So long, Kevin. Hello, Cynthia. (+ what's in my summer bag)

Have wheels, will travel.

The local stock car races started up a couple of weekends ago, and I discovered that Kevin, my hot rod rollator, isn't enough for outings like that anymore. I completely undid the steroid epidural I just got a couple of weeks before going to the race, and I don't get to have another one until July, oof. To Cynthia, the 18" manual wheelchair I go! Thankfully, I do have one, thanks to a friend not needing his anymore.

Here's how I'm tricking her out for comfort:

• Bike gloves: so I don't blister my hands or trigger my carpal tunnel too badly while pushing her along. I got the breathable neoprene kind with the gel cushions and the grippy nibs for part-time, mostly outdoors use.

• A lumbar support cushion.

• An attachable cup holder. Yeah, they exist. They're sold as "stroller accessories." Mine even has an attached slot to hold my phone. And it doesn't protrude out really any wider than the wheel it's over.

• A 30L "lunch backpack" with a collapsible cooler section built into the main compartment. Clever in general, especially needed for me considering all my food allergies, I can't rely on road food when I'm out anymore.

And that backpack is all packed and ready to go! Where? Wherever summer takes me!

And how can I be sure I'm prepared for all summer eventualities? Well, firstly, I consider the kinds of adventures I normally have in the summer, particularly the more spontaneous ones:

• County fairground activities: car races, rodeos, etc.

• Beach or lake trips.

• Summer festivals & concerts.

• Farmer's Markets and "Destination Farms" - those would be the working farms that have U-pick, farm stores, restaurants, their own wine, beer, and hard cider labels, ice cream parlors and bakeries, concert venues, corn mazes, petting zoos...

And pack with those activities in mind.

The crucial hinge-point of all of this is the kind of purse/wallet that has a detachable cross-body strap. Carry both, so you can lock the whole bag in the trunk and just bring your wallet and phone when you don't need the whole Boy Scout pack, or when your money and ID needs to be more easily accessible or secure.

From there, the usual purse essentials:

• My handicap parking placard. VERY easy to forget, and definitely something to keep packed and ready to go at all times!

• Hygiene items: pocket packs of tissue, hand sanitizer, and menstrual products at minimum. I keep an extra pair of panties, a small bottle of HOCL, a small bottle of Dettol, and some wet wipes, too.

• A tube of lip balm, bottles of my favorite sunblock & after-sun.

• A purse-sized first aid kit.

• All things needed to withstand non-anaphylactic allergies in the Great Outside. Pills, nasal sprays, topicals, masks, what have you.

• Emergency medications. Mine's just a migraine medication, but if yours is for something life-threatening, be sure to have something on your person or bag or both indicating where your meds are and how to administer them if you go non-verbal in an emergency.

• Sunglasses & indoor migraine glasses.

• A few plastic shopping bags, bundled up small for stashing. I can use them for garbage bags, wet clothes, a rain shield, etc...

• Sharpies. You never know when you're gonna want to graffiti something... or when you'll bump into someone you want to autograph something for you.

• At least one standard lighter. Along with "gardening supplies."

• A phone charging cord and small power bank.

• A stim toy & camphor inhaler, for re-centering purposes.

And then there's the stuff that drivers just keep in their cars, but we non-drivers need to tote around with us:

1. A Turkish towel. Yes, very specific! It's easier to carry than a standard beach towel, and has more uses - impromptu picnic blanket, drape for sun protection, etc.

2. An umbrella. I have a UPF 50 umbrella that's a stash-able size and also has a mounting bracket so I can put it on Cynthia, or my camp chair, and stay out of the sun or rain while my hands are free. I'll likely stash a "gas station rain poncho" in there the next time I'm somewhere that sells them, too.

3. A sweatshirt. I live in watery, northern climes, it can get chilly after the sun goes down, especially if there's a boat involved. That's not a humble brag, it's a way of life up here.

4. Ear protection! In-ear buds for too-loud concert music, and big muffs for the stock car races. With, of course, the option to double-up if needed.

5. A battery-operated headlamp, & extra batteries.

6. A gallon-sized freezer bag (I might class it up one day, but I like that the Ziploc is see-through and very pliable), filled with a swimsuit, a UPF 50 hoodie, and a pair of UPF 50 compression leggings.

7. A travel mug.

8. A "clack fan" (drag and festival kids know) with a black and white checker print.

9. A small Bluetooth speaker, and a few good playlists downloaded to my phone, like a true Gemini.

And then there's the cooler accessories:

• A cutlery set. I got the deluxe set with the steak knife, stainless steel straws, and salt & pepper shakers in a zipper case.

• A can cooler. I usually transfer my LaCroix to my Meoky tumbler, but if I don't.

• A bandana, for a reusable napkin.

• Freezer blocks, to keep the food cold.

• A baggie filled with instant coffee sticks, tea bags, raw sugar packs, and powdered oat milk.

• A baggie filled with sachet packs of olive oil, vinegar, mustard, lemon juice, hot sauce, etc.

And if I think I'll need some extra food to keep on hand that I can eat, won't weigh the bag down, or spoil in the heat...

1. Instant Oatmeal

   1. Combine 1/4 cup plain instant oats, 2 tablespoons flax seeds, 1 packed teaspoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon powdered oat milk, and 1/8 teaspoon pink salt in a sandwich baggie, seal, label & date, and pack. To prepare, transfer the contents of the baggie to a heat-safe bowl or mug, and add 1 cup of hot water. Stir well, and let the oatmeal sit for 2-3 minutes to cool and firm up before eating.

2. Microwave Lentil Soup

   1. Combine 1/4 cup red lentils, 2 teaspoons chicken bullion powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon sumac powder in a sandwich baggie, seal, label & date, and pack. To prepare, transfer the contents of the baggie to a microwave-safe bowl or mug, and add 2 cups of water. Stir well, and microwave for 3-5 minutes each go, stirring well between sessions, until the lentils are cooked how you like them. Garnish with sachets of olive oil and lemon juice before serving. This can also be prepared in a small rice cooker, or over a burner.

3. Totally Travel Tuna

   1. Pack 1-2 single-serving envelopes of tuna or pink salmon, and just before eating dress with sachets of lemon juice and Sriracha hot sauce, as well as salt & pepper to taste. Best if served with a fresh avocado or red pepper, or on a hearty toast, but just fine straight out of the bag with a fork as-is.

Think of this as like a fun bug-out bag. My friend texts "hey, what are you doing?" and I'm like "nothing much, why, what were you thinking?" and they're like "idk, wanna come?" me and Cynthia are ready for the possibility. And I know I won't forget anything I need while I'm out for the day, especially if my ride gets incapacitated and I end up spending the night somewhere.

And if you also keep a dopp kit ready to go like I do, all you have to do is pack that and some clothes in another bag or suitcase for an impromptu weekend away. Heck, I even keep my daily meds, headwrap components, and makeup all easily pack-able, purely for organization's sake.

Alright, bring on summer fun! I'm ready!