Tuesday morning started like any other — a quick drive to take my daughter to work. Nothing out of the ordinary. But within seconds, everything shifted. An oncoming driver pulled out of a long parking lot and shot directly into the left lane of a two-lane roadway — my lane — like they were the …
When the CampMaid Dutch Oven Multi-Tool system landed in my hands as a Christmas gift back in 2024, I didn’t expect it to become a full replacement for my worn-out Coleman stove. But after a year of steady use — from weekend camps to woodlot workdays — it’s become a permanent part of my adventure …
Read more “CampMaid Dutch Oven System — My Honest Review After a Year of Real Use”
What I’d Do Differently After 30,000 km Building a Volvo XC70 into an overland rig isn’t the same as modifying a truck or traditional SUV. The XC70 has unique limitations, unique strengths, and a surprising amount of capability if you understand how to set it up properly. After two years and over 30,000 km of …
Read more “If I Had to Build My Volvo XC70 Overlander Again”
Gear Upgrades, Tents & Lessons Learned Every camping season has a rhythm to it, and this year was no different. I started 2025 with a simple goal: get out more, travel lighter, and make my Volvo XC70 an even more capable soft-roader. I didn’t get out as much as I’d hoped—plans shift, life changes, and …
Read more “My 2025 Camping Season: From Spring Snow to Fall Sunsets”
This week I had two attempts on my gear that I know of—and that’s two too many. Both times, someone tampered with the bike rack on my Volvo. The straps were undone, the U-lock and cable moved, and worst of all, it looks like someone took a prybar to the locking clamp, leaving deep gouges …
Read more “Keeping Your Gear Safe: A Tough Lesson in the City”
Keeping with the “build light” mindset, I recently downsized my fridge setup from a bulky 50L unit to the compact and efficient Alpicool 20L (C20). It’s a move that shaved off size and weight without compromising performance—and the new cabinet I built to house it keeps everything streamlined and road-ready. The Setup The cabinet is …
Lately, I’ve been getting asked a lot:“Are you going to throw a rooftop tent on the Volvo?” Short answer? No.Long answer? Let’s talk about it. I Had a Rooftop Tent Before — And Loved It Back when I had the old Ford Explorer, I did run a rooftop tent, and honestly — it was great. …
Read more “Why Weight Balance Matters in Your Adventure Rig”
This past weekend I made a couple of solid upgrades that push my build closer to where I want it: lightweight, durable, and versatile enough for longer trips without giving up comfort. Out went the Koolatron 12V cooler/warmer and the original liftgate tent. In their place: a 20L Alpicool compressor fridge and a larger car/SUV …
Read more “Revamping the Rig: Trading Up for Smarter Adventure”
After eight unforgettable years of overland adventures in my 2000 Ford Explorer—fondly known as Nessie—I’ve made a significant transition to a more manageable ride: the 2005 Volvo XC70, affectionately nicknamed the Moosewagen. This post takes you behind the scenes of my rig’s evolution, explains why I decided to downsize, and shares how the new setup …
Read more “Downsizing from Nessie to the Moosewagen: My Overland Journey”