A dozen+ reasons to restart your travel dreams
As we venture into 2022 here at DougBardwell.com, our Valentine’s Day wish for all our readers is a year full of explorations and travels, to all those places we couldn’t go for the past few years. With that in mind, our first of the year gift suggestions all seem to revolve around a travel theme, so get out to some national parks, take some pictures, take the kids on an adventure, and safely enjoy life once again.
Retrospective 30 V2.0 Camera Bag
I’d been looking for a smaller shoulder bag that would be easy to carry, but would contain all my daily essentials for still, video, and drone photography. With the new Retrospective 30 V2.0 by Think Tank Photo, I’m now able to carry my Nikon Z9 and my Mavic 3 drone, along with their chargers and two extra batteries. There’s still room inside for a 10” Android tablet, an 8” iPad, and my newest Lenovo ThinkBook 14s Yoga laptop.
This bag is impeccably made, with all sorts of thoughtful details – like “Sound Silencer” flaps that can be adjusted on the Velcro fasteners, to allow just the right amount of grip. With no flaps, there is maximum adhesion on the Velcro and there’s no way the bag cover will ever come open accidentally. However, it’s noisy when you open it. So, if you’re in a situation where you want the cover to open quietly, you can simply put the silencer flap over the Velcro to prevent it from making any noise. I find most of the time I put the flap down halfway to still give adhesion, but I can quickly and easily open it with just a short, easy tug. Read more in my full review here.
For more information, check out their website here: Retrospective 30 V2.0 by Think Tank Photo
Lenovo ThinkBook 14s Yoga 2-in-1 Laptop
When I travel, I can’t afford to be without a laptop. This is certainly the most able little laptop I’ve ever used. With an 11th Generation Intel i5 processor, 16GB of RAM, a 14.5 “ FHD display with Corning Glass touchscreen, a 512GB SSD hard drive, and Intel’s Iris® Xe graphics, this lightweight little powerhouse can run Adobe’s still and video editing apps that it’s larger and more expensive brothers can’t. It even comes with an integrated pen built-in for notetaking.
Being a Lenovo Yoga, that means it can be used as a conventional laptop, but also as a tablet or in multiple presentation modes.
The all-metal exterior is quite sharp looking with a two-tone aluminum design and is only 2/3” thick and 3.3#.
Read more in my review here. Check out the next gen of ThinkBooks in this video.
For more information, check out their ThinkBook website here.
Clutch Plus Travel Stroller with Recline
For infants who can sit unassisted up to 50 lbs.
Meets Disney size requirements
5-point safety harness with shoulder pads
JPMA certified to meet or exceed all safety standards set by the CPSC & ASTM
An extremely lightweight travel stroller, the Clutch Plus Travel Stroller by Delta Children compactly folds down to easily fit into an airplane or train overhead bins. The attached handle makes it a breeze to carry through the airport, amusement park, or just to your car. The stroller’s reclining seat and oversized canopy allow you to accommodate your child’s comfort anytime and anywhere, while the reflective shoulder straps keep you and your baby safe at night. Agile and effortless, front swivel wheels with suspension make navigating busy streets and turning corners easy. That’s not all, 1680D fabric on the canopy and seat is waterproof, antibacterial, and durable for long-lasting use. Ideal for families always on-the-go or for an upcoming trip, the Clutch Plus Travel Stroller by Delta Children is a lighter, more convenient way to stroll with your little one.
To learn more about the Delta Children Clutch Plus Travel Stroller with recline, click here.
LX Deluxe Portable Baby Play Yard With Removable Bassinet and Changing Table
Bassinet holds up to 15 pounds; Changing Table holds up to 25 pounds; Play Yard holds children up to 35 inches tall
Easy to assemble; no tools required
Assembled dimensions: 27.75 x 37.4 x 40.2 Inches (LxWxH)
JPMA certified to meet or exceed all safety standards set by the CPSC & ASTM
Keep your baby safe, close and comfy with the LX Deluxe Play Yard from Delta Children. You’ll love all the convenient features-the removable bassinet provides the ideal spot for naptime or bedtime, and the removable changing table means you’ll always have a sturdy place to change diapers or dress your baby. The detachable storage compartment keeps changing necessities nearby, so you never have to run to another room for diapers or wipes.
When your baby outgrows the bassinet, the insert is removable and the LX Deluxe Play Yard functions like a full-size play yard. Large mesh sides provide optimal ventilation while also permitting a clear view. Designed to use at home or away, the play yard’s wheels make it super-easy to move around the house, and the quick fold construction and included carry bag make for fuss-free travel. The LX Deluxe Play Yard from Delta Children features everything needed for a nursery in a portable design.
To learn more about the Delta Children Play Yard, click here.
Liteboxer VR for Oculus Quest 2
For people on the go, especially during these COVID times, you don’t want to stop exercising, but you sure can’t carry your weights with you when you travel.
Thanks to today’s technology, you don’t need to. With the new Oculus Quest 2 headset, you can maintain a great workout schedule in your room whenever you have the time. Liteboxer has come up with a fun way to do short, medium, or long exercise workouts in just one corner of your room, while listening to popular songs in their workout tracks.
For more information, check out their website here:
Fenix HP30R V2.0 3,000 Lumen Headlamp
Want to go blind? Just look into these three lights on full intensity and you won’t do that again. This light is bright, brighter, brightest – and you control the intensity based on your task.
To start, this rechargeable headlamp comes with a battery case that can be worn on the headband or attached to your belt (with an enclosed extension cable). 5 hours at peak light with all three lights lit and 120 hours with just the one light lit at low setting. Even at that setting, it will illuminate up to 138 feet.
But there are three lights, and you can burn one, two, or three at a time. The single large light is a spotlight for distance and the two flanking smaller lights are for wider angle coverage. Really well done – Fenix. They are all controlled by a simple turn knob, which for me, sure beats trying to remember how many times you’ve pressed the same button.
This is definitely a headlamp for someone who needs the very best there is and is looking for a lamp to hold up under the most demanding conditions.
For more information, check out their webpage here.
LiftMaster Smart Garage Door Openers
When you travel, probably one of the last things that comes to mind, is your garage door….or is it? I can’t count the number of trips I’ve embarked on where I called my daughter to go check and make sure my garage door was closed after I left.
There have also been those times when I’ve arrived home with a garage door opener in my car, but no house keys at all. If the power should have been out, what then?
And wouldn’t it be nice if packages could be delivered into a dry garage instead of being left on the front doorstep where they get rained and snowed upon?
These are no longer issues to worry about since we installed a new LiftMaster model 87504-267 smart opener by Chamberlain. With myQ technology, it’s just like I’m home as far as my garage door is concerned.
To learn more and find an authorized dealer click here.
Electric RV’s are coming from THOR
Okay, excuse me, these won’t be available for this Valentine’s Day getaway, but they are so cool, I couldn’t keep them a secret any longer. THOR Industries has announced their new eMobility Strategy – which translates to – they are starting to manufacture electric RV’s and electric RV trailers.
THOR Vision Vehicle
This Class B+ Electric vehicle is designed to sleep two and travel up to 300 miles. From our experience, that’s more daily distance than we ever travel to make long distance trips enjoyable. We like to keep it under 200, so this would more than suit our needs.
Airstream eStream
This trailer is even more amazing, with its own drivetrain, meaning it can be parked or moved without a tow vehicle attached. With the new battery array in development now, this will have 30 times more battery power than any of their current trailers, making it possible to camp in-style and off-grid for up to two weeks.
To keep up on this exciting development, you can track THOR’s e-updates here
Old Trapper Beef Sticks
When I’m traveling, I’ll always stick a snack in my bag, just in case a photo shoot goes overtime or in case I’ve got to wait for better weather conditions to launch my drone. With a can of pop, a bottle of water and something nourishing, I can wait out most any delay.
Recently, since I discovered Old Trapper last year, they’ve been my go-to snack choice. Best jerky I’ve ever experienced.
Now, they’ve got me hooked on Deli Style Beef Sticks. Two flavors I’m trying now are the Teriyaki and the Jalapeno. These aren’t just any old little beef sticks either – these are the jumbo, 14” long, almost 2 oz. sticks.
The individual sticks are separately wrapped and don’t require refrigeration, so they are ideal to take along, winter or summer. See the Old Trapper entire line here.
Stokke Travel Bundle Bedbox + Crew Backpack
One of my favorite countries is Norway, and I was anxious to see the Bedbox Bundle when I heard it was made there. For whatever reason, Scandinavians have a unique talent for design, and this one is no different.
Described by the manufacturer as a “ride-on, carry-on, and sleep-on suitcase, the Travel bundle combines two essentials for your stress-free family holiday – ample packing space and a comfortable mattress to relax during long hours of travel.
As the picture shows, your little ones can ride on the BedBox as long as they re old enough to hold onto the strap confidently. Once at the airport or on the plane, it converts to an extended padded seat, with a clean mattress that the child can sleep on.
The BedBox is available alone, or you can combine it with a child size backpack.
For more information, see the manufacturer’s website: https://www.stokke.com/USA/en-us/534507.html
Rescu Prime
Rescu Prime had launched with a GPS emergency alert system that cross-references geographical information, counties, zip codes, data lists of local authorities and more to determine a user’s exact location and contact the closest available emergency response team.
The app can dispatch emergency responders anywhere in the United States to a user’s exact location in only two taps, offering the fastest way to get help during an emergency.
In addition to these groundbreaking GPS features, Rescu Prime is also launching two-way SMS chat with Rescu dispatchers, empowering users to quietly communicate the details of their emergency. The feature is ideal for the hard of hearing or anyone who doesn’t want to give away their location.
Rescu has partnered with 30,000 local police stations, fire departments and ambulance networks across the country to provide round-the-clock security for users, anywhere in the United States. Rescu Prime subscriptions are $10/month or $99/year.
Rescu is the first and only Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) in a non-hardware platform. Unlike 9-1-1, the Rescu app does not require speaking to a dispatcher. With Rescu, users can communicate non-verbally to an emergency dispatcher. Rescu leverages the first emergency dispatch API and is the only emergency alert app that has its own private dispatch center. Save pre-existing medical conditions, current medications, and other critical health details in Rescu; the app automatically takes this vital information and provides it to First Responders during dispatch. Learn more at their website
For more information, check out their website here: http://rescusaveslives.com/
Gutter Sense gutter cleaning tool
Given the choice of a: traveling or b: cleaning your gutters, which would you choose? Uh Huh. Thought so. Well let’s make it a bit more of a choice – would you rather pay someone to clean your gutters, or take that money and go on a small getaway weekend? Now we’re getting the idea…if only gutter cleaning was easy and safe.
Well, the folks at Gutter Sense have a “Made in the USA” product that is both reasonably priced and also very easy to use. With just a broom handle and their tool, homeowners can walk around the house and clean the gutters without ever pulling out a ladder or cutting their hands on sharp metal edges.
It works best if you have a team of two people. One grabs the leaves, and the other walks alongside with a barrel or big garbage bag to catch the leaves.
If you have a two-story home, you’ll need a painter’s extension pole from Lowes or Home Depot. I got a 12-foot extension pole for about $25 dollars and it works great – sliding down into itself when not being used – so it’s only 6 long in storage.
So, take those savings and get out on the road – appreciating the leaves you still see on the trees, not in your gutter. If that makes sense, order your Gutter Sense tool here.
Satu Gel Wipe
Okay, call me spoiled, but I really have gotten used to my Toto bidet at home. When traveling, especially overseas, toilet paper runs the gamut from “eh” to “oh no,” so getting a clean wipe can be sketchy at best. Satu to the rescue.
In a small, but sturdy, 100 milliliter dispenser, Satu’s gel wipe can be applied to the toilet paper to give you a nice soothing and cleansing wipe.
In addition to cleaning, it also includes anti-bacterial ingredients, and it is safe for children as well as adults. It’s small enough to fit in a pocket or small purse and you’ll never be sorry to have it along, because, you never know. Learn more at their website: https://satulaboratory.com/
