Archives for posts with tag: travel

California’s State Parks Still Without Long Term Funding

May 22, 2013 //

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In May of 2011 the State of California announced a plan to close 25% of its 278 state parks. Shortly thereafter a group of film makers sprung into action, set off on a 3,000-mile journey to visit the 70 parks slated to close, and made the film, The First 70, the trailer of which appears above.

Last year agreements were put into place to keep the parks open. However, according to a recent San Francisco Chronicle article, all of those agreements will expire, many in June of 2014. The article also cites a report by the Little Hoover Commission, an independent state agency that focuses on finding efficiencies in state operations, which recommends California divest itself of some of its state park holdings.

What all this means is that no long-term solution exists to fund California’s State Parks.

Tags California state park closures, film, The First 70, travel, video, WCXC

Categories - Armchair Travel, - United States, - Videos, — California, FEATURES, MEDIA, North America, PLACES

Motorcycling from Alaska to South America

May 8, 2013 //

In some ways motorcycles are the ideal overlanding platform. They’re inexpensive, sip fuel, can get through stalled traffic, or down the narrowest trail. In my experience, they’re two to three times faster over rough roads than 4x4s. And, as this beautiful video shows, they even work for very long distance travel.

Between 2010 and 2012 Alex Chacon, a recent BioMed graduate from the University of Texas, spent just over 500 days traveling up, down, and across the Americas, from Alaska to the Tip of South America, on his motorcycle, a 2007 KLR 650. It looks like it was a stunning trip. If you’d like to dig deeper, his YouTube channel covers his journey in twelve episodes.

Here’s more info on his KLR, the way he equipped it, and why he chose it over a BMW or KTM. He also set up a consulting service to assist other travels wanting to head south.

Update 5/14/2013: Here’s a WCXC post about the benefits of the KLR 650.

Tags adventure, Alaska to South America, motorcycle, motorcycles, Texas, travel, video, WCXC

Categories - Armchair Travel, - Mexico, - Motorcycles, - United States, - Videos, — Alaska, — Texas, Central America, FEATURES, GEAR, MEDIA, North America, PLACES, South America, VEHICLES

Port Townsend, Washington

May 6, 2013 //


We park next to a huge, mobile sling used for hauling boats out of the water.

If you’re into into historic towns and boats, and you find yourself in the Pacific Northwest, do yourself a favor and check out Port Townsend, Washington. It sits on peninsula that forms the entrance to Puget Sound and is one of those rare, old towns which is situated to engage the sea. A drive to the local boat yard confirms this. Everywhere vessels from from small sailboats to huge trawlers are on the hard, awaiting refits and repairs. Cape George boats are built there. It’s a nice place.

The area along the waterfront, is known as “downtown.” When we asked about a good local pub, the folks at the natural food store pointed us up the hill (toward “uptown”) to the Uptown Pub. This is a classic bar with good vibes, good food, and local beers. We happened to be there for open mic night and also saw some talented musicians. One guy even came up with his cello… and rocked, playing it traditionally and like a guitar. It was pretty amazing. We’re considering it as a home base for our upcoming Pacific Northwest Trip.

To get there, take Highway 20 north from 101as it runs along the Olympic National Forest. More photos below. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags boats, boatyard, on the hard, Port Townsend, port townsend washington, travel, trip report, WA, WCXC

Categories - Armchair Travel, - Historic Town, - Pictures, - United States, — Washington, FEATURES, FOOD & DRINK, MEDIA, North America, PLACES, PLACES TO SEE

Morocco to Mongolia by Land Rover

May 4, 2013 //

In 1993 three friends from New Zealand set out from Morocco on what would become an eight-year, eleven-part adventure through Africa, the Middle East, India, China, and Mongolia.

In their travels they saw the whole of human experience: war, corruption, but also great festivals, amazing desert cities, and friendly people of all creeds and colors.

These four videos detail their trip. By all evidence, it was epic. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags 4-wheel-drive, 4x4, adventure, Africa, Land Rover, Mongolia, Morocco to Mongolia, off-road, off-roading, offroad, overland, travel, trip report, video, WCXC

Categories - 4x4 / SUV, - Armchair Travel, - China, - India, - Morocco, - Nepal, - Videos, Africa, FEATURES, MEDIA, Middle East, PLACES, VEHICLES

Expo: Backcountry Trip to Utah

February 23, 2013 //

There are some great trip reports over on the Expedition Portal Forums. Here are a couple of highlight photos from a guy who posts under the name “Sabre.” He and his wife took an overland trip from their home in Washington state to the southwest. The photos and scenery are stunning. And they did the whole trip in a stock Gen 3 Montero.

Link: Backcountry Trip to Utah Sells the Wife on Overlanding Read the rest of this entry »