Any seasoned travelers out there?

I’m leaving Friday to attend two of Dean Wesley’s Smith’s Writing Workshops, and I’m starting to get antsy about what to pack. (Though, I’ve got a nice pile started already…)

It’s two, four-day workshops with a day in between. So my plan was to pack for four days in a carry-on, and commit to doing laundry on the free day.

The Husband of Awesome™ (who will be holding down the fort while I’m gone – Thanks, Dear!) tells me I should pack everything I need and just check my bag.

Either way I’m in a quandary. I don’t have much experience with packing well. (Don’t get me wrong: I’ve traveled. I’ve packed! But all my trips for the last decade have been car or train trips. It’s so easy to over pack — because there’s room — and so I do.)

I like the idea of carrying on a day pack, and my laptop, and then just buying what I need when I get there…but I can see how checking a bag makes for easier entry and departure from the plane – not to mention that I can over-stuff a carry-on with lots of entertaining items for the long trip.

Either way, I’m looking forward to seeing Oregon. I’m finally going to put my feet in the Pacific Ocean…can’t wait for that!

Any suggestions for making travel easier?