Think of a time in your life, when you said to yourself, “Wow! That was exciting.” Or, “Gosh, that was scary for me!" What do you remember from that memory? Were you close to cliff’s edge, fatigued from exerting yourself, or were you overcoming a fear built up in your imagination? Hopefully, that memory was elective and an experience you can look back upon as type two fun. A learning lesson, a personal challenge, an opportunity to expand your horizon.
Read MoreSome of the best adventure travel trips are close to home, here is a surf trip to Maverick’s Beach in Halfmoon Bay, California. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
It's in My Blood - A Life of Adventure Travel
As a kid, I had two dreams. First, to play a sport in college. Second, see the world. The outtake above is from a childhood conversation I distinctly recall as a kid. As an avid lover of the History and Discovery channel, I have always been blown away by this planet, the diversity of landscapes, and the endless adventures. With curiosity often at the root of my adventures, I have taken this mindset into adulthood.
Read MoreFour Sunsets You Don’t Want to Miss
Is there anything better than holding a warm beverage and watching the sun dip behind the horizon as the clouds and sky change colors? If so, I want to know what! Sunsets are a daily light display that makes my jaw drop when all of the ingredients align; slightly cloudy, something interesting on the horizon, and a nice jacket to keep you warm after the sun disappears. Over the past seven years of vanlife, I have prioritized watching sunsets, often stopping everything I am doing to enjoy this daily gift. In doing so, I have had many evening where my mind is blown by the beauty while living on the road. So, here are a few of my favorite sunsets, with the locations, so you can go watch them for yourself!
Read MoreAfter 3,000 miles, we crossed the border into Alaska! Photo by Dalton Johnson
How to Survive and Thrive on a Father-Son Road Trip to Alaska
Driving to Alaska, my Dad graciously joined the adventurous road trip north from California. Together, we did our best to go on adventures along the way, to break up the driving. Also, I needed to continue my training for Mount Denali. During our drive, we hiked, dipped in rivers, checked out glacier, and gawked at wildlife. Our schedule was tight, so we didn’t get to do all that much, but the time together is what counts.
Read MoreCan You Van Life in Alaska?
Our first week in the van, while road tripping in Alaska, has been a blast! Starting our vanlife road trip in Anchorage, Alaska, we were excited by all of the moose signs leaving town. After a quick grocery shop, we headed for the Seward Highway and Turnagain Arm where the bore tide, the only one in the United States creates a wave that you can surf. As we tried to sleep in the never ending daylight, together Kristin and I laughed. Without even knowing, it was 1am and still bright. Waking up in Alyeska, Dalton had planned an activity called Chutes and Ladders which lead to an epic waterfall. This episode is filled with Travel Alaska ideas, so watch and enjoy!
Read MoreAn Epic West Coast Road Trip
This past winter, I had the privilege of shooting a campaign on the Tamron to Sony e-mount lenses, ranging from 17mm to 500mm. In this photo project, the end result was an epic road trip from San Diego to Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz to Cabo. Yup, you read that correctly, we road tripped for roughly 3,400 miles shooting from dusk until dawn, often late into the night to capture the stars. The result, an endless onslaught of stories to tell, a magazine piece, social media campaign, and an unexpected video.
Read MoreSeven Road Trip Worthy Landscapes to Visit
No matter where you are in the United States, the West has captured our attention as a symbol of freedom, exploration, and awe. While the symbolism remains, the reality is vastly different. With the modern highway system, road trips can take you to almost anywhere. If you are planning a road trip to the west and want to see jaw-dropping landscapes, below is a list of seven landscape worthy to visit.
Read MoreLiving on the Road Q&A
I am super excited to announce that I will be co-hosting season three of the Occupation Wild Podcast with Courtney Condy. The season has already kicked off with a question and answer session around photography, van life, how to make money while living on the road, and so much more! Below is the link to the first episode.
Read MoreKristin and Abi testing out their sock-hop skills after arriving early to their campsite. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
How To Pack For Backpacking
The time has come to pack your backpack, hit the trail, and sleep in the dirt. Backpacking is an adventure combining hiking with backcountry camping, so be ready for a deep thigh burn and dirt under your fingernails. Living out of a backpack combined with the lack of conveniences makes backpacking an enjoyable type two activity. In the moment, as you labor up a steep grade, you might question your decision to go on this trip, but as you roast a marshmallow for s’mores and stare out at the Milky Way you’ll cherish those steep grades like a badge of honor. If this is your first backpacking trip, or your 10,000th trip, I promise there will be a nugget of goodness in this article.
Read MoreHow to Have the Most Fun Living in a Van
Having fun while living in a van can be simple, but the distractions of life are ever-present. Keep that in mind and prioritize the fun things. Make a list, check it twice, and fill your bucket with the experiences that help you grow.
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