The whole picture is actually much, much better. I spent the last 80 days on the road, living out of a Toyota 4Runner, and touring the U.S. East Coast. It wasn’t the first time. Still, living the #vanlife (which doesn’t necessarily require a van, mind you) teaches you things about yourself, the world, and what really matters more than most other life experiences as an adult.

You’ll Appreciate the Bare Necessities

Aside from food and occasional resupply trips to the store, you’re carrying all of your essential possessions with you at all times. Vanlife boils your world and the way you live in it down to the absolute necessities. We packed one of everything we would need — one spatula, one pair of jeans, one toothbrush, one pair of hiking boots — and nothing we didn’t. After more than two months, we realized we didn’t want for anything. We didn’t miss the trivial, novelty items that we all take for granted at home.

You’ll Find Humility Beaten Into You Daily

At most campgrounds, Walmart parking lots, and even on BLM land, your life is on display for the world to see. Whether mundane or deeply intimate, it’s impossible to hide any aspect of your daily routine when living the vanlife. Passersby (or fellow campers) know when you shower, what you’re eating for dinner, your curious taste in music, and when you’re having sex. If you’re an extrovert by nature, you probably don’t care. If you’re the sort who prefers to play things close to the vest, this public transparency is something you’ll grow to accept and maybe even embrace. But who cares? In the end, we’re all doing pretty much the same things day-in, day-out anyway.

You’ll Connect With What Matters

By escaping the artifice of mainstream media and an always-on internet connection (requisite Instagram photos notwithstanding), it’s easy to disconnect from the constant noise of our digital culture. Without all that background static, you’ll find deeper connection and meaning with your traveling partner (or yourself), hearing your own thoughts, the enjoyment of making a cup of coffee in the wild, or letting your dog roam free in a stunning U.S. national park.

You’ll Find Patience

Travel long enough, and you’ll find struggle. Murphy’s Law dictates that, over a long enough time horizon, something will go wrong. Vanlife is no different: your van (or truck, Segway, tricycle, what have you …) will break down. Or you’ll get hopelessly lost, or someone will steal half your stuff, or you’ll find yourself running on fumes at midnight without a gas station in sight. But, you’ll learn very quickly that you can cope with it. Because you have to — what’s the alternative?

The post What 3 Months, 14 States, and 3,600 Miles Taught Me About Vanlife appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Expect the Unexpected

Smartphones have made us complacent. It’s easy to feel like there’s nowhere we can’t go without being just a phone call away from civilization. While that’s mostly true, don’t go out completely unprepared. Especially for shorter trips — say, a few days in Joshua Tree — it’s easy to assume you won’t need much. No matter the length of your trip, pack a legit emergency kit and pray you never need it. We probably don’t need to tell you this should include tire-changing equipment, a compact, all-in-one first aid kit, and, of course, plenty of water. Which brings us to …

Hydration Above All Else

At a minimum, you should be packing a gallon of water per person per day for a trip in the desert. From the comfort of your air-conditioned vehicle, that may seem excessive. But, when you break down, and temperatures quickly soar into the triple digits inside your car and out, you’re going to need to hydrate fast. Remember you can survive a few weeks without food, but you won’t last more than a few days without water. We’re also fond of these dissolvable tabs from nuun that provide electrolytes and other essential nutrients whenever you need them.

Pack for the Cold

Even seasoned road-trippers underestimate just how cold nights in the desert can be. When daily highs top out north of 100 degrees, it’s hard to imagine nighttime temps can drop below freezing. While this might not be a problem for quick trips through the sands, it can be downright deadly if you’re stuck in your car for days on end. Pack plenty of layers including a pair of warm pants, several layerable tops, a hat, gloves, and, even better, a blanket or sleeping bag.

If you’re lucky, you’re going to remember to pack your towing leads along with your jump kit. Being stuck in the desert is hard enough, but if you do see someone come past you, they’ll be able to give you a jump start and you can be on your way. Desert nights can be freezing, and remembering your sleeping bag will keep you cosy and comfortable even on a long, cold night. You want to be ready in case someone does happen to drive past you, and towing leads will help you to get out of a sticky spot!

Keep Your Family/Friends in the Loop

Don’t let pride get the best of you. Backcountry hikers know that it’s critical to tell at least one other person where you’re going and for how long. Send your closest friend or your parents a map of where you plan to be. If they don’t hear from you by a specific day and time, they should know something’s wrong.

Pull the Ripcord

Of course, just because technology can fail doesn’t mean it can’t be useful or even life-saving. Without proper cell coverage, smartphones aren’t a reliable means of rescue in more remote areas. But, modern SOS beacons rely on GPS technology that works anywhere on the planet. They’re designed as a last-ditch effort when all is lost, when you’ve exhausted all other options, and it’s clear you need help. The most straightforward variations are designed as push-button “ripcords” that send an SOS call to whomever you’ve predetermined as your emergency contact. More elaborate models like the SPOT Gen3 Satellite Messenger allow for basic two-way communication so you can share details of your situation with family, friends, or a search-and-rescue team.

The post Road Trip Breakdown: How to Survive an Unexpected Stay in the Desert appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

It’s Made Me More Patient

Travel shows you the world does not, in fact, revolve around you — not even a little. The mechanics of travel — train schedules, flight departure times, restaurant hours, the thick accent of your latest tour guide who you can’t understand — are unflinching. While you’re traveling in a new destination, a new town, with new people and a new language and new ways to use the toilet, things will not always go your way. Getting angry and shaking your fist at the sky won’t change a thing. You need to be patient and accept it. It can be frustrating — it will be frustrating — in the moment. But patience is like any other muscle. With repeated use, it strengthens over time. I grew up an easily roused New Englander. Ten years of travel has thoroughly beaten that out of me.

Embrace Humiliation

New cultures easily highlight how much different your culture is back home. There’s no two ways about it: travel long enough, and you will do dumb shit and make a fool of yourself. Locals will notice, but you’ll be surprised how little they care. Shrug it off. Pride is a wicked, useless emotion. The sooner you can shed the ability to feel pride, the better off you’ll be in life. Embrace humiliation. You’re not always going to do everything perfect and right and awesome. But, the flip side is: if you’re not putting yourself in new and uncomfortable situations with the potential to humiliate yourself, you’re not growing as a person.

All That “Stuff” Just Doesn’t Matter

I’ve spent months in Africa, trekked rural Japanese mountains, and kayaked Antarctica. In the last five years, I’ve packed (roughly) the same baggage in the same exact suitcase for every trip. Travel distills what’s truly important to you down to a tiny suitcase or backpack. You’ll learn very quickly what’s essential and what isn’t. Anything you think you might need, you don’t. A few years after I started traveling, my 1,200-square-foot condo seemed … pointless. I knew I could make due with a whole lot less. So I did, and I continue to, and I’ve never missed any of that “stuff.”

Talking about the ways travel can or already has changed you can feel trite. Most people have a built-in filter to tune out that sort of talk, to chalk it up to existential, woo-woo nonsense. After a decade of near-full-time travel, I promise you it isn’t. It’s very real. It’s made me who I am today, and I wouldn’t change it for anything.

The post What I’ve Learned From a Decade of (Almost) Full-time Travel appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Companies like Winnebago and Airstream have made aluminum travel trailers part of our public consciousness for decades. Who hasn’t daydreamed of selling the house, tossing their knickknacks into storage, and hitting the road in a classic silver bullet? But, even Airstream is getting into the fiberglass game (see: the new Airstream Nest). Here’s why:

Fiberglass Is More Durable

Because traditional aluminum trailers are (of course) metal, their construction carries with it all the headaches of anything metal that’s left outdoors for months, and eventually years. Assuming you’re not the sort of hotshot who can afford to garage their 19-foot trailer, yours will be exposed to the elements. Rain, insects, and perhaps snow will seep into every conceivable nook and crevice. Your trailer will rust and corrode faster than you might expect. For the most part, fiberglass builds are more durable and easier to seal. A good fiberglass travel trailer like those from Scamp, Oliver, or Casita will almost always outlast their aluminum brethren.

Fiberglass Is Lighter

One of the most significant benefits of an all-fiberglass travel trailer is the weight; more importantly: the lack of it. The smallest in their class can easily be towed by a small SUV and, in many cases, any reasonably well-powered sedan or crossover vehicle. This is a huge boon if you would otherwise need to buy a high-powered truck to tow your new trailer. Just hook a fiberglass model to your Subaru and be on your way.

Fiberglass Is (Usually) Cheaper

Compared foot by foot — that is, similarly sized travel trailers — fiberglass trailers are usually less expensive. We’re generalizing here as many factors come into play when pricing out a trailer. Customizations can make a huge difference in the bottom line.

Fiberglass Holds Its Resale Value

Unless you plan on full-timing in your trailer for the foreseeable future, you’ll likely want to sell it when it’s outlived its usefulness. The good news is that they seriously hold their resale value. Where traditional aluminum trailers depreciate rapidly (some losing half their value or more in the first few years), it’s not uncommon to find a five-year-old Casita selling for just a few thousand dollars less than a comparable new model. This is, of course, great for sellers but not so great for buyers.

The one takeaway for those looking to live the (almost) van life for a while: buy a new fiberglass model, live in it, adventure, rock on … then sell it a year or so later for almost what you paid for it.

The post Upgrade Your Van Life With a Fiberglass Travel Trailer appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

It’s a seductive daydream. But, for many of us, it may not feel like a realistic one. Maybe you haven’t the time or the gear to make it happen, or perhaps you’re not ready to sell your house and abscond from “normal life.” Whether you’re looking to dip your toes in the water of van life or you just can’t commit to buying an actual van, this gear provides everything you’ll need to live the van life … without the van.

A van is an obvious choice for simple, minimalist life on the road. It strips down your “home” to the bare essentials which often means only a place to sleep, somewhere to cook, and (if you’re lucky) something resembling a bathroom and shower. It’s also important, of course, that it’s all mobile. And not in the way that a monstrous RV is mobile just because it has tires and an engine. You want to be able to go just about anywhere — possibly far off the beaten path — without concern.

The All-in-one Route

All you really need to live the van life is the proper gear. If you’re an “all-in-one” sort of gearhead, an ultra-light travel trailer is likely the way to go. The best trailers feature clever designs that package everything you might find in a well-kitted van — mainly a kitchen and sleep space, with the option for an outdoor shower.

Timberleaf hand builds beautiful teardrop trailers which balance design, utility, and function.

If you’re after something more outdoor-centric, TAXA Outdoors is the go-to for adventurous travelers. Their Cricket Camper Trailer is like a Swiss Army knife for wannabe van-lifers who like to off-road.

If you’d prefer a rugged, pared-down alternative that you can outfit and option yourself, Hiker Trailers are endlessly customizable.

The A La Carte Route

Of course, it’s also possible — sometimes preferable — to piece together your own van life “kit.” Above all else, you’ll need a sleep space, and there are all kinds of options on the market. One of the easiest to setup is a purpose-built rooftop tent. These mount to almost any sized sedan or SUV and come in a wide variety of styles and configurations. Yakima’s SkyRise Rooftop Tent is a solid, entry-level option that sleeps two, includes a ladder, and is durable in all but the worst weather. For a more full-featured alternative, Cascadia Vehicle Tents Mt. Denali Extended Stargazer Summit is like a spacious, soft-sided studio apartment that expands from the roof of your vehicle.

You’ll need a place to cook, make coffee, and crack a beer. The revolutionary EatOut might be just what you’re looking for — it’s almost an entire kitchen in a rolling modular cube. It includes a two-burner stove, storage space, dining tables, a cooler, overhead LED lanterns, and more. Just add food.

For bathroom purposes, a simple pop-up shower stall like this one from WolfWise is the way to go. It weighs next to nothing, folds completely flat, offers a six-foot-tall ceiling, and takes less than a minute to setup. Add a five-gallon solar shower and a basic camp toilet, and you’re good to go.

Just like actual van living, you can fully outfit your vehicle for life on the road with minimal investment. Or, if you’d prefer to go all-in, the sky is basically the limit to how much you can spend.

The post How to Live the Van Life … Without a Van appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

But our world isn’t as small as it seems. In fact, we live on a vast blue marble that’s bigger than any one of us will ever — can ever — experience in a hundred lifetimes.

Few places I’ve visited prove this like Antarctica. Vast, rugged, inhospitable, and breathtakingly beautiful, The White Continent remains today largely as it was hundreds of thousands of years ago. It’s raw and real in a way that’s unlike anywhere else on earth. During a visit there, every day brings incredible, new, once-in-a-lifetime — truly once-in-a-lifetime — experiences. You’ll see penguin colonies that number in the tens of thousands, bus-sized humpback whales breaching mere feet from your kayak, brutal, dramatic weather like you only thought possible on Neptune, massive leopard seals assassinating their prey with ease, and colors of blue that should only exist in Avatar. For many of us, it’s the first time we’ll ever see and breathe pure air. It will be exactly like you envisioned, only better.

Glossy travel magazines would like you to believe that Antarctica’s gone touristy. It’s true that more travelers visit the continent now than ever before — around 45,000 every year. Even including the roughly 1,000 permanent residents, that’s still less than half the population of South Bend, Indiana spread across a land mass of 5.4 million square miles. Sure, it has a few research stations and some “non-military” bases (because every country with something to prove needs to have a presence there). But these limited signs of permanent civilization are scattered across an area the size of Mexico and The United States combined. Don’t believe the hype. You won’t find strip malls or Starbucks or Walmarts. You’ll find much, much more. Maybe even, dare I say, yourself.

A visit to Antarctica will indelibly alter your perception of travel, of our world, and our environment. I’ve traveled the globe to countless countries and (now) all seven continents, and have never visited anywhere so pristine and all-encompassing. No other destination has so perfectly imprinted on my mind and my psyche — especially after just 10 days. It’s somewhere I will never, ever forget. If you’re a fan of the outdoors, of nature, of the world around us, Antarctica should be at the top of your bucket list. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

The post Why Antarctica Is Still the World’s Last Great Frontier appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

The Food … Good God, the Food

From a European colonialist perspective, Mauritius is perfectly positioned along some of the world’s most profitable and heavily trafficked trade routes. Because of the island’s location off the eastern coast of the African continent, it was often called the “Star and Key of the Indian Ocean.” In the past few centuries, the island was conquered and reconquered by Arabs, the British, the French, and the Dutch. Every takeover brought a new influx of immigrants from every corner of the globe, including Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Which is why Mauritius cuisine is among the most varied and culturally dense in the world. Some of the island’s most popular dishes blend half-a-dozen cuisines on a single plate. If you love food — especially exotic food — you’ll find no shortage of it here.

Getting There Is Not Easier Than You Think

Let’s be honest: traveling halfway around the world is a daunting task. Even with the wonders and speed of modern jet travel, the Earth is still a very big ball. But, it’s not impossible. Thanks to new routes from Air France and KLM, it’s possible to reach Mauritius from many major cities with just one stop. Time your airfare purchase right, and you’ll spend about the same on airfare as you would to get from New York to Honolulu. Plus, once you arrive on the island, everything is dirt-cheap. In the end, you can end up saving a boatload.

It’s Still Under the Radar

Until recently, Mauritius has flown neatly under most traveler’s bucket-list radars. Now, a few big names (like Lonely Planet) are starting to whisper about it, even labeling it a must-visit destination for 2018. Thankfully, most folks still don’t know about it. Bottom line: get there before the crowds. The Northwest part of the island sees plenty of tourist traffic from Europe. But, the remainder of Mauritius feels largely undiscovered.

Go Bamboo in the Southern Jungle

The above point leads us to the Southern Jungle. If you’re seeking the least developed, most rugged, least-tourist-friendly spot on the island to get far off-the-beaten-path, this is it. In particular, head to Black River Gorges National Park. It’s the largest national park on Mauritius and home to a dizzying variety of wildlife and plant life — some of which is found nowhere else in the world. It’s the perfect place to get lost camping, hiking, and exploring.

Sun, Sand, Surf, Repeat

Of course, if all you’re after is a traditional “fly and flop” style vacation, there’s plenty of that here too. The beaches are some of the most pristine you’ll find on or around the African continent. They rival any destination in Hawaii and the Caribbean and, again, they’re a whole lot cheaper.

The post Why Mauritius Is the Coolest Tropical Island You’ve Never Heard Of appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

It’s also vast, rugged, and awe-inspiring — a place of raw natural beauty unlike almost anything you’ll find Stateside. If you’ve ever wanted to visit the region, the country of Jordan is an ideal place to start. Here are four reasons why.

Get Lost in Wadi Rum

The valley of Wadi Rum is arguably the country’s most well-known and with good reason. It’s raw, surreal, and unbelievably beautiful. It’s as close as most mortal men will ever get to feeling like they’ve arrived on the surface of Mars (likely why it was chosen as the backdrop for much of The Martian). The hiking, the desert scenery, and the endless stretches of rugged plateaus all provide enough to explore for at least a full week. Assuming you have just one day and night in the valley, however, bed down with a traditional, nomadic Bedouin tribe in one of the few camps inside Wadi Rum. Arise early the next morning for an early sunrise balloon flight over it all. It’s the best way to get a sense of the entire valley.

Explore Petra

If there’s a single iconic shot of Jordan, Petra is it (you’ve see it in Indiana Jones, and probably didn’t even realize). The UNESCO World Heritage site dates back more than 2,000 years to the time of the Nabatean Kingdom. Today, the archaeological site is remarkably well-maintained — a winding canyon of tombs, houses, and temples intricately carved into beautiful pink sandstone cliffs. Petra’s pièce de résistance, however, is the 150-foot high Al Khazneh (a.k.a. “The Treasury”) — a stunning, ornate Greek-style temple carved into the natural rock face.

Float the Dead Sea

For bucket list travelers, a visit to the Dead Sea — Al-Baḥr Al-Mayyit (“Sea of Death”) in Arabic — is a must. At more than 1,400 feet below sea level, it’s the lowest point on dry land anywhere in the world. Due to its hypersaline waters, a swim in the sea is more like a relaxed float as it’s virtually impossible to dive below the surface. The black mud that lines the seafloor is popularly sold in expensive cosmetics products throughout the world. While it’s believed to be very good for you skin and well-being, most tourists cover themselves in the mineral-rich earth purely for the photo op.

Hike The Jordan Trail

Jordan is not an especially large country (a little larger than Maryland), but its rugged landscape makes it deceptively challenging to explore on your own. But, thanks to the official opening of The Jordan Trail in 2017, adventurous travelers can do just that on foot. The 400-mile thru-hike traverses the length of the country, from the lush green hills of Um Qias in the north to the dramatic valleys and seascapes of Wadi Rum and the Red Sea in the south.

Don’t be fooled by the news media. So much of our world is safer, more beautiful, and more easily within reach for “average” travelers than you might think. Jordan is proof.

The post All the Reasons to Get Your Ass to Jordan Right Now appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

The “Broken” Taxi Meter

This happens throughout the world in almost every country where taxi service isn’t heavily regulated. The gist is that you climb into a cab and, a few minutes into the ride, the driver informs you the meter is broken. You shrug it off, but balk at the bill when it turns out to be ten times what it should actually cost, and you have no recourse.

How to Avoid It: Agree on a fare before your cabbie starts driving or, better yet, before you climb into the car at all. Stand your ground and don’t budge from your agreed upon price.

The “Overbooked” Hotel or “Closed” Attraction

On the way to your already-booked hotel or a popular tourist attraction, your cabbie informs you that said destination is closed. He then proceeds to take you to a different — and far more expensive — hotel/attraction where he gets a fat commission for delivering tourists like you.

How to Avoid It: Never take someone else’s word for it, particularly in cases where they’re likely wrong or lying. Demand the cabbie take you to the hotel entrance or the ticket counter and see for yourself.

The Snap and Grab

This should go without saying, but tourists still fall for it everywhere. Thieves line up around popular tourist attractions and offer to take your photo. All you need to do is hand over your digital camera … seconds before they run off with it.

How to Avoid It: The absolute best way to prevent this, of course, is to never give your camera to a stranger even for a second. If you just must have that picture, find another tourist and ask them to take the pic for you.

The “Accidental” Spill on Your Clothing

This is common in busy tourist areas because of how quick and easy it is to pull off. It’s essentially a more artful pickpocketing. You’ll feel something spill on your shirt — bird droppings or a condiment like ketchup — and a “kind” stranger will quickly approach to help. While they’re tending to your potentially ruined clothing, they’re also relieving you of your wallet or watch.

How to Avoid It: Even though said person may just be trying to help, you’re better off finding the nearest restroom and taking care of the mess yourself.

It’s all too easy to get complacent while on vacation. But, now that the vast majority of tourists are traveling with hundreds (or thousands) of dollars in mobile gear on them at all times, it’s never been more important to keep your wits about you and a watchful eye on your belongings.

The post These Are the Travel Scams You’re Most Likely to Fall For appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

We’re here to tell you that visiting Cuba is still doable, and it’s not quite as complicated as the media would have you believe. There are just a few things to keep in mind before you start packing your bags for the isle of rum, cigars, and epic dictator beards.

You Have to Be Special

There are a dozen authorized categories of travel for American visitors to Cuba. Most “average” American travelers won’t fall into any of them (such as official U.S. government business, athletic competitions, or professional research). For independent travelers, there are two which are most likely to apply: educational activities and religious activities. Both are loosely defined, and essentially mean whatever you want them to mean. There’s just one thing that every American traveler must now prove upon re-entering the U.S. from Cuba: that their trip kept them “engaged in a full-time schedule” of interacting with the Cuban people and supporting a civilized Cuban society. Again: this is loosely defined and can mean almost whatever you want it to mean, provided Customs & Border Patrol officials believe your story when you get back to the States. Just be sure to apply for your visa well in advance because waiting for approval will take time.

The One Time You’ll Love a Guided Tour

No matter who you are, the absolute easiest way to travel to, through, and from Cuba is by way of an official guided tour. If the idea of group travel makes your skin crawl, we get it. But, guided tours no longer need to involve being crammed into a shuttle bus with sixty Middle American couples all elbowing for the best photo op. There are kayaking tours, round-island cycling tours, and private catamaran tours to Cuba’s lesser-visited “out islands.” The reason these are so appealing is because tours provide an itinerary that details your day-to-day activities while on the island. It’s a surefire way to greenlight your Cuban trip with the U.S. government and streamline your return back to the country since you’ll have been “engaged in a full-time schedule” of sanctioned activities.

You’ll Need Insurance

It’s one of the more mundane realities of traveling to Cuba: visitors must carry mandatory health insurance. Cuban officials may or may not require proof upon arrival — it’s a crapshoot, but one you don’t want to gamble on. In almost every case, your domestic, U.S.-based health insurance policy isn’t enough. Booking this on your own can be confusing as hell as some providers issue policies for every country in the world but Cuba. But, there’s good news for American travelers. Every major American airline includes the requisite insurance in the cost of a roundtrip ticket to Cuba. The policy is typically good for 30 days after the start of your trip.

Bring Plenty of Cash

Even after arrival, traveling within Cuba as an American can prove challenging. The most significant reason: our credit and debit cards simply don’t work on the island. Thanks to the ongoing decades-old embargos the U.S. has placed on American businesses trying to work within Cuba, no Cuban business (including ATMs) can process transactions using American plastic. The solution is to carry boatloads of cash with you; you’ll need to exchange your U.S. currency for Cuban pesos upon arrival. While traveling with thousands in cash on your person might sound insane, muggings and violent crimes against U.S. travelers in Cuba are exceptionally rare. Plus, most decent hotels and casas particulares (essentially Cuban Airbnbs) offer in-room safes to store your cash.

For Americans, Cuba is no doubt a challenging country to visit. But, with a bit of preparation and advanced planning, it’s not impossible.

The post So, You Want to Go to Cuba? Here’s How to Do It As an American appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

But, it’s not always smooth sailing. Especially in winter when that bone-chilling cold settles into large parts of the U.S. Thanks to a bevy of modern innovations, though, it’s possible to stay on the road, in almost any climate, indefinitely. This gear will help you quickly establish a solid basecamp for vanlifing.

BioLite CampStove 2 Bundle

The most critical issue to consider — the one that will dictate many of your decisions on the road — is how and where to find power. Power in the form of electricity for charging your gear, heat for sleeping comfortably, or fire for cooking. BioLite’s CampStove 2 Bundle is the simplest, most ingenious solution to all your power needs. It will be the Swiss Army knife of your car camping needs. It can light your kitchen, boil water, grill a pizza, and power your gadgets. The only thing it asks of you is a steady supply of crispy tinder. The entire setup collapses into the included Kettle pot which is nary larger than a two-liter soda bottle.

Pelican Elite Cooler

It’s easy to think a cooler is a cooler is a cooler. Just dust off your pappy’s dusty metal Coleman and be on your way, right? If you’re serious about vanlifing, a proper cooler is a must. Remember this will be your refrigerator — the storehouse for your campfire beer, bacon, and bratwurst — so, invest wisely. Pelican’s line of coolers is thick, heavy duty, and designed for maximum ice retention. The Elite 30QT is a solid all-around size for car camping. With efficient cooler management (trust us, this is a critical skill to master), we’ve managed six-day ice retention. That’s nearly a full week off-grid.

The Perfect Sleep Space

Setting up the perfect winter vanlife bedroom isn’t about a single piece of gear. You need equipment to keep warm, dry, and comfortable. The Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket is a good place to start. It has all the tech of a sleeping bag — it’s lightweight, made of ripstop nylon, and packs down small. But, the open-sided design means it easily doubles as a campfire/ground blanket. Their upgraded Down Puffy Blanket is only $50 more, but good down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

For the right mattress, you can’t go wrong with anything from Thermarest. But, if you’d prefer something a little closer to the feel of a traditional mattress, check out the folding foam varieties from LUCID. Their 3-inch Folding Mattress-Sofa is super-lightweight, comfortable, and versatile. It opens into a decent-sized mattress that fits in the back of even a medium-sized SUV (with the seats down, of course). But, it can also fold up into a sofa-like setup for relaxing by the campfire.

If you’re after a bit of luxury in your vanlife, the Euro Blackcan Heat Camping Mat can keep you warm at night in extreme conditions. It uses an automatic hot water heating system to keep the attached sleep pad toasty all night long. It weighs around six pounds, packs down small, and runs off standard butane canisters for up to 24 hours.

The post Best Cold-weather Gear for Enjoying the Winter Vanlife appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

The Pan-American Highway is considered the longest “motorable” road in the world, stretching from Alaska’s Prudhoe Bay to the southernmost tip of South America in Ushuaia, Argentina. But, there’s a break along that 20,000-mile journey. Blink, and you’ll miss it. Between Panama and Colombia lies a gap — this is the Darién Gap. It’s a relatively tiny and seemingly insignificant blip along an otherwise epic, record-setting road.

This 100-mile stretch of dense jungle is among the most dangerous terrestrial destinations in the world. This is a literal no-man’s-land where no human being is designed to venture. There are no roads, and hiking through requires substantial bushwhacking. The land is rife with exotic plants and some of the world’s most dangerous animals, all trying their damnedest to kill or, at the very least, severely maim you. Biting insects, jaguars, jungle scorpions, blood-sucking bats, poison dart frogs, venomous vipers, and wild pigs — they’re all here.

But, the deadliest species in the Darién Gap, like everywhere else on earth, is a man. The gap is a prime migration route between Central and South America, including immigrants from as far away as Pakistan and Somalia. Most have nothing to lose and are extremely wary of getting caught by local law enforcement. It’s also a massive drug-smuggling corridor. The Panamanian government long ago ceded control of its side of the jungle to narco-traffickers. Mostly, the law in the gap is whatever they say it is. Nearer the Colombian side, a Marxist insurgent group lords over their section of the jungle. For decades, FARC (the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) rebels have fought a resistance for the people of Colombia, funding much of their revolution from both human and cocaine traffickers. In a word, the gap is lawless.

To put an excellent point on it: trekking the Darién Gap isn’t just dangerous. It’s sheer insanity. Hundreds — perhaps even thousands — of crazy, ignorant (or both) hikers attempt to tackle it every year. One stunned hiker survived the gap with this bit of stark advice:

“For those who wish to have a Darien experience, never go it alone. Several have tried and were never heard from again. Even the most adventurous, or well seasoned traveler should not give into their ego and think that they can go it alone. It’s way too easy to get lost in its vastness, or fall prey to those who hide in its uncontrolled boundlessness.

I’ve been all over the world and hiked in untamed wilderness but this is a world unto its own.”

The post Lost in the Darién Gap: The Most Lawless 100-Mile Jungle in the World appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

These are among the poorest, most impoverished, and most dangerous urban sectors in the world. They’re virtual no man’s lands where no one should want to go. But, one thing we humans are good at is commodifying things. Anything. Which is how providing tours of these deeply depressed neighborhoods has evolved into a booming niche in the travel industry. So-called “poverty porn” or “slum tourism” is making a real name for itself, for both good and bad.

As the world’s population continues to explode — we’re currently above 7.6 billion souls on this planet — our cities are running out of space. More and more people are being forced to live in tighter and tighter quarters. And, with this unchecked overpopulation, cities are witnessing an increase in violent crime, health crises, and a sharp downturn in the overall quality of life. The residents of urban slums often face suffering that’s unimaginable to anyone accustomed to a First World way of life: open sewers, rampant starvation, and a total lack of access to basic healthcare and medicine. For foreigners and travelers intent on catching a glimpse of a city’s seedier side, however, all this suffering makes for dramatic theater.

If that sounds callous, consider that an estimated 50,000 tourists experience the favela tours of Rio de Janeiro every year. Untold thousands more indulge in sightseeing tours of places like Manila and Mumbai. In Nairobi, travelers can book a package tour to Kibera (the largest slum in Africa and among the largest in the world) after a casual day of wildlife spotting in the nearby national parks. And, the demand for these tours isn’t just in the developing world. One Vancouver provider guides tours through the otherwise well-to-do city’s harsh Downtown Eastside neighborhood (considered by many to be the worst in Canada). So, by all estimates, these numbers and overall interest in slum tours, is growing.

Amid intense backlash, the companies that provide these poverty tours claim the moral high ground. They counter their services help shine a light on the epidemic of poverty while helping to infuse the local economy with sorely needed cash. In an ideal world, this might sound logical. But, the reality is more complex, however, and many people aren’t convinced. It’s easy to imagine that, for the residents of these slums, being on the spectated end of such a tour might make them feel, frankly, like zoo animals. In one New York Times op-ed, a Kenyan man talked of feeling like a “tiger in a cage.” Expanding on that point, Karen Ward, a board member of one of Vancouver’s drug user advocate groups, dubbed it simply, “the worst kind of voyeurism. It objectifies and commodifies people who are in extreme distress.”

No matter how it’s billed, patronizing the slum tourism industry is a moral and ethical minefield. For all the good these tours might be doing, it’s impossible not to stare into the faces of the residents who actually live there and wonder, “Yes, but at what cost?”

The post Slum Tourism: How “Poverty Porn” Has Become Big Business for Some Travelers appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Abseil Table Mountain from 3,000 Feet

Let’s start with the giant elephant on Cape Town’s natural landscape: Table Mountain. This iconic rock formation looms large over the downtown core. While most tourists are content to lazily ride the tram up and back, there are far more interesting ways to explore. Abseil Africa guides the world’s highest commercial abseil. After reaching the top via the tram or (our preference) hike, you’ll be suited up with a harness and provided a safety briefing. From more than 3,000 feet above sea level, you step off into a panoramic, exhilarating expanse of vertical space. While descending, you’re surrounded on all sides by the mountain, Camps Bay, and the cobalt blue of the Atlantic Ocean.

Dive with Apex Predators

The frigid waters off Cape Town’s shores are the ideal spot for sharks to feed. Just a scenic two-hour drive from the city center, Cape Adventure Zone offers day trips to the fishing village of Gansbaai — known as one of the world’s premier spots for great white shark diving. Divers and snorkelers (scuba certification isn’t required) trek another few miles offshore to Dyer Island and Geyser Rock. From there, it’s 30-40 feet down in a purpose-built, impenetrable cage to the deep blue world of the ocean’s most fearsome predator. Sharks are so abundant in the area, known as “Shark Alley,” that sightings are virtually guaranteed.

Sail Away from Lion’s Head Mountain

Not far from Table Mountain sits Cape Town’s second most iconic natural formation: Lion’s Head Mountain. While it may not be as high as the former, it’s plenty high enough to serve as a paragliding launch. For less than USD $100, Cape Town Tandem Paragliding will hook you up with a stunning paraglide tour from Lion’s Head or nearby Signal Mountain. The roughly 30-minute flight includes a tandem instructor so you needn’t have any prior experience.

Jump the World’s Highest Bridge Bungee

You may have bungee jumped before, but there’s literally nothing on the planet like jumping South Africa’s Bloukrans Bridge. The more-than-700-foot bridge is the highest in Africa and the jump is officially the world’s highest bridge bungee. Face Adrenalin introduced the continent to the sport more than 25 years ago, and they’re still the provider for this one-of-a-kind experience.

The post Cape Town: The Most Dangerous City You Need to Visit Right Now appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Know Why This Eclipse Matters

Eclipses — both solar and lunar — are not uncommon. Approximately every 18 months, the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun all align either totally or partially to create an eclipse. But this total solar eclipse is a rare event that occurs literally once-in-a-lifetime. This is the first time in 99 years that the shadow of an eclipse has passed entirely from one U.S. coast to the other. Hence “The Great American Eclipse.”

Know Where You Are Relative to the Solar Eclipse’s “Path of Totality”

It’s all about location, location, location. Not surprisingly, the closer you are to the path of the eclipse, the better. This image shows the “path of totality” — the 70-mile-wide route where the Moon’s shadow will follow the Earth’s surface.

The luckiest eclipse-watchers within this band will see the Moon completely black out the sun for a brief period. In short, it will start near Oregon, move southeast at more than 1,500 miles per hour through the American Midwest, and “exit” the U.S. around the Carolinas. Check out this tool to find out how close to the path you are and exactly what you’ll see when the solar eclipse occurs.

Know What to Look For

To the untrained eye (i.e. non-nerds), a solar eclipse might appear as little more than a small black blob (the Moon) slowly passing over a large bright blob (the Sun). In reality, there’s a lot more going on than you might realize. Look for the “diamond ring effect” — when the sunlight brightens one side of the lunar ring as the moon passes in front of it. “Baily’s Beads” is another important phenomenon. Because the lunar surface isn’t smooth, the eclipse causes flecks of sunlight to creep out between its indentations and valleys creating sparkling beads of light around the Moon’s edge. Once totality occurs, the Sun’s corona (atmosphere) will also become distinctly visible as beautiful strings of light pulsing from the solar disc. All of these are rare phenomena that are best viewed during an eclipse.

Know How to Ready Your Camera (and Your Eyeballs)

Staring directly at the sun is bad for your eyes, even when it’s mostly blacked out by the moon. For folks within the path of totality, they can (relatively) safely look directly at the sun without solar filter glasses, but only briefly and only when the eclipse peaks. Everyone else should avoid staring directly at the sun at any point during the eclipse.

To properly photograph the eclipse, forget your smartphone as its inadequate zoom functionality will be hard-pressed to capture anything more than a tiny, grainy, orange blob. Instead, you’re going to want to break out a proper digital DSLR camera with a maximum focal length of 2000mm (1300mm for cameras with a DX sensor), a sturdy tripod, and a solar filter. With these items ready to go, head to Nikon for a full write-up on the best settings for shooting the solar eclipse.

The post Everything You Need to Know About This Month’s Epic Solar Eclipse appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Heading Skyward at Lookout Mountain Flight Park

Among the many reasons to visit Lookout Mountain (hiking Point Park, spelunking to Ruby Falls, Rock City, etc.), it’s home to the largest hang gliding flight school in the world. Since the 1970s, the school has trained more students in the sport than anywhere on the planet. The crystal clear weather and optimal wind conditions are ideal for novices looking to get into hang gliding for the first time, or for anyone seeking a path to solo certification. The school even offers lodging for students who want to spend days or weeks onsite to fast track their in-air education.

A River Runs Through It (Literally)

The fact that the city is technically landlocked — well, it lacks an oceanfront anyway — shouldn’t deter you. The Tennessee River stretches from Knoxville through East Tennessee (including Chattanooga) and onward to Alabama. Along its 650-plus miles of waterway are ideal spots for kayaking, paddleboarding, canoeing, swimming, and … pretty much anything water-related. The docks along Chattanooga’s waterfront mean boaters can dock right downtown and paddlers can put in without ever leaving the city.

Whitewater Rafting the Ocoee River

The Colorado River, Idaho’s Salmon River, and Oregon’s Rogue River all get plenty of coverage among glossy travel brochures for their world-class whitewater rafting opportunities. So, most travelers are surprised to learn that some of the country’s best rafting is actually less than an hour outside Chattanooga. The controlled release of water by TVA (the state’s power company) ensures that the flow of the Ocoee River is predictable and guarantees consistent Class III and IV rapids on every scheduled outing. Ocoee Rafting has been running the river for more than 40 years and can provide everything you need — including gear, guides, and transportation — for a day on the water.

Run, Climb, Ride

In the downtown core, overlooking Broad Street, lies High Point Climbing Gym — the nation’s largest urban climbing wall with lead, top rope, and auto-belay walls. For climbers who’d rather venture a little farther, myriad bouldering opportunities await along the dramatic rock cliffs that line the Tennessee River. Trail runners and mountain bikers can avail themselves of nearly 60 outdoor trails within a 30-minute drive of downtown Chattanooga.

Add to all this the fact that the city has culturally come into its own in the last decade. Coffee shops, record stores, world-class restaurants, and brewpubs are popping up on every corner. Plus, it’s still one of the cheapest small cities to visit in the eastern U.S. Which all begs the question: why haven’t you visited before?

The post Chattanooga, Tennessee Is the Coolest Outdoor City You’ve Never Been To appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Technically, anyone who’s reasonably fit and comfortable swimming in open ocean can do it. The sport requires little equipment: a mask and (optionally) a snorkel, plus a pair of purpose-designed fins to propel you through the water quickly and with minimal effort. The main draw, of course, is an increase in freedom and agility underwater. By stripping away traditional scuba gear, freedivers are able to move faster, use less effort (and therefore oxygen), and get far closer to marine life. Where the bulk, bubbles, and hiss of a scuba diver’s regulator are enough to scare off even the heartiest marine mammals, freedivers can typically swim among them with ease.

What’s more: while traditional scuba divers are limited by the laws of physics as to how deep they can dive, freedivers are untethered from the same restraints. The current confirmed “no limits” world record for freediving stands at 700 feet. And the record’s holder, Austrian freediver Herbert Nitsch, has announced plans to smash through 1,000 feet later this year. It’s a staggering testament to the capability of the human body.

Which is surprising because, on paper, freediving might look like little more than glorified swimming. In reality, it’s so much more. Like scuba diving, mastering the skills and proper technique of freediving requires legitimate schooling. Instructional courses like those offered through I AM WATER Ocean Travel teach novice freedivers the science and practice behind breath-holding techniques, proper swim strokes, and — our words, not theirs — how not to drown. Courses begin in the classroom with proper book and lecture time, and end with half-day freedives in open ocean. Students are welcome to dive entirely within their comfort zone, or instructors will push them if they’re ready.

The company has even branched out to offer liveaboard freediving expeditions which are a great way to gain confidence underwater, and they’re growing in popularity. Their most popular trips take divers to some of the most exotic destinations in the world. Think: spotting humpback whales near Niue Island in the South Pacific, chasing jack fish and whale sharks in coastal Mexico, or gliding with giant manta rays in Bali. It’s difficult to imagine a more incredible learning vacation.

The post Going Deep: Forget Scuba Diving, Go Freediving appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

The so-called Million Dollar Highway is actually a small, 12-mile stretch of US 550 (a road worthy of many road trips in its own right). On any standard map, the drive appears to be little more than a thoroughfare connecting the two tiny towns of Ouray and Silverton, Colorado. Save for a few hairpin turns, it’s deceptively straight and straightforward. In reality, it’s among the most radical paved roads in the United States.

The origins of the road are clouded in a combination of mystery and revisionist history. The general path was first cut by Otto Mears — a Russian immigrant and U.S. mail carrier who frequently traveled the San Juan Mountains. He quickly found the path to be quite necessary for others seeking passage across Colorado’s most wild and rugged mountain range. By 1882, he’d consequently opened the path as a rather lucrative toll road.

When the road was first paved in the 1930s, it was purely out of function and necessity. Few folks were interested in driving it for fun, leading many to believe the origin of the road’s name stems from one traveler noting, “I wouldn’t go that way if you paid me a million dollars.” Considering the lack of “amenities” like seatbelts in some early 20th century vehicles, it’s hard to blame him. Beginning south from Ouray (with the sheer gorge to the right), the road passes through Uncompahgre Gorge before climbing to the summit of Red Mountain Pass. It’s a harrowing and downright dangerous drive marked with narrow lanes (often shared by RVs), steep cliffs, sheer dropoffs, hairpin turns, and zero guardrails.

Given the Million Dollar Highway’s breathtaking yet perilous nature, accidents can and do happen. It’s crucial to be prepared, especially when driving in such unpredictable conditions. If you find yourself in an unfortunate situation, it’s important to know about their legal services offered by experienced professionals through an accident hotline. These legal experts can provide you with crucial guidance and support following an accident, ensuring that you are protected and informed about your rights. Whether it’s handling the aftermath of a collision or offering advice on next steps, their services are designed to alleviate the stress and uncertainty that often follows such incidents.

It’s also one of the most beautiful in the country. Every bend reveals yet another panoramic view of some of the most idyllic mountain scenery in the state with names like Electra Lake, Twilight Peak, and Lookout Point. Towering rock walls, rolling fields of evergreen, beautiful alpine lakes, abandoned gold and silver mines, and the ruins of settlements once full of wide-eyed miners who arrived in the valley to strike it rich nearly 100 years ago. Thankfully, there are viewpoints along the way, although drivers are often forced to park with a little too much ass in the road.

Surprisingly — or not, because, hey this is Colorado — the Million Dollar Highway is open year-round. While it does close in snow, more often than not, the local government encourages drivers to just throw on some chains and be on their way.

The post A Most Beautiful and Dangerous Road: Colorado’s ‘Million Dollar Highway’ appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

But, those feelings have waned in recent years as RI’s capital city has found its way. The city is now fresher, more vibrant, and more cosmopolitan than ever. It’s also one of the hottest small cities on the east coast, particularly in the culinary scene. As a lifelong Rhode Island native, here’s how I’d recommend you eat and drink your way around Providence.

Day One

First up: a hearty breakfast just outside the city, courtesy of Modern Diner. This 1930s-era “modernistic” diner car was the first of its kind to be placed on the National Register for Historic Places and is literally a landmark among Providence locals. The menu is long and ever-changing with more than 30 specials to choose from daily. If it’s in season, the Lobster Benedict is a must.

Hop a quick Uber ride to the heart of the city to burn off the morning’s gluttony. Launching from Waterplace Park, Providence Kayak offers single/tandem kayak rentals for paddlers to explore the city’s winding Woonasquatucket River.

Just over the highway, Ogie’s Trailer Park is a no-frills joint with plenty of trailer park-inspired kitsch. It’s the perfect spot to grab a local craft brew (from their 66-can menu) and a Southern Rhody Fried Chicken Sandwich w/ Slab Bacon from Granny Boo’s Kitchen, then wile away the afternoon on their outdoor patio.

Head back over the highway for a dose of culture around and along Benefit Street. As arguably the most historic few blocks in the entire state (and the country), it’s home to beautifully restored churches, homes, and museums. Most notable: RISD Museum (part of Rhode Island School of Design), plus dozens of colonially significant homes including the Governor Henry Lippitt House and John Brown House Museums. The Rhode Island Historical Society’s Benefit Street: A Mile of History walking tour is a great place to start.

For dinner, few restaurants represent Rhode Island’s modern culinary panache like Birch. Even “non-foodies” can appreciate their well-priced (just $49 pp), out-of-this-world good four-course prix fixe menu.

After dinner, take in a flick at Cable Car Cinema — the city’s best art house cinema that screens foreign and indie films. Or, if you’re hankering for a late-night snack, Haven Brothers has been the go-to spot for the hungry after-hours crowd. Their burgers and fries are simple, greasy, and satisfying — the perfect street food.

Day Two

Wickenden Street is a small, creative enclave on the city’s southeastern edge. Grab breakfast at the aptly named Brickway on Wickenden — a cramped, boldly designed cafe/diner with creative takes on classic fare. Go early as there’s almost always a wait.

After breakfast, head south to India Point — the city’s most beautiful urban space. The park is small, but there’s enough room to explore on foot or with a bike rental (the East Bay Bike Path runs right through the park). Or simply relax on the grass while watching the ships cruise Providence Harbor.

Grab lunch downtown at Trinity Brewhouse. While many other breweries and brewpubs have since opened throughout the state, Trinity was the first. Their rotating menu of beers brewed in-house is ever-changing, but always excellent. Ditto the pub food menu which, if the weather is cooperating, is best enjoyed alfresco on their outside patio.

To get a real sense of Providence’s modern, college-influenced culture, stroll along Thayer Street. If there’s one strip that’s the beating heart of the city’s student and youth culture, this is it. It’s short but offers a densely packed blend of restaurants and shops, peppered with buskers and a healthy dose of hipster vibe.

For some of the best Italian food in New England, most travel guides will direct you toward the Federal Hill neighborhood. And, they’re not wrong. But, I highly recommend dinner at Al Forno instead. This upscale ristorante has been a staple of the Providence food scene for decades. Every last thing on the menu is spot-on, but their wood-fired pizzas (which they claim to have popularized for all of America) are the big get.

For post-dinner drinks, hit up the adjacent Milk Money — a rustic/industrial tapas bar with an excellent cocktail menu. (I recommend the Y’all Been Warned — a blend of mezcal, jalapeno peppers, agave, passionfruit, and rhubarb)

After dinner, follow the Riverwalk through the city along the length of the Woonasquatucket River. It’s the best way to experience the entirety of the downtown core. Check the schedule for WaterFire for one of the best, most unique ways to view the city.

Where to Stay: Crash at The Dean

Remnants of Providence’s less-than-stellar past are rapidly fading. On the former site of one of the city’s seediest strip clubs (it could hardly be called a “gentleman’s club” with a straight face) has sprung its swankiest boutique hotel. The Dean is equal parts eclectic, stylish, and contemporary with a healthy dose of vintage panache. There’s even an on-site cocktail bar, karaoke lounge, and German-style restaurant/beer hall.

How ya like me now, Boston?

The post 48 Hours of Drinks and Dining in Providence, Rhode Island appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

“Next!” a pit crew member shouts, shattering my daydream.

Is he talking to me? Elated at the thought of Mario-fucking-Andretti personally chauffeuring me around the track, I half-step forward long enough for another crew member to break my stride. Placing his palm flat against my chest, he utters a stern: “Not you.”

This is the Indy Racing Experience at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway. For racing enthusiasts, there’s almost nothing like it on earth. When would-be organizers of the IRE approached decision-makers at the Speedway, they were almost laughed out of the room. Their vision was to allow average Joes — anyone with a pulse and the height to reach the steering wheel and pedals — to pilot legitimate IndyCars at speeds of up to 130 mph. It sounds insane because, of course, it is insane.

But, if any city in the world could figure a way to realize this lofty goal, it would be Indy — home to one of the world’s premier auto races. With plenty of persistence, patience, and — I’ll hazard a guess — palm-greasing, their vision became a reality. Today, Indy Racing Experience visitors can choose from one of two options. The Drive Program allows wanna-be race car drivers to command their own authentic, detuned IndyCar for three full laps at up to 130 mph. With the Ride Program, riders hop into the rear of a tandem IndyCar to scream around the track for two laps at up to 180 mpr. Riders experience g-forces that few others — aside from fighter pilots and astronauts — on earth will ever know. Deciding which program to choose isn’t easy. But, because I love speed, I opted for the latter.

By the time my non-Andretti driver arrived, I’d been suited up for only 20 minutes, but it felt like hours. I was itching to just go. I climbed into the rear seat while the pit crew pulled my racing harness into place. My helmet was barely secured before we pulled hard out of the pit as though we’d been rear-ended by a freight train. I didn’t know that level of acceleration was possible without leaving the ground. My head, arms, and body felt magnetized to the seat behind me. I couldn’t move. For a second, I thought, “This is what astronauts must feel like upon lift-off …” and all I could do was scream. A raw, pure, animalistic howl which was completely drowned out by the engine roar. I couldn’t hear it. My driver couldn’t hear it.

We were through the first turn and into the straightaway in seconds. The driver goosed the pedal and we hit the max 180 mph almost immediately. My painfully tight-fitting helmet began to pull away from my head. Gravity and nylon were no longer enough to keep it reliably in place. The engine roar was so loud that my hearing was reduced to a narrow hum somewhere between my ears. The world on either side of the car — the track, the fencing, the bleachers, the spectators — all melted into a streaky watercolor painting without edges or definition. Still, I continued to howl.

I closed my eyes as we pulled into the second turn and time suddenly stood still. I couldn’t comprehend how the car was physically staying glued to the track at such speeds. What’s more: how was my driver skilled enough to keep the car on the asphalt?

As we completed the first lap, we passed the pit we’d just left seconds earlier. I later learned my girlfriend was waving, screaming for me, and snapping photos the entire time. Unfortunately, she was but a mute blur in my periphery.

We lapped once more before returning to the pit where I exited the car as quickly and unceremoniously as I’d entered. In minutes, I’d collected my personalized IRE plaque, stripped off my fire retardant racing suit, and returned to the parking lot. The ride was over and I struggled to ground myself back on planet earth. I was seeing stars and my hearing had yet to return. But, try as I might, I could not stop smiling.

Even though I’d only experienced a fraction of what world-class drivers contend with on any given race day, I left with a whole new appreciation for the sport. It was an exhilarating and, quite literally, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The post Life at 180 MPH: An Exhilarating Ride at the Indy Racing Experience appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Retro Sexy

First up, if you’re tired of the boring black box casing of most DSLRs, listen up. The latest batch of mirrorless cameras — particularly from Fujifilm and Olympus — offers retro cool styling. The compact size only adds to the vintage feel. If you’re looking to complete the image (literally), tack on an old school leather camera strap and toss your whole kit into a vintage messenger bag.

Lighter and Tighter

DSLR cameras take incredible photos. But their bulk means many travelers opt to leave theirs at home (and rely instead on — oh, no — their smartphone) or pack the camera in their backpack where it stays for the duration of their vacation because it’s a hassle to dig out every time the perfect photo op crops up. The size — or lack of it — of mirrorless cameras is the real win for travelers. With fewer electronics and internal guts to enclose, the modern crop of mirrorless cameras is lighter and more compact. They’re typically half the weight and size of traditional DSLRs, meaning they’re more comfortable to hold and take up less space in your luggage or backpack. Plus, without that hulking DSLR hogging your pack’s interior, you have more room for additional lenses, backup batteries, and other essentials.

Discretion Advised

Unlike “planned” photography (like weddings), travel photography often relies on being discreet. The sheer size of most DSLR cameras isn’t conducive to street photography. Most “average” strangers you encounter in your travels don’t take kindly to a three-pound camera-lens combo shoved in their face. They tense up; they get nervous; they feel too “put on the spot.” The compact size of new mirrorless cameras means photographers can be inconspicuous or, at the very least, far less obtrusive. This makes for easier, better, and more photos.

Better, Faster, Stronger

Nikon and Canon have long been the top dogs in the digital camera market. But one-time also-rans like Fujifilm, Panasonic, Sony, and Olympus have wisely shifted gears to focus on better mirrorless systems. They’re building upon tried-and-true DSLR technology, plus engineering amazing new features into current and next generation mirrorless cameras. Sony’s alpha line, for example, boasts the sharpest, quickest autofocus of any camera on the market. Plus, the same full digital sensors that provide DSLRs with their top-notch image quality can now be found in most of their mirrorless counterparts.

The Bottom Line

The current generation of mirrorless cameras is a better, faster, lighter, more stylish alternative to today’s bulky DSLRs. Unless you’re a serious photographer with ultra-niche requirements (like 600mm telephoto lenses and the like), the best bet for your next digital camera is to go mirrorless.

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