Off on a Brief Canadian Adventure

I wanted to share a quick updated with Adventure Blog readers for what is to come this week. Tomorrow I leave for Quebec, Canada for a few days of winter fun. My adventure up north will include some dogsledding and snowshoeing, while exploring some of the great outdoor environments that Quebec has to offer. To say I am excited about the trip would be an understatement. 

I'm told that we'll have Internet access at various times while traveling, so if possible I will share some of my experiences as they are happening. It should be an incredibly fun excursion filled with lots of interesting activities and destinations, and I hope to provide some insights into what it is like there during the winter. 

As for the weather, the forecast says it is going to be cold. Like -15ºF/-26ºC cold. The region has also had in excess of 5 meters (16 feet) of snowfall so far this winter. That means it should be well suited for the activities that we have planned. It also means that I should get plenty of chances to test some gear while I'm there, so look for a slew of reviews to follow my return. 

I hope everyone has a great week filled with some adventures of their own. I'll be back before you know it, and sharing stories, news, and info. 

Happy Holidays From The Adventure Blog

It is that time of year again! I want to take this opportunity to with each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays in general. I'm not really sure where 2016 went, but it has come and gone in a blink of an eye, with so many amazing and fantastic experiences along the way. Hopefully it was a year filled with adventure for you, with plenty of inspirations for 2017 as well. 

Now that we're heading into the holiday weekend, I wanted to share a bit about the schedule for The Adventure Blog moving forward. Next week we'll enjoy a bit of downtime to celebrate with friends and family, so expect very few updates between Christmas and New Year. I'll share any major stories that might arise, but for the most part daily updates will be at a minimum. 

I'll return in the first week of January to get things going once again, but even then there may be a limited posting schedule. During that week, Adventure Blog World Headquarters will be relocating to a more permanent location, so there could be a bit of transition to undergo while that happens. Immediately after that, I'll be flying off to Salt Lake City for the Winter Outdoor Retailer Convention, where a host of new gear will be on display. I'll have more about that as we get closer to the day however, but expect the usual reports on what I see and learn about on social media and here on this blog. 

For now, just go and enjoy the holiday season. And get ready for an exciting year to come.

On the Road Again!

Just another quick note to regular readers today to let everyone know that The Adventure Blog won't be updated for the rest of the week. I'm headed home to Iowa to visit friend and family and celebrate a milestone for one my family members. I may have time to post a few updates while away, but most likely we'll return to the usual posting schedule next Monday. In the meantime, have a great rest of the week and weekend.

Off to Outdoor Retailer

We've only just returned from a bit of a holiday break, and its time to hit the road once again. Tomorrow, I'll be headed off to Salt Lake City to attend the 2016 Winter Outdoor Retailer show where I'll get a chance to take a look at the newest outdoor gear scheduled for release later this year.

The show itself doesn't actually begin until Thursday, but I'll be joining a few other media folks on an overnight camping excursion tomorrow before some of the official festivities begin on Wednesday. This means that once again, updates are likely to be sparse for the week ahead, at least here on the blog itself. I will be sharing thoughts and images from the OR show floor on my Twitter feed, as well as on The Adventure Blog Facebook page. Follow either of those to catch a glimpse of some of the best new gear that I come across along the way.

If you'd like to read a preview of what to expect from the show, I've written three of them that will be going up at Gear Institute over the next few days. The first one is live now, and the others will follow on Tuesday and Wednesday. Each takes a look at ten interesting items that will be revealed at the event.

Hopefully things will get back to a normal pace around here next week. It's time to get focused on 2016, and some of the fun adventures ahead. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

On the Road Again - Heading to Majorca, Spain

After being home for nearly two weeks, it is once agin time for me to hit the road. This time, I'm off with my wife and some friends to Majorca, Spain for a week of relaxation and some lower-key adventures. We're going to spend some time hiking and exploring the island, but also taking the local wineries, beaches, and enjoying a fantastic villa provided to us by Travelopo, an online booking company that handles some outstanding properties across Europe.

I will have Internet while there, and I will be monitoring some stories, so it is likely that there will be a few updates while I'm gone, just don't expect the usual level of output. If a major story breaks while I'm away, I will have time to post, and I'll probably be sharing photos and updates on my regular social media outlets.

In the meantime, sit tight. I'll be back home on Sunday, October 16 and will resume updating the blog on the following day. As always, thanks for reading and for your patience with this semi-frequent interruptions. I'm sure I'll have some good stories to share when I get back.

I Am Alaska Bound!

Just a quick note to regular readers to wrap up the day today. Tomorrow I am heading out to Juneau, Alaska for a little adventure. Over the next week or so, I'll be taking part in an Un-Cruise on the famed Inside Passage. While there, I'll be sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, hiking, and whale watching, amongst other activities. Internet access will be limited over that time period, so there won't be any updates to The Adventure Blog until Monday, May 30. Hopefully I'll have some great stories and photos to share upon my return.

This trip kicks off what will be a busy few months for me in terms of travel. I will be updating the site as often as I can in the weeks ahead, but there will be some extended periods from time to time when I'll be off the grid and unable to post. But stay patient and I'll share all the new from the world of outdoor adventure and exploration as much as I can.

While I'm away, I hope you get outside and enjoy some adventures of your own. Now is a great time to be riding, running, hiking, camping, and exploring. Have a great time, and I'll be back before you know it.

Heading to Outdoor Retailer!

I know we've only just returned from the holiday break, and just started getting back to normal around here, but it is already time for me to head off once again. I'll be spending most of next week in Salt Lake City attending Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, where I'll spend several days getting a sneak peek at the latest outdoor gear and apparel. When I return, I'll write a couple of post sharing my thoughts on the show, and the best new items that I saw there. But, if you'd like to get a sense of what's happening while the show is going on, follow me on Twitter or like my Facebook page. I'll be posting updates throughout the event with thoughts on the things that catch my eye. 

Today and tomorrow I'll also be spending my time relocating The Adventure Blog world headquarters to its new, permanent location. While I'm getting my office set up and running once again, there may be some temporary disruptions in posting. But, I hope to be ready to get back on a regular schedule after I get back from OR at the end of next week. 

Thanks for being patient while we work through these busy couple of weeks. With the holidays now behind us, and Outdoor Retailer just about to start, 2017 is about to get rolling. Stay tuned for lots of great adventures and inspiring stories to come. It should be a great year.

On the Road Again: Headed to Crested Butte, Colorado

It has been a busy summer at The Adventure Blog headquarters. Since May, I've been on the road every week or two, visiting some truly spectacular destinations along the way. Since I was in Quebec a few weeks back, I've been fortunate enough to actually be home for a little more than two weeks. The longest stretch I've had in quite some time. That ends tomorrow, as I'll be heading out to Crested Butte, Colorado for a few days of fly fishing, mountain biking, and exploring this intriguing adventure destination in the Rocky Mountains.

As usual, that probably means no updates for the rest of the week. I will be back home late Sunday, and will resume posting updates again next Monday, so just a short break this time out. The following week I'll be off to Bryce Canyon for a short backpacking trip however, so my time at home will once again be brief. After that, there is just one more international escape on the agenda at the moment, followed hopefully by some pleasant time at home heading into the fall.

I'm sure I'll have lots of stories to share when I return from CB. I'm told the mountain biking is epic and I'm looking forward to seeing the place for myself. Until then, take advantage of the changing seasons and get outside and enjoy some adventures of your own. Now is a great time for camping, hiking, cycling, or whatever outdoor activity you enjoy doing. I'll be back before you know it.

Reminder: Last Chance to Win a Copy of Everest

Just a quick reminder as we start the new week. Today is the last day to enter to win a copy of the Hollywood blockbuster Everest. Universal Home Entertainment has generously allowed me to give away a copy of the film, which releases tomorrow on DVD and Blu-Ray.

Later today I'll be randomly picking a winner, and passing along that name to Universal, who will ship out a copy to the lucky Adventure Blog reader. But before I do that, you still have time to enter the contest. To do so, all you have to do is send an email to kungfujedi@gmail.com with a subject line that reads "Everest." If you win, I'll contact you to get a shipping address, which will be passed along to Universal for sending out the prize.

If you didn't get a chance to see Everest in the theater this past fall, you can read my review of it here. The film tells the story of the infamous 1996 climbing season on the tallest mountain on the planet, during which 8 people lost their lives. Even though this is a dramatization of this events, it does a great job of explaining what its like to climb Everest in an era where it had to be commercialized to the extent that we see today. The actors playing the principle roles are all excellent, and there is a real dramatic punch to the story, even for those of us who know what is coming. All in all, it is a well crafted movie, and one that everyone who reads this blog with regularity should see.

I'll be selecting the winner of the giveaway later in the day, but you still have time to enter. Good luck!