Hey there, fellow Tourists! Have you been looking for an excuse to get out on your next overland adventure? How about improving your health? This week, I talk about a new book I found by an author named Michael Easter, titled “The Comfort Crisis”. It’s a fascinating look into how our modern cities & technology might actually be causing us harm, and how getting back out into nature can help reduce the stress & anxiety that is at the root of many of the illnesses that affect us. So, here is your prescription to tune in to this week’s episode of The Dirt Road Tourist! I’ll see you in there!

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/today-is-the-day

License code: LIVG08BWQRPM38RU

Nothing can make a trip to a great location feel worse than having a cluttered & messy vehicle. This episode is chock-full (but not too full) of tips for how to select the equipment you actually need out there, and how to keep that gear within easy reach.

Welcome back, fellow explorers, to another episode of Dirt Road Tourist! Today, we’re diving into one of the most essential skills for any overlander—campfire mastery. Whether you’re roasting marshmallows, warming up after a long day on the trails, or just looking to impress your friends with some wilderness wizardry, we’ve got you covered. From foolproof fire-starting techniques to pro tips on keeping your blaze safe and eco-friendly, we’re turning up the heat and sparking some serious campfire knowledge. So grab a log, pull up a seat, and let’s get crackling!

Did a quick out-and-back trip this weekend to Pilot Mountain, NC. Had a great time tooling around Mount Airy, the town that inspired The Andy Griffith show. It was a little mobbed, with so much of the Western NC areas shut down currently, but we had a nice lunch, and a great time camping, with a free concert thrown in as a bonus! Listen in to hear more.

In this episode, I’m going to talk about a piece of gear that your four-legged friend is going to love, and you might too! I’ll also talk about my mapping apps, and what apps and sites I use for digging up interesting things to do on trips. Link for the item discussed is below:

Gorilla Grip Portable Pet Bowl:

https://a.co/d/bdDAsEw

Music Credits:

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/today-is-the-day

License code: LIVG08BWQRPM38RU

This past weekend, the Southern Appalachian Mountain region was devastated by a major hurricane. A week in, and there are still people missing, people cut off from the outside world, people living without access to safe drinking water, food or utilities. The need is extreme for many, but there are some extraordinary organizations working tirelessly to help.

Aside from the government response, this has been a 'neighbors helping neighbors' effort. I wanted to talk about a few of the groups that are doing amazing work in the aftermath of Helena. Links to the organizations I talk about on the podcast are below:

https://foodbankcenc.org/helene/

https://ventureunknownfoundation.org/

https://www.cajunnavyrelief.com/our-mission/

https://teamrubiconusa.org/

https://appalachiantrail.org/

Hey there, everyone! Welcome back to Dirt Road Tourist, where today we’re trading our hiking boots for aprons—because it’s all about camp foods and cooking! Whether you're a gourmet overlander whipping up a backcountry feast or just trying to figure out how to make instant noodles feel like a five-star meal, we’ve got the recipes, tips, and tricks to keep your campfire kitchen sizzling. From one-pot wonders to campfire classics, let’s make sure your next adventure is as tasty as it is thrilling. Time to fire up those camp stoves!

Link for the Skriddle:

https://tyor.life/pages/skriddle

Music Credits:

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/today-is-the-day

License code: LIVG08BWQRPM38RU

https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/la-vita-bella

License code: N9YVQE68GDCLYOCC

I will talk about why I am creating (yet another) overlanding podcast, and about what to expect from it.