I just got out a suitcase for a trip to Maine. Since it is only for one week it should be simple to pack. But the suitcase is empty and I’m staring at it and wondering what to bring. I think I might want to bring a jacket because I’ll be at the beach and it could cool off in the evening. A sweater could also work. Maybe both?
The one thing I try to remember is that I can always buy anything I forget later. Because of that I now have a tube of toothpaste from Italy, a comb from Prague, and pads of paper from France. These are different from my usual souvenirs (refrigerator magnets and postcards). I don’t bring food or sweets because I know I’ll get them wherever I’m going. I look forward to finding chocolate, gelato and other treats while I travel. They never make it home either.
So now I’ll start packing and if I forget something I’ll just have to buy it later.
Meg Travels 
Have a nice trip to Maine! Hope for good weather!
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Thank you very much – the weather has been beautiful!
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I love to pack light. On our last jaunt to Europe of 6 weeks we each too one carryon and threw away clothes and bought clothes as needed. The experience is much more valuable than lugging around items, besides now I have a suitcase full of wonderful clothes from all over Europe.
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That sounds like a great way to pack! I like bringing back clothing that I’ve bought too – they are excellent souvenirs. :)
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Have a GREAT time! Maine is top of my USA travel list, so I’m really looking forward to your posts about it. :)
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Thank you – Maine is such a fantastic place to visit in the summer!
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Oh, I know that feeling. It’s hot, so I’ll pack light clothes. But, if it rains, I’ll need these shoes. And if the temperature drops, those jeans. And, and, and …. then I take way more stuff than I end up using, but I am prepared!
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That’s what happens when I start packing! Before I leave I try to leave some space in my suitcase so I have room to bring home all the nice things I buy… :)
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Enjoy your trip to Maine! How wonderful to spend time there for part of summer.
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Thanks Amy – I’m really happy to be in Maine and spend time at the beach!
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such a nice blog post to write. You should do a follow up with “funniest things I had to buy while traveling” and tell us all the things you’ve forgotten before! i’d love to see a picture of the pad of paper from France :)
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Thanks and I like that idea! Things like toothpaste aren’t typical souvenirs but they still have fun memories. :)
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Have a safe trip! I always forget something really, really basic. I must have toothbrushes from five different countries at this point.
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Thank you! I’ve forgotten my toothbrush too and now I keep extras so I won’t do that again… :)
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I wonder what travel necessity you’ll be bringing back from Maine to pack for your next trip?
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So far I don’t seem to have forgotten anything but that could change at any time! I always like to look for interesting things to bring back too… :)
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Have fun! Sounds like it will be a nice trip.
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Thanks – it is wonderful to be here in Maine!
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Enjoy your trip to Maine. I know, when I am going away, I get into a minor packing panic and worry that I’ve forgotten something so it’s good to read this reminder that most things can be bought on arrival.
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Thank you – it has really helped me when I pack to know that if I forget something I can buy it later!
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Maine is on my list this year too. I’m thinking Bar Harbor and Mt. Desert Island. I’m looking forward to reading about your experiences there.
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Maine is an excellent choice and Bar Harbor is beautiful! I’ll be writing about my adventures when I get back too. :)
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I hope your trip will be wonderful. I always tell all of our guests visiting us to pack a light jacket or cotton sweater depending on what you will be doing. Right now we are having unusually hot weather with lows in the mid 60’s…Sunday the low will be 48. You just never know as weather in Maine is very unpredictable. :)
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It definitely seems to be cooler in the evening – the breeze from the ocean is so refreshing! I’m glad to know you tell your guests to bring a jacket too…
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LOL Meg – very clever! We are headed to Maine also but right now they’re having a heat wave so you have to HOPE you need a jacket!!! Enjoy the lobster :-)
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Thanks and have a great time in Maine! It is very hot and I don’t think I’ll need a jacket (at least for now). :)
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Love that last photo, the flowers are so pretty and fresh, and the color of the wall behind them appeals to me, too. My daughter will be visiting Maine soon, a destination she has longed to see for years.
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I think that your daughter will really like Maine! And thank you – hydrangeas are some of my favorite flowers and Maine has lots of them in pink, blue, purple and white…
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have a great trip meg, we have not been to maine but i will look forward to seeing your photos! it is funny what we bring hoom from a trip, definitely not the chocolates, but i got a super organic face cleanser in paris last time :)
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Thank you and I like your purchase from Paris – it sounds wonderful!
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I hope you have a lovely chocolate/gelato filled time! :-)
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Thanks – I’ve found some chocolate and there are lots of ice cream shops across the street from the beach!
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Have a great time. Lovely photos and love the first one and the last one very much.
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Thank you and I’m so glad you like the pictures too!
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I agree with the sweets and treats that never make it back! ;) …
… do you use a Travel Check-List? I have a hard copy which I save on my laptop and print it out and check it off every time I travel. I can add or delete as I go along. Saves me the headache and valuable time thinking about what to bring.
… also, I have discovered that I’ve created a “travel wardrobe” … where certain dresses/sweaters/shoes are reserved for just traveling (and to certain places) so I know exactly what to pack when the time comes, which seems to be the case every weekend! :)
Hope this helps … and happy travels in Maine!
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Those are great packing tips! I should do that and then I can just look forward to the trip – thank you. :)
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Have a great trip, Meg!
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Thank you very much Shirley!
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Here’s hoping gelato is not difficult to find in Maine. :-) Have a wonderful time. Love the photos! :-)
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I’ve found lots of ice cream shops – it didn’t take long! Thank you Debra… :)
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Enjoy Maine and happy shopping!
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Thank you – it has been great in Maine and I’ve been shopping too!
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There’s always something I forget to pack! Looking forward to hearing how the gelato is in Maine.
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I usually manage to forget something too! I’ve found lots of places with ice cream already… :)
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So much chocolate! I always forget something on my travels, two things I hated forgetting were the memory cards for my camera and the battery charger, missed getting some great shots but thankfully I was able to buy them and now I have spares :-)
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I’m glad you were able to get memory cards and a charger for your camera! I think I should look for extra ones too…
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So was I, it isn’t always that easy but I’ll be packing plenty of ‘spares’ next time :-)
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