Planes, Trains and Orthotics: A Middle-Age Woman's Guide to Travel

My airplane trip was quite eventful. First, I was fortunately in Boarding Group 2,  which in theory is a good thing.  The reality of my flight however, was that there seemed to be about 200 people in Group 1.  I was in a good position, as “Person #1” in Group 2, but it was fraught with peril  because I immediately realized that with so many #1 folks, overhead space, particularly in the front of the plane, would be at a premium. I was in Row 7, located immediately behind Business Class, and I knew that speed would be critical to ensure adequate overhead space for my carry-on. Things were moving well, until I threw on my seat, my huge work bag of notebooks, an 18 month calendar (I’m in my 60’s—I’m old school)  my iPad and far too many pens that would be necessary for any four day conference.  I can only say, that I thought I  had zippered the bag.  Sadly, I did not, which resulted in EVERYTHING coming out of it and cascading onto the floor.  It was likely that I did not make a good first

 With a mask on my face, I’m embarking on my first business trip in nearly three years..and it’s a big one. I’m flying to San Diego as part of a “New Jersey team” for a five-day conference to discuss early learning policy and implementation and frankly, I feel out of sorts.   I fit everything into a carry-on.  How can that be?  We have been fortunate enough to take some trips as the specter of COVID ebbed and flowed (all travel happening during the ebb periods) and I have found that I nearly always had to take the “luggage sit-on” approach to zipping closed my suitcase.  I recognize that San Diego is warm and consequently, I do not need the multiple hiking layers and bloody hiking boots that take up so much room in a suitcase, but I’m still worried—and for anyone who has spent any time at a multi-day conference, you know what I mean.   The hotels in which they are held can only be described as sub-arctic.  For someone like me who is usually cold in the summer, conference  dress apparel