Roads, Trails and Rabbit Holes https://roadstrailsandrabbitholes.podbean.com I'm Tom, someone who's been bitten by the wanderlust bug since childhood. I love the outdoors. Highways, trails, and campgrounds are places where I come alive.

I've spent the last 3 decades on the road rather than home. Most of that was as a truck driver. I've hauled everything from oversized loads to rock and roll bands. Now mostly retired, I still drive 3 days a week, leaving plenty of time for adventure.

With my wife of over 4 decades, and our 3 kids, we've owned tents, pop-up campers, and a few bigger camping trailers. Road trips are still some of our children's favorite memories. Today, we have a 27 food camper on a permanent, seasonal lot.

5 years ago, I also rediscovered backpacking. I've had several shorter overnight trips, and 2 longer backpacking adventures since then. The next ones are already taking shape in my mind.

Join me here as we talk about all these things.

]]> Thu, 10 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0500 https://podbean.com/?v=5.5 en us Copyright 2026 All rights reserved. Society & Culture:Places & Travel 1440 episodic I’m Tom, someone who’s been bitten by the wanderlust bug since childhood. I love the outdoors. Highways, trails, and campgrounds are places where I come alive. I’ve spent the last 3 decades on the road rather than home. Most of that was as a truck driver. I’ve hauled everything from oversized loads to rock and roll bands. Now mostly retired, I still drive 3 days a week, leaving plenty of time for adventure. With my wife of over 4 decades, and our 3 kids, we’ve owned tents, pop-up campers, and a few bigger camping trailers. Road trips are still some of our children’s favorite memories. Today, we have a 27 food camper on a permanent, seasonal lot. 5 years ago, I also rediscovered backpacking. I’ve had several shorter overnight trips, and 2 longer backpacking adventures since then. The next ones are already taking shape in my mind. Join me here as we talk about all these things. Tom Ballard Tom Ballard No false https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/22584319/Roads_Trails_Rabbit_Holes_Podbean_1500.jpg Roads, Trails and Rabbit Holes https://roadstrailsandrabbitholes.podbean.com 144 144 5. River Country Products Does Me A Solid 5. River Country Products Does Me A Solid https://roadstrailsandrabbitholes.podbean.com/e/5-river-country-products-does-me-a-solid/ https://roadstrailsandrabbitholes.podbean.com/e/5-river-country-products-does-me-a-solid/#comments Thu, 10 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0500 roadstrailsandrabbitholes.podbean.com/fba9f8c1-eb52-30ee-9026-ed50b1b9ccf7 You probably already know that I have a soft spot for River Country Products. I've used the Trekker 2 tent and their trekking poles before. I've upgraded to a lighter tent, but I still use the trekking poles. My wife also has a set, and we've used them quite a bit on day hikes and shorter adventures.

I had a small, normal wear issue with the trekking poles and reached out to River Country Products for a solution. I was quite surprised at their response. Surprised enough to make it the topic of this episode.

For questions or comments, shoot me an email.

roadstrailsandrabbitholes@gmail.com

 

 

]]> You probably already know that I have a soft spot for River Country Products. I've used the Trekker 2 tent and their trekking poles before. I've upgraded to a lighter tent, but I still use the trekking poles. My wife also has a set, and we've used them quite a bit on day hikes and shorter adventures.

I had a small, normal wear issue with the trekking poles and reached out to River Country Products for a solution. I was quite surprised at their response. Surprised enough to make it the topic of this episode.

For questions or comments, shoot me an email.

roadstrailsandrabbitholes@gmail.com

 

 

]]> Tom Ballard false No 593 5 full 4. Sawtooth - Redefining The Adventure 4. Sawtooth - Redefining The Adventure https://roadstrailsandrabbitholes.podbean.com/e/sawtooth-redefining-the-adventure/ https://roadstrailsandrabbitholes.podbean.com/e/sawtooth-redefining-the-adventure/#comments Mon, 07 Sep 2026 13:00:00 -0500 roadstrailsandrabbitholes.podbean.com/6a5c1ec6-dc7f-3921-8ff1-64811298ee69 The Sawtooth Wilderness Loop trip has been on my '26 summer schedule for nearly a year. But mountains and trails can be quite dynamic. Fires, floods, and disasters of any kind can quickly throw a monkey wrench into the best of plans.

Such is the case with Sawtooth. The fires of '24 left the ground ripe for erosion, and the Grandjean trailhead flooded out. The flooding also took out part of a highway and the Grandjean campground. 

Add to this, a large number of downed trees on the southwest side of the trail, and the northwest portion closed indefinitely. Also, and the final nail in the coffin that contains our Sawtooth plans, eastern Washington is on fire. Guess where the smoke is going? 

This episode is about plan B. We're heading 800 miles south instead of 1,300 miles west. 

 

]]> The Sawtooth Wilderness Loop trip has been on my '26 summer schedule for nearly a year. But mountains and trails can be quite dynamic. Fires, floods, and disasters of any kind can quickly throw a monkey wrench into the best of plans.

Such is the case with Sawtooth. The fires of '24 left the ground ripe for erosion, and the Grandjean trailhead flooded out. The flooding also took out part of a highway and the Grandjean campground. 

Add to this, a large number of downed trees on the southwest side of the trail, and the northwest portion closed indefinitely. Also, and the final nail in the coffin that contains our Sawtooth plans, eastern Washington is on fire. Guess where the smoke is going? 

This episode is about plan B. We're heading 800 miles south instead of 1,300 miles west. 

 

]]> We’ve been planning an August trip to the Sawtooth Wilderness Loop for nearly a year. But conditions have deteriorated. Flooding, fires, and more downed trees than you can count have caused us to change our plans. Tom Ballard false No 961 4 full 3. Backpacking In Bear Country, And Other Wildlife Threats 3. Backpacking In Bear Country, And Other Wildlife Threats https://roadstrailsandrabbitholes.podbean.com/e/3-backpacking-in-bear-country-and-other-wildlife-threats/ https://roadstrailsandrabbitholes.podbean.com/e/3-backpacking-in-bear-country-and-other-wildlife-threats/#comments Fri, 04 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0500 roadstrailsandrabbitholes.podbean.com/580d7d43-da0f-3d96-9918-ab5d8c885de1 I'll start by saying that I have no plans to backpack in grizzly country, at least not in the foreseeable future. With that in mind, I'll give you my thoughts, fears, and opinions about the potential wildlife threats most backpackers may encounter.

Please don't take this as anything more than my thoughts and opinions. Feel free to correct me if I'm way off. If you have additional advice, please share it with me. I'm always learning.

You can always contact me at mailto:roadstrailsandrabbitholes@gmail.com

]]> I'll start by saying that I have no plans to backpack in grizzly country, at least not in the foreseeable future. With that in mind, I'll give you my thoughts, fears, and opinions about the potential wildlife threats most backpackers may encounter.

Please don't take this as anything more than my thoughts and opinions. Feel free to correct me if I'm way off. If you have additional advice, please share it with me. I'm always learning.

You can always contact me at mailto:roadstrailsandrabbitholes@gmail.com

]]> Tom Ballard false No 2363 3 full 2. Storing Gear for 4 Years - What Survived 2. Storing Gear for 4 Years - What Survived https://roadstrailsandrabbitholes.podbean.com/e/storing-gear-for-4-years-what-survived/ https://roadstrailsandrabbitholes.podbean.com/e/storing-gear-for-4-years-what-survived/#comments Tue, 01 Sep 2026 10:32:24 -0500 roadstrailsandrabbitholes.podbean.com/c7f2d4b4-c269-3a40-b502-9eb39d0dd1e5 All of my backpacking gear went into storage in June, 2022 after my first Sawtooth trip. Storage wasn't a rented locker or storage unit. Everything was stored in my cool, dry, air-conditioned home office. Each item was clean and dry. This was my saving grace.

All electronics went with me as I spent the better part of the next three years on the road. Other than the Anchor charge blocks, I came out well. They just aged out since i continued using them on the road. They have a life expectancy, and it's a bit shorter than 4 years.

I hope you enjoy the show,

Tom

You can email me at roadstrailsandrabbitholes@gmail.com

]]> All of my backpacking gear went into storage in June, 2022 after my first Sawtooth trip. Storage wasn't a rented locker or storage unit. Everything was stored in my cool, dry, air-conditioned home office. Each item was clean and dry. This was my saving grace.

All electronics went with me as I spent the better part of the next three years on the road. Other than the Anchor charge blocks, I came out well. They just aged out since i continued using them on the road. They have a life expectancy, and it's a bit shorter than 4 years.

I hope you enjoy the show,

Tom

You can email me at roadstrailsandrabbitholes@gmail.com

]]> Tom Ballard false No 2794 2 full 1. Pretty Sure I Was Going To Die, TWICE! 1. Pretty Sure I Was Going To Die, TWICE! https://roadstrailsandrabbitholes.podbean.com/e/1-pretty-sure-i-was-going-to-die-twice/ https://roadstrailsandrabbitholes.podbean.com/e/1-pretty-sure-i-was-going-to-die-twice/#comments Sun, 30 Aug 2026 17:05:39 -0500 roadstrailsandrabbitholes.podbean.com/0dd217de-c536-363e-a062-aec31ac7561a I backpacked into a great campsite, only 6 miles from the Jeep. Setting up at the most beautiful campsite on this 17-mile loop, I thought I'd hit the lottery. 

After setting up camp and then hiding in my tent while a quick storm passed through, I had an absolutely delightful evening. I finally retired to my $29 Walmart sleeping bag.

Oh, did I mention that this was my first backpacking trip in 40 years or so? It was also the first night I've ever spent a night alone in the woods.

This episode is all about being pretty sure I was a goner around 3 am, and wondering what those giant footprints were, 30 feet away from my tent. They weren't there the night before. I had pictures to prove it.

Thanks for listening to episode one. Let me know if you like the show.

Email address is roadstrailsandrabbitholes@gmail.com 

 

]]> I backpacked into a great campsite, only 6 miles from the Jeep. Setting up at the most beautiful campsite on this 17-mile loop, I thought I'd hit the lottery. 

After setting up camp and then hiding in my tent while a quick storm passed through, I had an absolutely delightful evening. I finally retired to my $29 Walmart sleeping bag.

Oh, did I mention that this was my first backpacking trip in 40 years or so? It was also the first night I've ever spent a night alone in the woods.

This episode is all about being pretty sure I was a goner around 3 am, and wondering what those giant footprints were, 30 feet away from my tent. They weren't there the night before. I had pictures to prove it.

Thanks for listening to episode one. Let me know if you like the show.

Email address is roadstrailsandrabbitholes@gmail.com 

 

]]> Tom Ballard false No 2779 1 full