by Wendy
Follow me on twitter @wendylooksleaps

I have to admit: those of you who check a bag have a point.

This revelation evolved during multiple attempts to cram liquid items for a beach trip into a quart-size bag. It was quite the puzzle. Usually this is fairly easy. I don’t know if I’ve ever spent so long on this aspect of packing. The casualties were two split plastic bags, as well as the hour or so I could have spent doing something else.

We usually drive to our awesome family beach vacations, and have room in the car for all kinds of groceries and sundries and ocean/pool gear. Unfortunately Jack had to work this year, so it made more sense for me to fly.

Packing in a carry-on for nearly a week at a beach house was more of a challenge than I anticipated. I couldn’t believe the nonsense with the zip-top bag, but realized it was due to two things: 1) I recently splurged for a keratin hair treatment that required special shampoo and conditioner and 2) since Jack wasn’t going, I did not have valuable real estate in his zip-top bag.

Sure, I could have bought stuff on arrival, but I wanted to hit the ground running. So I packed that quart-size bag to within an inch of its life, held it carefully until I went through security, and then immediately removed several items and stashed them in my purse to avoid something breaking or another bag bust (I hate to waste those plastic bags).

The carry-on suitcase had its own issues. When you’re packing light, beach trips can be almost as complicated as ski trips when you factor in the accessories: bathing suits and cover-up, beach towels and small tote, flip flops, hats, ski pants, ski goggles, gloves, etc. Besides this, I follow a rule that I will not show up for a vacation with nieces and nephews without bringing treats. I left out a second beach towel to make sure I had space for their loot. Then there’s the stuff you want to have around a rental to make yourself feel at home – sometimes it’s your own pillowcase, favorite bar soap, paperbacks, movies you want to watch with your family. My nephew requested that I bring my Napoleon Dynamite DVD and I knew my niece would appreciate the Vogue magazine with Taylor Swift on the cover.

It was hard but I successfully packed in a carry-on bag and large purse. It was a little heavy, a little unwieldy. There were moments when I was slightly envious of people strolling about the airport with barely more than a wallet and lip balm. I knew they had checked the whole kit and caboodle. They looked so carefree.

However, I’m still not going to check bags when I can help it. For one, I do not want to add another line to the airport routine. I also like having to make the tough decisions on which items to take. I’m afraid of the non-essentials I will throw into a suitcase if I allow myself to check a bag all the time. Traveling light makes unpacking much easier at your destination, as well as when you get home. And of course, many prepared-for-anything bag-checkers’ vacations kick-off with major stress if their luggage is lost or delayed during transit.

But let’s acknowledge that great travel skills are not exclusive to the carry-on crowd. Checked bags devotees, I salute you. Pack how you like, what makes sense for your trip. Keep calm and carry-on, or keep calm and check a bag – just don’t miss the dang flight. As the great Napoleon Dynamite might say, have a flippin sweet summer!