What is my hope for this website.

This has been one of these days, if not weeks, where the extremists, trolls, haters and those benefiting from this site have voiced their beliefs.

Yet very few understand what I’m trying to accomplish.

So, let me spell it out.

I am trying to promote the concept of light, one-bag travel and offer information on how to accomplish that.

I’m not trying to get everyone to travel this way or insist it’s the only way to travel. Just the contrary. We all must figure out what is best for us. That might change depending on the type of trip we’re taking. Each of us has our own preferences, needs and wants. It is imperative that we abide by them and not someone elses.

Once we can get past this wheeled/non-wheeled fiasco, I hope the people coming to this site realize that most of the tips, gear reviews,  and concepts shared will work in either kind of bag.

Personally, having kept an eye on the negative postings, it seems that there are a few people who are coming here just to stir up trouble. And unfortunately, they’re taking up too much of our time.

It’s time to get back to talking about light travel. In the next few days I’m going to try to catch up with my gear reviews. With the holidays coming, some of you might be looking for travel related items to give to loved ones.

One last thing, if you are not interested in light, carry-on travel, please don’t waste your time at this website. It’s not for you. There are plenty of other travel web sites where you will find people who, in our lingo, like to pack heavy.

Comments

[Scott]

Yep, that's about right.... if you like what's here, welcome. If you don't like what you see, don't look. :-)

[Larry]

I ,for one, really appreciate this site. My reason for one bag, light travel was a trip to Branson MO where my suitcase arrived but my wife's didn't. Can you imagine trying to buy winter clothes for a week with the $50 the airline gave us? Since then, if I can't carry it on, I don't go. This site helps me pack smarter. Not everything works for everyone, obviously, but some ideas are golden. Keep up the good work!

[Paula Bag Lass]

>>>"I am trying to promote the concept of light, one-bag travel and offer information on how to accomplish that."<<<

Which is what Brad was doing......and he even dared to use the term "ultralight" at one point. IMHO this site hasn't changed drastically since you took over Frank and I enjoy checking in to read your daily roundup and latest reviews on products. Unfortunately and just like any other interactive web site, there will always be people who get their jollies winding others up and trying to cause trouble (a.k.a. sad sacks who need to get a life).
This site has helped me hone my packing skills and realise what style of bag is really best for me, I enjoy exchanging tips with intelligent posters and getting heads up on sales and discounted items.
If anything, travelling one bag lightly, can only improve ones mental and physical health!
Keep up the good work and thank you. :-)

[anon]

OBOW should have a place where people could post their packlists in a visual database - i am very interested in seeing other people's travel packs!

[Paula Bag Lass]

Anon......
Have you seen this link?
http://www.1bag1world.com/blog/category/packing-lists

[Darbi]

I'm a huge fan of the daily roundup! Brad was pretty much MIA by the time I started checking out this site, but that has to be one of my favorite new things. I think Frank does a good job. People will always complain about something. Keep up the good work. And hey, maybe one day I'll learn enough to go sub-15 pounds! :)

[Gary Williams]

I, too, like the daily news approach, with reviews and tips sprinkled in as time permits. And I have always felt when I read this site that I am free to adopt the ideas I find useful for me and to ignore the ones that I don't.

[Megan E.]

I like this site, and I respect your goals for it. Might I suggest though, that you link to a few other places people CAN go (ie Rick Steves, FlyerTalk, etc) so they don't get upset that they are told to go elsewhere when they are too new to know where to know... and by link, I mean on the post you just made, as well as perhaps making it more obvious elsewhere.

Cheers!
Megan

[Frank@OBOW]

There is a "light travel links" section on the left side of this page. You do need to scroll down a bit. It will be better placed in the redesign.