Whether your in the blistering cold or blazing sun (or both), keeping your lips moist and protected is incredibly important. I’m loyal to Chapstick brand lip balm. You can keep your Bert’s Bees nonsense and anything that requires me to stick my finger into a tin and then wipe it on my lips. I like to freebase when I take a hit from the balm.
I’m off to New Brunswick and Newfoundland, Canada for the next eight days. I’m heading to Moncton, New Brunswick today via Toronto because all Air Canada flights seem to take my through Toronto. I’ll then make my way to Deer Lake, Newfoundland on February 7 (arriving in time to find a bar that will be showing the Grey Cup Super Bowl).
While I’m there, I’ll be snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, ice fishing, caving and zip-lining. I’ll also be tracking down some seal flipper pie and cod tongues to satisfy the hunger that those activities will work up.
I’ll check in periodically and return to NYC on February 11. In the meantime, watch the video from my last dog sledding adventure in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada to see how I handled my last visit to the Great White North.
Stay out of trouble and keep an eye on Calvin while I’m gone.
Working in an office is not as glamorous as they make it out to be on Mad Men. There is significantly less smoking, carousing and (permitted) drinking. After a while, moving papers from one side of your desk to the other and scouring conference rooms for leftover sandwiches from catered meetings can leave you bored and famished. That’s when it’s time to shut the door, kick back and sneak in a little office nap.
How did the SkyRest handle the rigors of a workday? I slept like it was my job.
Check out previous SkyRest Tests and my full SkyRest Tests Flickr gallery.
Skiing is great (from what I hear). And snowboarding is awesome (so they tell me). But for true childlike thrills and giggles, you need to find yourself a mountain that offers snowtubing (such as New York’s Hunter Mountain). Or, if you’re bold, scrounge around for your own inner tube and a snowy hill that doesn’t end with a sheer cliff.
Make sure you have some friends around so that you can race. Keep your butt off of the bottom of the tube (and/or the snow) to avoid drag. And then just have yourself a pretty rad afternoon.
While your friends are careening down the slopes on skis and snowboards, you’ll be laughing and avoiding broken bones. And when you’re all warming up in the hot tub later on, you can proudly share your stories of joy and victory. Because there’s only glory in snowtubing.
Some people think I’m lucky. They like to point out that I travel frequently, live in New York and generally live a charmed life. But the truth is, I live alone and wake up everyday feeling like something is missing. After turning 31 last month, I knew it was time to take matters into my own hands. That’s why I finally decided to adopt. And yesterday, my life changed. I’m a parent now. A father. And we’re a family. Just me and Garden Yeti.
We had an eventful first night together. Get to know my new bundle of joy, won’t you?
Read more »
Previously, I’ve told you about the importance of packing a bathing suit and sunscreen. Well, odds are, if you need those items, you’re going to need a towel. Sure, if you’re going on a traditional holiday, your hotel or apartment will have towels for you. They may even have a robe, your highness. But if you’re backpacking, camping or running from child support payments, you’re going to need to pack your own drying rag.
I recommend the MSR Packtowl UltraLite*. It’s so light, in fact, that there’s no room for the ‘e’ that should be in Packtowl. Don’t try to pack a terrycloth towel. No matter how big it makes your junk look, it will only take up space in your bag and never fully dry. The last thing you want is for all of your gear to smell like mildew. No matter how big your junk is*, no one likes it smelling like mildew.
So, whether you’re lounging in the jacuzzi, cliff diving or fording a river, make sure that you have a towel with you.
* Pictured is the Dick Towel (NSFW).
** Junk size will vary by owner.
Back in 2007, I took a trip to Sweden with some friends. While exploring the archipelago, I fulfilled a dream that I had carried with me for at least two weeks. I had previously decided that I would make my vacation a mission of hope. I would right a terrible wrong. I would return Swedish Fish refugees to their homeland.
So, before I left for Scandinavia, I purchased a bag of Swedish Fish candies. I told no one about my plan. When the time was right, I helped close a painful chapter in Swedish-American relations. No longer would the “Stolen School” of Swedish Fish remain exiled from their native land. Swim on!
Whether you’re on a flight, a hike or a walk through a city, it’s always a good idea to have a snack in your pack (plus, you know, it rhymes). Sure, you should try local foods and explore street carts and markets, but having some snacks from home will ensure that you can eat something in a pinch.
I have my own ideas on what constitutes a good snack and, since this is my blog, I’m going to share them with you.
On a Flight
On a Hike
Walking Around a City
So, there you have it. You’ll never regret having a snack tucked away in your bag. And neither dried mango nor trail mix can spoil. Throw a bag of each in your pack before you depart and all of your friends will think you’re smart.
Note: Crackers on a glacier beats no crackers on a glacier, but I much prefer candy.
What’s your favorite travel snack? Share in the comments.
Look over there! No, that way! Your other left!
I wrote a short piece for Budget Travel with suggestions on where Conan O’Brien should go on vacation (you know, since he has all that free time now).
Then MSNBC picked it up.
And today…it’s on CNN.
I look forward to Perez Hilton drawing on my face by next week.