Change is unfolding at TrustyPony. Good change. The rotating photo gallery up there in the right-hand corner of the page, for example. Cool, eh? (Shout-out to Sevnthsin, the Chuck Norris of web design agencies, on that and all TrustyPony visual and technical awesomeness.) Very soon, in an effort to better serve the travelers who come here, I’ll start opening up comments, hoping for a little back and forth. Are you ready? To help get you in the mood, the next time I post, it will be to kick off a series of travel-gear giveaways. Your comment posted on any giveaway will work as your entry to win it. In the meantime, please enjoy this photo of my new dining room wall, as inspired by SkyMall. (That’s me, going into the closet to retrieve a board game. Probably backgammon.) This practically guarantees that every dinner party we host from here on out will include discussion of one of my all-time favorite topics: travel.

An Indiana Jones-style alternative to the fanny pack—rugged, yet refined and highly organized. Inside, discover a detachable keyring holder and pockets everywhere, including special ones for passport and camera. It’s made out of Teflon-treated cotton, which resists stains, wrinkles and water, and is machine washable, despite the scholarly leather-patch elbows. Safari? Supper club? Yes.

You knew it was coming, didn’t you? Give the detachable solar panel a good eight hours in the sun, then hang it inside your tent for eight hours of LED illumination at night.

You know how those huge mobile phones from the 80s look so ridiculous? Bulky camcorders are finally headed the same direction. Flip’s newest pocket version—just three ounces and about a half-inch thick—can hold sixty minutes of digital video. The USB port flips out of the top, so you can connect it directly to your computer for downloading or charging the built-in battery.

The Flight001 Bi-Annual Sale started today, with 30 to 75% off tons o’ stuff, all Flight001 web exclusives. There are a dangerous amount of covetable totes and suitcases and overnighters and duffels with prices slashed. I’m currently trying to rationalize purchase of this Orla Kiely lovely like the bagaholic I am. Even though it’s on sale, it would be the most expensive bag I own. On the other hand? Would last forever! Goes with everything! On sale!

Money’s tight all around, and camping is the ultimate cheap-o vacation. This here’s a nice tent for first-timers, especially. It’s solid, well priced and comes with the ability to charge your cell phone, iPod or hook up lighting. It sets up quickly and easily from the get-go, even though it’s wired with three 12V DC outlets. Power Pack sold separately for 50 bucks, as are the sweet accessories. I like the fan/light. Nice to have a little air circulation for sleeping.

This fancy 8.4-inch widescreen requires far less squinting than your little iPod. It plays DVDs and CDs, and charges your iPod while in use, too.

I’ve been dying for one of these. For. Ever. In my dreams, I stumble upon it in a grungy old salvage warehouse, successfully bargain its crusty owner down to double digits, then clean it up to use as a liquor cabinet in my office. Ah, well. It stands as further proof that Flight 001 offers all that’s cool in travel stuff.

Three solar panels embedded into this bag’s large exterior pocket effectively capture the sun’s power—about six hours of direct light should be enough to charge your iPod, phone or other handheld device (not laptops yet). It’s easy to figure out and comes with tons of adapters, including the travel kind, so you can use it overseas. Bonus: The bag’s made entirely from recycled plastic bottles.

Behold: The Perfect Flying Pant, stretchy and pajama-soft, with that rare combo of class and comfort.

Made of money? Get the matching cashmere hoodie, too.