Xscape Pod

05/30/2023

02/23/2023

Don’t Forget to scrape ‘em if you see ‘em!

11/24/2022

We are beyond thankful for all of you who have invited us on your adventures outside this year! HAPPY THANKSGIVING from the Xscape Pod family to yours!

11/11/2022

On the 11th day of the 11th month we honor the heroes from the American Revolution to those in uniform today. We recognize all those who have served this country and appciate you and the sacrifices you have made.

“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude.”

-Harry S. Truman

From the Veterans on our team to all Veterans, we thank you.

10/07/2022

Looking for a place to watch the leaves change this year? Check out this "KOA BLOG" post for a list of 6 places on the east coast! NEED GEAR? We've got you covered. Visit Xscapepod.com for a complete kit to get you started. We'd love to hear from you!

Also stay tuned as we will be out and about hiking and enjoying some of the fall foliage here in Western PA.

Blog Post:
https://koa.com/blog/koas-guide-to-an-east-coast-road-trip-for-the-best-fall-foliage/ #:~:text=Jim%20Thorpe%2C%20Pennsylvania,festival%20to%20celebrate%20the%20season.

09/14/2022

Some good information for those of you visiting National Parks in the next couple weeks as the weather stays warm.

While out exploring Great Smoky Mountain National Park, you've likely seen a rock cairn or two. The term rock cairn comes from the Gaelic term meaning "heaps of stones". These stacks of balanced rocks have been used as an important navigational tool throughout history. However, it is important to be aware of the downsides of building them inside our park.

Building rock cairns disturbs the natural habitat of the park wildlife including salamanders and fish that nest underneath the rocks. It can also dislodge plants and soil growing there giving way to erosion that may wash away these delicate habitats.

Do your part to help us protect these habitats by not moving or stacking rocks.

Find out more here: https://friendsofthesmokies.org/blog/dont-move-rocks/

08/15/2022

Check this out! We were in Denali National Park a few years ago, it truly is a beautiful place!

Denali is taller than Everest.

You read that right.

The peak of Mt. Everest is 29,032 feet (8,849m) above sea level, making it the mountain with the highest elevation. However, the base of Mount Everest is estimated to be 17,000 feet (5,200m), making the vertical rise of the mountain roughly only 12,000 feet (3,660m)!

Denali, however, has a very low base height of about 2000 feet (610m) with a peak of 20,310 feet. Making Denali's vertical rise estimated at 18,000 feet (5,500m)! Using this measurement it qualifies Denali as the tallest mountain on land in the world! This difference in elevation makes Denali an extremely challenging mountain to summit from base to peak.

Combine that with the lack of foothills and a low point in the park at about 250 feet (76m) above sea level. There are places in the park where you can stand and look up at a full 20,000 feet (6,100m) of mountain! All of these things play into the WOW factor of seeing Denali in all of its glory!

NPS Photo
Alt text: Low lying green tundra working up to gray/brown foothills, all the way up to the very snowy peaks of Denali.

08/11/2022

As the camping season and summer comes to a close be sure to stay on the lookout for our used gear sale! More info coming soon!

05/30/2022

Today we remember those who have served, continue to serve, and gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. God bless America.

Pictured is our local VFW Post 6233 officers and Memorial at Haywood cemetery.

05/04/2022

May the 4th be with you. We hope everybody is having a wonderful Star Wars day and an even better spring! We have availability starting in in July. Xscape the dark side by planing your next camping trip with us!

Jawas are passionate scavengers that comb the deserts for scraps to capture and sell. They have a reputation for swindling and selling hastily refurbished equipment and faulty droids. Be warned! Please stay alert and recreate responsibly. ⁣
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Did you know Death Valley National Park stood in for “Tatooine” in several scenes of the Star Wars movie series, including Episode IV -- A New Hope and Star Wars Episode VI -- Return of the Jedi? Today, visitors can tour familiar filming stops at Dantes View, Twenty Mule Team Canyon, Colorful Desolation Canyon, and the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.

On any visit to a national park, do as the Jawas do and stay hydrated and wear comfortable shoes.

Learn more "at at": https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/star-wars-in-death-valley.htm
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Image: Three costumed Jawas on a tour at Death Valley National Park during Death Valley Dark Sky Festival.⁣ P.S. Jawas are fictional characters. If you come across one in Death Valley, you may be overheated. Photo Courtesy Matthew Gray