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Lowepro review of the Fastpack 350 and SlingShot 202

Mike Shubic February 6th, 2013 6 Comments

As an adventure travel blogger who shoots both still and video footage, it’s essential to have access to my equipment at a moments notice. As I hone my skills I continue to obtain more equipment in an effort to improve my work…with that said, I have long since outgrown my...

Road Trips of the Future

Mike Shubic January 27th, 2013 2 Comments

After reading an article and watching the videos below about "Google’s driverless car," it got me thinking about the future of road trips. If you're not familiar, Google is working on the car of the future, one that would not require a driver. This is not a new concept, but...

Best of 2012

Mike Shubic January 14th, 2013 Comments Off

This is the third annual Mike's Road Trip "Best Of" list. As usual, there were a lot of worthy contenders. While I'm sorry some did not make it, I'm confident I've chosen the best-of-the-best. Click on any of the links below to be taken to posts, pictures and/or videos of...

[Video] Spruce Treehouse in Mesa Verde

Mike Shubic January 13th, 2013 3 Comments

Located in the Mesa Verde National Park, the Spruce Treehouse is the third largest cliff dwelling in the park, and one of the best preserved. Spruce Treehouse is the most accessible cliff dwelling in the park, however some will find the steep decent/accent via a paved path to be a...

Seven Sensational Road Trip items of 2012

Mike Shubic January 8th, 2013 2 Comments

In addition to exploring those hidden gems of the road, I’m frequently asked to review travel and road trip related products. I’ve selected seven road trip items that I’ve had a chance to use this past year, most of which you’ve probably never heard of. Each of these seven items...

Discerning palate gets pleasant ‘surprise’ at Vogue Bistro

Mike Shubic January 7th, 2013 1 Comment

As a travel blogger and food critic, I’m always on a quest to discover locally run eateries that will surprise my discerning palate. Located at the northwestern edge of the Phoenix Metro area in a nondescript part of Surprise, Arizona, I found Vogue Bistro. The moment you step inside Vogue,...

MRT named top-10 road trip blog in 2012

Mike Shubic January 4th, 2013 Comments Off

This is exciting news...I just learned that a travel site out of the UK named "Mike's Road Trip (MRT)" one of the top-10 road trip blogs of 2012. In addition, MRT was one of only two sites to receive a perfect 5 out of 5 in their scoring. Woo hoo!...

Flying E Dude Ranch

Mike Shubic January 2nd, 2013 9 Comments

If you’re looking for a truly unique vacation experience…enjoy history and the outdoors, do yourself a favor and check out a dude ranch. I recently visited the Flying~E~Ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona…this ranch dates back to the mid-40s and still offers guests a way of the west cowboy experience. You’re not...

Tantalizing terroir cuisine at T. Maccarone’s

Mike Shubic December 10th, 2012 Comments Off

Over the past decade Walla Walla, Washington has seen a stratospheric surge in its wine industry, going from a couple dozen vineyards, to well over one hundred today. The growth of high quality vino being produced in the Walla Walla Valley has spawned a world-class culinary scene. Located in the...

Jimmy John’s dilutes definition of “gourmet” with mediocrity

Mike Shubic December 8th, 2012 18 Comments

Today with all the social media outlets and review sites, I find it hard to believe that mediocrity continues to prevail in the culinary landscape. I have a great deal of travel, dining and cooking experience, so if anyone knows the meaning of “gourmet,” it’s me! I can tell you...

Whidbey Island: “The shortest distance to far away”

Mike Shubic December 4th, 2012 Comments Off

Have you ever been to a place so close to a big city, yet so far removed? One example that comes to mind is Central Park in New York City. Central Park is smack dab in the middle of one of the busiest and most populated cities in the world,...

Cinetics SkatePlate helps stabalize motion video

Mike Shubic November 28th, 2012 Comments Off

I have always loved gadgets and tools, especially when they can help me to improve...whether it is a hobbyist activity or in my job. One of the challenges as a road tripper is that space is a commodity, so it's difficult to lug around a lot of equipment. As a...

Cameo Heights Mansion: A B&B as sweet as the apple

Mike Shubic November 25th, 2012 3 Comments

Perched atop basalt bluffs with sweeping views of the Walla Walla Valley rests a resplendent domicile known as the Cameo Heights Mansion Bed and Breakfast. Cameo Heights is opulent through-and-through...no expense was spared in creating an atmosphere to put guests in a state of euphoria during their stay. I have...

Grand View…where?

Mike Shubic November 14th, 2012 Comments Off

Ever since I was a kid I've been visiting the tiny town of Grand View, Idaho...which is located about 25 minutes from Mountain Home, or an hour from the more well known city of Boise. I have family who live in Grand View, a town with a population of 469...