Video: TimeScapes of the American Southwest

Filmmaker Tom Lowe has been shooting a new film entitled TimeScapes, which is set to make its debut soon, but ahead of its full release, he shared some of the footage a few days ago on Vimeo. Shot with a Red Epic camera, the footage is captured at four times the resolution of your HDTV, which translates to some stunning imagery to say the least. Check out a sample of his work below, which will remind you just how beautiful the American Southwest actually is.



TimeScapes 4K from Tom Lowe on Vimeo.

Non-Profit Warm Current Seeks To Inspire Youth Through Surfing

A non-profit organization known as Warm Current has kicked off a unique fund raising program today that will allow them to continue, and expand, their mission of inspiring youth and underserved communities through surfing.

Starting today and running through July 31st, the organization is holding its Faces of Warm Current fund raiser, which focuses on generating cash to purchase new surfboards, wetsuits, and a trailer for upcoming Warm Current surf camps. The minimum donations start at just $5 and anyone who contributes will be able to upload a photo or message of their choice, which will then be added to the side of the trailer in the form of a two inch by two inch tile. Those tiles will form a mosaic that shares your message or image with the young people who will be reached by the Warm Current surf camp program.

The organization sprang from a 2008 surf trip to South America, during which the three founders visited a number of communities where underprivileged people simply couldn't enjoy the water because they couldn't afford the resources necessary to take advantage of it. Observing the plight of those local people inspired the idea of helping underserved communities throughout the world to reconnect with the natural environment through surfing. Since then, hundreds of wetsuits and surfboards have been donated to the cause, which has already impacted lives here and abroad.

The plan is to continue sending surf gear to those South American communities that helped generate the idea for the organization, but to also expand the Warm Current surf camps in the Pacific Northwest to help inspire kids here in the States as well. The non-profit has three goals in mind, help underprivileged individuals connect with outdoor recreation; increase the awareness of the importance of environmental stewardship; and decrease the amount of waste generated by the outdoor community by recycling their surf gear.

For more information about Warm Currents and their fund raising efforts, check out the video below. You can also donate to the cause by clicking here.



The Faces of Warm Current from Warm Current on Vimeo.

8 Month Long, 6 Continent, Cycling Tour Annouced

Are you anticipating a little time off from work in the semi-near future? If so, you may want to sign up for the latest cycling tour announced by Pedalers Pub and Grille, an adventure travel company that specializes in cycling adventures all over the planet. In celebration of their 25th anniversary, the company has announced an epic ride that also comes with an epic price tag.

Dubbed the Once In A Lifetime Tour, this new option will send 30 lucky travelers off on an eight month long journey that will cross six continents and nearly 30 countries. The tour will kick-off in June of 2012 with a shakedown cruise in Vermont that will allow riders to get to know one another and get use to the rigors of the ride. From there, it's off to Europe, where they'll take a spin through France, Austria, Italy, and a number of other great cycling destinations. In the weeks that follow, the group will ride through parts of Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America, experiencing some great destinations along the way.

The tour won't come cheap though. If you want to join the fun, you'll need to plunk down $95,000, which includes all of your transportation costs, accommodations, most meals, guides on the trip, and a custom built bike. While nearly $100k for a vacation is a lot of money, you really are getting a lot for what you pay.

For more information on the trip, including a complete list of countries, click here, and for a detailed look at the itinerary, click here.