Outdoor Adventure Blog

If you read more of my blogs, you’ll notice a pattern about me and cold weather.  I live in Orlando, Florida because I really hate being cold.  That’s why I love the Arc’teryx Atom AR Jacket; it lets me love the mountains. I took the Arc’teryx Atom AR to the Grand Tetons back in May.  Forgetting that May in Wyoming is nothing like May in Florida!  In Florida, in the month of May, the population doubles from tourists seeking refuge in the warmth.  In Wyoming, in the month of May, kayak rentals are closed because the water is still dangerously freezing.

Arc'Teryx Atom AR Jacket Review »

When I started looking for a new rucksack, I had three primary requirements.  I needed firm hip-belts and a supportive back structure due to a previous shoulder injury that made backpacking difficult.  I wanted to be able to access the center of the bag without having to unload its guts and I wanted the bag to be both versatile and easily organizable.   I would be using it for international travel and road trips so ultralight was less of a priority than reducing the weight on my shoulders.  I’d lived with a 35 liter for a few years but now I needed to fit more than my sleeping bag, camping pad, and tent in it.

Osprey Ariel 55 Backpack Review »

In the world of wallets, we hadn't seen anything new in decades. Today, cash is used infrequently while debit and credit cards have become the payment standard. Finally, a company in Holland has decided to take their leather to the next level. Secrid has engineered a unique line of wallets; all engineered to provide easy access and scanning protection for your cards.

Secrid Wallets Now Available in Orlando »

How often does a crisp winter wind make bearable the typically skin-burning Central Florida sun?  Rarely, but this is exactly what inspired me to seek an outdoor adventure.  A spontaneous sunset bike ride with my dog was in the works. At roughly 4 PM, with my large dog and mountain bike wedged in the back of my hatchback, we departed for the Little Big Econ recreation area on the outskirts of Orlando, FL.

Mountain Biking the Little Big Econ »

Have you been dreaming about your Big Green Egg as the centerpiece of an amazing outdoor kitchen? We have, and Lapitec S.p.A, made that dream a reality.

Big Green Egg at KBIS Orlando, FL »

Over the course of the last 3 years, I’ve spent 3 months in London. But this trip was going to be different, it was going to be in the winter. And WHAT could you possibly do in the UK winter? 

Handling Winter Properly in the U.K. »

If you’ve ever been fishing in Orlando on a Hobie Mirage Pro Angler (12-foot version or 14-foot version), you know what it means to be in a stable boat. It’s really one of the most remarkably balanced boats I’ve ever been in. But if you haven't, let me tell you...

Paddling a Hobie Pro Angler at Orlando's Gaston Edwards Park »

Wanna hear the story of how an Outdoor Research Transcendent Sweater, a pair of Vibram Fivefingers CVT Hemps, and a pair of Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch Gloves literally saved my skin in Norway? Good. I’d love to tell the tale. 

Christmastime in Oslo »

I was at Travel Country Outfitter's store near Orlando when I saw the Big Green Egg the first time. Honestly, I thought it was a little strange looking. I quickly became an egghead once I tasted food cooked on it for their annual Central Florida Clearance Sale. After that, I was sold and began to research the science of these funny-looking grills.

Orlando Gear Review: The Big Green Egg is the Best Grill You'll Ever Use »

I’ve taken a spin on hundreds of kayaks in Orlando, many of them Hobie, but none quite like the Hobie Mirage Compass. I hopped on Lake Ivanhoe (one of Central Florida's most fun chain of lakes to get onto) and gave it a try. The boat is not over-the-top. It’s not excessive. It is, quite honestly, simple innovation after years of experience rolled into one kayak. 

Exploring Orlando's Lake Ivanhoe Park with the Hobie Mirage Compass »