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So I havent posted very much, mostly because my device is an ipod touch and its a pain. But ill give an update here and Ive got a few questions ill slide in as well.
I got started on this journey last July, the rig is a '97 Standard cab Tacoma 4x4 with standard height camper shell. The shell is fiberglass has a flip down slider where it meets the trucks rear slider and 2 small screened sliders on the sides at the back corners. Glass is tinted and the inside is a carpet like material to provide some insulation.
Basic set up, bed frame just above the wells with under storage and a small 1ft gap on the side for taller items with some hanging storage above it. Very minimalistic set up.
Gear includes hiking equipment,a 15 degree sleeping bag, a 9x9 ez up, a 10x10 screen house, basic 4 man tent, ultralight 2.5 man tent, camping chairs, a small propane catalyst style heater, some fans and tools of course.
The bed sits on plywood, then an old sleeping bag, then a 2.5'' memory foam mattress, and then a down comforter.
Back in July I left from NJ headed towards the west coast because my team was in the National pool tournament in Las Vegas. I had already been prepping for a trip out west and this was the final catalyst as I was provided with money for travel. So I slapped together the rig grabbed done life documents and hit the road.
Went south down 81 through Skyline down to Memphis, then west through Dallas, NM, AZ and eventually to Ocean Beach San Diego. I must say its van dweller heaven here, so many people doing it that as long as you follow the general parking signs you have no worries since on any given street theres at least 4 other vehicles doing the same thing. Its crazy how many people live on the streets here.
After that I went to Vegas for the tourny, our team did well we made it to the money rounds and finished 125 out of 716. I was happy and made it out of Vegas after spending 10 days there with $60 more than I came with. And I did not gamble, that was just the difference from the winnings and my expenses from the 10 days, so no complaints. Just Vegas isnt my kind of town. Favorite part was bouldering in Red rock canyon.
After that I had no where to be so I kept on truckin. Hiked Mt. Charleston, Hilltop campground I highly recommend it. Then I cut back east and hit the Hoover Dam, marvel if engineering but meh, id skip it.
Then I spent a night at the flagstaff cracker barrel, no problems. Went south to Sedona, awesome dropping into the Valley on 89a coming from north to South, went swimming in Oak creek with cathedral rock in distance, awesome.
Headed back north after that and took 180 past Flagstaff headed for the canyon. What a fantastic ride, cant say enough about that stretch. Perhaps it was just because I grew up in the pine barrens of New Jersey, but being around those trees again it just put me at ease.
Got to the canyon, checked it out, too touristy not my bag. However I will not downplay the canyon, it was impressive of course. Followed the south rim east towards the tower and at Grand Viewpoint I hiked down into the canyon about 25% the way. It was there I obtained the perspective of the enormity and true appreciation for the canyon I had expected and desired.
After the canyon, I only spent about 5 hours there, I was headed toward Page and ultimately Denver. However once I got towards Antelope canyon the road ended up being closed....damn! Rather than double back 2 hours I just continued on along 89 I believe and hot to the Marble Canyon/Lees Ferry area. It was getting dark and I saw brown signs so I followed them into the Glen Canyon Lees Ferry area.
I found a nice beach, Paria beach and came to find out that the river I was sitting on the banks of was in fact the mighty Colorado. Just up the hill was the Lees Ferry campground, a great deal at $12 a night. The stars were incredible, the river ever present and the canyon nearby full of adventure and history. I made friends with and older guy named Steve. He had a 2 man Kayak so the next morning we set out on the Colorado. While on the river there were wild horses running free along the banks, following along as if they were studying us the same way we were to them.Incredible what can happen when you just go with the flow, this was truly a defining and justifying moment for me.
I believe Ill need to split this up, tapatalk is running out of room.
I got started on this journey last July, the rig is a '97 Standard cab Tacoma 4x4 with standard height camper shell. The shell is fiberglass has a flip down slider where it meets the trucks rear slider and 2 small screened sliders on the sides at the back corners. Glass is tinted and the inside is a carpet like material to provide some insulation.
Basic set up, bed frame just above the wells with under storage and a small 1ft gap on the side for taller items with some hanging storage above it. Very minimalistic set up.
Gear includes hiking equipment,a 15 degree sleeping bag, a 9x9 ez up, a 10x10 screen house, basic 4 man tent, ultralight 2.5 man tent, camping chairs, a small propane catalyst style heater, some fans and tools of course.
The bed sits on plywood, then an old sleeping bag, then a 2.5'' memory foam mattress, and then a down comforter.
Back in July I left from NJ headed towards the west coast because my team was in the National pool tournament in Las Vegas. I had already been prepping for a trip out west and this was the final catalyst as I was provided with money for travel. So I slapped together the rig grabbed done life documents and hit the road.
Went south down 81 through Skyline down to Memphis, then west through Dallas, NM, AZ and eventually to Ocean Beach San Diego. I must say its van dweller heaven here, so many people doing it that as long as you follow the general parking signs you have no worries since on any given street theres at least 4 other vehicles doing the same thing. Its crazy how many people live on the streets here.
After that I went to Vegas for the tourny, our team did well we made it to the money rounds and finished 125 out of 716. I was happy and made it out of Vegas after spending 10 days there with $60 more than I came with. And I did not gamble, that was just the difference from the winnings and my expenses from the 10 days, so no complaints. Just Vegas isnt my kind of town. Favorite part was bouldering in Red rock canyon.
After that I had no where to be so I kept on truckin. Hiked Mt. Charleston, Hilltop campground I highly recommend it. Then I cut back east and hit the Hoover Dam, marvel if engineering but meh, id skip it.
Then I spent a night at the flagstaff cracker barrel, no problems. Went south to Sedona, awesome dropping into the Valley on 89a coming from north to South, went swimming in Oak creek with cathedral rock in distance, awesome.
Headed back north after that and took 180 past Flagstaff headed for the canyon. What a fantastic ride, cant say enough about that stretch. Perhaps it was just because I grew up in the pine barrens of New Jersey, but being around those trees again it just put me at ease.
Got to the canyon, checked it out, too touristy not my bag. However I will not downplay the canyon, it was impressive of course. Followed the south rim east towards the tower and at Grand Viewpoint I hiked down into the canyon about 25% the way. It was there I obtained the perspective of the enormity and true appreciation for the canyon I had expected and desired.
After the canyon, I only spent about 5 hours there, I was headed toward Page and ultimately Denver. However once I got towards Antelope canyon the road ended up being closed....damn! Rather than double back 2 hours I just continued on along 89 I believe and hot to the Marble Canyon/Lees Ferry area. It was getting dark and I saw brown signs so I followed them into the Glen Canyon Lees Ferry area.
I found a nice beach, Paria beach and came to find out that the river I was sitting on the banks of was in fact the mighty Colorado. Just up the hill was the Lees Ferry campground, a great deal at $12 a night. The stars were incredible, the river ever present and the canyon nearby full of adventure and history. I made friends with and older guy named Steve. He had a 2 man Kayak so the next morning we set out on the Colorado. While on the river there were wild horses running free along the banks, following along as if they were studying us the same way we were to them.Incredible what can happen when you just go with the flow, this was truly a defining and justifying moment for me.
I believe Ill need to split this up, tapatalk is running out of room.
