Zugunruhe is a German word for the restless feeling birds get before they migrate. I guess wanderlust would be the human equivalent, but for birds it’s not really an option. They have to get moving! So I think I might be part bird. Jury is still out.

Last week I was traveling for work, so I was trying to pack for two trips at once, then do the grand “transition day” to move a bunch of stuff from one backpack to the next. The to do list was long, everything needed to be recharged, and the kitties needed snuggles.

During this trip the weather will be anywhere from 90 degrees and sunny to 30 degrees and wet and windy. Basically I packed one of everything! A swimsuit, long underwear, you name it. All of my clothes and shoes were about 20 pounds, leaving 24 pounds for birding gear. Binoculars, cameras, and bird books are heavy, but by some miracle I made it fit with 0.2 pounds to spare. As my dad would say, “pizza cake”.

Last night Eric took me to Chicago so I’d be ready to go early. (Major brownie points). Check in went smoothly; thankfully TSA folks are still showing up to work despite not being paid. Then I realized I forgot my iPad and battery pack charging at home! That’s one way to reduce the weight of your luggage… Anyway, not crucial. I have my passport and my tickets and I’m off!