Side Quest Overland

I have always loved the outdoors. There is something about being in nature that fills me with peace and joy. But for many, enjoying the outdoors comes with obstacles that can only be overcome with equitable responses to our diverse community. Variable terrain, inconstant paths, and limited availability of necessary facilities can make it difficult or impossible for people with disabilities to access some of earth's most beautiful spaces. Accessible trails are important because they allow people with disabilities to enjoy the benefits of spending time in nature. Nature has been shown to have a number of benefits for people of all abilities, including reducing stress, improving mood, and boosting creativity. Check out Time to Connect for more info on how nature can be a great therapy. Accessible trails help to promote inclusion and equity. By making outdoor recreation more accessible to people with disabilities, we can move closer to a society that values nature as much as we value...

How Yoga Can Boost Your Strength and Agility for Hiking If you love hiking, you know how important it is to have a strong and agile body that can handle any terrain and challenge. Hiking requires not only endurance and stamina but also balance, coordination, flexibility, and power. That’s why yoga can be a great complement to your hiking routine, as it can help you develop all these qualities and more. Yoga is a practice that involves physical poses, breathing techniques, and mental focus. It can benefit your body and mind in many ways, such as: Improving your posture and alignment Increasing your range of motion and mobility Reducing your risk of injury and pain Enhancing your blood circulation and oxygen delivery Relieving your stress and anxiety Boosting your mood and energy levels Sharpening your concentration and awareness But how exactly can yoga make you stronger and more agile for hiking? Here are some of the key benefits of yoga for hikers, along with some of the best yoga pos...

Southeast Asia is a diverse and fascinating region that offers something for every traveler. Whether you’re looking for ancient temples, tropical islands, bustling cities, or rural villages, you’ll find it here. In this blog post, I’ll share some of the highlights of traveling in Southeast Asia, focusing on three aspects: minority villages, the Mekong Delta, and food. Minority Villages One of the best ways to experience the rich culture and history of Southeast Asia is to visit some of the minority villages that dot the region. These are communities of ethnic groups that have their own languages, traditions, and lifestyles, often distinct from the dominant cultures of their countries. Some examples of minority villages you can visit are: The Hmong villages in northern Vietnam and Laos. The Hmong are a hill tribe that migrated from China centuries ago and have preserved their colorful clothing, handicrafts, and animist beliefs. You can trek to their villages and stay overnight with a lo...

Yes, you CAN bring baby camping....Here's how! New parents have one job...to keep their little ones safe and happy. Safe from ouchies, burns, scrapes, fevers, itches, bug bites, and hurt feelings. With the right preparation, gear, and of course, some sleep, babies not only enjoy the wonders of the outdoors, they can thrive in an environment with natural colors, sights, sounds, smells, and textures. We adults refer to it as nature therapy. According to mind.org.uk , Nature Therapy, or " Ecotherapy, is  a formal type of therapeutic treatment which involves doing outdoor activities in nature ". The main purpose being to improve mental health. Slowing down and separating ones' self from the daily grind or the 9-5 has shown to have therapeutic effects on mood and self-esteem.  Checkout my blog on The Importance of Outdoor Education at an Early Age . An obstacle some encounter is that camping in general may be a new concept or experience. Rewind to infancy and we can consid...

How  3F UL GEAR  is challenging the big names in ultralight tents If you are looking for a high-quality, lightweight and affordable tent for your next backpacking adventure, you might want to check out 3F UL GEAR, a Chinese brand that has been making waves in the ultralight community. 3F UL GEAR  has been manufacturing ultralight tents since 2009, and they have a range of models to suit different needs and preferences.   One of their most popular products is the Lanshan 2, a two-person, double-wall tent that weighs only 1120g (2.47 lbs) and costs $174 . That’s a fraction of the price of some of the big-name brands like  MSR  and  Big Agnes , which can charge over $400 for similar tents. So what makes 3F UL GEAR tents so good? Here are some of the features that set them apart They use high-quality materials like 15D or 20D silnylon fabric, which is durable, waterproof and lightweight. They have a clever design that maximizes space and ventilation, while...

  The Importance of Outdoor Education at an Early Age... is beyond the sights, smells, and sounds of the outdoors. It is where we can expand our palette beyond the technology we are exposed to for hours on end. But sadly, many children today are growing up disconnected from nature. They spend more time indoors, in front of screens, than outdoors, in contact with living things. They miss out on the benefits of outdoor education, which can help them develop a variety of skills and traits that are essential for their well-being and future success. Outdoor education refers to education that occurs outside of a classroom. It can take many forms and settings, such as nature-based learning, place-based learning, forest schools, environmental education or experiential learning. It can happen in green spaces, on playgrounds, on school grounds, in nearby natural environments, gardens or any other accessible place in the community. Outdoor education has many benefits for children, from cognit...

Fitness Tracking Apps... Fitness tracking apps are becoming more popular and accessible as people look for ways to monitor their health and fitness progress. These apps can help you track various aspects of your physical activity, such as steps, calories, distance, heart rate, sleep, and more. They can also provide you with personalized feedback, guidance, motivation, and social support to help you reach your goals. Whether you want to lose weight, gain muscle, improve your endurance, or just stay healthy, fitness-tracking apps can be a valuable tool for your wellness journey. Benefits of Fitness Tracking Apps Fitness tracking apps can offer several benefits for users, such as: Increased awareness : Fitness tracking apps can help you become more aware of your current activity level and how it affects your health. You can see how many steps you take, how many calories you burn, how much time you spend in different heart rate zones, and how well you sleep. This can help you identify area...