Here in Minnesota, it’s that time of year when folks start going a little batty (see: cabin fever, SAD, the polar plunge). Or, in attempt to remain sane, especially in this season of extreme chilliness, they make a break for it. I live near the airport. Firsthand tales regaled while shuttling friends and family as part of my personal park-n-ride will have to suffice until my own warm-weather getaway in March. Lately, though, even the most basic suggestions of summer make my eyes glaze while my imagination hustles me off to a beach somewhere. Like this inexpensive warm-sunset-hued terry towel. A symbol of hope—or cabin fever.

Have a favorite beachy gadget? Comment about it below or drop me an email.

A full-sized, stainless steel fork and spoon are hiding in there, alongside your standard pocket knife, file, bottle opener and corkscrew. A budget backpacker essential.

Pretty TSA-friendly silicone tubes with a wide opening, for easy filling. Select the correct contents label to display in the ID window—key, since most toiletries look the same naked. Love the little suction cup on the medium size, for sticking temporarily to tile for hands-free dispensing.

(via jacob heftmann)

TrustyPony’s going on break until the new year—woo-hoo! I’m leaving you with my final reminder about the very worthy Passports with Purpose fundraiser, wherein you donate money to a fantastic world cause (Heifer International) in the form of $10 raffle tickets that could win you some crazy-awesome travel prizes—hotel stays, cooking lessons, camera gear, books and much, much more. All prizes were arranged by travel bloggers, and TrustyPony’s offering is this Solio magnesium, a solar charger you can hook to the back of your pack, or stick to your hostel window, or prop outside your tent to soak up the sun’s rays, which it stores to charge your phone, camera, GPS unit or similar electronic. That’s a $170 value for just a $10 raffle ticket, and not many people have signed up for the Solio, so your chances, right now, are very, very good. We’re just a couple hundred dollars short of our $5,000 dollar goal. Help us meet it! (Instructions on entering below.)

Enjoy these last few days of 2008, and check back for the scoop on great new gear in the new year. Happy holidays & travels!

To win:

1. Go to the Passports with Purpose website. Write down the code(s) for the prize(s) you want to win.
2. Head to the First Giving page before midnight on December 29th. (You can also get there directly from the PWP prizes page.) For each $10 donation you make, you’ll be entered into the raffle for the prize of your choice. Remember to enter the prize code in the “comments” field on the form. (The Solio is G02.) Also, don’t hide your email. We need it to tell you if you’ve won.
3. Pat yourself on the back for helping support Heifer International’s goal of ending world hunger.
4. Enjoy the holidays while you patiently wait. Winners chosen on December 30th.

Portable tablets that transform an unassuming glass of water into a great-tasting, electrolyte-laden, carb- and sugar-free drink. Like popular sports “ade”s, but without the toxic colors and sugars. They dissolve quickly, sans fizz, and travel fantastically in their little plastic tube, ready for any vacation hydration situation (extreme heat, illness, mega hike, hangover). I’m a big fan of the Orange Ginger flavor.

Plugs into a car or regular outlet to make wet snowboard or ski boots warm and dry for the next day’s runs.

(Via the NYTimes’ Shedding the Mud-Puddle Look).

To contain—or protect from—wetness in a pretty manner. Good for damp bathing suits, wet bibs, wee toiletries or small electronics. This one’s the smallest version, at just 8″ X 7″. Keep in mind that they’re all handmade, with lots of fabric patterns available.

It’s fundraiser Monday, again! Another reminder about the fan-friggin’-tastic travel prizes you can win for just $10 a ticket, all in support of a good cause. This time, I’m featuring a prize put up by Away.com: A big ol’ Eagle Creek Duffel with collapsible dividers, horseshoe zip-open, fleece-lined camera pocket and interior spill-resistant toiletry pocket. It’s got hideaway backpack straps, too.

Remember the drill?

1. Go to the Passports with Purpose website. Write down the code(s) for the prize(s) you want to win.
2. Then, head to the First Giving page. (You can also get there directly from the PWP prizes page.) For each $10 donation you make, you’ll be entered into the raffle for the prize of your choice. (TrustyPony’s got a fancy Solio solar charger up for grabs.) Remember to enter the prize code in the “comments” field on the form. Also, don’t hide your email. We need it to tell you if you’ve won.
3. Pat yourself on the back for helping support Heifer International’s goal of ending world hunger.
4. Cross your fingers and wait. Winners chosen on December 30th.

Yet another way to avoid purchasing the dreaded convenience store plastic water bottle, even when you’re away from home—and your usual filtration system. This brand new unit, made of food-grade silicone, squishes into popular wide-mouth bottles including Nalgene and Camelback, making tap water cleaner and better tasting. Comes with two filters, good for about 100 liters each.

Between now and December 18th, use the code “tapguard” during checkout on Guyot Designs’ site to get 25% off your entire order.

Here it is, folks. The first solar laptop bag that can fully power a laptop. According to Voltaic, give the 15-Watt solar panel about five hours of full sunshine and the internal battery is fully charged and ready to do the same for your computer. One hour will give you 20 to 45 minutes, depending on your laptop, or could fully charge a smaller electronic, such as your iPod, phone or camera. You could plug into a wall to generate a charge as well. The bag itself is made from recycled plastic soda bottles, making it waterproof and UV-resistant. My experience with Voltaic and other solar products has taught me that when they say “full sunshine,” they mean “full sunshine.” If you need the charge, get serious about your panel placement.