Dirty Dreams of Gravel and Pain | Dirty Kanza 200 Prep - 2017

Photo by jimarbogast.com

Have you ever shared a crazy goal or dream with someone and they just stare at you, expressionless, as if they didn't comprehend anything you just said, or what would motivate you to do something so insane?

I've had this experience many times since January 14, the morning I registered for the Dirty Kanza 200, by all accounts one of the most epic gravel cycling races in the world. I'd be lying if said I hadn't questioned my own sanity a time or two. But now with two days to go, sane or not, Kansas, here I come.

My Montana Adventure Trip | Pictures

While summer lingers here in Florida I'm reminiscing about my spring trip to Montana to visit my sister. Here's some pictures to make you jealous.

Now get out and adventure!

Zone War Tactics

If you have ever flown Delta Airlines you've no doubt experienced the boarding zone fustercluck. 

Take a crowd of individuals, who collectively average a marginal level of intelligence, and instruct them to stand in line for a flight that boards and departs at predetermined times. Then sit back and watch them descend into chaos and confusion.

It's so entertaining I would actually pay money to watch it. I DO actually pay money to watch it.

3 Reasons to GORUCK Yourself! | Product Review

Ever taken a trip and just couldn't seem to find the right bag. Your stuff didn't fit, or it just wasn't functional for the type of transportation you were taking? I deal with this every time I travel. I have hated most of my travel bags for years. So I finally got in touch with a locally owned and operated company in Jacksonville Beach that specializes in building exactly what I needed.

"GORUCK Yourself!"

5 Air Travel Security Tips

Most likely you've lost something valuable at some point in your life. Did you lose it while traveling? I'm sure you remember the heart pounding moment of panic when you realized it was gone. Maybe you left your wallet in a hotel safe, or forgot your phone on a plane. I've found many devices left in airports.


In my millions of miles of travel I've come uncomfortably close to losing many things. I've been lucky enough to have only lost a few things, and only one of any real value, a camera, while traveling in the bush of southern Africa. That was before I discovered digital photography so I only lost one roll of film with it... whew!

Gourmet Food Stand | Bourbon & Burgers (Honorable Mention)

I've decided to break my own rules for this installment of my Bourbon & Burgers series to include Ingo's Tasty Food, in Phoenix, AZ. Ingo's doesn't offer full bar service so I couldn't get my hands on any Bourbon, but the quality of the burger and the experience was worth an Honorable Mention.

I can still taste it... the juicy grass fed beef of the Paris, Texas Burger. I'm trying to get PHX back on my 2015 itinerary to make another visit to Ingo's. I think a creative menu with quality ingredients is reason enough to book a flight back to the southwest, don't you? 

A Tropical Break From Business Travel on Scrub Island | Video

As much as I enjoy traveling I don't always get to travel for pleasure. Mostly I'm on the road for business, working on planes, in airports, and squeezed into conference rooms. 

Business travel is great, but many hours under florescent lights, and lonely nights in distant hotels get me daydreaming about trading my business suit and tie for a Swim Suit, and a Mai Tai.

Southern Character | Bourbon & Burgers

By now you probably know I've been on a quest to consume the best Bourbon & Burgers that America and the world have to offer. I've tasted many quality burgers but there are few the hold top shelf status.

I live in Jacksonville Beach, FL, not far from some locally and nationally renown culinary establishments. What better place to find a truly delicious Bourbon & Burger's combination? I'd like to introduce you to one of my local favorites, Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails.

Old West "Phatty Melt" | Bourbon & Burgers

It's not every day you select your spirits from the largest Single Malt Scotch Whisky selection this side of the pond, but it's this unique opportunity that has me returning to the dusty Mid-Western streets of Omaha, NE each year.

With bottles dated in the 1940s your taste for whisky should be satisfied with the offerings of the Dundee Dell's Great Wall of Scotch. Otherwise you'll need to get on a plane for Scotland because only the homeland has more to offer than "the Dell".

New England Farm Fresh | Bourbon & Burgers

I've been traveling the country in search of the mouth watering deliciousness that is Bourbon & Burgers. Tucked away in unlikely places I've found some pretty amazing spots. 

Today I'm pleased to bring you a recent find from New England. 

Valley Of The Sun | Photo Recap

Sunrise from South Mountain

Occasionally I travel for work. Yes, that's right, I have a grown up job in addition to my blogging and adventuring.

Unlike my my wife, Amy West, my day job doesn't include cushy 5 star resorts, award winning restaurants, and hot stone massages. 

Oh to be a beautiful travel blogger. But I digress.

I always try to find some fun when I'm on the road. This is my recap of a recent trip to Phoenix, AZ.

Vacation Like A King | Video & Pics

Juggling the tasks of family and work can get pretty stressful, but the stresses of daily life can't hold a candle to the most stressful activity of all... Vacation.

When William the Conqueror (a.k.a. William the Bastard) of Normandy invented vacation in the 11th century he had hordes of subjects to make arrangements at his behest.
Travel was a breeze, with priority boarding guaranteed, and an upgrade to the penthouse with a view at the castle of his choosing. Oh to be King!

Finding Love in Africa | Video & Pics

• Have you awoken to Elephants' calls and risen with the sun on an African savannah? 
• Have you walked the sands of the Kalahari desert, and overlooked the wetlands of Namibia? 
• Have you witnessed the Zambezi River descend Victoria Falls? 
• Have you seen the Milky Way come alive and lost count of meteors as you fell asleep under the stars? 
• Have you agreed to marry 7 sisters in a small Botswanan border village?


I'm happy I can answer "Yes" to all of the above... except that last one, it still haunts me.

Catching A Flight In Boston | Bourbon & Burgers

This week I had some business travel to Boston and with a few evenings at my disposal I decided to find something worth doing outside the hotel. 

Boston, being one of the oldest cities in the United States, has a rich history worth exploring so I knew I wanted to take in a bit of history as well as experience the local culture.

After a couple Google searches and recommendations from a friend I found two spots to visit. So I set out on foot.

First Stop: ...