(Photo courtesy of the Overland Journal)
I receive scores of travel books and magazines every month, but there is one periodical that I hoard with guilty pleasure…. No, get your mind back on track… I’m talking serious road trip fun. I was a charter subscriber to the Overland Journal and it continues to enrich and enhance my life. I don’t receive any form of remuneration of any kind for promoting this magazine — but I love reading it and everyone I have ever given a copy to shares my appreciation for a product that is extraordinarily well done. Click here for the newest information about the amazing trips and gear that they document.
Mark Sedenquist advice, Equipment, expertise, gear, magazine, Overland Journal, Vehicles
The Ultimate in Road Trip Travel? (courtesy of SuperTruck)
My better half would divorce me and/or leave me in a hot second if I ever acquired one of these beauties… But, I love the creativity of some of these trucks. Built by Chris Walker and George Stickler, owners of Southeast Utilities, — these bad boys are mostly built on a Ford 650 chassis although they do build on Freightliner and GMC super chassis. The company, creates about 50 super trucks a year on a custom-order basis — Scroll down through this page and check out the “Outback” model!
Mark Sedenquist F-650, Off-highway, super trucks
Desert Iguana mural in Twentynine Palms, California
This mural was painted by Chuck Caplinger in 2007 and I know it is located on the main highway just west of town, but I don’t have an exact address. We’re going to feature it this week in the RTA
Roadside Murals department — do you know the address? The photo was taken by Gerald Thurman on December 29th, 2008.
I never could locate the address — I used all of my usual tricks — to no avail — so, here is the feature article — and if you know the address of this mural — please let me know!
Mark Sedenquist iguana, mural, Twentynine Palms
Fresh Snow is falling at Tioga Pass — check out the Web cam at the east gate of Yosemite National Park!
Look at it this morning! (Tuesday) There must be close to four feet of fresh snow next to the kiosk — gorgeous blue skies and four feet of snow! Let’s go!
Mark
Mark Sedenquist snow, tioga pass, yosemite
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The “Safari Expedition”
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Bath
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Kitchen and sleeping area
I just received a press release from Global EXpedition Vehicles, which has entered the custom off-highway RV market. Global Expedition Vehicles, based in Ozark, Missouri is building all-wheel drive RVs built on a Unimog U-500 chassis. This new model is called a Safari. According to the press release, it has a 154-inch wheelbase and a 31.5 feet turning radius. It’s powered by a Mercedes-Benz 6-cylinder (6.4-liter) diesel engine, water-cooled, turbo-charged and intercooled. I haven’t seen any these units yet, but is supposedly able to camber over rocks or fallen trees three feet high and still reach 70mph on the highway.
One of the appealing aspects of building a RV on a Uni-mog is that it is possible to physically differentiate the living compartments from the chassis and thus reduce the torque transference from the chassis. Some of the installed gear includes premium solid wood cabinets, a 4-person dining area which converts into a 2nd bed, stainless steel refrigerator and freezer, 2 burner diesel cooktop, convection microwave/grill, LED lighting, dry-bath with separate shower and toilet, queen-size bed, 2 flatscreen LCD TVs with full sound system, and plenty of storage areas. Prices start at USD $180,000 and most rigs roll out the door at $300,000+ More information and photos here.
Mark Sedenquist expedition, four-wheel drive, Off-highway, Vehicles