Thoughts on Travel Priorities

Casper, WY, USA

I’ve been lucky enough to have traveled a good number of places since I was a kid. My parents made it clear to us that the world was a big place and more than just our small town. I’m sure it wasn’t easy but they gave us kids the valuable gift of experiencing different cultures and seeing firsthand how people lived, both in the States and abroad.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” 
- Mark Twain

More recently, I’ve been able to visit parts of the United States that I haven’t seen before, Wyoming specifically. And no, it wasn’t Yellowstone or even the Bighorn Mountains (both of which are on the list), but Casper, where I was in town for a best buds wedding.

I drove up from Denver with my kid brother and while we wanted to make good time and were eager to hang out with a friend we haven’t seen in years, we also share an adventurous spirit and are easily distracted with stopping to check out anything that catches our eye.

The best stop of this trip was the Oregon Trail Ruts. We stood in ruts literally carved out over the years by hundreds of thousands of horse, oxen, and wagons as emigrants traveled West. A seriously historic place that we had all to ourselves.


Ok, that last part isn’t entirely true. There was one other person besides the two of us, an older gentleman* with a Dodge truck and giant camper who was traveling all along the Oregon Trail. Hats off to that guy.

I apologize for the long winded post but I’m basically saying this: it’s ok to take the highway but don’t be afraid to venture off and see what you see. I can be a strict planner and even I know how important it is to remain flexible and allow time for whatever may come up. Don’t rush to make the 3 PM check-in at the hotel, it’s not worth it.

*Fun fact: We ran into the Oregon Trail Ruts guy at the laundromat in Casper as he was passing through. Small world and fun to catch up with a fellow traveler.

Wilderness Collective Review: Sequoia to Yosemite

 

Psst. If you're looking for a 10% discount, hit me up.

More and more I've been choosing experiences over material things and lately I feel completely confident that I’ve made the correct decision in thinking this way.

Since watching the first videos of the Wilderness Collective's motorcycle trips, I knew I wanted to do one but it always seemed a bit out of reach financially, even if it's sort of a bucket list type of trip for me.

Side note: I don’t really like the term “bucket list” but I don’t have an alternative at the moment.

Long story short, the Wilderness Collective Sequioa to Yosemite Dual Sport Motorcycle Tour called to me and on September 29, 2015, I answered the call and booked my trip. The best part is, I pulled the trigger during their Kickstarter campaign and got the trip for $1,000 off. Way too good to pass up.

Let me offer a spoiler though as you’re probably about to ask me, “is it worth the money?” and I have to say, yes, it most certainly worth it. But remember, I'm a believer that experiences are worth more than “things." This trip is truly something to experience.

Look, if you're used to roughin' it on your own with some ultralight cuben fiber stuff sacks and eating dehydrated beans while hitchhiking on the cheap, this trip just may not be for you. But what this trip provides is so much more than that. Stop wasting your time planning potential routes, leave your camera behind (they have a professional photographer and videographer riding along), and don't even think of packing your titanium spork for meals. Did I mention they've brought in some of the best chefs of the LA area (at least on my trip) to cook breakfast lunch and dinner for you?

Being able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the moment isn't something I'm used to doing. I usually sit on the planning end of things and I never get to be treated like the "guest" or "client" and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. Their spartan but top quality crew handled everything that needed handling and left the riding to us riders without being weighed down by the minutiae of the day to day.

I planned on on this review being a lot longer than it currently is but I'm going to end things early. I even planned on breaking down the cost of the motorcycle rental, insurance, gas, maintenance costs, spare parts, use of the Icon Variant helmet, Elsinore boots, and body armor, or the Icon gloves, backpack, and hydration bladder you get to keep, or the use of the Poler tents, Snow Peak chairs, professional photographer, and chef but I've simply decided to ask if you would take my word for it when I say this trip is worth it.

At the end of the day, you'll know if this trip is for you and nothing I can say will sway you in either direction.

Buy the ticket, take the ride.

Photos by Steve Dubbeldam and Jay Gullion

Items of Want 038

I'm not sure what I would do with this but it reminds me of playing "pilots" with my kid brother as we would run through the process of starting up and flying around (by adjusting fan speeds on the box fan in our room) and talking through walkie talkies. Maybe I'll get this Apollo 11 Flight Plan so him and I can do some more make believe when our wives are out of town.

[Acquired] Field Notes Byline Edition

Field Notes does it again. I'm really digging the color, size, and style of this notebook. This edition tugs on my nostalgic days of being a detective in elementary school but the simplicity of its lie flat design makes it great for modern note taking as well.

Coleman National Parks Edition Steel-Belted Cooler

I don't know if I'm a fan the big NPS stickers on this cooler or not but I can't deny how much I'm into the brushed aluminum and classic look overall. This cooler also doubles as a seat, has a built in bottle opener, and can keep ice for 4 days at temps up to 90 degrees fahrenheit. Sounds like a winner in my book.

Wawa Gift Card (for Hoagiefest)

It's currently Hoagiefest and trust me when I say that I've had my fair share of Wawa Italian hoagies to take full advantage of this special holiday. I don't know what I'll do when it's over... It'll be a dark day indeed...

DDC "Fire! Fire! Fire! Lighter." No. DDC-166

This isn't for sale online but if I find myself anywhere near the DDC merch table in person, I'll be sure to pick up one or two of these bad boys. I'm not a smoker but the classic Bic lighter seems to have an infinite amount of fuel which makes it an essential item for your survival kit or even EDC.

— Check out past Items of Want â€”

Items of Want 037

The color scheme of this hat struck a chord in me. While I do have a soft spot for understated, durable goods, there's really not much to say other than simply repeating Filson's recommended usage for this hat: "Field; Travel; Everyday"

Tanner Goods Cargo Carryall

A reinvention of the classic military duffel, I would love to trek this bag all over the world and see what kind of patina develops. The 72 liter capacity should be more than enough for some upcoming trips I have planned and the 18oz cotton canvas is sure to withstand any abuse.

Birds of North America Poster

My parents had a book of birds I used to love looking through from our porch as I pretended to be an ornithologist. Actually, they probably still have that book somewhere but in case they don't, I think this poster would scratch my itch of identifying our fine feathered friends and knolling all at once. Two birds I suppose.

Goal Zero Torch 250 Flashlight

If two is one and one is none, I suppose this flashlight is something around a four. At least. What is it? It's a 250 lumen flashlight that can recharge from USB, solar, or its hand crank, and can charge a smartphone, GoPro, or a tablet. And all for less than $100. It seems Goal Zero has seriously upped the flashlight game and made an incredible device for home, the car, or the campsite. No reason not to get a couple and be prepared for when you need to shed a little light on the subject.

WC x Boreas Pack

In a quest to limit how many "things" I own, I've started paring down with a goal of not having more than one thing of a particular subject. Since I already have a small backpack (GORUCK GR1) for day hikes and everyday use and a large backpack (GORUCK GR2) for camping and travel, I was successful in talking myself out of buying this Wilderness Collective/Boreas Gear collaboration bag when it was available for sale. But after seeing it firsthand during a recent Wilderness Collective trip, I realized I need one in my life. It could be perfect for riding mountain bikes or dual sport motorcycles so my eyes are now glued to Craigslist and eBay in case one pops up.

— Check out past Items of Want â€”

My Work

Ongoing Series

  • Dispatch - Particular links I find useful or inspiring and worth sharing. Consider it a "best of the best" link dump.
  • Items of Want - Products that have caught my eye recently. Also a sort of personal wish list to refer to later.

DC Lunch Break Tours


GORUCK


Articles for ITS Tactical

Photography

  • Unsplash
    • This is a collection of what I consider to be my better photographs. They're completely free to download and use.
  • Overland Expo 2014 West
    • The Overland Expo team used some of my photos in their online gallery.