OK Dick, more or less back now. 
YUMI appears to be very pernickety, as is the same for one of its contemporaries, multibootusb, with regard to Persistence.
I could go on more, but that will consume time and space. (But at least I am up to speed now on current versions of YUMI and Multibootusb
, I subscribe to "no learning is ever wasted")
I will have much more for you tomorrow, but for now, let's revisit the nuts and bolts of your #5 Post (edited by me)
Can't help you with "The Pupsters" (Puppy), still to use, properly. Wonderful invention, though, by Australian Barry Kauler, it's on my To Do list.
I believe German Klaus Knopper's Linux Distro Knoppix will fit the bill, or possibly MX-18, which also has a Persistence feature, but I have not used it, yet.
Have a read of (Google search)
knoppix wikipedia
to start with.
Over the last few days, between the fires dramas, I have trialled older version Knoppix v8.2 on a 64 GB USB stick, and the latest, v8.6 released just 20 days ago, on a 16 GB USB stick such as you have, and it seems eminently suitable for what you describe.
Knoppix features a hybrid DE (Desktop Environment) based on a combination of LXDE predominantly, with elements of KDE included, so it will be a little different from your Cinnamon comfort zone.
To get better acquainted with the different DEs, read this old but still factual article at
https://renewablepcs.wordpress.com/about-linux/kde-gnome-or-xfce/
If you are interested, we will close this Thread and start another (but wait until I say).
Wizard out for now

YUMI appears to be very pernickety, as is the same for one of its contemporaries, multibootusb, with regard to Persistence.
I could go on more, but that will consume time and space. (But at least I am up to speed now on current versions of YUMI and Multibootusb

I will have much more for you tomorrow, but for now, let's revisit the nuts and bolts of your #5 Post (edited by me)
When we go up to the States, initially that trip will be like a 6mo trip to locate a property and have some medical issues dealt with. So I'll only have the notebook with me. I wouldn't think I would have it everywhere I go but I could very well have need of some of my saved pics, bank info, files while away from my hotel room. Hence the usb 16gb thumb drive. So maybe all I need is a permanent Precise Puppy?
Can't help you with "The Pupsters" (Puppy), still to use, properly. Wonderful invention, though, by Australian Barry Kauler, it's on my To Do list.
I believe German Klaus Knopper's Linux Distro Knoppix will fit the bill, or possibly MX-18, which also has a Persistence feature, but I have not used it, yet.
Have a read of (Google search)
knoppix wikipedia
to start with.
Over the last few days, between the fires dramas, I have trialled older version Knoppix v8.2 on a 64 GB USB stick, and the latest, v8.6 released just 20 days ago, on a 16 GB USB stick such as you have, and it seems eminently suitable for what you describe.
Knoppix features a hybrid DE (Desktop Environment) based on a combination of LXDE predominantly, with elements of KDE included, so it will be a little different from your Cinnamon comfort zone.
To get better acquainted with the different DEs, read this old but still factual article at
https://renewablepcs.wordpress.com/about-linux/kde-gnome-or-xfce/
If you are interested, we will close this Thread and start another (but wait until I say).
Wizard out for now