out, but this is an exception to that rule. Also be sure to bring a pair of socks in your carry-on bag so that cold toes don't disturb your sleep. Tthe ambient noise makes a train a surprisingly soothing place to sleep, so you don't want to stay up fidgeting because your clothes aren't comfortable enough. Plus, the interior lights are dimmed around 10 PM so you don't really have an option to do much else except rest!
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The next morning you will probably be tempted to stay in your oh-so-comfortable athletic wear. However, if you plan ahead, you won't even mind putting on "real" clothes for the day. The MVP of your travel wardrobe, especially in summer, is the jersey maxi dress. It looks polished, but it feels like you could still be lounging in bed. Throw on a wrap cardigan to keep your arms warm and slip into a pair of sandals. You will be ready for breakfast in the dining car and for whatever activities await you at your destination.
The great thing about train travel is that unlike planes, you can actually keep most of your luggage with you. Amtrak lets you take two pieces of luggage plus a personal item with you on the train and then lets you check up to three more bags. On most trips (train or plane) I fit everything into a single suitcase plus a backpack so this policy is more than generous for me. When you are packing your suitcase, make sure that your nighttime outfit and second daytime outfit are on the top so that you can easily grab them when you need to get changed. When travelling by long-distance train, I also like to bring a large tote bag that holds all my "on-board" necessities. Just like you need to prep for a car trip, it is important that you plan ahead for a train trip so that you don't find yourself bored out of your mind three hours into a day or two journey. The woman on my LA to Chicago train that didn't bring a sweater also did not bring a book, magazine, music, or anything else that would serve as entertainment. |
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Outlets are plentiful on trains and many routes offer free wi-fi, so laptops, tablets, and smartphones all offer something in the way of distraction. Although I generally download a movie or two before the trip, I like to take advantage of the time to get in some quality reading. For this upcoming trip I am bringing two books that I have been itching to read, The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon and The Martian by Andy Weir. I will also pack a perennial favorite, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan, so that I know I have something beloved that I can get lost in should I find myself getting a case of cabin fever. Also, don't be afraid to strike up a conversation with your seatmates or with people in the sightseeing car! I've had plenty of fascinating conversations on trains.
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Although entertainment options are important, you don't want to completely fill up your tote bag with books and gadgets. I always bring a blanket (especially important now that Amtrak no longer provides them at night), a full-sized pillow, and a pair of slippers.The pillow and blanket might seem like they would only be useful at night, but during the day they can turn your seat into your own personal oasis. I place the pillow vertically between my back and the seat for extra cushion and the blanket is another layer for when I find the air conditioning to be too chilly. When I am sitting at my seat, I also kick off my sandals and wear my slippers instead. Since I always wear slippers in my apartment, it helps me feel like I am somewhere I can relax. I always get lots of envious stares when I pull my slippers out of my tote bag. If you aren't normally a slipper person, then a pair of cozy socks will do the trick just as well.
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Since you will be on the train for many hours, your daily routine is going to be upset slightly. This means you will probably be going longer between showers than you would on a regular day so you might feel less than your best. Some of the things that I like to keep close at hand on a long train trip are:
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While there are food and beverage options on the train that I do take advantage of, I also like to keep a few snacks in my bag. A reusable water bottle is a must, but I also like to bring along juice boxes for when I want some variety. Applesauce, apples, and the Five Seed Almond Bars from Trader Joe's are great together for breakfast or separately as an afternoon snack. All of these items are shelf stable so they will last until my return trip without requiring any refrigeration. I know that some people plan ahead and bring all of their meals on the train, but I really enjoy the dining car experience because you get to chat with other passengers.
Where are your Memorial Day weekend plans taking you this year? Share your favorite travelling outfits and tips for making a long trip more bearable in the comments! |
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