I’m sending you this mini postcard while I’m away. A short packing list (still on the list kick over here) of stuff meant to ensure that our family hang time is spent not staring at our separate screens.
A not-my-phone camera.
My 20-year-old asked for a basic digital camera for her birthday this summer, citing a desire to document things without being tempted to stop and edit or post immediately, much less get sucked into the million other attention vampires lurking on her smartphone. According to the NYT, GenZ is bringing point-and-shoot back, especially vintage ’90s digital cameras. Side note: How the hell are the ’90s vintage already? Ugh, whatever, it’s fine. I’m still here for the return of the camera1, and my kid’s request inspired me to pull out my lo-lo-fi, totally manual, medium format FILM-using, plastic toy of a snapshot-maker for this trip. Will I load the film properly? Probably. Will I have the film developed before next year? Maybe. Will any of the shots be pleasingly artsy or even come out at all? Who knows. Will I have a blast framing up and snapping those mystery shots? 1000%.
Minimalist art supply kit.
When I find myself on a state park beach where I can’t take my favorite lake-tumbled rocks home2, I still want to capture a wisp of the place in a tangible form. I love these cotton pouches by Betsy Olmsted, featuring one of her beautiful watercolor patterns on the outside and another on the inside. I tucked in a pencil case and a few blank watercolor postcards.
Easy-to-pack analog games.
You all know I’m a sucker for packaging, and when I discovered a particular type of Travel Scrabble set from the mid to late 1950s, I was a total goner. Tiny magnetized tiles, stackable metal racks, and a folding metal board/case that slips into a book-like sleeve accented with decorative paper (I’m partial to the marbled pattern, but there were other designs, too). I stalked eBay a few years back to find just the right one and had to order a cheaper incomplete second set to fill out the full set of letter tiles. I adore it.
Physical books.
I’ve been saving this paper copy of Kevin Wilson’s latest to read on this trip, and my impulse library hold on Jessica Berger Gross’ Hazel Says No came through just in time for me to pack that as well. (I devoured it on the car ride up.) I read a lot of books via Libby on my iPad, but physical books just hit different. It’s science: Research supports both the comprehension and mental health benefits of reading on paper versus a screen.3 And since Indie bookstores are always on my vacay itinerary, I’ve already added three more paperbacks to my tote bag, thanks to Back Forty Books in Two Harbors and Drury Lane Books in Grand Marais.
Hope you have some offline time of your own planned, and if you have favorite analog packing suggestions, we’d love to hear them in the comments! Happy almost-weekend.
I picked this nonvintage, waterproof Kodak cutie for her. If it were for me, I’d go with this hybrid instant/digital pick.
Rock hunting regulations for state parks and natural areas vary; check the state DNR site before beachcombing.
Jen’s very first post here touched briefly on the topic and linked to this fantastic interview between Ezra Klein and researcher Maryanne Wolf, who studies the neuroscience of reading. Highly recommend.
Omg the very first post! 🥹
Love this baby scrabble!