About

I’m Earl Gibson, a landscaper, self-taught tinkerer, author, and content creator based in southern Oregon. This website is my home base, a living manual for my community, documenting everything from mechanical repairs and DIY projects to the gear I pack when hitting the road.

My Mission

I aim to show the real process behind every adventure and review. I provide the resources and inspiration you need to build your own projects, explore new places, and live a life that isn’t tied to a desk.

Earl Gibson at Mayflower Bocawina National Park

My Story

My path hasn’t been a straight line, but it has always been hands-on. I started out in college as an art major, which led me into the advertising world, with side work in photography and digital media along the way. I spent the better part of a decade using those creative skills professionally, but I eventually felt the pull to be outdoors and work with my hands.

So I shifted gears and built a landscaping business. It was a return to my roots of tinkering with equipment to see how it worked. As a self-taught tinkerer, I spent eight years learning the mechanics of the tools I used every day to keep that business running, usually fixing them on the tailgate of my truck with a customer waiting.

Those two paths finally merged. The creative eye from art and advertising now shapes my videos, my photography, and my books. The grease under my fingernails makes sure every one of them is real.

The Books

Tailgate Small Engine Repair: String Trimmers, Book One, by Earl Gibson

Everything I learned in the field is becoming a shelf of practical books, starting with the Tailgate Small Engine Repair series. Book One: String Trimmers is out now, covering the diagnostic sequence I use on every dead engine, carb tuning in plain language, and 26 Field Warnings from mistakes that cost me real money. Every photo is from a real repair, not a stock image.

Also on Apple Books, Google Play, and right here on this site. More books are on the way, starting with leaf blowers.

Get the Book on Amazon

What You’ll Find Here

I don’t just report on gear; I use it. My content is shaped by a unique mix of professional design experience and hands-on, grit-and-grime field work. You can expect:

  • Technical Guides: Step-by-step mechanical repair and DIY projects, simplified for any skill level.
  • Books: Practical field manuals written from real experience, starting with the Tailgate Small Engine Repair series.
  • Outdoors & Travel: Practical gear reviews and travel experiences for those who value the outdoors.
  • Visual Storytelling: High-quality YouTube videos and photography driven by my background in art and advertising.

Work With Me

Whether you have a technical question, a community project idea, or a professional business proposal, I’d love to hear from you.

I bring a unique perspective to product reviews, brand sponsorships, media consulting, and content licensing. Use the form below for all inquiries, and I’ll do my best to respond within 48 hours.