Because of the fact that the Apple iPad is a good media player in a handy little 9.5 by 7.5 by 0.5” table top screen that holds its battery power for practically a whole day, it makes a great travel companion.  This portable gadget allows you to watch media via the Internet using Wi-Fi or 3G, use applications that pertain to travel assistance, and store or watch media such as photographs, music, and videos.  The higher end model, in other words the more expensive one, boast 64 Gb of memory and is both Wi-Fi and 3G compatible...be prepared to pay close to $1000 after getting it ready to roam and pick up satellite immediately as you walk out the door; this includes a little pouch and screen protector.  Unfortunately there is not (as of the moment) an adaptor for easy usage in a vehicle, such as a port to plug into a 12V car lighter.

Great usages for the Apple iPad as one travels with it are, keeping in touch with friends and family using social networking websites such as Facebook and Skype, reading and storing eBooks, watching Internet streamed videos, listening to music, sharing photos and videos, and let us not forget all the wonderful Applications available through the App Store.  These Apps are terrific for Gamers, Organizers, Communicators, and Travelers looking for directions.

At the moment, because Apple seemed to have forgotten to slip in a USB port and camera, a laptop computer is needed to upload any pictures and videos you might have captured with a camera into the iPad.  The next model (which will most likely be out sooner than this one can get paid off) will probably have a nice camera and more adaptable connections.  As for now, the iPad can help the traveler find way by using Google Maps and entertain during pit-stops.

iPad Specs is a link to Apple's Specification page.

        

        

As perpetual traveler, one only needs to stop over in any city to earn a few dollars to contribute to your vagabonding lifestyle.<< MORE >>

While Visiting Toronto Ontario Canada, a video was taken while driving the streets.

        

Using the open flames and hot coals of an open pit campfire can be a very delicious and simple way to cook fresh fish!

These wonderful fish, a Yellow Perch and a Smallmouth Bass, were caught in Lake Wanapitei, Ontario, Canada.

        

Big cities are a great place for the traveller to stop over for trading, viewing, learning, and meeting new and different people. As for one city that a modern vagabond should never pass by, that would be New York City. The Big Apple is full of resources and knowledge; in fact it contains everything a traveller could possibly find in a city. New York City's worldly authority of being a hub city for many facets,like the financial world, the media center, the real estate location,and the arts & entertainment circa, will provide what ever thing for anyone seeking resources.  For a vagabond thirsting for any of these endeavours will find New York City a place to be. The best way to venture about into the city of New York is by foot. Your best walking shoes and a good packsack will be your primary and most important tools needed for hiking the streetsof New York.  For the more confident and skilled vagabond, a wagon such as a recreational vehicle can be driven around in the city, but be prepared to pay hefty parking and security fees and to be on guard for over-enthusiastic driving.  Driving into NY City is not highly recommended, an RV traveller is best to leave the wheeled abode out of the city limits and hike their way in. NY City has a terrific public transportation system in which as much as 50% of NY natives utilise on a daily basis. Depending on what you are seeking in NY City, the area you will focus your visit on can determine the price you will incur if you are to stay over for a few nights. You will need a few hundreds of dollars plus per night for a decent room.  However, the more creative vagabond always finds a way to lessen their expenses, all depending on the partiality entailed by the individual.  As for eating and public transportation, these costs can be very reasonable if required. For less than a good pair of shoelaces, one meal or transport pass can be acquired anytime in NY City.  As for touring and visiting treasured sites in this city, there is no price that can be put on the abundance of free places of relevance and attraction that can be seen.

Let us start off with a central position to spend the night in when visiting NY City. There are many hotels and bed & breakfasts available at various prices. One can get resourceful and try to stay in the city for minimal cost or even at no cost in the streets; however there is risk involved when considering the health and safety of oneself when participation in such endeavours in any city. The detail of these risks does not really have to be outlined since they are obvious to any well travelled vagabond. However for a few hundred dollars and change per night, a nice accommodation can be readily found in this city. For instance, there is quaint hotel on 51st Street which is close to many outstanding amenities. The Washington Jefferson Hotel (WJHotel) is found midtown in Manhattan a walk away from the exciting Times Square, Central Park, Broadway Theatres, plenty of Eateries, and countless other vistas. From this location New York'spublic transportation system (MTA) will get you anywhere in the city. Even though this hotel is is established in an older part of Mahanttan, its rooms and the environment are well maintained. The rooms provide large, clean, and comfortable beds with very distinguished white cotton linens with goose down comforters. There is access to complimentary wireless Internet, I-pod docking stations, in-room safe, flat screen HDTV, and the service for the price is on hand. The washrooms are up to date with tiled showers and modern chrome fixtures, hairdryer, and Frette towels

From the WJ Hotel, a few blocks down in the borough of Manhattan, one can spend a day and night wandering around Times Square. This New York City square is located at Broadway and 7^th Avenue and stretches from West 42^nd and West 47^th Streets.  It is a major New York City intersection which was named after the Times Building, the once office building of The New York Times; today that building is called One Time Square. Once in Times Square, at the Cross Roads of the World, the proposals, the foods, the entertainment, and excitement will charge any traveller with pure urban energy. It is the liveliest square in New York City with neon super signs, Broadway, and everything required for an open minded vagabond. This crossroad will bring forward most of the biggest and brightest store signs that can be found in New York, the business community spare no expense showing off their goods and attract many tourist in this area.  It is a place for entertainers from every corner of the world to come into view and flaunt their flair. On every New Year's Eve, over one million people from all over the continent and the world will gather here to welcome every New Year and say farewell to the old one.

Sitting in the midst of Times Square, you will be approached by 'bright sparks' who are offering tickets to entertainment shows to be presented during night time. At these showings, the magic of laughter can be bought at the price of agood meal and a few drinks, a fair price to pay for healthy laughter.  The Times Square Arts Center will provide a night full of 'sh*ts and giggles'  to clean out any bad curses you might have picked up along your travels. It is a showcase of fine comedians who perform every night in the "Times Square Comedy" show.

The biggest of the world's merchants will cater to the most wonderful of wanderers passing by their shops with the most fantastic technological feats available for the dearest of prices. These merchants will dazzle with their humongous flashing signs, breath taking smells, and sounds of desire that can draw any passerby to their unbeatable products of charm. The 'best of the best 'purchases can be traded in this famous NY City square, from the greatest pair of walking shoes to the biggest of luxury article avagabond can walk away with.  Electronics, Toys, Fashion, provider of services, and commodities are all available for the barterers' dreamplace.

There is also never a shortage of food in Times Square, there are plenty of goods and drinks available, as of anywhere you go in New York City, there is always a guarantee to find a pizza slice, a pretzel, or a great sandwiched...preferably pastrami on rye bread.  Combined with a drink, and one of the mentioned food groups always available in NY City, a satisfying and yet filling meal can charge any traveller for at the least another 10 to 40 miles of trekking.

There is no getting around Broadway when wandering around the midtown area of Times Square. On Broadway Avenue, the exclusive shows full of talent, entertainment, and storytelling which attract millions of spectators at all given times.

"Broadway, as the name implies, is a wide avenue in New York City, which runs the full length of Manhattan and continues into the Bronx. It is the oldest north-south main thorough fare in the city, dating to the first New Amsterdam settlement. The name Broadway is the English literal translation of the Dutch name, Breede weg. A stretch of Broadway is famous as the pinnacle of the American theatre industry." From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

If you happen to have a chance to attend any show found in NY City, give yourself  the opportunity to at the least see one before time passes you by. Theatre is a magnificent remedy for a weary traveller providing inspiration and new life to any soul.

Of course when in the Midtown area, the ever famous buildings and skyscrapers will have to be visited. These include the Rockefeller Center, the Chrysler Building, and the renowned Empire State Building.  While wandering around these famous skyscrapers, make sure to view the numerous museums, restaurants, and theatres scattered within their neighbourhood. The architectural icons claiming these areas are a feast for the eyes and their rooftops provide for great viewing of New York City's sceneries.

To catch most of New York City's spirit, the modern vagabond will have to trek down to heart of this city, this trek can be walked (depending on the heartiness of the traveller) or for a simpler and faster method, take the subway. The ladder of the two is the most recommended, the subway system in New York City is timely practical, there is always guidance available, and getting lost is almost impossible. Once Downtown NewYork has been reached, there will be plenty of hiking to do and the prominent sites are spread outenough to fill out the heartiest of trekkers.

Downtown you will be able to catch a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island while visiting Battery Park, walk down the streets and visit the numerous and famous museums and iconic places, walk through the rich financial section of Wall Street, pay some respect to the memories of the World Trade Center Site, and head towards the South Street Seaport for a view of the Brooklyn Bridge.

When attending one of the parks, such as Battery Park, there are plenty of room to sitdown and rest while enjoying spectacular views and activities of the ever popular Hudson Bay. If the timing is right youmight be able to catch a sunrise or sunset off one of the most important waterways our world has ever produced for mankind. Here you can imagine the eras where people from multicultural backgrounds met for first time. The feeling and flavours of Downtown New York City is a reminder of the birth of our great continent and the governance who originated the Americas while amalgamating with its natural inhabitants. 

When time has come and a rest is in order, there is no better place than Central Park to put up your feet. This wonderful urban park, covering 843 acres of land in the middle of New York City, was first established in 1853 by New Yorkers who wanted a family oriented location to just hang out in.  It stretches from 59^th to 110^th Street in a rectangular shape coveted by Mother Nature's finest work.  Since then it has grown into a hub that is visited by over 20 million people each year. Central Park provides peace for the fast paced lifestyles of New Yorkers who will spend the day there by one of its lakes, a grassy knoll, and establish a quiet forest setting sentiment.  It not only provides natural scenery, but Central Park also has ice rinks, tennis courts, baseball fields, playgrounds, and theatres.

New York City's Central Park allows for a regular getaway for countless outdoor enthusiasts;  the park is constantly bustling with joggers, cyclist, and roller bladders that make the most of the park trails for a healthier lifestyle. In the more secluded and peaceful areas, Central Park will sanction photographers, entertainers, artist, writers, and folks just taking a break from the urban lifestyle outside of its walls. Not only is Central Park a wonderful sanction for people, there is a presence of wildlife making the park their homes, and tens of thousands of trees, shrubs, and flowers...this oasis within a city is a MUST see when in New York City.

All in all New York City definitely never sleeps...it's a great city to stop by and pick up a few necessities...and even eat a chicken sandwich for $5!

        

Enjoy this video from our trek across NY City during the weekend of September 11, 2009.  It is accompanied with the song "When I First Kissed You" by Extreem from Extreem II: Pornograffitti.

        

To keep up with global, universal, and daily events, the modern vagabond will need a personal entertainment center.  A reliable portable station, allowing you to hook up to the, World Wide Web, catch a flick, listen to some road trip music and, even communicate with family and friends.  This arrangement can easily be accomplished with a good laptop and some portable speakers. If you have the room in your wagon, you can mount a mind size LCD TV in it.  Here are some suggestions of equipment required to achieve a reasonably priced vagabond entertainment center.

A laptop like the Toshiba L300 (note - there are newer models available) which features as describe below from Toshiba’s own website.

“TheSatellite L300 is an affordable laptop that comes with the reassurance of Toshiba’s well known quality. Everyday computing tasks are no problem at allwith Intel processors, a SuperMulti DVD drive and 15.4” TruBrite widescreen.Built in WiFi wireless technology, modem and Ethernet port provide a wide rangeof connection options to the internet or home network. Selected models featurea webcam integrated into the chassis, ideal for video calls, and has facerecognition technology which allows easy logon to Windows.”

With the laptop you can hook up to your a small high definition television such as, a 16 to 20" LCD TV.  For sound you can then get mini speakers that can hook up either to the TV or the laptop.

You can also hook up to the internet using a mobile internet stick that plugs into your laptop computer. Anywhere a cellular phone works the internet connection on the laptop will work.  The mobile internet sticks are provided by communications companies such as Rogers and Bell.

Once you are hooked up to the world wide web with your laptop and mobile internet stick, you will have access to unlimited TV, Movie, News, and not to mention information!  Following are links to websites that can provide a current vagabond with hours of entertainment.

        

Whether you are going camping, touring, or even vagabonding, a camp trailer will provide a traveller with all the amenities found in the comfort of today’s modern homes.  There are various types of homes on wheels, or mobile homes, such as motor homes, truck campers, fifth wheel trailers, and travel trailers.  The type of recreational vehicle (RV) you are going to buy for your family or for yourself, depends on a few factors.  These factors are primarily, the cost, your current vehicles towing capacity, and the amount of living and sleeping area you are going to need. The fact is an RV bought new from a dealership will generally depreciate faster in the first few years from its purchase date, after a few years the RV’s value can hold its own if it is well maintained.  For this reason, modern vagabonds will commonly buy their mobile homes used.  If you can learn to recognize what to look for when you are shopping for a used camper trailer, then you just might be able to find yourself a great deal and save a few dollars.

While you are shopping for your used camp trailer, the different types of RVs you will encounter are, the class A motor homes, the class B motor homes, the class C motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheel trailers, folding camp trailers, sport utility recreational vehicles, and the good old truck camper.  The type you are going to focus on will depend on your budget, the vehicle you are currently driving, and the space required.  Unless you are looking at the class A, B, and C motor homes you will need a towing vehicle.  The class A motor home is the most expensive and the biggest recreational vehicle, such as a bus converted into a living quarters, the class B motor home is smaller and is built on a van chassis, and the class C motor home is a van with a cut away chassis as the camper.  If you own a car, then you can shop around for the travel trailers and folding camp trailers.  These types are generally smaller and lighter and enable the use of a car for towing.  For the pickup truck owners and depending on the truck’s load and tow capacity, you can then start looking at the larger camp trailers.  With a pickup truck, you can still buy a lighter, smaller trailers if you wish, that depends on your comfort level, this way you will have more room in your truck box to carry supplies around.  The truck camper is unique in its own way since it fits inside a pickup truck’s box.   These vary in size and weight depending on your truck’s load capacity and you can also tow a trailer or boat with the truck camper style.  Lately, RV manufacturers have been building the sport utility camp trailers.  Like the pickup truck camper, the sport utility camper is unique since it has its own garage to store your toys in.  The sport utility trailer comes in various sizes and is also built as class A, B,and C.  If you decide to purchase a camp trailer, you are going to have to do your homework and look up your car or truck’s towing capacity.  There are two numbers you will have to know about your towing vehicle and that is, the gross trailer weight (GTW) and the tongue weight (TW) capacities.  The GTW is the maximum weight your vehicle is designed to pull and the TW is the weight your hitch ball can support.  These two specifications can be found in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.  This is very important to know since the insurance company you are dealing with might reject any accident claims due to not complying with these specifications while hauling your camp trailer.

Once you have decidedon the type of used RV you will be shopping for,  start reading through the classified ads in your local newspapers, magazines, and on the Internet.  You can also visit local RV dealerships since most of them will have used RVs on their lots. When you are ready to go look at your future used RV, bring a check list of things to look for.  When you are looking over your prospective RV, spend a little time doing it, don’t buy on impulse, this can be a costly mistake.  You can even call the seller ahead of time and have them prepare the RV for inspection, prompt them to fill the water storage tanks, start up the refrigerator and freezer, have the propane tanks and power hooked up, and basically have it ready as if the camper was going to be used immediately.  If the seller agrees to your request, give them a few hours to do so, the refrigerator and freezer should be cold by the time you get there.  If the seller refuses to prepare the camper for your viewing, then be suspicious of damages or broken down appliances in the camper.

Once you have arrived at the camper’s seller’s location,  start your inspection.  Have a thorough look at the underneath of the camper looking for rust spots, leaky holding tanks, and any damage due to bottoming out.  Check the tires, their threads, and brake controller if applicable (knowledge on break controllers is not that important but good to know).  Do a scan of the camper’s shell, look for dents, rusty spots, separations in the seams, and rusty or loose screws.  Open up all the compartments and have a look inside for damage and especially dampness.  Make sure the compartment doors shut tight and are not loose.  If the camper is a folding type, inspect the canvas and screens; look for holes and patches, check the seams and surface for brittleness and rot.  If the camper is a hardtop, have a look at the roof, look for markings where water might of collected, and inspect the joints and rubber seals.  Depending on the weathering and age of the camper, these seals will start cracking and water may be able to seep into the camper. While looking over the roof, make sure that all the racks and vents are tight and secured.  If there are any, find out where the battery or batteries, and propane cylinders are stored.  Check that the batteries are well charged and holding their charge.  If there are any hydraulic or electric motors make sure that they are properly running and are doing the work that they are designed to do, such as lifting the camper up and down for levelling.  Check to make sure the propane tank(s) are not leaking, you will smell propane if the connectors on the tanks are not holding or are loose.  The exterior lights on the camper are very important for safety and laws while driving on public roads, make sure that the turning and brake lights are functioning well.  After thoroughly inspecting the exterior of the camper, you can then start with the interior.

Once you have entered the camper, check the entrance door to see if it securely closes and look for signs of leaking; do the same for all the windows.  Check all the hinges, handles, and locks on all the windows and doors.  In the kitchen, check all the appliances to assure that they are working properly, listen for strange noise or smells, and look them over for damage.  Turn on the water facets to make sure the pump(s) is working and if there is a hot water heater you will know if it is working properly due to the temperature of the water.  In the bathroom, if the camper has one, make sure everything in it is secured and has not become loose during the camper’s travel.  Look for the ventilation fan and make sure it is working properly, this is important because the moisture from the bathroom should always be vented out.  Have a look at the toilet, make sure that it can hold water and that it is flushing properly, it will smell during your travels if it malfunctioning.  Depending on your taste and comfort zone,have a look over at the furniture and bedding to assure that they are in good condition.  Finally and most importantly, check the floor and inside all storage compartments for moisture and mildew.  The floor around the sinks, tub, shower, and toilet are more likely to have water damage due to spillage.  Check that the floor around these areas is not soften or even rotten by water damage.

Once you have given your potential camper a complete inspection and you are satisfied with all of its working components, sit in it for as long as it takes for you to feel comfortable.  Look at its layout and all the amenities it has to offer and let yourself relax until you feel satisfied that it is the right camper for you.  If it’s not and you can’t feel it, don’t worry there are many more used campers available to you.  However, a rule of thumb when making a purchase of such value is, go look at more than just one model of camper.  You can have fun and learn more as you inspect the various models available to the potential vagabonds.  When you find the right camper and it has met all of your standards, hook it up and hopefully we’ll see you on the road with a smile on your face!

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How to Choose Good Travel Music & Create a Playlist

·        Start off by looking at your own collection.  Sort through all the song titles and artists from your collection and find music written and played specific to destinations, travel, and tempo.  A few songs for example are “Going Mobile” by The Who, “Drive” by Blind Mellon, “Jet Airliner” by The Steve Miller Band, and "Walkabout" by The Red Hot Chili Peppers.

·        Take the list of songs and add them together in a play list.  This is done depending on your source of music collection.  If your using a computer this is easily done using a media player, if you have CDs or other old school technology, you will have to copy, burn, or record the specified songs onto its source .

·         Once you have a playlist recorded, burned or copy, give it a cool name to label it.  Use a theme related to travelling, such as “Vagabond Vocals”, “Gypsy Guitars”, or simply “My Travel Tunes”

·         A good player such as a MP3 player, cassette player, CD player, DVD player, record player, will need to be carried with you on your trek.  If you are walking or cycling, a portable player might be more convenient.  Most cars, trucks, and recreational vehicles will have a player in them.  The type of player is up to the specific vagabond...whether you are old school or up with technology that depends on the individual.

·        Today a portable computer devise is ideal, it will not only play music, but also the modern vagabond can watch music videos and more.  The portable computer may require a set of speakers for better sound quality and loudness.

·        The musical travellers can play their own music using the instrument of their preference or just use their wonderful voices.  The preferred instruments for travellers are, like the music players, the portable types such as harmonicas, spoons, guitars, trumpets, whatever pleases the musician at heart.

Check out the links below to help you determine what players would be best for your preferences.

When roving around, good tunes help the bad and irrelevant news from being heard..Turn on the Vagabonding Music and have a good trip!  Download our free toolbar.

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