Have you ever wondered what you should pack and how long you should pack for ? Or just thrown everything in all at once and gotten to the hotel, only to find that you forgot something? I have loads of times, and every single time I do I always seem to think ' Why me?..' Just last year, though On a trip to Mt. St Helens, I figured out the perfect way to pack a bag and save room for any souvenirs that you may wish to buy.

Tip 1. Roll all underwear or / and socks  then stuff them into the shoes that your not wearing
Tip 2. If you have any junky tshirts that you want to wear on your trip, then stuff them in between the spaces that the shoes make with each other and the suitcase or backpack.
Tip 3. If you have a Samsonite Spinner case, for example, the shoes always go on the left hand side - once that is done - fold any business wear you have and place it neatly next to to shoes.
Tip 4.  On top of everything else should be clothes you will wear on your trip, for example : jeans, sweatpants, tshirts, swimsuit etc, all neatly folded on the left hand side. This leaves the right hand side open for souvenirs.
Tip 5. Always double bag bathroom items, then if you have a Samsonite ( again an example) place this bag in the small pocket above the other clothes. ( note. Some luggage bags come with these specific  bags)
Tip 6. Carry a few plastic bags for a) wet swimsuit and towel or b) souvenirs
Tip 7. Don't forget a raincoat! This can fit in either the large pocket of the luggage bag or behind the bathroom items in its own pocket.

Note: most luggage bags do have their own side or front pockets that are handy for passports, keys and locks etc..the problem is, if you place your passport in a 30" piece of luggage and hand it over then you may forget about it and lose a valuable piece of identification.
The better thing to do in this case, is to pack an overnight bag ( carry on ) , take a raincoat or purse ( if you are a woman) and place all types of ID you may need in this bag so you do not lose it.

Trust me getting through the airport is a pain, but getting through security without the proper ID is even worse.  I know, because last summer on my trip to Mt St. Helens , I was asked why the heck I didn't have a passport seven times.  I didn't know it was mandatory, it wasn't like I was legally eligible to drive at the time either . So why would I have gotten a passport when I had no need for one?

Eventually though, I ended in the town of Toutle, Washington and started my journey with school to learn about Mt. St. Helens.