More Thoughts on Lightening the Load

So Lately I've been starting to think about what my real needs will be for the upcoming season. I know I haul around a lot of stuff and I've been telling myself that I need it all, and for the most part I do. However, there are a few things I really do need to add to the impression.

Last year was a very rainy season. There were quite a few times it poured and an in some cases we were dealing with little creeks running through the tent and fly. With that much water and dampness in the air, drying clothing became a real battle, and since I really don't get a chance to hoist up a clothes line it becomes a losing battle. So this year I decided to add indoor hedges/clothes horses/drying racks to my gear. These things aren't small so its time to get down to the business of deleting some major baggage to allow for the room to add them. One of them resembles this one here. ------>

Last year I added a trunk to actually organize my things. What I learned was that I have a lot of organizing to do. Adding the trunk really did add space in the van. Unfortunately, I didn't really take advantage of it so when the weather gets a little bit warmer, I'll start organizing the trunk. Instead of it being a catch-all, it needs to have specific items assigned to it, things like my cooking & dining gear all in one place, the cups and jars, food and the first aid kit, personal hygiene items and lanterns. My laundry goods have their place in one of my barrels, the other used to hold my clothes pins in their own holder as well as my ropes, tools and canvas buckets.

The washtubs, iron kettle and buckets have their own space. The cots are tucked behind them. Its all pretty compact almost towering up to the roof. The wood planks are spread out over the floor of the van, the rugs cover them just like they would any floor, the trunks and barrels are on top of that. The racks would be put in at that time along with the stools, chairs and whatever else is left.

And its the what ever else is left that gets me! I sincerely can't tell you what else I put in there. I'm thinking its my clothing "props" and our real clothes but geez, there isn't THAT much of it! I guess the only thing I can really do is to rehearse packing up the van. Oh what a joy it is to even think of having to pack the van up one more time than I really have to. I think I'd rather walk over hot coals in my bare feet.