TRAVEL Archives - Semi-Rad.com

The Joy Of Planning Trips I’ll Never Take

by brendan on April 22, 2021

I was opening a fifth browser tab when I caught myself. Researching an 600+-mile bike…

Video: Rafting: It’s Really Nice

by brendan on June 20, 2019

In June 1869, the Powell Expedition made the courageous first descent of the Green River…

Chart: What Kind Of Truck Is Right For Your Adventures?

by brendan on April 18, 2019

Thinking about buying a truck that can handle some weekend warrioring and road trips to…

Frequent Flier Rewards We’d Actually Like

by brendan on February 28, 2019

What if airlines really had to try hard to impress us? And had to get…

8 Adventure Gift Ideas Over $35,000

by brendan on November 21, 2018

Here you are again: Holiday shopping season is upon us, and you’re wondering, “How will…

The Worst Way To Travel

by brendan on November 15, 2018

Did you ever notice when you go somewhere new, everything is a bit less convenient…

A Quick Story About Living In A Van Down By The River

by brendan on August 30, 2018

From 2012 to 2014, I lived full time out of a 2005 Chevy Astrovan. I…

10 Basic Rules For Adventure

by brendan on October 19, 2017

Earlier this year, my book Surviving the Great Outdoors came out, representing about 12 years’…

2017’s Most Affordable Adventure Van

by brendan on June 1, 2017

You probably have a lot of questions when you’re thinking about what kind of van…

9 Travel Tips To Lower Your Anxiety

by brendan on December 8, 2016

I usually don’t write non-humorous lists on this blog, but I’ve traveled a lot this…

The Traveler’s Guide To Home

by brendan on June 30, 2016

Over a few months this past winter, my friend Nick and I pedaled to a…

How To Pack For A Big Trip

by brendan on March 10, 2016

You just can’t beat getting out of the office for a few days or a…

Ireland By Van

by brendan on February 11, 2016

I stood inside the open door of a wool shop in Galway’s Latin Quarter just…

Celebrating 5 Years Of Semi-Rad: 25 Favorite Quotes

by brendan on February 4, 2016

Five years ago this week, I started this blog, hoping a few people might read…

The Least Amazing Miracle

by brendan on August 27, 2015

You are waiting in line to check your bag, and then you’re waiting in line…

13 Pieces of Gear Every All-Around Adventurer Should Have

by brendan on August 20, 2015

Normally I use this space to talk about not buying a bunch of shiny new…

Why Are You Not Using All Your Vacation Days?

by brendan on July 23, 2015

Hi, yes, you. Did you run out of vacation days last year? No? What’s wrong?…

15 About 15th: A Few Stories From Colfax Avenue

by brendan on April 16, 2015

When I moved back to Denver in May 2014, I decided I wanted to tell…

Review: The Buffet of Buffets

by brendan on April 9, 2015

We were just wrapping up our fourth buffet of the day when the guy came…

How To Be A Writer: One Story

by brendan on November 20, 2014

Every few weeks, I get an e-mail or a Facebook message from someone who has…

Notes From A #VanLife

by brendan on October 30, 2014

One Saturday last May, I slid a key into the lock on a scrappy little…

How To Exit A Bathroom (Mostly) Germ-Free

by brendan on October 23, 2014

You will probably not get ebola from touching a public restroom door handle. But if…

The Selfie Stick And The Game Of Life

by brendan on October 16, 2014

One day last August at a popular tourist destination, I noticed as a guy walked…

Utahlorado: An Idea For A Mega-State Of Awesomeness

by brendan on October 9, 2014

Dear states of Utah and Colorado: Hey, so you know what would be cool? If…

It Turns Out You Can Buy Happiness

by brendan on September 18, 2014

A couple weeks ago, Alastair Humphreys told me about the Explore feature on Kayak.com that…

The Guy Who Puts The Fun Back In Fun

by brendan on February 20, 2014

I jogged in my bike shoes with the couple hundred other riders down the dirt…

‘The New American Road Trip Mixtape’ Available Now

by brendan on December 12, 2013

With the help of a bunch of great friends, I spent the last couple years…