Gina's Adventure Box

Adventure Box: What to Pack Before You Head Out

By Gina Knudson, 6-22-11

	This is not Gina's Adventure Box. But it sure is pretty. Photo by Flickr user beadingvera.

Every year, I vow to build the Adventure Box: a road-tripping mom’s head start on an impulse to get out and play. One year I sort of made it and had a chance to test it when a Forest Service road I was traveling on (with four children in tow) fell victim to a rather massive mudslide. I wasn’t in a desperate situation – any more so than any woman is when she is confined in a car during an impressive thunderstorm with four young children. There were nearby residences and other trapped travelers on the road, and we knew the road crews would have the mess cleaned up in a matter of hours or, at the worst, a day or two.

I popped the trunk and got into my emergency cache. Distributing granola bars, Gatorade and fruit roll-ups to the elementary-aged children, I felt like an ultra-cool version of the American Red Cross. The children consumed my emergency provisions in about seven minutes. I returned to the trunk. Remaining supplies included a tire jack and a Bic disposable razor.

Fortunately, the road crews and their heavy equipment made a path through the debris in a matter of hours BEFORE I needed to shave my legs, because I clearly hadn’t stowed away any shaving cream. But the hours spent in a sedan trying to put four children at ease did more than lead me to my new life’s motto: “Flasko perpetua,” loosely translated as “all occasions deserve a hip flask.” That day reminded me that I live in a rugged, isolated land and taking a few precautions might not be such a bad idea.

That was eight years ago. But this year, I’m really serious. Summer has been late in coming, creating a perfect opportunity to get ready for the fun – and sun – that is sure to present itself any day now.

So, in an attempt to quit complaining about high June temperatures in the 50s, I’ve started my 2011 commemorative Adventure Box. Before I share its contents, I’d like to make a disclaimer that the Adventure Box is not trying to compete with any of the following: a) Wilderness First Aid Box, b) Mormon Pantry Box, c) Militia Survival Training Box or d) Jack in the Box.

If my family and/or friends get a wild hair to get out of town, I want to be able to accelerate our hit-the-road time. We’ll grab the stuff we think we need, grab some food and dress in a way that seems appropriate at the time. We live in Central Idaho, so chances are we’ll be getting away to Forest Service or BLM lands out in the middle of nowhere. And here’s what I’ll have stashed in the car, just in case we need it:

Obvious stuff first

Duct tape

Zippo emergency fire starter kit (aka fancy lighter)

Flashlight

Space blankets

Moleskin

Beef jerky, trail mix, dried fruit

Ibuprofen

Scooby Doo Band-Aids (the tan ones show blood way too easily and don’t cheer up anybody)

Sunscreen

Bug dope

Extra fleece clothing (fleece is a magical material and rules)

Rain poncho

Hip flask (filled with something that could pass as fuel if I forget to fill the tank)

Stuff That Needs More Explanation But Is Still Completely Vital to the Adventure Box

Marshmallows/chocolate graham crackers (easiest way to salvage any trip)

Swiss Army knife, Ranger (Ranger is really the only multitool I can recommend because it has both a saw and a corkscrew)

Multiple wide-mouth Nalgene bottles (fill these up with fresh water immediately before heading out on the Adventure, but don’t hesitate to expel the H2O if you run across wild huckleberries or mushrooms)

Frisbee golf discs (not only is it a blast to improvise a course out in the boonies, these also make terrific dinner plates)

And if you really get crazy, throw in a disposable razor. Build the box and go! Adventure awaits.

Did you miss Part 1 of Gina’s Adventure Box? Well it’s under her umbrella.

Gina Knudson writes from Salmon, Idaho, where summer has allegedly arrived

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