Riding a 250-cc Honda NX to Queretaro, Mexico (just north of Mexico City) will really challenge my packing and organizing skills - but I think I’m finally getting there. With an iM2400 Pelican Storm Case bolted to the rear rack, I have room for my Macbook Pro, a Canon G10, and power bricks and charging gear in a waterproof, tough and lockable carrier. The Wolfman medium Expedition Dry Duffle holds all my clothes in a cool Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder and a small Pack-It Cube (these are amazing - I wrote about them in 2008 on a safari in Kenya), plus a toilet kit, extra shoes, very light sleeping bag, and a sweater (it’s not packed full in this picture). I’ll use a dry bag on top of the Storm Case for lashing down soft items like liners or extra gloves. The Wolfman Enduro Tank Bag is perfect for my small travel purse from Overland (of course), my iPhone, and a map (in a clear holder on top). I’m also trying out the new First Gear Monarch jacket for women and their TPG Escape pants - they are fantastic so far, and I plan to really give them a workout. It’s really nice to have gear cut especially for women but tough and serious, too - and not pink! I won’t be leaving for Mexico until after Overland Expo.2010, so I’ll get to really hone the setup in the meantime. - Roseann Hanson

The sun . . . Home in the Sonoran Desert . . . 4501 miles exactly. What a fantastic trip. Look for the complete trip story in an upcoming Overland Journal.

– Posted from my iPhone

The original overland travel vehicle, Great Plains style (this private herd resides within the Thunder Basin National Grassland).

And some Great Plains humor:

– Posted from my iPhone

– Posted from my iPhone

Crossed the beautiful Missouri River at Cascade, MT, and headed into the backcountry to visit a private ranch and logging camp at the invitation of friend and Overland Journal subscriber Doug M. As you can see we hit an early winter storm. Even the Montanans were griping! Set a new record low for the date — even the trees had no time for fall colors. We enjoyed Doug’s hospitality, including lamb tacos (fresh from the ranch) and chocolate and bourbon to keep us warm. This morning the rear doors on the Jeep are frozen shut. The Jeep is performing very well in ice, snow, and mud — and temperatures in the teens.

– Posted from my iPhone

Jonathan and I left this morning for Crowsnest, where we are teaching a conservation communications workshop for the Alberta Conservation Alliance. En route through central Arizona we met up with Graham Jackson of Overland Training. Here is Jonathan and Graham in front of the 2 Overland Journal Jeeps, on loan from Chrysler. Graham’s “Overland Edition” debuted at Overland Expo.2009. Our version is the magazine’s longterm test to showcase an “out of the showroom ready to overland” model. We will return via Wyoming for some backroads exploration, putting the Jeep through its paces as part of the test.

– Posted from my iPhone

The Menu:

Starters & Drinks ~ Icy cold Tecate and limes, fresh vegetables and salsa dip

Dinner ~ Tacos made from dried ground beef, on flour tortillas with black beans, squash, cheese, and cabbage

Dessert ~ Seared watermelon

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Tacos (made with dried ground beef; see Summer 2009 issue for method)

Serves: 4-6 | Time: 30 minutes | Equipment: large cast iron or other type fry pan, and one large saucepan | Recipe adapted for camp by Roseann Hanson

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Simmer three cups of dried meat in three cups of water, covered, for about 20 minutes (keep testing until meat is tender; you may need to add more water). While the meat is simmering, chop up a two or three cloves garlic, an onion, and several small squash or zucchini (chayote travel well) in small dice and saute in light olive oil until al dente. Add a can of black beans, season with salt and pepper. Season the meat with salt, pepper, maybe a little chipotle powder or curry for bite. Serve on warmed flour (or corn) tortillas with salsa and chopped cabbage, and if you can find it, queso seco, a dry Mexican cheese.

Seared Watermelon

I found this recipe in a magazine ages ago (possible Sunset?) and I’ve made it with varying degrees of success. The key is that the watermelon slices (rind removed) need to be sweet and very dry. Sear over a grill or on well-oiled cast iron - serve with a little honey.

When Overland Journal medical columninst Ed Beggy spied a Butler Bag in the Gear 2008 issue, you might say he fell in love right then and there. He ordered one and took it on a trip, and was dismayed to have the blue flannel lining dye turn his skin … smurf blue! Jonathan Curtis of Butler Bags quickly replaced the bag - an example of great customer service. But when the problem persisted, you might have expected a lesser company to back away . . . instead, this week Jonathan Curtis yet again stepped up to the plate, and explained to Ed that they had problems with the original flannel and have spent considerable time this past year sourcing all new flannel from North Carolina, and succeeded in producing 1000 bags with no problems - and again replaced the bag. We thought this was a great example of the type of service and quality Overland Journal looks for in the products we test and review. Butlerbags.com

Cougars, or mountain lions, are elusive and so they are rarely seen in the wild. When biologists need to find out information about their lives - even how many there are in an area, and how they move around their territories, which are very large (as big as a hundred square miles) - in the past the only options were expensive and invasive (for the animal) radio tracking collars. But 20 years ago a group in southeast Arizona started testing out tracking on Fort Huachuca, by Sierra Vista, as a way to learn more about lions, as well as black bears. It has been a successful way for biologists and land managers to compile information about the animals, and an even better way for “citizen scientists” to become trackers and help out conservation efforts.