Bring everything you need and nothing that you don’t There are two kinds of travelers in the world: those who love to pack, and those who dread the very thought of it. The packing-dreaders seem to cling to their need to have many options. Like it overwhelms them to narrow down all the choices available…
Author: SJ
Don’t pass up this traditional Belize food
A complicated, surprising, rich medley of flavors…just like Belize itself. When you celebrate a birthday abroad, your birthday dinner might be an unexpected gift. This was the case on a recent trip to Belize, when I joined an all-women’s fly fishing trip on Ambergris Caye in Belize. The last time I visited Belize, it was…
Camp Snacks Get Classy
Up for a little post-hike charcuterie? I survived many a hike with a smashed PBJ and baggie of GORP. Maybe we’d jazz it up with some summer sausage, and lukewarm Tang (if you remember Tang, you are as old as me!) It was fine. But especially once our kids grew up and our hiking involved…
Favorite Gear: Leki Trekking Poles
Here’s why hiking poles make for happy treks, and four features that you’ll appreciate.
Tidbits Mountain Hike
An under-the-radar hike with over the top views One spring evening, soon after we moved to Bend in 2003, we went to a slideshow on local hikes at a little outdoor gear shop down the road. The shop was Pine Mountain Sports, and the speaker was William Sullivan, and we’ve been fans of both ever…
Smartphone Apps: Trucker Path and Roadtrippers
The roadtrip tools I didn’t know I needed. My most recent roadtrip was an unusual one. Normally if I’m not traveling, I’m busy planning some kind of getaway, but 2020’s plans mostly fell through, as they did for everyone else. It’s been armchair travels and local hikes, and feeling fortunate to live in a town…
Firetower Lookout Camping
on Green Ridge Lookout near Sisters, Oregon Wildfires are certainly no picnic here in Central Oregon, and for most of fire season volunteers keep watch from high vantage points at fire lookout towers scattered throughout the region. In late spring and fall, however, those cabins-on-stilts are available for campers to rent. Renting a fire lookout…
Favorite Footwear for Happy Feet
Solomon XA Ultra and XA Pro Hiking Shoes and Hiking Boots Find the right fit for your hiking shoes Happy hiking starts with happy feet. And happy feet depend on a well-fitting hiking boot or hiking shoe. My feet are surprisingly average–not too wide, not too narrow, no unusual toes, size 9. Even so, I’m…
Meet Roosevelt, our cabin on wheels RV
Last fall we found the RV we’d been dreaming of for ages: a Winnebago View, model 24 V, on a diesel Mercedes chassis. It was sitting on the lot at the Winnebago factory in Forest City, Iowa, just waiting for the right people to come and let the adventures to begin. Our roadtrip route from…
What should we do this weekend?
My goal is to use every item in the photo below. We are heading out in Roosevelt for the weekend. Somewhere in southern Oregon along a river with bike trails. We have minimal plans but maximum gear, and when the plans are vague you might as well bring it all (unless you are backpacking. Then…