come sail away

Three friends and I are headed to the Caribbean in a couple weeks. We have been talking about getting together for a girls' trip for a while, and I'm so glad it's almost here. I think I speak for everyone in the Midwest when I say it's time for summer already.

I bought a new, larger-sized memory card for my camera, because I know we'll take thousands of pictures. I'm not even exaggerating a little.

We're flying to Miami for a day, and then we're going on a 5-day cruise with a few stops -- in Nassau, Bahamas; Half Moon Cay,  and Grand Turk.

Those who know me, know I like love planning and lists. Preston sometimes teases me that I have more fun planning vacations/events than I actually do when I'm on/at them. For the record, I think it's pretty equal.

So naturally, living up to my reputation, I've already packed a few things in my suitcase. (Just a couple weeks early.)
It's nice to be going somewhere that the weather will be much different than it is here right now -- because I can pack beach/hot weather stuff that I won't have any use for in South Dakota during the next couple weeks (unfortunately.)

Swimsuits: check
Sunscreen/suntan oil: check
Flipflops: check
Dresses: check
Boots
Jeans
Water shoes for the ocean: check (I scraped my foot on coral once when I was in the ocean and boy did it hurt. As unfashionable as they are, I learned my lesson. I'm also kinda grossed out by walking around wet pool areas with no shoes on.)
Snorkel gear: check
Husband: not going

That last part kind of freaks me out. As much as I love girl time and wouldn't want to change anything about this trip -- I have never flown on a plane without Preston. Or at least since I was in first grade I haven't. I always have him to make sure I don't forget my purse on the plane or leave change in my pocket while going through security.

I'm not completely incompetent while traveling. Just a little forgetful sometimes. :)

And since I'll be out of the country most of the time, we won't be able to talk via cell phone or e-mail. At all. That will be really weird. It'll be the longest we've gone without talking since, probably, we met 5 years ago. By far.

Thank goodness I'll be flying with and spending the entire time with some amazing friends, otherwise I'd be terrified.

I don't actually hate flying like some people do. I just don't like the whole process of getting on and off the plane. Going through security, and finding your gate, and having delays and missing your next plane, and having 4-hour layovers -- that's the stuff I hate. I actually really like the flying part and never have trouble sleeping/reading/relaxing on the plane.

I'm actually more afraid of sleeping in hotel beds than I am of flying. Preston and I are traveling a ton this year, so I got this cocoon silk travel sheet from Amazon to try out http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DX807S/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (see picture below) that will hopefully help my 'hotel bedding phobia problem' for this trip and future vacays.

As much as I hate hotel bedding, I've never purchased anything like this before. When I started looking -- there were so many to choose from -- like hundreds. So I'll let you know if it's a good product or not . If it's comfy, my biggest traveling problem may be solved ;)

Other than the usual things (camera, sunscreen, clothes...) -- what's your "can't-travel-without", "must-have" item that goes with you everywhere?

Thank goodness it's Friday tomorrow. And a 60 degree high in the forecast, too?! It has been a LONG week for both me and Preston, so I think getting the grill out and spending some time outside (hopefully in the sun) sounds amazing.

Have a good weekend, everyone!