If you're ever doing a long ifr x-country in a small airplane (or any airplane) for that matter, best thing not to forget is approach plates!

Flew from KCLE to Zephryhills(near tampa) in a 182 and had to stop in the carolinas for fuel. Did great preflight planning, left real early in the morning, all ready to go! Carolinas are socked in low ifr, getting ready to descend for the approach, what did i forget, oh yeah, approach plates for the carolinas!

Explaining to ATC, especially busy charlotte approach that you need some 'assistance' because your approach plates have been 'misplaced' is rather embarassing and nerve wrecking. They were not in the mood to talk me through an approach, however, it did work, and they never said, "advise when ready to copy phone number". cowabunga