No Wrong Turns: Staying Fit on the Road

by Kelsey Mulyk on

Traveling often involves lugging around a heavy backpack and suffering from a variety of stomach illnesses. This combination usually keeps the ol’ waistline in check, even though it might not be the healthiest way.

I am a bit of a fitness nut…hold the eye-rolling for a sec, I have a valid reason. I studied Kinesiology in university and have seen firsthand the benefits of an active lifestyle and the effects of an unhealthy one. Plus, I really do like how I feel after a workout. OK now you can roll your eyes.

When we started to plan our driving adventure I began to wonder about how I could maintain my fitness level since I knew we would be spending a lot of time sitting in the car. I decided to pack some gear that would assist me in the quest for fit travel. My fitness bag includes:

  • running shoes
  • a set of workout clothes
  • a resistance band
  • a binder with a few workout routines I like in it
  • an exercise DVD

I whole-heartedly believe that you can be fit without having a gym membership; I think it is just a little harder. One can run pretty much anywhere, though at times you will get odd looks from the locals and you might have to out run a dog or two. If you have your computer, as I do, you can play a workout DVD anywhere, all you need is a little space. And if push comes to shove a few old-school exercises, like sit-ups and push-ups, will do the trick.

One of my cousins is a personal trainer and recommended mypypeline.com to me. It brings fitness to you, anywhere in the world. You can choose to focus on activities you prefer, like circuit training or yoga. There are personal trainers available to help motivate you and a slew of exercise videos available for download, for a small fee. Load these videos to your ipod and you can literally work out anywhere anytime. A large fitness community can be found here which provides support and assistance for those looking to start a fitness routine or those looking for new exercise ideas.

Though I just about upchucked my breakfast after my first workout in about a month. I have decided to shoot for cardio workouts three times a week and I will be attempting to surf soon, which should add up to about three weeks worth of exercise and two months worth of saltwater burps.

All in the name of a healthy lifestyle.

“No Wrong Turns” chronicles Kelsey and her husband’s road trip — in real time — from Canada to the southern tip of South America in their trusty red VW Golf named Marlin.

To Mexicans in America: Hang in there

by Iva Skoch on

This column in the San Diego Union Tribune has already created some controversy among liberals, as well as conservatives.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon will be spreading his good word in the United States in the next few days. According to the columnist, Ruben Navarrette, he is getting flak for not being vocal enough in protesting what many Mexicans see as the harsh and unfair treatment of their sons and daughters in the United States.

“It’s as if many Americans are waiting around for Mexico to solve our immigration problem by creating jobs south of the border or physically restraining those intent on crossing into the United States. If so, they’re going to be waiting a long time. Mexico now takes in about $23 billion annually in remittances from Mexicans living in the United States. It has no interest in turning off the golden faucet,” writes Navarrette.

The message that Calderon intends to spread around the United States in the next few days is one of hope. He tries to assure his country’s runaways that Mexico hasn’t forgotten them and remains attentive to their needs.

“It’s a good message,” Navarrette writes. “And one that the poor souls would have, no doubt, appreciated hearing before they packed their bags and headed north.” Harsh.

No Wrong Turns: Whale Watching in the Baja

by Kelsey Mulyk on

Who didn’t adore Whalerider? I loved that movie. Call me cheesy, but how cool would it be to ride a whale? OK, maybe not ride it, but what about touching one or giving one a big ‘ol hug?

After speaking to locals around the Baja Sur area I learned that one of the oldest mammals on earth, the gray whale, migrates yearly from Alaska all the way to Mexico. Their migration begins in October in the Bering and Chukchi seas and ends early January, in the Baja Peninsula. They travel over 12, 500 miles to give birth in the safer waters of Mexico and remain in the Baja until mid-March, and when the calves are strong enough, they make the journey back to the icy waters of Alaska for summer feeding.

Rumor has it that in the 1970’s a lone fisherman was out in the waters by San Ignacio and found himself, and his little boat, side by side with a large gray whale. Terrified that the whale might knock the boat over, he waited hoping that it would leave. The whale remained nearby and, after mustering up some courage and probably saying a prayer, he timidly reached out and touched the whale. And so, a tourist destination was born.

There are many whale-watching tour companies to choose from offering visitors the chance to see and touch the whales up close. Some of the more well-known places are Guerrero Negro, Loreto, and San Ignacio. The whales aren’t shy and, both the adults and babies, will swim right up to the boat allowing tourists the chance to see these huge, peaceful animals up close and personal. Whale-watching season officially begins December 15th and lasts until April 15th.

If the thought of getting in a tiny boat to pet a whale is unsettling, you can head out to the beaches near Todos Santos and spot these large creatures about 20 meters off the sand. We wandered down about a week ago and I was astonished at how close the whales actually are to the beach: you can see and hear them spray water from their blowholes. We even heard about a guy going out to swim with them. Hmmm…too bad I wasn’t more of a whaler rider…

“No Wrong Turns” chronicles Kelsey and her husband’s road trip — in real time — from Canada to the southern tip of South America in their trusty red VW Golf named Marlin.

GADLING TAKE 5: week of 3/15/2008

by Catherine Bodry on

Is anyone else out there running a spring fever? Even though the ground is still snow-covered, the effect of the bright sun — finally rising higher in they sky up here — makes everything that much brighter. So even though it’s currently 22 degrees, I’m ready to put on a t-shirt start gardening.

But since those aren’t really options, how about I bring you a taste of last week’s posts?

That’s all! Happy Friday.

Good Deed Travel (Mexico here I come): Packing list justification

by Jamie Rhein on

Tomorrow I’m flying to San Diego on Southwest Airlines and on Sunday I’m going by bus to Mexico to build houses with more teenagers (one of them my daughter) than I’ve been around in awhile. That’s the plan anyway. I’ll fill you in on how that goes.

With Southwest Airlines’ woes of having to ground planes and cancel flights, I’m wondering about the first leg of this endeavor. Since I’m supposed to be at the airport at 6:30 AM, I’m hoping that there are no snafus. I plan to dress appropriately for my time with Southwest, and I will be very polite so, I don’t think I’ll have problems there.

Last night my daughter and I headed to the store with our packing list to pick up the items we don’t have, or don’t know where to find in our house. Questions like, “Do we need a toothbrush holders?” came up. Big trips always seem to need a toothbrush holder. This trip counts as a big trip–an occassion. For smaller trips, I use a plastic sandwich bag since I can’t seem to remember in between larger trips where I put things like toothbrush holders.

We always buy more batteries too. For this trip we need flashlights since we will be sleeping in tents and without electricity. It’s not that we don’t have batteries, but they are stray ones rolling around in drawers–maybe a half dozen. Who knows if they are any good? A big trip says, “I need a fresh pack.” Same with the band-aids. I don’t want old ones with wrinkled wrappers. A trip big trip says, “brand new.” No half-filled bottle of shampoo either. Maybe for a short trip, but not for a big one.

Big trips are occasions like a Junior prom or a wedding. If one gets married a second time, you don’t wear the first dress even though it’s perfectly good and still fits. Brand new gives a level of importance–a fresh start. The possibility that one will have a life changing experience. Since we’re building houses, I didn’t get new old clothes. I’m taking my old old old clothes, the ones with paint splatters. I have packed a new shirt that I was given as a present. Perhaps I’ll wear it on the plane tomorrow. It is not revealing.

No matter how much I travel, I overdo. If I could use one package of Wet Ones, three might work better. While building houses in Mexico, I’ll be back to my bucket bath days from the Peace Corps period of my life. Also, when traveling with a large group of teenagers, if you’re using a Wet One, you have to share. It’s an unspoken rule. Then there’s the chewing gum–another item to share. Same with cough drops with vitamin C.

Of course, I could buy any one of these items in San Diego, but it’s the control factor. I can control variables like going to the store on this side of a trip. I have a car here. Once I step on a plane, all bets are off. I’m in new territory where anything can happen.

Tonight we’re packing using our handy packing list as a guide and I’m still wondering if perhaps I shouldn’t head to the store one more time. For what? I have no idea, but when I see it, I’ll know. Then I can buy more than one–just in case.