I have two questions dealing with protection of the camera:

1. Does anyone have any good tips for transporting the camera well. Will the usual bumpiness and shock in traveling in a car or truck have the potential to damage the camera if it's kept in a non-protective, generic camera bag?

2. Also, should a weather protector always be worn when shooting on a beach or in similar outdoor enviroments? Does anyone have any good suggestions for a protective cover.

Thanks

When I got my GL-2, I went to the local Target department store.
For carrying, I got a generic but oversized backpack and then lined it with 3/4" thick foam.

That backpack fits inside an airline legal, hardshell wheeled pilot suitcase. A lot of my accessories (power supply, tape rewinder, extra boxes of tape) reside comfortably in the zippered back of the suitcase.

This combination was cheap (about $60-75 on sale) and does not scream out "I AM AN EXPENSIVE CAMERA-- PLEASE SOMEBODY STEAL ME!!"
(Remember that thieves look for camera cases, not someones PJs and undies.)

It has also survived a half-dozen 2,500mile trips around the Eastern US, plus several transcontinental flights to the Western US from my home in Florida.

Zero problems here.

For frequent trips to the beach and local bays, I don't use any covering but I'm very careful not to do anything stupid. If you need more protection, I'd certainly get one of the sealed plastic bag rain covers....