That’s kind of a trick question because of course there are so many items essential to health and safety and comfort. But an item Rand and I have come to regard as essential is a waterproof backpack. Rand had one when we first met, and that backpack had been around the world with us – several times – and helped us to have a lot of fun. Whether it was on on our kayak, or crossing a river or other body of water, or just hiking in rain, that backpack saved our cameras and phones and other do-not-get-wet items many times over. Having ridden that backpack hard, and put it to bed wet a time too many, it was showing signs of wear and we realized we should replace it before it gave out.

That’s why we were elated when we spotted waterproof backpacks in one of the first tents we entered on the opening day of the Annapolis boat show. Rand got a handsome blue one and I got a pink one that contributed a portion of the sale price to breast cancer research.