Save the Planet, Wear Sustainable Tour: Meet Our New Master Roadtrippers

When one eco-friendly trailer door closes, another opens. While Dr. Drew's passion for sustainability and general stoke for life have been integral to launching our Save the Planet, Wear Sustainable mobile tour, his time on the road has come to an end. While Drew returns to the Toad mothership in Santa Barbara, CA, we're kicking off a new chapter of the tour in Freeport, ME—with a new rad couple at the wheel. Meet Rob and Rachel. Originally from Atlanta (Rob) and Connecticut (Rachel), the pair met at Appalachian State University, tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. They most recently lived in Denver where Rob worked as a land use planner and Rachel was working with geographic information systems for the city. Now, they're onto their next big adventure as they hit the road to spread the word about how we're helping to clean up the apparel industry. Toad HQ: What made you want to join the Save the Planet, Wear Sustainable tour? Rachel: We had been tossing around the idea of a big road trip for a while now, so when we heard about the tour through my sister Sam (who works at the Toad&Co Freeport store), we knew we wanted in! I've been a big fan of Toad for a while now and love the word that this tour is spreading. Rob: We're already fans of the brand and really support Toad's ecologically responsible practices. We really wanted to be a part of increasing awareness of the environmental impacts of the apparel industry (4th largest global polluter—real bummer) and offering an alternative (go nude, or wear sustainable clothing). It was a no brainer! What are you most excited about in the months ahead as you lead the charge on the STP tour? Rob: I'm excited to see parts of the country that I've never been to, and engage the local communities as we raise awareness about sustainability. Rachel: Aside from the two stops (Freeport and Chicago) on this next leg, every place will be new so I'm really stoked to see cities we haven't been to and connect with the people in those communities. What's your favorite U.S. city to visit? Rachel: It's always whatever's next! Recently, we've spent a lot of time in Santa Fe and we love it. The sunsets, food, and hiking are killer. What about your favorite national park? Rachel: Rocky Mountain National Park, without a doubt. Rob: Ditto! Living in Denver gave us the opportunity to spend plenty of time there. I'm stoked to visit new parks along the trip, especially Glacier NP and Northern Cascades NP. Who knows—maybe we'll wrap up our time on the tour with a new favorite... How about your favorite road trip songs? Rob: Can't go wrong with a long Phish or Dead jam to crush some miles! Rachel: You'll usually find me listening to some folk or bluegrass. There's a lot of John Prine and Vampire Weekend in my current rotation. Which one of you is most likely to get caught belting out your favorite tunes while driving? Rachel: We have a few solid duets in our repertoire, but probably me! At Toad, we stand by the idea that every day is an adventure. What are your best tips for living life this way? Rob: Go for it! If you've ever wanted to do something, you can find a way. Rachel: And don't wait. Just make it happen! What outdoor activities get you most fired up? Rob: Backpacking and fly fishing. But also into hiking, cycling, running, and climbing. I guess this is also how I live every day as an adventure! Rachel: I love biking around to check out new spots, backpacking and hiking, and I've recently gotten into fly fishing with Rob. Even the most adventurous of us need a little downtime. How do you like to spend yours? Rachel: I love to bake (mostly pies) and garden. Rob: Playing guitar, eating good food, and an occasional binge watch on a rainy day. Can you share your best hacks for living life on the road sustainably? Rob: Bring reusable cups and utensils, say "for here!" when ordering food and coffee, wear clothes a lot between washes (dirty is the new clean), and stop to make food on the road. Rachel: We try to limit our waste as much as possible—make our own food, bring to-go containers, eat in if we don't have them, and always say no to straws! If we learned one thing from Drew, it's that the search for the best cup of coffee and most tasty beer is critical on a long road trip (just kidding, Dr. Drew, you taught us a lot). What's currently topping your list? Rachel: I'll get a vanilla latte when I'm treating myself, and my old neighborhood coffee shop in Denver, Queen City Collective, makes the best cuppa Joe. When it comes to beer, I'm really into the Milkshake IPA right now. WeldWerks in Colorado does 'em best. Rob: You can't go wrong with a good IPA, clear or hazy. Right now we're in Maine and I'm loving Lunch from Maine Beer Co. For coffee, I typically go for a local light roast in whichever city we're in. Have you ever gone nude in the name of sustainability (we have to ask...)? Rachel: We haven't yet, but anything's possible on the tour, right?! What are your favorite Toad clothes to keep it comfy on the road? Rachel: Definitely the Hillrose Short Sleeve Shirt (in the Pink Sand Resort print) when I'm feeling fun! And the Tara Hemp Pant—the perfect summer pant. Dress 'em up, dress 'em down. Rob: I love the Taj Hemp Short Sleeve Slim Shirt and the Rover Short! Learn more about the Save the Planet, Wear Sustainable tour and find out if we're coming to your neck of the woods.