Inaugural trip for the Eagle Creek Tarmac!

The Road Show is enjoying a few days of R&R at Keystone, Colorado this weekend. DH is attending a conference and making a presentation, so we have some fun socializing as well! The weather is snowy but not too cold, which is nice.

Anyway, it is a good chance to try out the new luggage! I bought the Eagle Creek Tarmac 28 after a lot of research online and shopping in stores. It is easy to pack and holds a lot! Of course, it gets heavy when it is full! It pulls very easily and the inner pockets hold items well. Of course, I use the packing cubes (from Rick Steves and Eagle Creek) and this bag is designed for them.
It seemed to weather the first airplane flight and bus trip well, so I'm encouraged!

More updates on packing for Australia to come soon!

Going Down Under

We're very excited about the upcoming Australian Adventure Tour! Have been planning this for almost 6 months and now it's less than 2 weeks away! It's going to be a 19 day trip for DH and a 27 day trip for me.
Cities on the itinerary: Sydney, Hobart, Melbourne, Cairns, Alice Springs/Ayers Rock, Brisbane.
Australia is the size of the continental US and has the population of Texas.
A lot of open space!

I've been reading up in preparation. And watching movies!

Here is what I've read so far:

Fiction:(although a few are somewhat based on true events)
English Passengers by Matthew Kneale
Remembering Babylon by David Malouf
True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey
In the middle of: The Sound of One Hand Clapping by Richard Flanagan

Non-Fiction:
The Songlines by Bruce Chatwin
The Devil in Tim by Tim Bowden
In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
The Floating Brothel by Sian Rees

I also have a Fodor's Exploring Australia and a AAA Essential Australia that I'm still skimming and will take with me.

One book that I read a long time ago is The Fatal Shore by Robert Hughes.

I've also watched several movies about Australia or set in Australia:
The Dish
Strictly Ballroom
The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant
Australia (the new one)
Muriel's Wedding
Rabbit-Proof Fence
Ned Kelly (with Heath Ledger)

Whew!
I'll post packing photos next week when I get that sorted out! What would you take for a 3+week trip?????? Feel free to send suggestions! Remember, 1 suitcase per person!

We used a travel company (About Australia) to help us plan and book this trip, and they've been very helpful. For such a long trip with so many stops, it seemed daunting to do it all ourselves. Of course, after this trip, we'll be experts!

More soon!