I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned this before, but my husband is an elder in our (fairly small) Presbyterian denomination. This is one of the two weeks that the elders and their wives get together each year. So my husband and I are flying across the country this week – from Illinois to California.
So while it’s AMAZING that I get to get away with my husband for four days (WOOHOO!) I HATE to fly, so this is an adventure even before we board the plane. And in the midst of this, I’m also leaving behind my five kids. Do I feel a little nervous about that aspect of it? Absolutely, I do.
Preparing our Kids
We’ve talked through preparedness with my kids. While we’ve talked through a lot of things, very recently, we’ve talked through first steps if we’re ever hit with an EMP. The thought behind this was if I’m out and about and Steve’s at work when an EMP hits, the kids know the first three steps important and HUGE things that they need to do while they wait for us to get home.
As we were having our EMP discussion – One of my kids asked me what we would do if an EMP hit while we were a trip to Florida – which is a trip we’re taking later this year. I know that in this child’s head, he’s also thinking what if an EMP happens while Mom and Dad have gone flying across the country.
And while I don’t expect it, with everything that’s going with Iran and Iraq, it makes my mind go to “what if?”. Since I’m the one in the family who takes care of preparedness, I’m the one that has to get things ready for our trip. So what items do I plan to add to our trip that wouldn’t otherwise take – items that will pass TSA muster?
Preparedness Items for the Trip
Berkey Water Bottles
We’ve purchased three Berkey water bottles several years ago. We’re taking two of them with us. One of the things that I LOVE about the Berkey water bottles is that you can fill them up and carry them with you without having to filter the water first. We will at least have drinkable water if something is to happen. Something that could be difficult for anyone flying across the country if they aren’t prepared.
Pocket Knife
Yes, this will be in my checked luggage, but I use my pocket knife all the time. I don’t want to be without it. Flying across the country doesn’t mean that I don’t want it with me.
Multi-tool
I got each of my kids (minus my eight-year-old) a multi-tool for Christmas. Each of them has told me how much they love having one. And mine – which I also love – will be coming with me.
Emergency Survival Kit
My husband bought me this 12-in-1 Survival Kit for Christmas. It has a from everything a pull-cord saw to, a tactical pen, an emergency blanket, and another knife, a whistle, compass, paracord bracelet, flint and steel, and other things. All handy for flying to California – just in case.
Emergency Blanket
With the other one that I have, this will give us two of them.
Food
Most recently, I’ve been working on putting together some personal food for our grab and go bags. I’ve always had three days of food in a tote that would go with us, but I’ve started putting together gallon size Ziploc bags. What I’ve got is a start. In each bag, we have 5 oatmeal packets, 7 granola bars, 7 tuna fish packet, 7 instant coffee packets, crackers, and granola packets. It’s not a lot, but it will last a couple of days. We’re taking two of our individual bags along with us.
Stove in a Can
A stove in a can is a great way to cook food over a controlled fire since I won’t be bringing along any cast iron to cook over an open fire. It’s compact and will easily fit into a corner of a suitcase.
Mallo Me Cooking Set
I love that the “Mallo Me” cooking set is a very compact cooking set. This means that it will easily fit into a suitcase with everything else.
What I wish I could bring, but can’t
Sleeping Bag
I wish that I could pack us two 4 season sleeping bags, just in case, that just isn’t going to happen. Sleeping bags take up too much space.
Hand Gun
I wish I could take something more protective with me than a knife, but since I’m traveling to California, that isn’t going to happen.
What I wish I had previously purchased
Bivvy Sack
These are extremely compact sleeping bags that we COULD have taken with us, but I never considered that I would need less than seven of them, so I never purchased any. I’m wishing now that I had 2-4 of them so that I could have packed two with me.
What About You?
If you were going to take a cross-country flight, what items would you pack in your checked suitcase so that you’d be better prepared if something happened when you were so far from your family. Share with us in your comments so that we can all be better prepared.
Together lets Love, Learn, Practice, and Overcome!
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