The Gear Guides

Travel

So what's the point of accumulating all this gear if you've got no place to turn it loose?  Our Gear Guides activate the spam mail filters in their minds, toss out the junk, and grace us with their favorite places to rest, play, learn and, ultimately, get their mojo workin'.

Destinations

Destination:  Glacier Country

Location:  Glacier Country, Montana
www.glaciermt.com

Destination Guide Perspective:  When we asked an experienced traveler what to see in glacier country, he emphatically replied, "Everything," so we set out to discover as much of jaw-dropping Western Montana as we could in four days.

Destination:  Big Bend National Park

Location:  Brewster County, Texas
www.visitbigbend.com

Destination Guide Perspective:  On the Mexico-Texas border, Big Bend National Park is a remote desert nourished by the Rio Grande.  Those who make the trip are enchanted by its many personalities and drawn back year after year. We're sure to join the list.

Destination:  Bryce Canyon National Park

Location:  Garfield County, Utah
www.brycecanyoncountry.com

Destination Guide Perspective:  The first thing we found out about Bryce Canyon is it's not actually a canyon.  The second thing we found out is it's not like any place we've ever been.

Destination:  Hotel Monteleone

Location:  214 Royal Street,  New Orleans, Louisiana  70130
Phone:  (866) 338-4684
www.hotelmonteleone.com

Destination Guide Perspective:  They say the French Quarter begins in the lobby of this historic hotel.  The Destination Guide sets out to discover why and finds a place where everyone from Ernest Hemingway to Paul Newman has rested his weary bones.

Destination:  Moab

Location:  Moab, Utah
www.discovermoab.com

Destination Guide Perspective:  Moab is an adventure-lover's paradise and home base for visitors to Canyonlands and Arches national parks.  We spend some time in the host city, then head into Arches and hike the scenic trail to Delicate Arch, the park's most-famous monument.

Destination:  River's End Campground and R.V. Park

Location:  5 Fort Ave at Polk St.,  Tybee Island, Ga.  31328
Phone:  (800) 786-1016
www.cityoftybee.org/campground.aspx

Destination Guide Perspective:  On quiet Tybee Island, River's End is a short walk to the beach and Savannah River.  It's also the only municipally owned campground in the state, a relationship that has helped propel it into the 21st century.

Destination:  Lambert's Café

Locations:  Sikeston, Ozark Missouri and Foley Alabama
Phone:  (573) 471-4261
www.throwedrolls.com

Destination Guide Perspective:  Founded by Earl and Agnes Lambert in 1942, Lambert's Café is now famous for its "throwed" rolls (rolls tossed to patrons), ol' Norm's pass-arounds (macaroni and tomatoes, black-eyed peas, etc.) and home cooked meals (catfish, fried chicken and hog jowl to name a few).

Destination:  Thurman Café

Location:  183 Thurman Ave.,  Columbus, OH,  43206
Phone:  (614) 443-1570
www.thethurmancafe.com

Destination Guide Perspective:  We traveled to Ohio's capital in search of a someone who could take down one of America's most intimidating burgers —  The Thurmanator.  What we found was a hungry truck driver.

Great Travel Gear

SKB Travel Cases  -  Golf Travel Case

Summary:  What’s the point of dropping all that cabbage on a new set of golf clubs (in this case, women’s Prince TRX) if the airline turns them into sauerkraut?  With SKB’s Deluxe ATA Golf Travel Case, your shaft is always in good hands.
Manufacturer's website:  www.skbcases.com

Reviewed By:  Corey

SARIS  -  Bones 3 Bike Rack

Summary:  Form and function in a multi-colored package.  The world's best-selling rear bike rack is not only pretty, it works. And as an added bonus, proceeds from the pink and purple models go to charity.  But is it easy to install?  Our Gear Guides put the Bones 3 to the test.
Manufacturer's website:  www.saris.com

Reviewed By:  Melissa

MAGELLAN  -  Maestro 4700

Summary:  There is no logical reason to travel without a GPS except that you are not a logical person  -  or you have not been formally introduced to the slim, portable and wholly reliable Maestro 4700 by Magellan.  It can not only get you home, it can get you there in 3D.
Manufacturer's website:  www.magellangps.com

Reviewed By:  Stephanie