road trip Archives - fannypack travel

7 Unbelievable Southwest Parks That are Not the Grand Canyon

Lauren Crowley — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 00:09:12 +0000

A couple of years ago, during the all tumult caused by congresses shutting down the federal government, I had already made plans to hike the Grand Canyon. I had lived in western New Mexico for almost three years and had never seen it! Unfortunately, as the fixed date of my entry into the park drew nearer, it became clear that I was going to have to make alternate plans. Fortunately for me, The Four Corners has more than enough incredible […]

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Beginner’s Guide to Motorbiking

Lauren Crowley — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 06:48:56 +0000

So you’ve arrived in Southeast Asia, or the Caribbean, or some other destination that will just give the go ahead to anyone with $5 to menacing their streets with their rookie motorbike skills. You don’t have an international driver’s license, you don’t have a motorcycle license, you’ve never ridden on the back, let alone driven a bike, so should you throw caution to the wind and dispatch yourself on the exploration of uncharted adventures with a freedom that’s been hitherto […]

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Exploring Hanoi by Motorbike

Lauren Crowley — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 00:08:39 +0000

Having only seven full days in Vietnam, I limited our exploration to the North, and rented a dirt bike to explore the areas around Hanoi. We spent two days in Hanoi itself, in the Old Quarter. Two things I noticed right away: The driving is BANANAS! The only rule seems to be: Don’t die. Seriously, there is not procedure for right of way at an intersection, just don’t hit anyone or get hit. And we succeeded! I did not […]

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Choosing a Vehicle

Grace Crowley — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 14:24:21 +0000

There are several different directions you can go here, and all five will have a serious impact on your “vehicle life” adventure. Personally, I have lived and traveled in a Volvo 740 Station Wagon, Ford Explorer, Dodge Ram [semi] Conversion Van, and lastly, a VW Vanagon Westfalia. Each vehicle has its distinct pros and cons and here we will attempt to find the best fit for you. Things to think about are ease of driving, inconspicuousness, comfortability, miles per gallon, ease […]

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Pay Camping

Grace Crowley — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 22:26:07 +0000

So dispersed camping isn’t for you… or maybe it’s just time to sit on a toilet and take a shower. Whatever you are looking for, there are loads of options. Campgrounds vary in quality and amenities so much that you can pretty much get anything you are looking for with a quick internet search. Many campgrounds include a pool, Wi-Fi, a rec room, a basic store, showers and toilets, and a playground. You will also usually get a picnic table, […]

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Free Camping

Grace Crowley — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 22:19:07 +0000

So you’ve decided to forgo pay camping. Good for you. In the United States, there is little to no reason to need to pay for camping — especially in the West. While there are lots of places to free camp, finding them can be tricky. After all, if it were just as easy as pay camping, nobody would pay, right? When choosing a place to camp, there are a few things to consider. First, is it legal? There is an […]

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5 Most Important Things to Consider When Looking for a Camping Spot

Grace Crowley — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 15:09:51 +0000

Ground You want to find flat, dry, non-vegetated ground to camp on. Pay attention to where the water will collect or pass through if it rains. Will you end up in a puddle of mud in the morning? Is there a log or rock in the way of your tent? Will you be killing native plants or destroying an ecosystem by placing your tent? Distance from water As nice as it is to camp right next to a water source, […]

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Road Trip America Part 2

Lauren Crowley — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 08:35:42 +0000

After the shock and awe of seeing grass died down, Paul and I found a followed some meandering country highways to a perfect campsite near a lake in southern Idaho. Quick tip: If you use www.freecampsites.net remember to fill up on gas before you leave the freeway, as some of these sites are a ways from much else. Or check googlemaps for the nearest fill up station. We arrived at a picturesque campsite under some trees that provided the perfect amount […]

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Road Trip America Part 1

Lauren Crowley — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 03:37:19 +0000

Road Trip America Part 1 Late last spring, after finishing up three long years of intense travail, the drudgery of hundreds of thousands of words in the form of my Master’s in Teaching, and rounding out my third year as a high school teacher in Gallup, New Mexico, I decided to make a break for it. The kids were tremendously cool and the scenery on the occasional hike that time allowed for was breathtaking, but I had become riddled with […]

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