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Travel Resources, Gear, and Products I Love
As an avid traveler and perpetual outdoor adventurer, since I moved across the country at age twenty-one, I have gained more than twenty-five years of valuable experience and knowledge to share.
I also admit that I’m a die-hard researcher and adventure planner!
My family and friends have always come to me for my recommendations because I dive deep to find the best of everything—be it gear, travel spots, or outdoor eats.
So go ahead and benefit from my nerdy love for travel info and gear! Is there anything you think I should add to my list? Drop me a comment. I would love to hear from you. 📣
👉 By the way… These aren’t just random picks; they’re the very resources and gear I rely on for my own adventures!
Where I Buy Gear
I get this question ALL the time! I have a few favorites…
REI: I typically shop in my local REI store for most of my gear needs because their selection and customer service are epic and unmatched. But, online shipping is fast and returns are super easy, so in a pinch, I make a few clicks online to get what I need!
Backcountry.com: If I can’t find what I need at REI I look to Backcountry.com. and admire their lightening speed shipping. While their customer service is lacking I have never had any issues with my orders and returns are very easy.
Steep and Cheap: This is a go-to for adventurers looking to score deals on top-quality items from well-known brands. I have gotten some great deals! The site features time-limited sales and “current steals,” making it a dynamic and exciting shopping experience.
Adventure Eats
If you’re planning an outdoor adventure, I have a list of my favorite camping food recipe books to share, as well as backpacking food companies that I highly recommend ordering from. Pre-packaged dehydrated adventure meals or DIY kits are fun to splurge on sometimes!
Recipe Books:
The Campout Cookbook: Inspired Recipes for Cooking Around the Fire and Under the Stars by Marnie Hanel and Jen Stevenson.
The New Camp Cookbook: Gourmet Grub for Campers, Road Trippers, and Adventurers by Linda Ly
The Camp Dutch Oven Cookbook: Easy 5-Ingredient Recipes to Eat Well in the Great Outdoors by Robin Donovan
Food:
Gastro Gnome Meals: are some of the very best-tasting freeze-dried meals I have ever tried. Don’t forget to order some of their sweet treats too. Everyone in my family gives this company’s food an A++.
Stowaway Gourmet: They are not kidding with the word “Gourmet” in their company name! Care for some venison, lamb, wild boar, or salmon? This is going to be a new favorite, I promise. These meals taste like what one would enjoy at a fine dining restaurant, they are that delicious.
Travel Resources
Viator: Offers curated day and adventure tours globally, providing you with a hassle-free way to explore new destinations. With a wide range of options from city sightseeing to outdoor excursions with vetted local guides, Viator ensures a quality experience that caters to your various interests and activity levels.
Get Your Guide: This is an excellent platform to book local tours within the USA. From city landmarks to natural wonders, the service features local guides and easy-to-use booking options, making it a great resource if you’re seeking to explore diverse attractions in the USA.
G Adventures: is a very cool tour company that nurtures relationships with local communities and cultures around the world. G Adventures sets itself apart by emphasizing responsible tourism and offering unique, small-group experiences that are both exciting and meaningful. With a focus on sustainability and authentic connections, they are an ideal choice for you if you’re seeking more than just a vacation!
Discover Cars: This rental car search compares multiple suppliers to find you the most affordable vehicle rates. TIP: Make sure to do a thorough check and see if your chosen car rental company has positive reviews on Google. Unfortunately, while Discover Cars is the best aggregator to find you the lowest prices for rental cars their rental car company ratings can be way off!
Booking.com: Offers a wide range of accommodation options, from hotels and hostels to vacation rentals, giving you the flexibility to choose the perfect place for your needs. With user-friendly search filters, real-time availability, and extensive customer reviews, it simplifies the booking process!
Safety Wing: This is the best travel insurance! It’s great for protecting travelers and digital nomads from all over the world. Whenever I’m planning my next trip outside the country, this essential always makes the list. It’s straightforward and tailored for those with a nomadic heart. Let’s face it, the only surprise we want on our journeys is discovering that hidden gem of a restaurant or that bucket list view, not an unexpected mishap!
Blogger Resources
Curious about how to start travel blogging or are you looking for some great tools for your site? This list has got you covered big time! Below are some classes I have taken with some of the most successful and helpful teachers out there. Below the classes, you will find some tools I use that took my blog to the next level!
Scale Your Travel Blog: Laura of the travel blog “Mike and Laura Travel” was instrumental in helping me get my blogging career off the ground. I owe her EVERYTHING! This is one of the very best classes out there and you may have heard chatter about it already.
What’s impressive is her dedication and level of caring to and for every single student of her massive course. The course takes you from how to start and create a blog properly to email marketing and brand partnerships. Don’t second guess it, invest in your blogging career!
👉 Plus she has a free live training every week so you can see if you like her teaching style.
SEO Roadmap: This is a course by Nina Clapperton and it will take your blog to higher income levels if you follow her advice! My very young blog currently brings in a reliable 4-figure income monthly thanks to her.
Nina has a way about her that is simply magnetic and once you start learning from her you will want more. She offers very useful templates and other smaller courses on her site as well. Trust me, you need her courses!
Lyrical Web Hosting: I have admittedly hopped around from one hosting company to the next due to being picky and not getting the customer service I need. I am not a techy person and Lyrical is AMAZING for all of my needs. No question is too silly to ask. I cannot speak highly enough of them. If you need or require top-notch everything, use Lyrical! Use Discount Code: NOSHLIFE 10 at checkout for 10% off.
Keysearch: Keysearch is the stuff dreams are made of. It is the most afforable, valuable, and enjoyable keyword research tool I have ever used. It is part of my daily life, I literally use it a dozen times a day! Yes, there are more costly keyword research tools out there but this one is all you need for the basics. Use Discount Code: KSDISC for 20% off.