Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Instruct your smaller children to show the label to an adult if they get separated
from you. Elimination of the child's first name (which most children of talking age
can articulate in any event) allows you to order labels that are all the same, that can be
used by anyone in the family, and that can also be affixed to such easily lost items as
caps, hats, jackets, hip packs, ponchos, and umbrellas. If fooling with labels sounds
like too much of a hassle, check out “
Lost Children
” for some alternatives.
DRESSING FOR COOLER WEATHER
Southern California experiences temperatures all
over the scale November-March, so it could be a bit chilly if you visit during those
months. Our suggestion is to layer: for example, a breathable, waterproof or water-
resistant Windbreaker over a light, long-sleeve polypro shirt over a long-sleeve T-
shirt. As with the baffles of a sleeping bag or down coat, it is the air trapped between
the layers that keeps you warm. If all the layers are thin, you won't be left with
something bulky to cart around if you want to pull off one or more. Later in this sec-
tion,we'lladvocatewearingahippack.Eachlayershouldbesufficientlycompactible
to fit easily in that hip pack along with whatever else is in it.
ACCESSORIES
I (BOB) WANTED TO CALL THIS PART
“Belts and Stuff,” but our editor (who obviously
spends a lot of time at Macy's) thought “Accessories” put a finer point on it. In any
event, we recommend pants for your children with reinforced elastic waistbands that
eliminate the need to wear a belt (one less thing to find when you're trying to leave).
If your children like belts or want to carry an item suspended from their belts, buy
them military-style 1½-inch-wide web belts at any Army-Navy surplus or camping-
equipment store. The belts weigh less than half as much as leather, are cooler, and are
washable.
SUNGLASSES
Smog notwithstanding, the California sun is so bright and the glare so
blinding that we recommend sunglasses for each family member. For children and
adults of all ages, a good accessory item is a polypro eyeglass strap for spectacles or
sunglasses. The best models have a little device for adjusting the amount of slack in
the strap. This allows your child to comfortably hang sunglasses from his or her neck
when indoors or, alternately, to secure them fast to his or her head while experiencing
a fast ride outdoors.
HIP PACKS AND WALLETS
Unless you are touring with an infant or toddler, the largest
thing anyone in your family should carry is a hip pack or fanny pack. Each person
should have one. The pack should be large enough to carry at least a half-day's worth
of snacks and other items deemed necessary (lip balm, bandanna, antibacterial hand
gel, and so on) and still have enough room left to stash a hat, poncho, or light Wind-
