Well, it is now T-10 days. We fly out August 15th. Are we ready? Yes and no.
We finally worked out a plan for the cars. Jeannie’s is sold and will be delivered to its new owner this weekend. My Subaru will go to CarMax next week, then I will rent a car to give us transportation for the two days until we depart.
Getting everything selected and packed is still an ongoing process. Besides limited baggage allowances (airline and self-imposed), there are the weather differences. If you notice the graphs, the average August temps in Rennes are significantly colder than Florida. So the shorts, sandals, and t-shirts will give up their space to Floridian winter wear. Even once we get to Montpellier in early October, serious European fall weather will have set in.
Camera gear has also taken a downsizing even though I haven’t sold any equipment. I won’t be taking my heavy tripod, 300mm lens, 100mm macro lens, and a bunch of other gadgets and things. What I am taking are:
- Three prime lenses: 14mm f/2.8, 28mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.4;
- Three zooms:17-40mm f/4L, 24-105mm f/4L, 70-200mm f/4L;
- Miscellaneous items: Benro compact tripod, 1.4X teleconverter (for the 70-200), a Canon 580EX flash, cable release, flash extender cable, lens and sensor cleaning tools, polarizer filter, ND filter, Sekonic light meter, and a Tamrac sling bag
Of course this list doesn’t include the laptop, external hard-drives, tablets, smart phones and all the associated cables and chargers, adapters for European outlets. Hrmmmm, that is a lot of stuff, but it does fit into my small Think Tank photo backpack.
Our recent trips to Texas, Wisconsin, and North Carolina helped me to decide on this kit. Besides, I keep telling myself that this not just a 2-week vacation, this is a year+ adventure. … Ya gotta love rationalization.
Yeah, while Jeannie sweats and agonizes over shoes, sweaters, belts, brushes, blouses and such, I have all my important stuff under control. For MY clothes I’ll just grab a bunch of my clothes at the last minute – lots of underwear and sox, some long pants and jeans, a few long sleeve shirts, a sweater or two, maybe a pair of shorts (just in case) a couple of pairs of shoes, my toothbrush, and voila – I’M DONE! What’s so hard about that and why sweat the small stuff?
Julie
6 Aug 2014I think I’m a critical mix between you and Aunt Jeannie in terms of packing style. So I feel both of you on this front. My digital kit gets a lot of scrutiny pre-trip and often times at the last minute I’m like well I can wear these jeans for at least a week before needing to be washed /chucks them in bag.
I’m so excited for you guys traveling to France and so sad I won’t be going with you!
Jeannie
6 Aug 2014I (Jeannie) have been planning my clothing for the last year, now to see if it fits in my 2 suitcases! Hope I don’t have to share space with Chris since he has to pack camera and computer equipment.
Niels
6 Aug 2014On our recent summer trip to southern France I had my 70-200/4 and my 50-500/4.5-6.3 in the trunk of the car, just in case. They didn’t get used even once. I switched quite a lot between my 18-125/3.5-5.6 and my newest favourite, the 50/1.4 (for evening and indoors use), but didn’t need anything else. Mind you, I don’t take those stunning funghi shots etc … And we didn’t get to go birding.
Carl
5 Aug 2014Bring money for dark chocolate!! Does Milke make dark chocolate?
Chris
7 Aug 2014Mille?
Cathi
5 Aug 2014The time is slipping into the future ZOOM. So excited for you both.
Chuck Mathias
5 Aug 2014Are you sure you don’t have room for Chuck, too? Maybe if he just wasn’t so big!