The Continental Crawler

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The Continental Crawler - Episode 7

The Continental Crawler - Episode 7 from Michael Cogliantry on Vimeo.

After reading several misleading reviews in a few popular travel guides, Michael attempts to set the record straight with the first ever Continental Crawler campground review. Meanwhile, as the summer temperatures soar over 100+ degrees, our host explains an excellent alternative to cooking in your camper with the Toastmaster "Smokeless Broiler Rotisserie".
Later on, a quick surf instructional in Pacific City allows Michael the chance to cool-off in the icy, shark infested coastal waters.

Episode 7 is sponsored by Old Spice, Toastmaster and features the Oregon based brewery, Caldera - Just ask for the Pale Ale in a can.

Hailed as the "best new show on camping" The Continental Crawler is a video series created by photographer Michael Cogliantry and graphic designer Jen Cogliantry, two ex-New Yorkers new to the American Pacific Northwest. Channeling their inner-outdoors-people for the first time in years, they hit the road Lucy and Ricky style in a 1958 travel trailer found on Ebay. Past video episodes and travel photography from the lower 48 states (and the great nation of Canada) on such outdoor subjects as fire-making, cheese-curd tasting and high-altitude cooking can also be found here.

Camper Summer Reading List

Portland, OR. to Anchorage, AK. - Over 2,500 miles of Pure Manliness

The infamous Alaska Highway starts at Dawson Creek in British Columbia and ends 1,422 miles north in Delta Junction Alaska. The road was first built during World War II and was unpaved for much of its bumpy, potholed length. Recommended for brave travelers only.

One of the best stops on the entire Alaska Highway is the fabulous Liard River Hot Springs, located in the Liard River Hotsprings Provincial Park north of Muncho Lake. Relaxation seeps into your body as you ease into the second largest hot spring in Canada. There are two hot springs at Liard, with water temperatures ranging from 42°-52° C (107°-126°F). The nearest is the Alpha pool, and half a mile beyond that is Beta pool, which is larger and deeper, and is likely to have few other people there.

One-way north or south usually requires four to five days of driving to navigate the full length, but we think we can do the round trip in two weeks. Right Jen?  Jen??  Why you cryin' baby?

The Continental Crawler: "Mail Bag" - Episode 6

In episode six, Michael reads from a back-log of chosen-at-random viewer mail. Relaxing at home this time around, he takes us through the custom design, assembly and installation process of a multi-function hi-fi / book shelf / bar unit for The Continental Crawler. Archival footage reveals a remote "paddle-in" camping experience on the banks of the legendary Zig-Zag river. Finally, a box containing the a letter and a mysterious electronic device arrives from a fan in India.

Episode 6 is sponsored by Stanley Works the and Deschutes Brewery.

Hailed as the "best new show on camping" The Continental Crawler is a video series created by photographer Michael Cogliantry and graphic designer Jen Cogliantry, two ex-New Yorkers new to the Pacific Northwest. Channeling their inner-outdoors-people for the first time in years, they hit the road Lucy and Ricky style in a 1958 travel trailer found on Ebay. Past video episodes and travel photography from the lower 48 states (and the great nation of Canada) on such outdoor subjects as fire-making, cheese-curd tasting and high-altitude cooking can be found here on their blog.

A hi-fi console, a book-rack or a bar - Do it yourself with the 1957 edition of Better Homes & Gardens Handyman's Book

After catching my hand on fire trying to light the furnace in The Continental Crawler in South Dakota on a cold mountain pass last summer, I decided to install a safer, modern heater. This left a large opening in the wall by the door that has been the subject of many a campfire discussion on what might best fit in the old space.  A "hot" topic, if you will.

I voted for a built-in bar, Jen thought a book rack would be nice addition - one idea that would be great also would be a '50's era tuner with speakers (some inspiration on that concept, here). Whatever we decide, I'll be sure to find the instructions to build it in the Handyman's Book, put out by Meredith Publishing back in 1957. 

After all, you never do get used that smell of burning hair...

59 years later, a typical weekend at Lost Lake remains relatively unchanged

Cowgirl Caravan!

Fantastic site of great vintage campers by a organization called Sisters on the Fly
Many members have adopted a western motif on their travel trailers which I really dig, though some graphics are done up way better than others. I've discovered that someone here has a brown and white 1954 Empire (the same brand as The Continental Crawler) though it looks like a 12 or 13 foot model compared to our 17 foot '58. Vintage Empires are extremely rare and up until now had not seen one from this era anywhere. 

Check out the photos here

-Michael

Montana Canvas Tents

Saw this site the other day and had to share - very cool canvas tents.

Montana Canvas is located in Southwest Montana, just north of Yellowstone National Park, a perfect place to test our products. The wall tent, also referred to as a cabin tent, has a history and a legacy as old as the country. It provided shelter from the most severe elements for our early pioneers, trappers, miners, and hunters.

montanacanvas.com

Are bird feathers dirty?

I was always told never to pick-up feathers growing up because they were covered with diseases and feces by my Mother. At the time she said this I was probably eyeballing some icky twice-run-over, dirt-bag pigeon feathers in a Dunkin Doughnuts parking lot or something as I was eating my second Boston Creme standing next to the '82 white Buick Skylark my parents owned at the time.
I turn my back for a second and Tanner has these seagull feathers that Jen gave her and I want to grab them away and say, "NO! Bad Baby! These are covered in poo and bird flu - you can't have them!"  Then she starts trying to fly around and it's great and Jen points out this is the Oregon coast, not a fast-food parking lot in Plainville, CT.

-Michael