Adventure Traveler Stories

It is December 7, 2009. If you, like me, have not yet started shopping for the travel enthusiast in your life (or anyone else), here are a few suggestions I’ve culled together. Some are popular this year, so you might have seen them listed elsewhere. Others might take a little time and planning, but hey – you’ve got 2.5 weeks. All are, naturally, awesome. In no particular order:

For adventure travelers: Gorillapod (and Gorillatorch)
Maybe I live under a rock, but I hadn’t heard of this flexible tripod until a friend mentioned wanting to purchase it for her boyfriend, a budding photographer—I think she started the trend. It’s compatible with point and shoot cameras as well as DSLRs, and there’s no questioning its functionality. This seems to be THE gift to give this year. Buy at joby.com.

For the semi-adventure traveler who really just doesn’t want to be cold: J. Crew Sherpa Puffer Jacket
Amenities: Goosedown. Poly shell. Detachable hood. Standing collar. Zip front with snap closure. Chevron channel quilting. Long sleeves. Pockets lined with polar fleece. Interior drawstring. Fully lined in sherpa. I’m wearing it right now! (Select colors on sale—check in-store, the dove grey is marked down to $99.) Buy at jcrew.com.

For the literati: The Cities Book
I never thought people actually liked coffee table books, but I’ve found myself intrigued by one as of late—Lonely Planet’s The Cities Book. Beautiful photography and tons of information. Buy at Amazon.com.

For the artistic soul: Art! (Make or buy)
My greatest achievement in life has been an arrangement I dubbed “the map wall.” In my first apartment, I had a bunch of framed maps and real and fake antique prints. I’d pick these up in Europe, here, online, wherever. The maps were actually Cavallini wrapping paper. The sheets are large, and look amazing (and expensive) framed. Once you buy the paper or a print, framing can be done pretty quickly if it’s just the frame and plexiglass. (Another idea I like is commissioning a photographer for an image of a loved one’s favorite place or view. I might do that this year, so it’s a good thing my mom doesn’t actually read my blog posts.) Buy at www.cavallini.com/wrap.html.

For actual art constructed by artists, I’d recommend stopping by SFMOMA’s Artists Gallery. For the holidays, select artists are selling miniatures for $95 or less. I picked up a stellar photo by Don Ross of 500 Club, near where I used to live (see my previous post about seeing the beauty in your own familiar surroundings). His other mounted photos were also taken, I believe, in and around San Francisco. See http://www.sfmoma.org/pages/artists_gallery.

For a very lucky person: a trip
This One Day Surf Clinic, held in various locales on the Pacific Coast of Northern California, is perfect for kids, and there are many, many more trips on ekoVenture.com to be found for all ages!

Comments

1. Aparna Chhibber
   That flexible tripod thing is amazing! Now the big question...is it wrong to buy yourself a christmas present?

   3 months ago

2. Angelica Nava
   Ha! Not at all. I might buy myself The Cities Book. It's intellectual, right?!?

   3 months ago

3. B Mo
   I love the jacket you featured, how fabulous for a world traveler! Hmm, now I really want to get my adventure-loving sister a trip through ekoventure as a graduation present...

   3 months ago

4. Angelica Nava
   Ooh yes, I'll think up some trips she might like. Any particular destination?

   3 months ago

5. Kevin Morris
   I own the Lonely Planet Cities Book, it's a great gift and a great read with excellent photos.

   about 1 month ago

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