Local Blogs

By Sally Torbey

About this blog: About this blog: I have enjoyed parenting five children in Palo Alto for the past two decades and have opinions about everything to do with parenting kids (and dogs). The goal of my blog is to share the good times and discuss the ... (More)

View all posts from Sally Torbey

Packing for the Women's March

Uploaded: Jan 18, 2017

This week I am traveling to Washington DC. My Houston-based daughter and I are meeting there to attend the Women’s March on Washington this Saturday. On the event website, there is a detailed and exhaustive list of Rights for which we will enthusiastically march, and a location and start time for the rally, but otherwise, specifics of the event are scant.

When traveling I take great pains to pack whatever I might possibly need for safety, comfort, productivity, and enjoyment. With over 200,000 people expected at the Women’s March, and the possibility of rainy winter weather, inadequate facilities, and spotty cell coverage, I would prefer to carry my entire earthquake-preparedness kit so we would have everything we would need to be self-sufficient for three days, including a portable radio, spare batteries, and a bedroll. But I can’t. For security reasons, attendees are limited to one 8-by-6-by-4-inch tote, which is barely enough room for my reading glasses. What to do about my waterproof-but-breathable rain pants, first-aid kit (complete with mouth barrier for administering CPR), and laminated Metro system map?

Tomorrow I am heading to REI, tape measure in hand, to find a fanny pack that when stuffed full of essentials exactly fits those dimensions. I will also buy a coat with numerous huge pockets to stash my gear. I will look like the Michelin man, but it is a small price to pay for the peace of mind I will have by being totally prepared!

Comments

Posted by Matthew, a resident of Old Palo Alto,
on Jan 18, 2017 at 5:58 pm

Wonderful participation in the Women's March!!

Report Objectionable Content

Posted by PR, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood,
on Jan 19, 2017 at 4:39 am

Blessings on you and all the marchers!

Report Objectionable Content

Posted by Another bag, a resident of Adobe-Meadow,
on Jan 19, 2017 at 10:33 am

Web Link
"Specifically for people who would like to bring meals, each marcher is permitted one additional 12"x12"x6" plastic or gallon bag."

Report Objectionable Content

Posted by Sally Torbey, a Palo Alto Online blogger,
on Jan 19, 2017 at 12:13 pm
Sally Torbey is a registered user.

HI Matthew! Thanks for your enthusiasm.
HI PR- Thank you for your support.
Dear Another bag- Thanks for reading and commenting. A new challenge, best way to fit a days worth of calories that don't need refrigeration and are unsquishable in a gallon bag?

Report Objectionable Content

Posted by Woman2, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood,
on Jan 21, 2017 at 11:18 am

Next year please make it a voter registration, turnout, and factual information march. If people want to vote for the economy, they should start with facts, like that Republicans are way worse with debt and way more prone to throwing the country into debt, and that businessmen billionaires have never shown that they are good at running government. .

Thx for marching. Wish it had been three months ago.

Report Objectionable Content

Posted by JimK, a resident of The Greenhouse,
on Jan 21, 2017 at 9:14 pm

Thank you, ladies. I was kind of bummed out after the election but after seeing the numbers of the women's march (s) vs. the inaguration parade, I was restoked. To add frosting to the cake, the Trump attack on the media for reporting the numbers looked like an obvious opportunity to highlight his dilusion problem.

Report Objectionable Content

Posted by Debbie, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood,
on Jan 21, 2017 at 9:23 pm

I hope it was a wonderful experience! I can hardly wait to hear about it in your next blog.

Report Objectionable Content

Posted by Reader, a resident of another community,
on Jan 22, 2017 at 3:26 pm

@Sally Torbey:

So-called "energy bars" should fulfill your nutritional and storage requirements for an event such as the Women'sMarch although they appear to be utterly repellant in terms of taste.

Report Objectionable Content

Posted by Gale Johnson, a resident of Adobe-Meadow,
on Jan 23, 2017 at 2:50 pm
Gale Johnson is a registered user.

Great event, I guess. I'm not sure what the main purpose was (women fearful that their rights would be taken away?), but good for all those protesters who showed up. I've never been involved in a protest, but it looks like a lot of fun and a venue to vent feelings and frustrations in the hope of change or resisting feared and imminent change...and to get good exercise while doing it. Whether it will change the thinking or awareness of any elected member of Congress or the President is questionable. But to drive the point home, whatever it is, the protesters should march every weekend until they hear concessionary responses from our government, even if it means marching every weekend for 4 years. A one time event gets a lot of press and the participants get a 'feel good' feeling of accomplishment, but do they really believe their concern is serious enough that a day of marching will make any difference? March on and on until some of us and Congress and the President really get your message. A one time event is not enough, so keep marching.

Report Objectionable Content

Posted by JimK, a resident of The Greenhouse,
on Jan 23, 2017 at 6:02 pm
JimK is a registered user.

At least, if nothing else, the definition of "alternative facts" was etched into the history books. Now the chore continues to point out ALL of the alternative facts they expect us to blindly swallow.

Report Objectionable Content

Local Blogs

Packing for the Women's March

Stay informed.

Index