First off – pack beforehand. Waiting until the morning of, or
even the night before, is a surefire way to get your vacation off to
a bad start. When figuring out what to pack, do some research on the
cabin you’ll be staying in to see what isn’t provided for you. Most
cabins will already feature some of the essentials – sheets, linens,
etc. – but will not feature some minor things that you may have
taken for granted, such as coffee filters, can openers, and
toiletries. In fact, little things like these should definitely be
packed, as they fit in perfectly with another key of rule of
packing: namely, keep your packing small and light! This makes
finding things and putting things back together a whole lot easier.
Of course, proper attire is essential as well. Depending on when
you’ll be planning your
Gatlinburg TN getaway, you should dress
accordingly. The summers tend towards highs in the low 80s, while
the winters can sometimes drop to the high 30s. Checking the weather
forecasts beforehand can help you make sure you’re prepared for any
adverse conditions. You’ll also want to ensure you have hiking,
swimming, and maybe even skiing gear, (depending on how adventurous
you are feeling on this trip) as the cities around the Smokies
feature areas that play host to all of these sports and more.
First aid is another often overlooked packing essential. Make
sure you have band-aids, ointment, insect repellent, and anything
else you feel you may need to help prevent unnecessary tragedy.
Also, as food can often be expensive when eating out, you might want
to take some light, easy-to-pack foods from home. And don’t forget
the car ride to your cabin – depending on where you’re coming from,
you may have a long trip, so make sure any passengers have some
leisure items to keep them occupied and out of your hair (a definite
stress reducer in many cases, particularly when dealing with smaller
children).
One way to prepare properly for your packing session is to make
yourself a checklist a week or so before your trip begins. This way
you can add what you feel to be necessary as you think of it; by the
time you begin packing, you’re bound to have a pretty comprehensive
list. This level of preparation can make packing for your
Gatlinburg cabin
vacation a stress-free affair, setting the tone for what will
hopefully then turn into a relaxing time away from home!
