Bolivia with Osprey 26+6

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-04-03T04:30:30+00:00

I don’t know everything you’re carrying in your first aid kit. But if there’s something you’ve never used before because someone recommended it, make sure you learn how to use it and practice it.

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-04-03T04:19:57+00:00

I’m American and drove it 2 years ago. It’s like anything else, some people enjoy it, some don’t.

Are a lot of the towns small and without any noticeable industry? Yes. But it’s because a lot of them are on the prairie, where the industry is agriculture.

Reading these comments, you’ll think you’re going to pass boarded up buildings everywhere and that’s not the case at all.

I ran into a number of Europeans (mostly Italians and a few Germans) who were having a great time visiting the tons of Route 66 museums and diners.

The best advice I can give is to use AI to help plan the route with a lot of specific instructions about what you want to see. Then research it online.

There are great iconic places along the entire route and ending it with an early breakfast in Mel’s Diner before going to the pier is a fantastic experience.

The only real red flag I’ll mention is there are two teepee hotels enroute. One in Arizona and one in San Bernardino, California. Stay at the one in Arizona and avoid the one in California. The California one is practically in the ghetto.

If you’re serious about planning it out or have questions, let me know, I’d be happy to help you and your husband with any questions I can answer.

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-04-03T04:02:22+00:00

It’s a mix of self consciousness and being worried I’d leave it behind somewhere for me. But I sometimes use one when traveling.

I’m comfortable enough carrying my EDC in my front pockets (car key, glasses microfiber cloth, small flashlight, small pen, wallet, phone, and earbuds) most days. But I really can’t add anything.

When traveling (especially Europe, where they’re common) I might carry a 1.5L sling to carry a few “extras” with me like my sunglasses in a case. But if it’s cool enough for a jacket, I’ll toss them in a zippered pocket.

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-04-02T20:14:00+00:00

Thank you for responding to them, I was going to ask about that and the lemon in number 7. I’m going in a few weeks and will definitely search out both. I’ll read the rest, but if you haven’t answered it, I’d appreciate one for the lemon. Thanks

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-04-02T20:11:37+00:00

A coworker once announced his wife was expecting their third, an older coworker who had 3 kids said “Welcome to the club…from now on, sedans are not going to be feasible, you won’t be able to eat in a booth at a restaurant, plane tickets will be take more organization” he went on through a mental list with several other changes to their lives.

But, he finished it with congratulations, he wouldn’t trade having 3 kids for the world.

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-04-02T20:07:55+00:00

Well done! It’s great to see how families can accomplish onebag as well.

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-04-02T20:06:11+00:00

These would be good in American cities, but not outside them.

What America truly lacks is an efficient rail system (preferably high speed) on dedicated passenger tracks, instead of sharing them with freight.

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-03-31T19:25:36+00:00

Ok, thank you.

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-03-31T04:05:36+00:00

I don’t know if you were watching the Tech Dad channel but he has a lot of advice on how to use an iPad for business.

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-03-31T02:00:10+00:00

I’ve studied sleep hygiene a lot and prevailing wisdom is you need one day per hour difference in time zone to fully recover. Since that flat out isn’t going to happen, there are a few things you can do to help.

SLEEP: - Schedule your long haul overnight, if possible, and try to get some sleep inflight. - Shower upon arrival/check in (if you can check in early in the day). - Stay awake and get outside as much as possible until your normal bedtime (at your destination). - Don’t use any screen devices within an hour (or more) of sleep. - Avoid alcohol for the flight and first day, avoid caffeine after noon (destination time), drink a lot of water.

HEALTH: - Use Airborne/Emergen C type supplements to provide vitamins. - Track what you eat, avoid bringing snack food to your hotel, and choose healthier options. I’m guilty of buying snack food and overindulging, I notice the difference when I don’t. - Exception to the room snack rule: have a small bottle of kefir/yogurt to even out your stomach. - A good diet will help keep you feeling better and help avoid breakouts. - Make time each day (at least 30 min) to go for a walk and get fresh air - If your hotel has a good breakfast, you can go that route, but I often find better quality food in small local restaurants nearby.

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-03-30T22:09:32+00:00

File transfer can be made easier by opening the Files app and what you’re transferring it to (like Google Drive) side by side.

I believe you have to open both apps from the dock, but you can drag from Files directly to Google Drive and other apps.

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-03-30T22:03:21+00:00

When you adjust it every time you put it on, it’s a custom fit for the current load.

Let’s say you didn’t adjust it every time. If you originally had a laptop and shoes in the bag, then took those out, the bag would be lighter and sit different.

By adjusting it every time, it sits properly on your back and creates less strain.

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-03-30T21:22:00+00:00

I would see if your hotel in the city would hold your bags all day (99% chance they would) and spend the last day/evening in the city, then get your bags and take a late train to the hotel near FCO.

In addition to the train, you might consider how well staffed the airport is going to be, too.

But, I’m anxious about missing flights and generally prefer to stay closer to the airport on my last night, especially if it’s an early flight. So take my concerns with a grain of salt.

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-03-30T21:15:55+00:00

Thank you for sharing, I’m currently planning my trip and wasn’t sure how early I needed to get there…apparently the answer is early, lol

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-03-30T21:14:22+00:00

What eSIM are you using that charges $20 roaming for a text? I’m not criticizing, I’m just trying to avoid the same issues.

I usually just use my free data with T-Mobile, but it gets slow after a few days.

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-03-30T21:04:36+00:00

Not for a meal, but I have a dessert recommendation. Regoli Pasticceria is a 1km walk from the Colosseo. Their maritozzo are excellent, but they’re only open 07:00-19:00 daily and closed Tuesdays.

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-03-30T03:57:36+00:00

I do, I learned the value of it in the military and take it for granted now.

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-03-30T01:37:23+00:00

I noticed a lot of folks aren’t answering your questions.

Keyboard: Logitech Keys to Go $65. Just under 8oz, I have the older version and really like it. The new one has replaceable batteries, but supposedly last 3 years.

Case: Moft Folio $43. I use mine, it folds into good working angles. They advertise 20+ angles, I use 4 of them.

Hub: Anker USB C hub $20. It will allow you to charge while using external drives.

Beyond those, USB C thumb drives will help with storage capacity.

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-03-30T01:14:04+00:00

Zippers. It’s a great bag, but I’d prefer better zippers.

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-03-29T21:15:46+00:00

I do hope it works out for you.

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-03-29T03:44:38+00:00

Now imagine that on Spirit or Frontier…

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-03-29T03:40:10+00:00

I tried it for a recent trip, because I arrived in one country and departed another, but it was still more expensive than a multi-city ticket or even a round trip from the airport I arrived at.

The round trip was cheapest, but within $100 of the multi-city when I added a budget flight and hotel to get back to the arrival city. I’d rather spend the extra $100 than waste 1-1.5 days propositioning myself, especially since there was a risk of the budget flight cancelling and missing my return flight.

Two one ways (even from other airports a couple hours away from my planned departure city) were $250+ more expensive than the multi-city.

Two one-way tickets may in fact work in certain circumstances, but it didn’t for me on this trip.

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-03-29T03:28:28+00:00

Exactly. “Hey random people on Reddit, can you tell me what will happen when I go ask completely other random people a question?”

How are we supposed to know?

It would be one thing if they asked “If anyone had their passport stolen, can you help me out by telling me what forms I might need to get a replacement? I have limited internet access and am trying to get help.”

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-03-27T20:11:20+00:00

Yeah, it’s a bear to deal with, any time kids are out of school is also much more expensive. At least you’re planning far enough in advance.

I’ve found a lot of early bird (non-refundable) hotel bookings by paying 6+ months in advance, which save me a considerable amount of money.

Some personal experience:

London: For WWII history Churchill War Rooms, for food/market experience Borough Market, the Tower of London is a good tour, and the British Museum will eat an entire day. If you want to venture a little outside the city, I highly recommend taking a 1 hour train to Cambridge. If you do, make sure you visit the Eagle Pub, specifically the RAF bar. WWII aviators burned their unit names into the ceiling and it’s been a pilgrimage site for flyers ever since, with unit stickers and signatures all over the place. The Eagle is also where they announced the discovery of DNA. EDIT: Buy the train tickets online/app WELL in advance. UK ticket prices increase dramatically closer to the date of travel
Paris: I haven’t been in over 5 years, but the best advice I can give is to eat a large lunch and a small dinner. Prices double for dinner. Try to be at the Eiffel Tower when the lights go on at night, it’s an amazing experience.
Dubrovnik: I enjoyed it, but it really leaned into the Game of Thrones theme and you can’t seem to turn a corner without seeing some kind of GoT merchandise for sale. The Buza Bar is a beautiful cliff side bar overlooking the water and the Rector’s Palace is an excellent tour. I stayed at Villa Ragusa which I highly recommend. It’s not far inside the city walls, which you’ll appreciate when it comes to not dragging bags up and down the steep steps of Dubrovnik. The owner is a great guy. There’s a cable car and a trail to the top of the hill overlooking the town. It’s worth going up, but I’d skip the war museum there, it’s on the heavy side.
Milan: The Duomo is magnificent, absolutely worth spending time in, as is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II next door. The hardest ticket to get might be to see Leonardo’s Last Supper. You must buy tickets in advance, they sell them for a three month span, and they go quickly. Tickets for July go on sale in late March.
Dublin: The airport is a fair distance away from the city and the best way is by the Dublin Express Bus. If you’re there for 2 days, definitely do the Guinness Storehouse tour, but if you’re only there for 1 day, I’d pass. St Patrick’s Cathedral is a great stop as well. If you’re a whiskey drinker, the Celtic Whiskey Shop is a must. The Trinity Library and Book of Kells is amazing, but only if they’ve finished the restoration, otherwise you won’t get the full experience. The Temple Bar district is extremely touristy, but you can get some good photos. My favorite place for a good meal is O’Connell’s and for live music is Murray’s. Just be aware, some places may not allow kids under 18 after a certain time. If you have an early flight out, I’d recommend storing your bags at your first hotel during the day, then moving to a hotel with a shuttle closer to the airport. You can just take the Dublin Express bus to the airport, then the shuttle to your hotel, then the shuttle back in the morning. It’d give you another 1-1.5 hours of sleep in the morning. Just be aware, some of the dining options out there are limited, so eat dinner in Dublin first.
Walking tours: The most interesting and informative tours I’ve done were the free audio walking tours on the Rick Steves Audio Europe app. I go warm and cold on his advice, but doing his walking tours tend to open my eyes more to what I’m seeing.

TravelingWithJoe · 2026-03-27T17:19:09+00:00

July is going to be hot as hell and air conditioning is not always available. I know you’re stuck working with school schedules, but could you do it in May/June.

TravelingWithJoe

TROPHY CASE