2015 was quite the wild ride! I’ve now kept this #LifeOfAdventure on the road less traveled for over 4 years of full time nomadic overland adventures, no matter the obstacles or hardships. While I strive to not complain about the extremely privileged life I lead, it is not all rainbows and unicorns, as I’m sure it sometimes looks from afar. I also only use the world privileged because I live in a society that allows me the freedoms required to follow my own path. I struggle every day with creating a financial, relationship, friendship and adventure balance in life that is both fulfilling and sustainable. A great example of this is when Life On The Road Loses That Woman’s Touch. While I have not found that balance yet, I value new experiences enough to continue to push through the struggles and lead a life of adventure. While I still miss the original EE Sportsmobile sometimes, the EEXP overland adventuremobile has treated me well lately. I also recently added a KTM 640 Adventure dual sport motorcycle to the EE adventuremobile quiver, and look forward to seeing what roads less traveled it might take me down in 2016.
The photos and links below should give you a pretty good idea of how big a year it was for Exploring Elements. 2016 is already shaping up to be full of even bigger adventures, more in-depth gear reviews and I’m sure a few surprises for us all to enjoy.
2015 was full of adventures, shows and events across America. It also included a 5 week trip to Australia. While the travel was plentiful, both by plane and overland adventuremobile, I yearn for more international travels. I will fully admit that with 4 years of roaming across North America I still have MANY places to visit and experiences to have, a to do list which keeps getting longer as I take in the diverse sights and sounds that this continent has to offer.
10-20 Adventures Winter Desert Campout, The SEMA Show, Western National Land Rover Rally, Overland Expo East, Vermont Overland Trophy, Toyota Ever Better Expedition- Land Cruiser Heritage Museum & Bonneville Salt Flats, Mid Atlantic Overland Festival, Colorado Huckfest, FJ Summit 9, Australia- Australia Zoo & Great Sandy National Park & Wentworth Falls Hike, Overland Expo West, First Annual Muddy Creek Race, Lockhart Basin Rd, Santa Cruz Paddlefest, SIA, Winter OR, CES, Cali Coast Road Trip
So much gear, so little time! I love putting outdoor, adventure and off-road vehicle equipment to the real world test of life on the road. I got to share a bunch of interesting reviews in 2015, and highlighted a few key pieces in the 2015 Holiday Gear Guide.
Adventure Sports Gear Reviews: Montane Prism Glove, SporTube Hard Case, Astral Hiyak, Nite Ize HandleBand, Vasque Pendulum II, Canyon Cooler Outfitter 75, Astral Loyak Water Shoe, Lowepro Photo Sport 200 AW, Costa Del Mar Ballast Women’s Sunglasses, Hydrapak Stash Bottle, Sierra Designs DriDown Hoody, Pandana
Overland Travel Gear Reviews: Jackcovers.com, Buckstop Classic Winch Bumper, MPOWERD Solar Luci Lights, Maxtrax, Warn 16.5ti Winch, Carhartt Legacy Tool Roll & Pouches, GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Waffle Iron, Travelchair Grand Canyon Table, Travelchair Joey Chair, Granite Gear Packable Duffel
I got to drive, photograph and write about some incredible vehicles in 2015, with more unique vehicle stories scheduled to be published soon.
Toyota Ultimate Utility Vehicle, 2016 Toyota Tacoma, Snoopy The Troopy
In 2015 I was also able to share some amazing adventure tales from Bobby “The Dogg” Miller: The Quest To Be King Of New York & West Virginia’s Savage Indian Creek. I also got to share some thoughts on the industry, the overland way of life and a little driveway mechanic info: Does WW Kayaking Have An Image Issue?, OVERLAND LADYLIFE: The Shower & ADVENTUREMOBILE HOW TO: Brakes.
In 2015 I was also lucky enough to get the opportunity to create quality content for companies, online outlets and magazines such as: Ninkasi, DeLorme, Buckstop, Maxtrax, Icon Raiden, Autoweek, Expedition Portal, Outdoor X4, Tread, Unsealed 4×4, Mr 4×4, Diesel World & Alaska Magazine.
Stay up to date with where Exploring Elements might be in the future by checking out the SCHEDULE page. January is full of trade shows and February is dominated by a 12 day self support kayak trip down the Grand Canyon. After mid February 2016 the Exploring Elements calendar is a blank slate, which I’m striving to fill with some new experiences and travels.
Remember that you can help keep the #LifeOfAdventure rolling down the road, and the quality content coming on this website, by purchasing Exploring Elements gear from the STORE, purchasing products on Amazon through THIS link or by buying us a cold one or tank of gas by making a Paypal donation HERE.
Thanks for following along on the journey! A special thanks goes out to all the new and old friends who made this year one for the record books. I look forward to being inspired by you all, and hopefully providing some inspiration, in 2016.
