when my father and i decided to take a motorcycle trip from georgia to maine we spent a great deal of time in preparation. first, we needed to chart a course and plot it on a map. then, we needed to make a list of essential items to bring on the trip my list included some of the following items leather gloves, boots, jeans, a leather jacket, goggles and, of course, a map.

Explanation:

The question asks about where to place a colon. So the most appropriate place in the given paragraph to place a colon is after Items. Because colon is the punctuation which is used to explain the word or sentence written before it.

For example just like in this question, if we place a colon after the word Items, the next list will explain which items are included. It would be like, ' We needed to make a list of essential items: leather gloves, boots, jeans, a leather jacket, goggles and, of course, a map. This means that items include all such things that i mentioned above.