Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

Bag It Up: Summertime’s traveling time.

Screenshot 2016-06-23 14.52.48Honeysuckle wafts sweet along Riverfront Park. Swashing paddles from the Pride accompany the hum of conversation of al fresco diners. Oh, of course, dazzling cowboy monkeys ride on the backs of border collies around a ball field.

Summer in the city.

This is my favorite time of year. Despite 93 short days of this wonderful season, there comes a time when a mouthful of mayflies and a summer vacay to burn push a man to experience surrounding pleasures.

Close proximity to many other wonderful destinations is part of what makes Harrisburg great. An easy train ride to New York, Philly or D.C. could offer a change of pace. Mt. Gretna and the Poconos boast leafy retreats. If you’re up for a four-hour road trip, you could always go down the shore (Google Philly idioms for definition).

Pack the essentials: above-the-knee swim trunk, toothbrush, pocket square (issue of this month’s Burg!). No matter what you bring, I see a lot of guys stuffing their stuff into a drawstring backpack or the ever-popular trash bag.

Functional? Yes. Appropriate? Who are you, Dexter?

Traveling in style should also mean what is slung over your shoulder. It doesn’t take much to elevate your hauler to haute. If you want something low-key, durable and lightweight, Bomber and Co. just launched a no frills, black “bomber duffle” that also comes with a toiletry bag ($60 Amazon.com).

If you don’t have a Prime account, no need to worry. Check out any military surplus store (e.g. Army Navy in Midtown Harrisburg), and you will find inexpensive, rugged rucksacks in manly OD green ($17 to $45). Tactical experts know the benefit of having a plethora of pockets and the importance of weight distribution. That’ll come in handy if you have a long walk to your Airbnb.

If you’re a guy who owns a “timepiece” instead of a watch, you may want to upgrade your Kardashian-inspired, logo-plastered luggage for a more timeless investment. Since we’re celebrating ‘Murica this month, I will offer three Bruce Springsteen-approved travel bags made right here in the U.S.A.

First, you may not know ish from Shinola, but this Motor City-bred leather bag will get your engine going. Shinola’s “Medium Gym Duffle” in “bourbon” is simple elegance at a stiff Pappy Van Winkle price ($995 Shinola.com).

The late, great Prince was not the only legend to arise from the waters of Lake Minnetonka. J.W. Hulme Co. was founded in 1905 and made canvas tents for the U.S. Army during World War I. Tanners have handcrafted a hunter green canvas weekend bag with supple mahogany leather ready to fight for you in the trenches of a rest stop ($595 jwhulmeco.com).

Another Minnesota staple is Duluth Pack, up the road on the shore of Lake Superior. The company was founded in 1882, the same year polygamy was outlawed by Congress….so there’s that. D.P. sources its leather from American bison in Montana and claims its grain is 40-percent stronger than cowhide. They also sell axes—what’s more star-spangled awesome than that, Paul Bunyan?!

I’m partial to Duluth’s “Large Sportsman Duffle” in two-tone maple leather that even comes with a “dust flap,” for you know…tumbleweeds and such. These bags come with a lifetime warranty and cost a Ben Franklin less than J-Dub’s ($495 DuluthPack.com).

There it is. If you must leave Harrisburg this summer, please represent our capital city with class. Others will be eyeing up your stylish sack and, even if they don’t notice where you’re coming from, they’ll definitely ask you where you’re going.

 

Down the Hatch

A well-traveled gent should embrace the ease of relaxation. So, instead of a simple rum-and-Coke this summer, savor a refreshing Paloma (which means “dove” in Spanish—spread your wings!)

3 parts grapefruit soda (Fresca)

1 part tequila blanco

Pour both over rocks in a glass and squeeze a lime wedge on top.

Our Sharp Press Man, Dave Marcheskie, is a reporter and anchor for abc27 News. If you’d like to ask Dave a fashion question, please email it to info@theburgnews.com. He may use it in a future column.

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