Van-Tramp adventures 2015

[Van-Tramp]

Hello again everyone. I realize that I have been very quit this past month so I am here to get caught up on my adventure sharing.

I left Northern California on Jan 1st of this year, taking two days to drive to Southern California where I met up with an old friend for a guy's night out at the Morongo Casino off I-10. My destination after that was to make my way into Quartsize to hang out with you all at the RTR, but since I had a few days to kill and I was not far away from an Airstream family I met last year, I decided to pop in to see them for those few days. 

And here is where I will get caught up over the next few days.



Jan 2, 2015 - The return to way of the goose
My van (not me) has been sitting in northern California since prior to Thanksgiving while I finished off my 2014 plans. At noon on the 1st I officially turned Big Blue to the South to make my next scheduled stop in Quartsite, Arizona. There I meet up with other van-dwellers for their annual rendezvous .

Although I had five days to make the drive, I already sit within striking distance of the border after only two short days of driving. I have little desire to hang around California, though it appears I will for a few more days to make an unscheduled meet up with others not far from tonight’s resting place off Interstate 10. My inner-goose seems OK with the delay. Honestly, I’m just happy to be flying free again, even with an appearance scheduled in a few days, I do not have the rat-race of a schedule from these past two months.
In honor of my inner-goose… Ka-kaa! Ka-kaa!

 

[Van-Tramp]

Jan 6 - Anza-Borrego Desert
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/anza-borrego-desert/

The shindig continues even with some additions to the crowd of RVs in the desert. I believe we were above 15 trailers, buses, and vans all camping within this quarter mile stretch of desert. Personally, I’m just along for the ride, meeting some new folks and others that I hoped to meet for some years now.

The cranium has accepted a few more names into memory, which must be close to the max I can hold:  Chris and Cherie of Technomadia, Glenn of To Simplify, and Nina & Paul of Wheeling It – one of the very first blogs I followed when I started this life. There are still many others I have just not been able to catalog just yet. Surely this a test of my socializing skills.

 

[Van-Tramp]

Jan 8 - Distracted in Borrego Springs
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/distracted-in-borrego-springs/

Long time readers know my disdain towards California, but here I still am – in California – 8 days after being van-bound again. You would think that I have many adventurous stories to tell of Moose and I, but I do not. In fact, blogging (or even snapping photos) has taken a back-burner position in my life the past few days so I will try to catch up in one mega-post. (I am borrowing photos from other sites for this post)

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Dronie shot of Airstream row (Photo: @malimish_airstream)

That is not to say that I’ve been a hermit in the desert, in fact quite the opposite has taken hold since arriving in Borrego Springs. Yesterday for instance, after dog-napping Francis who comes on Moose’s morning walk every morning, it took nearly an hour to traverse the quarter mile to the paddock now brimming with Airstreams just down the road. Distance was not the culprit of the long travel time; socializing is/was. The group easily tops 40 adults, more than a few children, and ample K9’s to go around (not to mention the felines on the road too) and they are all great company and worthy of more than just a passing hello.
[img=840x563]http://www.aluminarium.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/group.jpg[/img]Just a sampling of the group (photo; Aluminarium)
A few nights prior, many in the group got together for “Anarchy Soup” (everyone brings an ingredient and it *all* goes in) and an outdoor movie projected onto the side of the classic bus owned by Tehcnomadia. The soup was not as bad as you may imagine, and the movie was funny (sorry, I can not recall the name) and perfect for the crowd that gathered.
One must keep in mind, this was not a planned get-together. It has happened organically thanks to social media (particularly Instagram as much as I hate to admit it) after only a few people announced their location. Even I had no idea I was stopping here until I did.
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On another day, a hike was organized between three people during one afternoon which quickly turned into a hike of epic portions with 6 full vehicles of people, children, and dogs numbering at least 30. Even Moose got to strut his stuff off leash for the 3 mile round trip hike into Slot Canyon.

Following the day-time adventures, the crowd transitions into happy-hour each night as the sun hangs low in the sky. The crowd gathers around the communal fire ring and the laughter and pure silliness pour from everyone in the circle. This is the time in which activities that I would rarely – if ever – take part in are every day occurrences… although I am still more a spectator than participant, to everyone’s dismay.

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Cherie fire dancing (Photo: @asolojourner)

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Girls gone wild on Karaoke night (photo: @aluminarium)

My departure date to arrive in Quartsite was to be the 6th, but I am having a very difficult time leaving this party-in-the-desert. I feel compelled to play this out and see where it all leads me. A fashionably late arrival to the RTR in Q is still on the docket, but I must admit it is at risk.

Blogs & Instagrams of the others sharing in this experience:
Aluminarium
Airstream Life
@asolojourner
@dreaknufken
@journeywithhappiness
@kmpuccio
@malimish_airstream
@russhaynie
@sethkhughes
Tehcnomadia
@theroamingpint
The Scenic Route
@toddmb
To Simplify
@upintheairstream
Wheelingit
(Thanks to Leigh of Aluminarium for compiling this list, surely a full day’s work on it’s own)

 

[Van-Tramp]

Jan 10 - Quartsite-bound
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/quartsite-bound/

One thing you can trust about me is that what I have planned today will not be what actually happens tomorrow. Trying to get me too 100% commit to an appearance is on par with achieving world peace. With all adventures of recent non-planning coming too an end, the draw to live up to my word of being in Q for the RTR has been ringing loud in my mind’s ear.


And so, this weekend I will travel the few hundred miles to finally leave my most hated of states – after almost two full months being here – and say hello to the many like minded vannies (is that a word?) already gathered in the Arizona desert near Quartsite. I may arrive five days late (and sometimes early) but will I arrive nonetheless…

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photo: WheelingIt

As some of you may know, I did make a short 1-day visit to the camp at Q, but left early the next morning. I will admit now that my distraction and reason for such a short visit was that I met a woman while in Borrego Springs. She is another full-timer and things were just taking off during these days. I had decided that the RTR would always be here but the opportunity to see where "we" went would not necessarily be, so I chose her over the RTR this year. I will see you all next year then!

 

[Van-Tramp]

Jan 12 - Font’s Point


I appear to be one of the last to head out and explore Font’s Point in the Borrego Springs State Park. I kept hearing stories of the sunsets from the view point that overlooks the badlands, and on one of the final nights in Borrego Springs the trek was made. Worth it? You tell me…

 

[Van-Tramp]

Jan 15 - Ricardo Breceda sculptures
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/ricardo-breceda-sculptures/

Surrounding Borrego Springs is more than 100 sculptures, all part of an enormous outdoor gallery of Ricardo Breceda’s visions of creatures that once roamed this part of California.

A more dedicated photographer might visit the sculptures during ideal lighting – over many mornings and evenings – to capture the full majesty of each. Me, I am happy to just get a few mediocre mid-day images to remember that time I walked with the Sea Serpent in the desert.

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[Van-Tramp]

Jan 20 - Separated from sunrise
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/separated-from-sunrise/

It has been a few days since my last semi-adventurous post, but the harsh reality is that I have little to report. I will give you what I can:

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A few days ago I left Big Blue in the capable hands of Leigh and Drea who were nice enough to haul it to our next camping location. The van is now empty, but hanging out with the others just off Interstate 8 in Southern California. I separated from Big Blue to accompany a beautiful woman to the greater Los Angeles area. It didn’t take much convincing on my part. I am told that my role during this 3-day trip is that of a body guard but something sinister lurks… I can feel it.

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Moose did get to hang out at the local dog-beach, until he got fixated on humping another dog, at which time we had to leave. I took the time to go see a movie in an actual theater… something I rarely do these days.
Since arriving in Long Beach yesterday, I have been wondering just why people wish to live this way. With buildings so tightly packed together, one can not even enjoy the morning sunrise. The sounds of doors slamming, people yelling, and sirens kept Moose on edge all night. I, on the other hand, slept like the dead in a proper cushy bed following a most pleasing of hot showers that lasted until the water began to run cold. Prune-fingers and all baby!

Along with the hot water I get use of 120v power for a few days which will allow me to catch up on some work, and hopefully even get ahead a bit so when I return to Big Blue in the Southern California desert I will have more time to enjoy those spectacular sunrises and sunsets that modern city life strips from you without consent.

[img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_1684-1024x576.jpg[/img]

 

[Van-Tramp]

Jan 24 - Lazy Lizard Saloon
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/lazy-lizard-saloon/

I still have yet to leave California, instead choosing to hang around with the small Airstream crowd that have continued to let me “van-up” the place. Last night, we…

…instead of me writing up a blog post describing what happened, let me just send you off to Aluminarium who does a great job of it. Needless to say, we had a lot of laughs.

Click me softly for the full story

Image credit: Aluminarium

 

[Van-Tramp]

Jan 27 - Plaster City
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/plaster-city/

Following the short trip into the greater LA area, I returned to camping with the Airstream crowd who took Big Blue along with them from Borrego Springs about an hour South just of Interstate 8 not far out of El Centro, CA at an OHV area called Plaster City (because of the plaster factory in that area, I assume). Moose and I spent only a few days camping there, one of which included the now infamous trip to the Lazy Lizard Saloon… the rest being too boring to blog about. As I type this, we have all already moved another 68 miles East, yet still in California (only just), which I will discuss in a future post.

I’ve done few ‘adventurous’ things in these past week worthy of writing about, and for that I apologize. The daily life of working, eating, drinking, and socializing has become the norm for me, and honestly I’m OK with it. Although I have tended to be more on my own in the past years which means I entertain myself with more exciting things to write about, this new way of traveling (slowly with a group) has some major benefits; mainly in the meeting of some great friends whom I am finding increasingly enjoyable to be around.

Image credit: Aluminarium

 

[Van-Tramp]

Jan 28 - Trailer trash launch party
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/trailer-trash-launch-party/

So yea, if you haven’t heard, I’ve been hanging around a group of Airstreamers (and a WanderLodge) for some time now. One of the couples (Aluminarium) have been developing a web site with a huge database of free and paid RV camping, including tons of boondocking locations. The site publicly launched on Tuesday so be sure to check it out; Campendium

[img=438x75]https://www.campendium.com/assets/logo-c2410c429f9715e0da91dd7b74aed315.gif[/img]
Tuesday night, the group of us got together of a trailer trash launch party which included some foods right up my alley. Frito Pie (Chilli and Fritos served in the bag… yum!), tune casserole, tater tots, and Nilla wafer banana pudding. It sounds scary enough right? Then add some Rum Punch, and a few Tecate’s, and the night really took off.

See more at Aluminarium

Tum’s to the rescue!

 

[Van-Tramp]

Jan 29 - American Girl Mine Road
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/american-girl-mine-road/

I’d like to say I have some manly adventures to report, but I continue to fail those vicarious followers. Since leaving our boondocking location near Plaster City, California, it has been days of work and evenings of happy-hours and socializing. Not necessarily picturesque environments to tease people into the van lifestyle (see image below).

[img=802x477]http://www.aluminarium.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/campendium-launch-airstream.jpg[/img]The Aluminarium trailer with Campendium flag in the wind. (Photo: Aluminarium)

The camp has moved to American Girl Mine Road (map), just a few miles short of the California/Arizona border. Yes, I too thought there would be some woman clothed in the red white & blue (and nothing else) and I can not acknowledge if I have found just such a woman or not. You will just have to come here and see for yourself. American Girl Mine Road has been a peaceful, flat, desert in which to hunker down for a few days of not-so-hard labor and prepare for a Thursday afternoon hop into Mexico for a teeth cleaning.

Following that, I believe my body-guarding duties will be reestablished as I follow a particular reflective trailer to destinations unknown. The others and I are finally parting ways (in every imaginable direction) for the first time since Jan 3rd. Only then will the real adventures will begin.

 

[Van-Tramp]

Jan 31 - Los Algodones tooth cleaning
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/los-algodones-tooth-cleaning/

I’m far from one of the first people to use a dentist in Mexico for regular dental work, and there are many better resources then this blog on that subject. Still, I feel compelled to write a blog post and the trip into Los Algodones is the most recent happening in my van-life.

The trip went easy enough; parked in the large parking area at the border ($6), walked across the border (no waiting), then another two blocks in and I was there… early. I retreated a half block to a local taco shop for a meaty meal and some authentic horchata before opening my mouth to a complete stranger. I now have additional appointments this following week in which I was informed to have a good meal before as well.

I must thank Nina and Paul of WheelingIt for their advice on Dr Eva Urena. This is the second time I have ventured across the border for dental work, and the second time I came back with a good experience. Dr Urena and her staff were competent, efficient, and right in my price range ($35 for a cleaning).

 

[Chancebond]

Least your back!

 

[LeeRevell]

Glad to hear you can park in the US and walk over, with the dentist close by. I have never been to Olde Mexico and heard all the horror stories, so would be very antsy about driving my van over. Just me maybe. Be nice to try some REAL south-of-the-border food too, rather than the Americanized stuff like Taco Hell.

 

[Theadyn]

Sounds like you've been having fun. Glad you're still kickin'.

 

[Matt71]

I am totally getting a flag for my van

 

[mockturtle]

Glad you're having a good time!

 

[Van-Tramp]

Feb 3 - Mittry Lake
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/mittry-lake/

The decision to stay near the Yuma area for another week was made after the initial trip to Algodones. Follow up appoints were made for dental work so additional time staying local was needed – however, a move to Arizona has finally calmed the nerves aftering being in California for far too long. So, this week will be spent boondocking at Mittry Lake (check it out on Campendium) within the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area where one has ample opportunity for camping, fishing, wildlife watching, hiking, boating, and even hunting. 

Due to arriving on a Saturday afternoon we were not left with a whole lot of options of places to camp. Instead of wasting too much time trying to find the perfect spot, we settled on a location very near the boat ramp. This meant we got a little traffic each day, but this does not take away from the experience of Mittry Lake.

Warm days, cool nights, singing birds, wild packs of mosquitoes, and the distant booms of bombs hitting their target at the proving grounds over the horizon are all part of the vibe here. Peaceful yet close enough to town to run errands, Mittry Lake is yet another great boondocking location.

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[Van-Tramp]

Feb 6 - Kayaking Mittry Lake
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/kayaking-mittry-lake/

Moose and I borrowed a kayak and set out for our first ever kayaking adventure. He was wary at first (I may have been too), but after he realized that we could chase the ducks on their own territory he was all for it. We set pursuit for every duck we could see, with Moose barking away as I paddled as fast as I could go.

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Moose got to use his new doggy floatation device… fully. He was dipped overboard twice, on purpose, just so he knew what would happen if he attempted to jump ship. The final dip was so close to shore he chose to just swim back to it. Afterward I got the sense he was excited by the adventure.

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Yea, I’m going to have to get me one of these things…

 

[Van-Tramp]

Feb 10 - Ajo, AZ – Darby Wells Rd
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/ajo-az-darby-wells-rd/

Ajo (Ah-Hoe) Arizona – or just outside of Ajo – at Darby Wells BLM, is where I have moved since Mittry Lake. The 160+ mile drive is the furthest I have moved in a single day since January 1st when I made the drive from Northern California to Borrego Springs to hang with some fellow full-timers. (See my 2015 travel map)


Ajo is a small town, mostly deserted unfortunately, though not for it’s first time. Ajo was abandoned once before (1880’s) due to Indian raids and revived in 1884 as a mining town. In 1911 it experienced it’s “boom” thanks to new methods of ore mining. The New Cornelia Copper mine operated from 1916 through 1985 employing more than 1000 people.

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So why am I here you may ask? Because it is the closest town to the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument which I plan to visit. Ajo is a great base-camp to this boondocker that requires a stable Internet connection for work, while being within an hour drive of the park. Darby Wells Rd, just to the South-East of the mine itself, less than one mile outside of town and a picturesque location to camp. It is my hangout for this week, before starting towards Tucson over the next weekend.

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