Oh, Sweet Motorhome

by Erik Olsen on

We’ve never been ones to herald motorhome travel. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but traveling in a house on wheels just seems kinda, well, fogey. But they, as a wise (and tall) man once said: let us not judge that we be not judged.

And so it was with some skepticism that I initially read this post by John Neff over at autoblog about the various way you can get around America these days with your rolling house. Again, while you have thought, as I did, that motorhoming was for the geriatric set, you have to appreciate the capabilities of a vehicle like the Terrawind, which looks a bit like something James Bond …post-retirement…would drive. And you know what? I would too.

But there’s more. Take a look at the Airstream Basecamp, kind of a Robocop meets About Schmidt. Now that’s a machine you can pick up Gladys Fernbokker in, you know, the hottie from Sun Acres Retirement Home, the one who dropper her dentures in your Dewars and Water “by accident”.

Well, the chances are you won’t be seeing me in a motorhome any time this summer, but I salute Neff and the autoblog boys for calling our attention to a fine post about a pastime for the past prime.

Firefly Light

by Erik Olsen on

Not sure how many folks get stuck out there in the wilderness without a light, but here’s a really cool device that turns your water bottle into a lantern. Called The Firefly, it seems pretty handy. You merely use your regular big mouth Nalgene bottle and screw the Firefly on top. When you turn it on, zoing! you get a nice lovely light.

Of course, if you want to get really tricky, you can use all sorts of different colors of Gatorade and make neato colors. This might serve you well if you need to line up a while bunch of these to make an airstrip or something. Come on, professor, you’ve watched Gilligan’s Island. Just think how useful these would be!

Newfoundland Adventure: a Preface

by Erik Olsen on


I am sitting in a hotel room in St. John’s Newfoundland right now, getting ready to head back to the states. I’ve been here for over a week, and have gawked at the astounding landscapes, endured several rather brutal rain storms, savored many a plate of fish and chips, and kayaked glacial-chilled seas while meeting whales, puffins and eagles face to face…or face to beak for that matter. I have one word about this place: amazing. It is beautiful and rugged and gaping and…wait, that’s more than one word.

Anyway, my computer here is loaded down with photos of the last week, during which I got to see an ample, but in all reality rather small, portion of this incredible Canadian province. I plan to provide an informative, photo-illustrated look back on this trip, but right now must head out to board a plane. So in the meantime, I offer this photo of my sea kayaking adventure from two days ago to whet the appetite. Will write more soon.

Gear Testers Wanted

by Neil Woodburn on

Ever wanted to get you hands on some free gear and then take it for a test run in the mountains? Well, Backpacker Magazine is looking for 80 gear testers to try out boots, tents, sleeping backs and a variety of other backpacking equipment over the summer.

Click here to apply. With questions about “foot length” and “torso size” it will be the strangest job application you ever fill out. Just hope you’re not selected to try out the snake bite kit.

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of July 9

by Adrienne Wilson on

Time for us to showcase some of our favorite blurbs of the week in case you missed them. I’m guessing most of you dear and loyal readers, haven’t and I completely don’t understand if you did, but here’s another chance to review five.

5. Saving Belizean Music:
Thanks to Neil, Belizean music is remembered this week. In this short blog he points us to a LA Times piece on the sounds of local music in Belize. On top of that he also provides you with a link to get your own fill of these Central American tunes.

4. Saving Pics:
Everyone’s got their own method to saving their precious travel memories. Some will back them up three times on CD, on five different computers or you name it so long as they are protected. A few of us who are a little more trusting in modern technology can probably do without caring too much equipment in the name of protection and that is why I point you to this (oh-so) simple gear piece from Erik. The skinny – Flashtrax XT. Another cool compact option for photo storage on the road.

3. Machu Picchu Helicopter:
To climb or fly? That is the question in this chopper over Machu Picchu piece, where Neil invites readers to share their feelings on whether or not taking the ride up to the ruins is better than hiking. In short, we want to know if it’s cool or lame?

2. Road Trip USA Podcasts:
Here’s a good one if you’re planning a last minute road trip for the summer – Road Trip USA podcasts by Jaime Jensen. While the gas along the way may be high you needn’t worry about the podcasts costing you a thing, because if what Erik says is true, then they’re free. Go get some audio for the road to help you along the way!

1. Self-Erecting Tent:
Some claim it’s spankin’ new and other say it’s a thing of years past, but I’ve never heard of it so for me it’s on the spankin’ side. What am I speaking of? The self-erecting tent by Quechua is making pitching your cozy campsite digs a breeze. All you do is toss it in the air and by the time it lands your home-sweet-tent is all ready to go. Thank Neil for pointing to this fine piece of gear.