Michele Forto traces the November route before Robert rolls: Metallica at Sphere on Saturday, noon Sunday out of the lights, Bryce Canyon that night, coffee in Tropic and Highway 12 toward Moab, Arches or Island in the Sky, I-70 through Glenwood Canyon, Carbondale coffee, Estes Park from the east because Trail Ridge is likely closed. Then the Association for Experiential Education conference at the YMCA of the Rockies, November 12–14.

This is not a travelogue. Team & Trail did not build a 501(c)(3) to post sunsets. The parks on that corridor: Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands, Glenwood Canyon, Rocky Mountain National Park, are public classrooms. If the people teaching on that land are underfunded, exhausted, or performing instead of practicing, the land pays, and so do the kids who get one first trip.

Michele’s ask: support programs that still work when the founder is not on the sled and the weather is not pretty. If you know an organization doing honest outdoor leadership on a thin budget, send them to the Foundation.

Field notes: teamandtrail.com

Conference: aee.org (ASCEND: Growing Community, Elevating Practice)

Team and Trail exists to remove barriers and help more people get outdoors. This episode opens with the next step in that mission.

The Team and Trail Foundation is accepting applications for the Lead Dog Access Program. Each year the Foundation supports up to six individuals through the complete Lead Dog service dog curriculum at a discounted rate of $9,600, paid to the Foundation. Selected teams receive the full training experience, not a shortened program.

We give priority to veterans and individuals living with PTSD, people with mobility, psychiatric, or autism-related disabilities, and applicants from rural Alaska and other underserved communities.

Apply here: https://teamandtrail.com/lead-dog-access-program/

Questions: explore@teamandtrail.org

Help underwrite placements: https://donorbox.org/team-and-trail-foundation-ldap

Free public workshops on service dog partnership, outdoor access, and leadership through the human–dog team will be announced soon.

The Team & Trail Fall Tour is hitting the road.

In this episode, Michele Forto shares what’s ahead as Robert prepares for a Northern Route drive from Seattle to the New York area in September 2026. The trip will cover thousands of miles over a couple of weeks, with Podcast Movement in New York serving as the main professional stop along the way.

But Team & Trail is making the miles part of the mission. Throughout the journey, Robert will host informal coffee meetups in select towns along the route. No presentations. No formal agenda. Just a chance to sit down, meet people, and talk about the trails we’re all navigating, from outdoor adventures and work projects to the decisions that shape where we go next.

The trip will also include stops at places like Glacier National Park, the Badlands, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, while documenting what a long-distance working road trip actually looks like.

If you’re somewhere along the Northern Route this September, keep an eye on Team & Trail. We might be coming through your town.

Team & Trail is heading to Transylvania for Halloween 2028.

In this episode, Michele Forto shares an early look at an eight-day journey through Romania built around the history of Vlad the Impaler, the real figure behind the Dracula legend. The adventure will take Robert and Michele through medieval towns, historic sites, Romanian folklore, and three special Halloween nights, including a celebration at Bran Castle.

But this trip is about more than Dracula. Michele talks about their longtime love of horror and Halloween, the opportunity to separate Vlad's history from the legend that followed, and how exploring a place shaped by history, folklore, and challenging landscapes connects with the mission of the Team & Trail Foundation.

The trip may still be two years away, but the adventure has officially begun.

What better way to celebrate America's 250th birthday than with a road trip along one of the country's most beautiful coastlines?

In this episode of Team and Trail, Michele Forto shares the story of an unforgettable Independence Day adventure to the Oregon Coast. Alongside Robert, Chaser, and Dream, the journey included flying kites on Cannon Beach, standing beneath the iconic Haystack Rock, exploring filming locations from The Goonies in Astoria, and reflecting on the legacy of Lewis and Clark at the National Historical Park.

The trip also included one of the best barbecue meals they've ever experienced at the Cannon Beach Smokehouse and countless reminders that the best adventures are about more than the destination. They're about the memories you make along the way.

Whether you're planning your own Oregon Coast vacation or looking for inspiration for your next road trip, this episode is filled with ideas, history, and stories from the trail.

What happens when you finally check one of the biggest items off your travel bucket list?

In this episode of Team and Trail, Michele Forto shares the story of her and Robert's first trip to the legendary Indianapolis 500. From the incredible traditions at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to witnessing one of the closest finishes in race history, this weekend became much more than simply attending a race.

The adventure continued at Indiana Beach, one of America's classic amusement parks, where nostalgic charm and unforgettable roller coasters created another highlight of the trip. Along the way, Michele reflects on why travel matters, how shared experiences strengthen relationships, and why every adventure begins with saying yes.

Whether you're a racing fan, roller coaster enthusiast, or someone planning your next road trip, this episode is full of inspiration for your own bucket list.

What does it really take to build a world-class off-road expedition in Alaska?

In this episode of the Team & Trail Podcast, Robert sits down with Cooper to break down Alaska Off-Road Expedition, a business designed to unlock remote Alaska for travelers who want more than a typical vacation. From guided overland trips and custom itineraries to camping in the backcountry and partnering with local excursion providers, this conversation dives into how adventure, logistics, and leadership all come together.

They discuss who these trips are really for, what a multi-day expedition looks like, the realities of Alaska travel, and how experiences are built around the client. If you have ever thought about exploring Alaska beyond the road system, this episode gives you a clear look at what that actually involves.

Alaska Offroad Expedition

In this episode of the Team & Trail Podcast, Robert and Cooper break down the real-world differences between traveling solo and going with a group on off-road adventures in Alaska. From risk management and mechanical failures to communication systems and group dynamics, they share firsthand stories and practical advice for beginners and experienced explorers alike.

You’ll hear why most problems compound quickly in the backcountry, how communication tools like GMRS radios and satellite devices can make or break a trip, and why group travel is often the best starting point for new off-roaders. Whether you’re planning your first trip or refining your expedition strategy, this episode offers grounded insight from the trail.