Power lines over green grass

Plugs and Power for Travel

  • February 21, 2023
  • by Inga

As tempting as it is to disconnect when we travel, it’s impossible to do if work is involved and difficut to do when traveling for pleasure. If you want to navigate using Google Maps, understand the language with Google Translate or take a photo with your smart phone, you’ll need to power one or more …

Communications Conundrum: Airalo eSIM, WhatsApp or Verizon for travel

  • December 27, 2022
  • by Inga

When planning my travel budget, there is something that makes me balk at spending hundreds of dollars on data and communications. Verizon’s $10 per day Travel Pass sounded reasonable for brief trips but I gulped when I calculated $350 for a five-week trip recently. That would be $350 for me and $350 for my husband, …

These 10 Apps Make Travel Easier

  • December 06, 2022
  • by Inga

Emerging from my cocoon after two years of pandemic travel restrictions left me feeling rusty. Actions that were once reflexive had to be relearned, but it was also an opportunity to catch up on travel trends I missed. As I reloaded familiar apps, I discovered some new ones that make travel easier. Here are ten …

Zoleo Satellite Messenger Device: Gear Review

  • September 09, 2022
  • by Inga

This year, I upgraded to a Zoleo satellite messenger device to be able to get two-way messaging. For many years, I’ve had an early generation device that only provided one-way messaging. That simple device met my needs until last year, when I had an elderly parent who was ailing and I didn’t feel comfortable being …

Best Beach Gear for a Tropical Vacation

  • July 19, 2022
  • by Inga

Beach holidays have been a source of deep relaxation for me since I was a child and I love a tropical beach best of all—warm water, surf, sun and sand—what could be better? Shade, that’s what. I’ve found that shade is critical to my enjoyment of the beach. I finally feel like I have the …

Travel Gear for the Pandemic Era

  • June 18, 2022
  • by Inga

Having the right travel gear can prevent wasting valuable vacation time hunting for what you need in an unfamiliar environment when dealing with health issues.

Kuhl Trekr Pants for Travel and Hiking

  • June 04, 2021
  • by Inga

Kuhl makes pants for women and men that can work equally well for travel, hiking and backpacking. The fabric and quality of construction means that they are rugged enough for the backcountry and tailored enough to look good in town. I tried the Kuhl Trekr pants for women and found a great fit and excellent …

Gaia GPS Navigation App Review

  • December 27, 2020
  • by Inga

Gaia GPS is a map application that allows you to plan routes, navigate on the trail, record waypoints and tracking. With a paid subscription, you can get access to different maps and map layers that can be downloaded for offline use. It can be used with mobile devices (Apple or Android) or the Gaia GPS …

Stasher Silicone Bags for Backpacking

  • December 03, 2019
  • by Inga

A common question by backpackers who care about the environment is how to reduce plastic. When planning a multi-week or multi-month thru-hike, the number of plastic bags used to store food can be overwhelming. Designs have been improving but weight remains an issue. Stasher silicone bags are a major advance with a true zip-top closure …

Cell Phone Photography on the Trail: Making the Switch

  • October 16, 2019
  • by Inga

This is the year I ditched my camera. I, like most everyone else, have been taking photos with my phone for years. The quality has improved greatly and the convenience can’t be beat. Until recently I’ve used my cell phone to supplement my outdoor photography but continued to bring a mid-size camera lashed to my …

1 2 3 4