Donn Friedman

Assistant Managing Editor at Albuquerque Journal

my kids want to eat

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Articles

Essential Overland Gear: Place to poo

1 week ago | abqjournal.com | Donn Friedman

Everyone does it. There are even children’s books based on it, like “Everyone Poops” by Taro Gomi, the beloved bestselling Japanese book and potty-training classic. To have an enjoyable multiday adventure, travelers need a poop plan. Pit toilets and public bathrooms can be gross — or unavailable. And for those camping in a national forest or other public lands, many want to leave no trace.
Essential Overland Gear: Place to poo

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Donn Friedman

Apr. 14—Everyone does it. There are even children's books based on it, like "Everyone Poops" by Taro Gomi, the beloved bestselling Japanese book and potty-training classic. To have an enjoyable multiday adventure, travelers need a poop plan. Pit toilets and public bathrooms can be gross — or unavailable. And for those camping in a national forest or other public lands, many want to leave no trace.
ABQ to Alaska an overland summer adventure of many miles, animals and unending daylight

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Donn Friedman

Apr. 13—Overwhelming scenery. Overwhelming distances. Overwhelming daylight. Overwhelming adventure. That word — overwhelming — describes the more than 1,400-mile Alaska-Canadian Highway (ALCAN) that links Canada to the United States' largest and second-newest member, Alaska. The highway acts as a gateway from the lower 48 to The Last Frontier. To get from Albuquerque to Delta Junction, Alaska, the ALCAN's ending point, one-way, is at least 3,446 miles.
ABQ to Alaska an overland summer adventure of many miles, animals and unending daylight

1 week ago | abqjournal.com | Donn Friedman

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Essential Overland Gear: Battery jump starter

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Donn Friedman

Mar. 31—A charged jump starter is vital. If you don't have one, stop reading and jump on the quest to get one immediately. You only need it when you need it. But when you need it, it's essential. You never know when or where a dead battery could leave you stranded. Cold weather kills batteries. Dogs or kids might stop a door from closing, keeping vehicle lights on and bringing a battery to its knees. On older vehicles, headlights could be left beaming when you stop.
Hit it with a hammer. Hit it with a hammer.

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Donn Friedman

Mar. 31—EDITOR'S NOTE — DnR (Donn Friedman and Rebeca Zimmermann) are not experts at fixing things, overlanding or travel. We don't travel far from the car. Take anything published here as entertaining, but not definitive. Check with your RV dealer or overland experts or mechanic before attempting anything you read about us doing. Some things can't be fixed or even temporarily repaired with duct tape. It is now spring and that means it's time to unwinterize.
UNESSENTIAL GEAR: Last dance with Sirius: It was time to cancel

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Donn Friedman

Mar. 31—Satellite radio would seem to be a perfect tool for travelers. It promises entertainment, weather and news when you are far from major cities. It fails on that promise, especially in places that don't have a clear view of the horizon or along roads that rapidly change elevation. Sirius Satellite Radio does not work in the northern reaches of Canada and in Alaska. Its online customer service chat confirms this as fact.
Essential Overland Gear: Battery jump starter

3 weeks ago | abqjournal.com | Donn Friedman

A charged jump starter is vital. If you don’t have one, stop reading and jump on the quest to get one immediately. You only need it when you need it. But when you need it, it’s essential. kAm*@F ?6G6C <?@H H96? @C H96C6 2 5625 32EE6CJ 4@F=5 =62G6 J@F DEC2?565] r@=5 H62E96C <:==D 32EE6C:6D] s@8D @C <:5D >:89E DE@A 2 5@@C 7C@> 4=@D:?8[ <66A:?8 G69:4=6 =:89ED @? 2?5 3C:?8:?8 2 32EE6CJ E@ :ED <?66D] ~? @=56C G69:4=6D[ 9625=:89ED 4@F=5 36 =67E 362>:?8 H96? J@F DE@A]k^AmkAmw2G:?8 2 ;F>A DE2CE6C 42?
UNESSENTIAL GEAR: Last dance with Sirius: It was time to cancel

3 weeks ago | abqjournal.com | Donn Friedman

Satellite radio would seem to be a perfect tool for travelers. It promises entertainment, weather and news when you are far from major cities. It fails on that promise, especially in places that don’t have a clear view of the horizon or along roads that rapidly change elevation. Sirius Satellite Radio does not work in the northern reaches of Canada and in Alaska. Its online customer service chat confirms this as fact. Bring your tunes as MP3s or go old school with CDs.kAmp D@=:4:E2E:@?
First the shivering, then the sun at Chaco Canyon's spring equinox event

3 weeks ago | abqjournal.com | Donn Friedman

With all things being equal, including the amount of daylight and nighttime, this 2025 trip to New Mexico’s Chaco Culture National Historical Park ushered in spring and taught what to do to make sure that sloth or poor planning don’t ruin an adventurer’s experience at special events. For those who arrived the day before, it was unclear how to grab a spot at the early morning event celebrating the vernal equinox at Chaco’s Casa Rinconada. But park employees showed the way, lining up vehicles.