This past summer, three friends quit their job and hit the road with one another on a two-month long adventure across the U.S. during which they visited some amazing outdoor places, taught photography workshops and caught up with friends old and new. Along the way they also managed to take some amazing photos and stitched together a fantastic timelapse video of their journey. You'll find that breathtaking piece of work below. Perhaps it'll inspire you to heed the call of adventure too.

Adventure Is Calling from Shane Black on Vimeo.

Want to take a little virtual getaway? Then check out this great video that was shot entirely in Australia. It does a wonderful job of capturing some of the more brilliant highlights of the country that is a fantastic playground for outdoor enthusiasts. There is some great camera work done here and the shots are wonderful. If you haven't been "Down Under" just yet, this will probably make you want to go.

A few days ago I reviewed a surprising product from Energizer in the form of the Ultimate headlamp, a light that is bright, durable and very affordable. Today I have an entirely different product. One that isn't specifically meant for the outdoors but is incredibly useful while traveling. Particularly on a road trip during which you need to keep your gadgets and tech toys fully powered. It is the 180 Watt Cup Inverter , a device that any road warrior will want in their arsenal.

Designed to fit in the cup holder of just about any vehicle, this power inverter comes equipped with four USB ports and a standard AC outlet. When plugged into the DC port (cigarette lighter) of a car it can provide enough juice to power up smartphones, GPS devices, cameras – even a laptop – all at the same time. A small, almost completely silent, fan keeps the interior from overheating so that it can continue pumping out the power indefinitely, making this an essential piece of gear on any driving excursion.

As the name implies, this inverter is capable of cranking out 180 watts of continuous power. That's enough to provide each of the USB ports with up to 2.1 amps, which is sufficient juice to charge a tablet including  the notoriously power hungry iPad. All of that energy is shared across all four USB ports however, so if you plug several power-hungry devices in at the same time, they won't quite charge as rapidly as they should. Still, the inverter is efficient enough to keep multiple devices up and running for when you need them.


Energizer has built a very solid and dependable device that looks good for a device that is essentially a portable power strip for mobile devices. The clever shape allows it to slip into nearly any cup holder, which is the perfect place for a device like this one. It put it within easy reach of just about anyone in the vehicle but it also keeps it well out of the way of the driver, keeping it from becoming a distraction.

This is a simple product that works exactly as advertised, which is what you want of course. If you make frequent road trips and need to keep your gadgets charged while you're on the go, this is the perfect device to have in your vehicle. It's MSRP of $44.99 is a great price for something that can charge all your mobile devices and a laptop too. This is the kind of device that will change the way you travel and pay for itself many times over. Buy one, keep it in your car and never be without power again.

Throughout the year, I've been fortunate enough to test and review a couple of pairs of shoes from ECCO, a company that has been revamping its entire footwear line and in the process releasing some seriously great products. First I was impressed with their Biom Lite Helion minimalist running shoe and later I was bowled over by the Biom Hike 1.2 boots.  Both products were durable, attractive and very comfortable, delivering very good performance in their two very different outdoor activities. Recently I've been putting a new ECCO shoe through its paces and like with its predecessors, I'm extremely impressed. Once again the company has found a way to surprise me with their designs, this time offering up a sandal that is built for the trail. 

If you were to compare the new Biom Terrain Chiappo sandal to a motorized vehicle you'd say that it looks like an ATV or even a dune buggy. It has a rugged suspension, in this case in the form of an amazing outsole and a comfortable interior that keeps the wearer safe from harm while allowing them to go places they never thought they could. At least not in a shoe like this one. 

If you turn the shoe over and only saw the bottom, you'd probably guess you were looking at a light hiking shoe. The sole is flexible, yet incredibly sturdy and offers an excellent grip, even on slick surfaces. ECCO may have built the Chiappo to look like a sandal, but this shoe has the heart of a hiker. 

Slipping the shoe on is an eye-opener as well. These sandals cradle the foot nicely and provide an excellent layer of padding that was completely unexpected. I didn't just think the Chiappos were comfortable for a sandal, I just thought that they were comfortable when compared to any shoe. The ergonomically designed footpad felt great and the low profile sole kept my feet well connected to the surfaces that I was scrambling over – something that is very important when moving over uneven terrain. 

ECCO wisely included three straps for adjusting the fit of these sandals – two across the top of the foot and one along the back of the heel. This really helps to dial-in how you want these sandals to feel on your feet. Personally, I happen to like my performance shoes to be a little on the snug side. It helps me get a better feeling for the ground and react accordingly much more quickly as well. Tightening up the velcro straps on the Chiappos achieved exactly that goal and kept them from feeling like they were going to fall off my feet unexpectedly, something I've experienced with some other sandals in the past. 

Made from yak leather, the shoe's uppers feel soft and comfortable while wrapped around the foot. They also happens to wear very well, resisting scuffs, cuts and other damage with equal aplomb. After putting these shoes to the test on the beach, several hiking trails and while kicking around town, I can honestly say they still look like they have been just taken out of the box. The same level of quality that I saw in ECCO's previous shoes shines through here as well, giving you the sense that these are a pair of shoes that will be with you for years and see you safely through all kinds of adventures. 

In terms of styling, I really like the looks of the Chiappos too. Available in four color schemes, I was sent a pair that are dark gray with reddish accents, a combination that is known as Dark Shadows and Lava in ECCO's vernacular. Those color combinations look totally unique and help these sandals to stand out from the crowd. While they do retain a classic sandal styling, the Chiappos also have a design that is modern, unique and all their own. 

One thing that was a bit of a disappointment for me was the design choice to make the Chiappo an open toed shoe. That means that they vent well and allow your feet to breathe better, particularly in hot climates, but it also allows more loose debris, sand and dirt to get inside. This is somewhat common with many sandals like these however and is basically something you accept when you choose to wear them. Closed toes do make these shoes a more viable option when visiting certain areas or participating in some outdoor activity. For example, when I visited the Amazon Rainforest a few years back, we weren't allowed to wear open toed sandals as they didn't provide enough protection. But in that case it wasn't protection from dirt and dust that was a concern so much as it was the snakes. 

That one nitpick aside however, I have to say that I really love these shoes. I continue to be impressed with how good they feel on my feet and how well they perform in the field. If you've been looking for a lightweight, comfortable and durable sandal that you can hike in, your search is over. Pick up a pair of Ecco Biom Terrain Chiapos and get trekking. Similarly, if you want a comfortable shoe for wearing around camp while backpacking, you can't go wrong either. Your feet will thank you when you slip into them at the end of the day and they won't take up much room in your backpack either. 

The Chiapo Sandals carry an MSRP of $130, which is a competitively priced with similar offerings from competitors. 

Movie lovers will no doubt remember the Von Trapps, the family made famous by the film The Sound of Music. At the end of the film the Von Trapps fled Austria as the Germans were invading prior to the start of World War II, crossing the Alps in hopes of evading capture. But what happened to them after that was left up to the viewers imagination.

Recently, Richard Bangs, host of the television show Adventures with Purpose, went looking for the Von Trapps to discover what had become of them. Turns out they settled on a farm in Vermont, where their descendants now run a resort that reflects their Austrian heritage including plenty of outdoor activities. The video below gives fans of the movie an update on what happened with the family after the credits rolled.

To truly get a sense of South America, filmmakers Clemens Krüger, Vincent Urban & Stefan Templer traveled its length in a classic Land Rover, wandering through Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil. Along the way they captured some striking images from road and compiled them in the amazing video you'll find below. Those images are sometimes haunting, sometimes enchanting and always compelling. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Really beautiful footage.

America's National Parks are some of the most spectacular landscapes anywhere in the world. But due to budget cuts, they now face some incredible challenges. Just exactly how big are those challenges? Take a look at the infographic below to get an idea. And yes, I know it's long, but this is a topic that I'm passionate about and other fans of the parks should be aware exactly what's at stake.

Last November I told you about Graham Hughes, a man who spent four years traveling the planet, visiting every country in the world along the way. He recently released a video that consists of one-second clips of him sending out greetings from each of those places and while it may leave your head spinning as he moves rapidly from one country to the next, it is still fun to see all of those places. So, buckle in and get set for quick round the world tour.

Thanks to Outside Online for sharing.

Since I returned from Australia last week I've been sharing stories about some of the things I did there. Things like go to a regatta in which all the boats were made out of beer cans, spend an afternoon at the camel races and explore the amazing Aboriginal artwork found in Kakadu National Park. That is barely scratching the surface however and I have more to share about the hiking and camping I did while there as well and eventually I'll get around to telling those tales too.

Today I wanted to share some of the photos I took while in the Northern Territory, which featured some of the most dramatic and breathtaking scenery I've ever seen. The Outback is a wild and remote place, mostly untouched by man and there are places there that are still overgrown with prehistoric plant life that isn't found anywhere else on our planet. The sheer expanse of the place is mind boggling as it is at times both desolate and foreboding, yet oddly inviting and intriguing at the same time.

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words and if what I've written about Australia's Northern Territory hasn't inspired you to want to visit yet, perhaps some of these images will. The sunsets at the "Top End" of the NT are some of the best you'll find anywhere on Earth and the sweeping vistas of the "Red Center" will compel you to want to explore more. This is a part of the world that is still open for exploration and you get the sense that there are still secrets to be discovered deep in the heart of the Outback.

I had fun capturing these photos and I hope you enjoy seeing them as well. Check out the full gallery by clicking here.

On my recent trip to the Northern Territory in Australia I had the chance to really soak up the culture and take in a lot of what the region has to offer visitors. That included making a visit to Kakadu National Park to take in the Aboriginal artwork that adorns the rocks there and while in Darwin I had the opportunity to witness the famous (infamous?) Beer Can Regatta. But those two experiences were just the tip of the iceberg for what the NT has to offer and in the days ahead I'll be sharing more of my experiences from the Outback.

One of the more unique events that I attended while visiting Australia was the Lasseters Camel Cup, which I wrote about this past weekend for Gadling. The Camel Cup is an annual event held in the town of Alice Springs that pits professional camel riders against one another in a series of races that are held on an oval track not unlike what you'd find horses racing on. And while the event didn't hold the same prestige of a Triple Crown event, you wouldn't know it by looking at the stands, where many in the crowd came dressed in their finest clothing and wildly cheered on the riders – and their mounts – in each race.

If you know anything about horses, you know that they often love to run, which is why horse racing can be such a compelling sport. If you know anything about camels, you probably already know that they are not the most cooperative of animals. They can be stubborn, strong willed and down right nasty at times, all of which came out on the track in Alice Springs. Sometimes the camels refused to run and sometimes they refused to slow down. I saw camels throw their riders, run in the wrong direction and trot around the course completely ambivalent to the fact that there were 5000 people in the stands watching them go. The personalities of the beasts manifested themselves on the track in various ways and that helped to give the event a personality all of its own as well.

For more than 40 years the Camel Cup has taken place on the second Sunday in July and it doesn't look like that will change anytime soon. The locals absolutely love this event and support it whole heartedly. Most of the proceeds go to support the local Lions Club and revenue generated helps to fund projects within the community. On top of that, the camel has played an important role in Australia's history and is now a part of the culture in the Outback. That legacy is celebrated in the event which has a feel that is undeniably Aussie.

Read more about the Camel Cup in this post at Gadling.com.

I've only been home from Australia for a couple of days and I'm still trying to shake the jet lag, but I've already started to share some of my experiences over at the travel blog Gadling.com. Yesterday two of my stories went live and if you're interested in what I was up to while I was in Oz, you can check them out now.

The first story is about a fun event I discovered in Darwin on my first full day in the country. It was called the Darwin Lion's Beer Can Regatta and as the name implies, it is a series of boat races with the boats being made primarily out of beer cans. The event is fun, wild and 100% Aussie with the teams competing having a blast while not taking themselves all too seriously. The boats showed a great deal of charm in their design, not to mention dedication from the designers who spent a lot of time emptying all of those cans. On shore, spectators cheer on their favorite crews, take part in tug of war and thong throwing competitions, while enjoying a few cold ones of their own. It is an all-day affair that culminates with an ultimate battle out on the water during which teams toss water balloons and flour bombs at one another, with some boats even employing water cannons. You can find out more about the Beer Can Regatta in my story found here.

The other story that went live yesterday was about my visit to the amazing Kakadu National Park. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its natural and cultural wonders. The beautiful landscapes there speak for themselves and are a testament to how amazing the Outback can be, but what was truly awe inspiring was the Aboriginal artwork that adorns the rock faces at several sites there. I visited a place called Ubirr where the images on the rocks range from hundreds to thousands of years old and show a clear connection between the land and the people that have inhabited it for more than 40,000 years. It was a humbling and eye opening place that also happens to offer one of the best views you'll find anywhere. Really a fantastic place.

This is just the start of my stories on Australia's Northern Territory. I'll be posting a few things here eventually as well and I have some plans to share other stories elsewhere on the web and possibly print as well. As those get published, I'll be sure to post here too. I'm also in the process of organizing photos from the trip and when I get that gallery online, I'll share it too.

If you're looking for a destination that offers a bit of everything – culture, history, beauty, adventure, etc. – it's tough to beat the Northern Territory. Whether you like to relax on the beach, sail the oceans, hike in remote backcountry or soak up Aussie culture, you'll get the opportunity to do that and more. Just keep your eyes peeled for wild crocodiles and dingos.

Just a quick note to let everyone know that the Adventure Blog will be going on hiatus for the next week and a half while I head out on some adventures of my own. Later today I'll hop a flight to Australia where I'll be spending some time in the Outback of the Northern Territory. I'm looking forward to visiting this wild and remote place and sharing some stories from the road when I return.

Some of the time while I am there I will have Internet access and I will be sharing my experiences on both Facebook and Twitter. I hope to post some photos from this beautiful place as I'll be visiting places like Kakadu National Park and trekking the Larapinta Trail, both of which promise to be very memorable.

While I'm there, I'll also be doing two Google Hangouts. If you want to join me online for some thoughts on the trip those two Hangouts will take place at the following dates and times:

Wed. July 10 at 930 pm in the NT/8 am on Wed July 10 in NYC
Sunday, July 14 at 8 am in the NT/630 pm on Sat. July 13 in NYC

I've never been the subject of a Google Hangout before but it should be fun!

Finally, I will most likely close down comments on the blog while I am away. While I always enjoy hearing from regular readers, I also tend to collect a lot of spam comments while traveling and it is difficult to find and remove them all after I return.

This will be my second trip to Australia and I'm looking forward to going back. The people are wonderfully friendly, travel is easy and there are just an incredible amount of options for outdoor enthusiasts. The last time I was there I spent the majority of my time in Queensland and on the Great Barrier Reef. This time out, I'm excited to visit Darwin, Alice Springs and the deep Outback.

When I get back, I'll return to my regular coverage of the Tour de France, the Pakistani climbing season and all the other adventures taking place around the globe. And once I shake the jet lag, I'll start sharing more detailed stories of my travels in the Northern Territory.

I wanted to take a moment this morning to plug a cool project that I contributed a story too that I think a lot of you will really enjoy. It's called bigblueproject and the concept is simple, yet brilliant at the same time. The project's creator, Burkhard Gruess came up with the idea of soliciting contributions of photos and travel stories then connecting them to a location on a map. Visitors to the site are presented with a map of the world with pins planted in various places where someone's story took place. Clicking on the pin will bring up that story and a single image that corresponds to it.

Burkhard kindly asked me to submit a story back when bbp was still in its conceptual stages, but I had a difficult time finding an opportunity to put something together. He circled back around a few months ago and asked me for a submission again, and this time I could really see what he was building and quite frankly I was very impressed. I loved the concept and the stories and images that people were sharing were excellent.

Of course, now I was excited to be a part of the project but still had a difficult time finding a spare moment to put something together. Yesterday, Burkhard nudged me once again and having a bit of a lull in my schedule at the moment, I went to work on getting something together. He's already posted my photo and story today, which you'll find by clicking here.

My contribution to bigblueproject involves a run in I had with a big bull elephant while visiting Kruger National Park in South Africa a few years back. The massive creature was wandering down the center of one of the main roads and was none to happy to come across the minivan that I was riding in along with a group of other writers and our guide. If you've ever been in a vehicle that has been charged by a full grown male elephant, who happens to be looking for a girlfriend, you'll understand.

Anyway. I hope you enjoy the story and the bigblueproject.

Unless you've been living under a rock these past couple of weeks, you've probably heard about the scandal here in the U.S. dealing with the National Security Agency collecting user data from various sources on the Internet and tracking phone calls. The entire affair has reopened the debate about how much access the government should have to the private information on its citizens and what exactly those citizens should know about how it is used. For their part, the NSA, the President and other elements of the U.S. government have defended their surveillance techniques by saying that they are necessary in order to keeps tabs on terrorists and to maintain American security. And judging from the reaction from the average person here, most people don't seem to mind all that much.

But what if Prism and the other NSA programs are just of the tip of the iceberg? Where does it all end and what else is going on that we don't know about? Are these programs a threat to our ability to move about freely? And what about explorers who often travel to places that are deemed by the U.S. government as locations that harbor terrorists? For instance, right now there are a numerous climbing teams in the mountains in Pakistan, which is a country that is known for being friendly towards extremist anti-American groups. After all, this is the country in which Osama Bin Laden was able to stay well hidden for years.

Some of these questions, and more, are explored in an article written by CuChullaine O'Reilly, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and founder of the Long Riders Guild. The article is entitled "Threats to Travel" and it was posted on the blog of explorer Mikael Strandberg a few days ago. It is an interesting read to say the least, particularly if you enjoy traveling to remote places or you are an explorer of those places.

In the article, CuChullaine discusses the growing length of America's "No Fly List" which prevents anyone on it from getting on a commercial airline bound for the States or traveling inside the country. It is estimated that that list now contains as many as one million names, having grown from just 16 prior to 9/11. He also takes a look at some of the steps taken historically by oppressive states to restrict the movement of citizens and sees some eerie similarities here.

The article is a long one, but it poses some important questions about what is and isn't acceptable in the modern age of travel and exploration. It is also very thought provoking, taking a good look at how government actions can have a profound impact on our ability to move about freely. At first glance, some of the actions and programs enacted by the U.S. government and other countries may not seem like much of a threat to explorers, but underneath they could have repercussions that could be felt for decades to come. This is definitely an interesting read.

Tiny Qatar may not be the the first place that comes to mind when you're planning your next escape, but adventure travel expert Richard Bangs recently visited the Middle Eastern country which is amongst the richest in the world. In the video below, Richard shares his ten suggestions of things to do in Qatar, which may be small on landmass but it is big in terms of culture and history. His number one choice certainly looks like it would be a lot of fun!

If you're going to take your time touring the world you might as well do it on the back of bicycle. That seems to be the approach that Richard and Stani Velomad have taken since they left their home in France more than eight years ago on their second epic cycling journey. The married couple's journey recently took them to Islambad, Pakistan, where they now estimate that they have covered more than 150,000 km (93,205 miles) on the back of their bikes.

Richard and Stani made their first long distance cycling trip back in 1996 when they started riding from Alaska to Argentina. It took them nearly four years to complete that ride which took them through the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile along the way. By the time they had finished, they had completely run out of cash and had to return home to France in order to earn some cash to fund their next ride.

They spent the next four years working 85+ hours a week and saving every penny they could. The bought a house, fixed it up and then sold it, all so they could get back out on the road. In 2004 they set out again and have been on the road ever since.

Their second cycling tour has taken them to such places as Morocco, Tunisia, Italy, Slovenia, Bosnia, Austria, Germany, Russia, Mongolia, China and into South East Asia. They've ridden across Viet Nam, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia before turning south to New Zealand and Australia. They've since returned to Asia to ride through Burma and back into China, which is where they crossed the border into Pakistan. They say they don't know how long they'll keep riding, but their on their way to India now, in a roundabout fashion.

Obviously living on the road hasn't been without its challenges. They've faced all kinds of dangers along the way, including hostile locals and the threat of being shot (in the U.S. of all places). But they've also experienced the kindness of strangers and interacted with some amazing cultures. While in Burma for instance, they were surprised to find that everyone offered them tea no matter where they went and they remarked on how welcoming and friendly the people of Pakistan have been as well.

Eight years seems like an incredibly long time to be on the road, but the lifestyle seems to be working for them. Who knows how long they'll keep it up, but looking over the list of places that they've been, it seems they haven't explored too much of Africa just yet. That should keep them busy for another eight years at least.

Thanks to my friend Zeeshan Nawaz Kahn for sharing this great story with me!

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you know that I am completely captivated by Africa. It is an incredible place with plenty of adventure for any one lifetime. The video below gives us a glimpse of the amazing landscapes, wildlife and people that can be found there. It was shot by filmmaker Benjamin Dowie, who recently visited Uganda and Tanzania. His short film captures many of the aspects of Africa that appeal to me and it makes me want to return again soon.

THIS IS AFRICA from Benjamin Dowie on Vimeo.

Almost two years ago I posted a story about Rupert Gray, an Englishman who was about to embark on an epic cross country road trip in his classic 1936 Rolls Royce. Rupert and his wife spent six months driving their car across the expanse of India, visiting every corner of the sub-continent. Their journey took them to the foot-hills of the Himalaya to the shores of the Indian Ocean, and just about everywhere in between.

That eye-opening adventure was documented by Rover Films and you'll find a teaser video of the final film below. It is a beautiful travelogue that captures the joy of the open road with the wonder of exploring distant lands. The video will inspire you to take a road trip of your own, just as soon as you can locate your vintage car. Learn more at Grand Trunk Road, the official site for the film.

Grand Trunk Road (teaser) from Rover Films on Vimeo.

Amateur pilot, outdoor enthusiast and blogger Ney Grant has created a wonderful little film that combines his love for flying with his passion for the outdoors. Ney, who writes about his experiences at WestCostFlyingAdventures.com, uses his Cessna T210 to shuttle he and his family to some fantastic places to hike, mountain bike and climb.

Be warned. The video, which you'll find below, will probably leave you a little envious. After all, we can't all have a personal plane at our disposal to help facilitate our own escapes. By the time you're done watching however, you'll probably be trying to figure out how you can afford one. Just the things that Ney and his family have seen from the cockpit alone would make it worthwhile.

In Celebration of 100 Flying Adventures from Ney Grant on Vimeo.

Filmmaker Vadim Sahaklan and a friend spent six months traveling through 13 countries on three continents. Along the way they documented their journey with a video camera and the result is the beautiful short film you'll find below. The two men first drove from Alaska to Los Angeles, then flew off to Africa to explore on foot, before ending their globe-trotting adventure on motorbikes in South America.

The 39-minute video manages to convey a fantastic sense of wonder and whimsey as Vadim and his friend visit some amazing places, learning more about themselves and the world around them as they go. This is definitely a video you won't want to miss. Excellent stuff.

Temporary Story from Vadim Sahakian on Vimeo.