I use my phone to take photos of business cards, signs, parking spots, and so on, but I don't like to tap out notes on it unless I have to. I make too many errors. I've been carrying around a small notebook when I travel, and the one I like the best is this 3" x 5" Rite in the Rain, a pocket sized notebook with nearly waterproof pages. Each wire-O bound book has 50 double side sheets (with a grid pattern print). I use a pencil to take notes with it. Ordinary ballpoints won't work when the pages are wet, but all-weather pens do. The cover is made from durable plastic. They come in a variety of colors and sizes. The small ones cost less than $4 each. 
