Arizona Utah Road trip Places List

You can click on blog pages under April 2023 and March 2023 to the right for this trip

 

 

 

Arizona

Grand Canyon

Coconino National Forest

groom creek

sagauros nat park (cacti)

petrified forest & painted desert

Prescott Arizona (meeting Happy and Phil)

Mogollon Rim

Horseshoe Bend river

Tonto Forest

Winslow, standing on a corner spot (eagles song)

Montana

Bozeman Museum of the Rockies

GoFastCamper store

Navajo Nation

Monument Valley

South Dakota

Badlands

Minute Man Museum

Custer’s field

Corn Palace

Wall Drugs

Mt Rushmore

Crazy Horse

Utah

Arches (delicate arch hike completed)

Valley of the Gods

Monument Valley

Canyonlands

Capitol Reef

Bryce

Goblin State Park

Gooseneck State Park

Moki Dugout road

Wyoming

Devil’s Tower

On the drive back, got to eat BBQ in Amarillo Texas and Memphis Tennessee

Nashville hot Chicken at HattieB's

Spent a couple days in Maryland with my new friends Mark and Teresa, who also have a Ranger with a GFC. Mark even took me to Chesapeake Light Craft in Annapolis!

did the last drive home. 8,316 miles taking 7.25 days of 24/7 driving

2023 Apr 22-24 Mark and Teresa's Hampstead Maryland

 
22 apr Sat   leaving morristown for maryland
it’s quarter to 8 and only 7.5 hours driving today.   been doing 9-9.5

so with gas breaks, rest stops etc.  add a margin of 1.5 hours.   Should get to Hampstead around 4:30-5

assuming no big traffic jams (touch wood)

The Morristown CB was quiet and would gladly come here again.  it’s not right on top of the highway like some are.



23 apr sunday aft
got some yummy crabcakes from the nearby Italian place.   Came with asparagus and potatoes, as well as a Salad.   Feeling super full, so dinner will be light. 
Meeting Mark’s friend Brian?   He has a toyota tacoma with original  GFC v1.   those used to be welded and the lift struts are on the outside.

Mark & Teresa also got me some gifts.   a cool bug zapper light, like a miniature version of the those blue light lantern things, but usb rechargeable..    some magnetic, usb chargeable led lights.   some Maryland specific spice things.   some crab cake chips, butterscotch treats.    A large multitool grill thing.    It was like Overlanding Christmas  Lol.

Anyway today we’re just camping in their nearby field.   Tomorrow morning we’re going to CLC boats near annapolis and swinging by Baltimore tea on the drive back.  about 1hr each way.   Will also shoot some video before I do the final drive home Tuesday.    



23 apr sunday. Mark & Teresa.  
All is well.  Great people!   Will say/type more later


24th Monday, Maryland, CLC (chesapeake light craft) visit
Camped out in the side field by Mark and Teresa’s house.   Cool camping experience.   Briefly had a concern because my diesel heater didn’t fire up first thing last night, but it was just because I hadn’t fully inserted the SAE plug

Had a lazy morning start.   Made myself an egg sandwich in the truck, then ate a danish and half a donut.  yum

Around 10 we drove down to CLC, first time I’ve been there.   Picked up some things so I can finish the noreaster dory.   Also got a huge straw hat and a CLC baseball cap.   Really, really want to get the dory done before Boothbay, July 4th week.   Might not have the sailing rig done, but at least rowable.

On the way back met his friend Jason.   Very cool dude.    Let me try his electric Canyon mtb.   So nice.   He has 11 acres and all the toys you can imagine.   They make stuff for Comic Cons that cos players wear.   Like Mandalorian/Star Wars stuff.   he has other business ventures too, but an interesting character.   


Stopped and got some tea from the Baltimore Tea Company.   I really like the Stash Double Bergamot (earl grey family) and they have something similar.    Would be happy to support an independent place vs buying Stash off Amazon.

Anyway,   Going to record some Youtube vids with Mark, then just another night of camping.   Tomorrow morning it’s just time to pack up and do the last 6.5-7 hour drive home.

It’s going to be awesome to see Jacqui and the boys, but also kind of weird.   I left on this trip March 21st it’s been awhile.    Jacqui’s warned me I’ll have to restock the fridge, but that’s fine and to be expected.   I’m the cook after all.

Oh and I’ll have driven over 8,000 miles by the time I get home.   I’d misread the trip odometer..   It’s at 7921 miles right now.    So I’ll have to change the oil soon ASAP after getting home.   I’ll also need to regrease the Expedition One swing arms.   
Touch wood.   The truck’s done great on this trip, couldn’t be happier.

Brian's Truck 

2023 apr 20-21, Arkansas, Tennessee BBQ Stop

20 apr thurs amarillo morning

heading to conway arkansas today.   slept fine at cracker barrel it filled in a bit.   a sprinter 4x4 van showed up at some point, saw it this morning.   very clean underside, the guy was about my age and was digging the truck, he really liked the solar wind fairing I’d made.

20 apr thurs dinner,  clarksville AR, pressing on to Little Rock.
looking at the map, I think it’ll be better to get through Little Rock tonight, so I don’t have commute traffic to deal with tomorrow.   It’s just been a day of driving, nothing that interesting.   Maybe the one thing to say is that at some point going through Oklahoma, things turned green.   No more desert desolation.   

Looking forward to the food stuff tomorrow.   BBQ stop in memphis, and nashville chicken in nashvill.

For lunch today, i did have an instant pot win.   About an hour before noon, stopped at a rest area.   loaded everything up and programmed the instant pot to run.   drove another hour while it cooked, and it came out tasty!  Instead of just 15 minutes with full natural release, did 20 min of high pressure.   Anyway, cooking rice ahead like that worked well, so I’ll do more of that on future trips, just not tomorrow.   although I think breakfast tomorrow will be a home cooked egg sandwich with the my mini after leaving CB.   I just can’t face two CB breakfasts 2 days in a row.   I bet Jacqui could, but she cheats by not eating anything the rest of the day.



21 apr friday morning
Tennessee today, should make it to where 40 turns into 81 if all goes well.   Tons of rain in Little Rock last night. it’s 7:20a.m. right now, was hard to get myself out of my warm bed, accidentally left the fleece jacket in the truck cab.

Keeping the bedding in the truck bed proved itself last night.   Everything would’ve gotten wet if I was still doing the truck cab approach

ep 9 just finished of picard season3.   leaving 1 more.   will save for tonight.   time to get ready and get driving

21 friday Bar-B-Q memphis TN

 just crossed the Mississippi and my odometer just ticked over 7000 miles for this trip.   

BBQ for lunch and maybe Hatti’s Nashville Chicken for dinner  (pray for my porta potty…jk)   

shooting for the CB in  Morrisville TN off i-81 tonight

then tomorrow it’s about 8+ hours to Mark and Teresa’s place in Hampstead Maryland.

21 friday aft

stopped in Nashville for Hattie B’s was around 3:30p.m. Fri aft and it was packed w high school kids.   kind of a fun environment even if I didn’t really “belong”   

The chicken sandwich was pretty good too, I only ate half considering I already had bbq for lunch, which I also barely ate half of.   Leftovers!  yum

21 fri 9p.m. EDT (eastern daylight savings time)  Morristown TN CB

officially done w i-40!    parked at CB , only one other van I see.   maybe more will show up later idk.

going to do a couple shower wipes, tuck into bed and watch the last ep of picard season 3.   My guess Picard sacrifices himself, but we’ll see.   would say more but spoilers.

Oh and I went to my first Buc-ee’s    they wouldn’t need so many pumps if people weren’t a$$hats when they go inside to shop, and just leave their car at the pump.   There is no hope for the future until we can program people to not be so self-absorbed.   Maybe it’s designed that way and I’m just a cranky old man, idk.

 just crossed the Mississippi and my odometer just ticked over 7000 miles for this trip.   
BBQ for lunch and maybe Hatti’s Nashville Chicken for dinner  (pray for my porta potty…jk)   
shooting for the CB in  Morrisville TN off i-81 tonight

then tomorrow it’s about 8+ hours to Mark and Teresa’s place in Hampstead Maryland.

2023 apr 19, driving back, Amarillo

 


19apr wed amarillo evening

tyler’s bbq was good, didn’t eat all the fat on the brisket, glad I didn’t have them chop it or I wouldn’t have been able to separate it out.  I would have had to do a week's hiking to clear that out of my cardiovascular system, assuming I lived that long.

long day,  I  was up at 4:30a.m. Flaggstaff time.   right now it’s only 5:30 p.m. az time, but it’s actually 7:30 texas time.  going to watch some of the stuff I downloaded at Mike’s and go to bed 9 ish.   Highway noise seems steady, it’s flat here, so no engine braking noises.   On the drive out on i-90, the engine braking noises were the toughest to sleep through.   I’m parked the wrong way for the wind, but the cracker barrel store blocks a lot of it.    I don’t think you’re supposed to break out level blocks, and I can’t fire up the air  compressor either to inflate the air bags.    the tent’s tough, it’ll be fine.   it just buffets more.


Tomorrow’s goal is mid  Arkansas.   Either Conway or Little Rock.   that’ll put it me in position for BBQ Stop in memphis around lunch time Friday    Although I’ll be tempted to skip and just do nashville chicken around dinner time.  tough choices.   maybe I’ll eat fridge leftovers tomorrow at picnic/rest areas to help my body recoup.    

I don’t think Tennessee is known for their brisket, so I can just get ribs and a side dish too.      For the nashville chicken, might be best if I don’t eat it all either.   I don’t want to be crying on the porta potty during the night or next morning (it’s spicy).   I’m really enjoying regional specialties, but I need to be practical given my resources.

19apr wed amarillo evening

tyler’s bbq was good, didn’t eat all the fat on the brisket, glad I didn’t have them chop it or I wouldn’t have been able to separate it out.  I would have had to do a week's hiking to clear that out of my cardiovascular system, assuming I lived that long.

long day,  I  was up at 4:30a.m. Flaggstaff time.   right now it’s only 5:30 p.m. az time, but it’s actually 7:30 texas time.  going to watch some of the stuff I downloaded at Mike’s and go to bed 9 ish.   Highway noise seems steady, it’s flat here, so no engine braking noises.   On the drive out on i-90, the engine braking noises were the toughest to sleep through.   I’m parked the wrong way for the wind, but the cracker barrel store blocks a lot of it.    I don’t think you’re supposed to break out level blocks, and I can’t fire up the air  compressor either to inflate the air bags.    the tent’s tough, it’ll be fine.   it just buffets more.

Tomorrow’s goal is mid  Arkansas.   Either Conway or Little Rock.   that’ll put it me in position for BBQ Stop in memphis around lunch time Friday    Although I’ll be tempted to skip and just do nashville chicken around dinner time.  tough choices.   maybe I’ll eat fridge leftovers tomorrow at picnic/rest areas to help my body recoup.    

I don’t think Tennessee is known for their brisket, so I can just get ribs and a side dish too.      For the nashville chicken, might be best if I don’t eat it all either.   I don’t want to be crying on the porta potty during the night or next morning (it’s spicy).   I’m really enjoying regional specialties, but I need to be practical given my resources.

 

 

Amarillo Tyler BBQ 

 

 

2023 Apr 18-19, Uncle Mike's place Flaggstaff AZ

 18 apr tuesday Uncle Mike Legere’s House flagstaff
drove to Mike’s place in Flagstaff.   Can you say GORGEOUS!!!  his backyard is mountains!   Like literally.   there’s a locked gate in his backyard right to the trails!

We went out for Mexican and he did a quick tour.   Took me up to the Lowell Observatory to show me the new observation setup that they’ve added.  His friend paid for it and his name is on the building .    Swanky

Tomorrow, Mike’s heading south to help one his sons buy a place near Phoenix, so I’ll still be heading out.  but I think I’ll definitely be back.

I did a Geyser sponge shower yesterday, but I can do a proper shower before hitting the road which will be nice.   

Mike’s cool to hang with, and with it just being him alone here, there’s plenty of room for guests, assuming Uncle Ray isn’t here.   he comes out once/twice a year too and gets dibs of course.  I’ll snap some photos before leaving.

19apr wed heading home
up early at Uncle Mike’s.   Mike was a great host!   but guests are like fish, after about 3 days they go bad no matter what you do.   lol

RESPECT THE 3 DAY RULE!!!   

anyway, shooting for amarillo today.  will see how it goes.   today I cross a lot of no man’s land.

19apr wed alburqurque lunch
just a subway 6” veggie, nothing special, but I like the veggies.   for dinner, going to the darkside.  Tyler’s BBQ in Amarillo Texas.    I think I’ll go in with my stainless food containers, so I don’t eat everything on the tray.   Did that with the Mex lunch yesterday w Mike, it was so good.   better than the Prescott place IMHO.

Mike heartily advised me to get some BBQ in Memphis on the drive home at the apply named BBQ Stop, so I’ll have two styles of BBQ to compare.  lol

Skipped the sightseeing today.   I've seen so many places the last few weeks, my brain is full.   Next time I’m bringing a bike so I can do more outdoorsy stuff.   Sightseeing is nice, but I’ve built my truck to be a home base to outdoorsy stuff, my main goal is to get healthy.   That’s also why I retired at 50.   my “job” is to get healthier.   in the long run it’ll save me the most money vs working another 5-10 years.    

Anyway, other than getting a real shower at Mike’s place, I also got to sleep in a bed.   Probably slept better than I would have in the truck because there were 30mph winds outside.    The air mattress is more comfortable, but that’s another trick of the trade, make sure your guest bed isn’t too comfortable.  Ha!

The other nice thing was having good wifi to update my tablet.   Not sure I fixed the Gaia maps or not, but I don’t need them for the drive home.    What I did do is get the last 4 episodes of Mandalorian, 5 eps of Picard, and a few others on Paramount.   So I have plenty of tv to watch when I’m chillin in the truck at night after a day of driving.
Should be getting to Maryland late Sat/early Sun at this rate.   Assuming no truck issues, touch wood.   The oil life is at 40% and it was new when I left.   I’ve driven 5900 miles so far.


anyway.  lunch is over.  about 4 more hours driving today.   9hrs total I think, but i had a very early start.
on the other hand, lost 2 hours today to time zone changes,  New Mexico is MT with DST, and Texas is CT w DST.

9 hours of driving, I’m not worried about falling asleep, more worried about making myself stay awake until 9 CDT to be honest.

Mike showed me this cool garage place where people buy their own storage units for their big RV's and outdoor toys.   About 20-30 minutes outside of Flagstaff, but it makes sense.   People can buy a small home in downtown Flagstaff, but store all their large stuff at a garage outside of town.   I'm guessing it cuts down on sprawl and commuting traffic.

The view from Uncle Mike's place.   I'm jealous

Mike's backyard

2023 Apr 16 Tonto National Forest, Mongollan Rim

 




16apr Sunday Tonto Nat Forest.
looks like it’s opened up somewhat, so I’m going to find a camp here and overnight.

Going to drive around a bit, have lunch, then doubleback to the trail heads

Tomorrow I’ll go to Show Low, and a little south to get up to the Rim.    Gates are still locked to fr300/rim road from the north side 260.






17 apr Monday aft, last campsite in AZ of the trip?
going to meet my Uncle in Law Mike Legere for lunch in Flagstaff tomorrow, and after that the trek homeward begins.    Made it to the rim road just south of Show Low.  Along 260 the gates were still closed due to snow, but you can come in from the south east side of the road.

Going to take a Geyser shower this afternoon, probably the last one until Maryland.  but I still have an unopened pack of shower wipes, which is plenty for 3 days of highway driving.

going to post to my instagram account hunneymandc, a couple photos of this cool tree that has some fire scars.   it’s thriving now.

just google instagram hunneymandc

17 apr Monday   Show Low
didn’t have any cell coverage at camp in Tonto yesterday, so I ended up watching 6 out of 8 of the 1923 Yellowstone episodes.   Lots and lots of camp sites back there.

While watching, there was some napping in there I think, so I’ll have to rewatch when I can stomach it.   Horrible what those Jesuits did to the Native girls.    Glad that story is getting attention although, I wonder if that gets it banned in Florida now?      Anything that makes white people feel bad, but I don’t get that logic.   Seems very racist for me to feel guilt just because the Jesuits happened to be white.   Like WTF?    I’ll never understand that.    Am I supposed to feel good about myself because Nikola Tesla was white?   Ironic how an “anti-racist” law is based on sickening racism and White Identity.    Disgusting, but I digress.   

Anyway, heading a smidge south of Show Low to turn off to the West to the south entrance to Muggy-Yawn/Mogollon Rim.

It’d take about 3 hours to Flaggstaff, so I’ll ping Mike Legere tomorrow morning or the next day.   Depends on how much I love it back there I guess, when I want to leave.   Might be good to do some hiking before hitting the road.  If I do, it’ll be a couple days in there.   If I’m off grid, I’ll do the inreach ping.   I  think I took Mom off those.    I’d assumed ignorance was bliss, but maybe I should rethink that, idk.

When I start heading home via i-40 then i-81, it’s about 3 days to Mark & Teresa in Maryland.   Either arriving late the 3rd day or early on the 4th

A weird throwing knife i found in Tonto

On Mongollan a weird burned tree that was still thriving and alive

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2023 apr 15-16th, Prescott AZ

15 apr Saturday, same camp, east wolf creek rd site #1 off s senator highway

woke up early.   only “slept”  7.5 hours; although, per my watch it was mostly light sleep.   Didn’t overdo it yesterday, but my body was still in overdrive.   Like a mild version of runner’s high.    I didn’t wake up stiff & sore or anything, so I’m happy with being able to hike 10 miles and not want to die the next day.

today is a rest/relax day.   
tomorrow I’ll go into town for supplies and then I’m off to Mogollon Rim.    The locals kept pronouncing it in a way I couldn’t parse, so I googled “how to pronounce Mogollon
 Rim.     And the answer is Muggy-Yawn.   Said quickly blurred together.   I couldn’t mimic the pronunciation with the Mogollon spelling in my head.   so now I just visualize Muggy-yawn when saying it.  

So after a day or two at  Muggy-Yawn/Mogollon Rim, I’ll ping Uncle-in-law Mike in Flaggstaff.   If he’s free to meet up for lunch/dinner, I’ll head that way.  If not, it’ll be time to start heading back home.

talked w Jacqui this morning.   Even if I started back now, it’d be 3-4 days of driving, plus a couple days in Maryland to see my pen pal Mark and his wife Teresa.   Looking forward to that a lot.   Would like to see Maryland more, and assuming we hit it off, they’d be welcome at our place too of course.

Long story short.   No matter what, my first long road trip will be at least 1 month.  I won’t be home before April 21st for sure.    Jeff will be home tomorrow night.   He was in the middle of missouri this morning, going to Erie PA.   tomorrow he’ll do the last drive home via i-90

Anyway, I consider my first month-long trip a success. I’ve slept every night in the GFC comfortably.   That says a lot.   The shower stall tent and Geyser sponge shower have kept me clean, with shower wipes filling in on days I didn’t have time to setup the shower tent.  The diesel heater kept me warm and helped dry out the sleeping area from my breathing.    The electric system worked well too after the “fix”

The one bit of advice I got from Phil yesterday is to look into a bike carrier that attaches to my spare tire on the expedition one rear bumper swing arm.   I’ll do that.   I see Thule makes an ok one
https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Spare_Tire_Bike_Racks-pm-Thule.aspx?gclid=Cj0KCQjwlumhBhClARIsABO6p-wtxhvv2WZnAfpPk89JX_-U3azMKnkNtISk0X3qmztM1wj_OJIzBKkaAogPEALw_wcB
   
There’s an exceptional 1up-usa one, but it’s heavier and probably overkill.   No one will want to steal my bikes. and if I’m somewhere sketchy, there’s room in the aisle in my truckbed.   I just can’t use the toilet comfortably if the bike is in the truck bed area.   Using the toilet with the bike in there too, would be an advanced Yoga challenge.   I’ll just have to find a different spot for my trash bag, but I like the idea because it won’t ruin the departure angle of the truck like a rear hitch bike carrier would.  It folds down when not in use too

speaking of buying stuff, I was a little nervous logging into my bank app, but my credit card balance is less than when I'm home.    I haven’t had the temptation of Amazon Prime, nor the need to buy stuff for the truck.   5300 miles worth of gas (so far), food, occasional park fees, and 3 laundromat trips have been cheaper overall.  Go figure!  lol.

Anyway this morning, I took advantage of the down time, and cooked up the rest of the bacon starting with the fat from last time.   I cooked the half strips until they turned into bacon crisps.   I also had a package of raw lean hamburger, so I cooked that up as well after cleaning out the pan.   Used paper towel to pat the grease off in both cases; although I left a bit more on the hamburger for flavor when I get around to using it.   Finally, transferred each to separate quart size ziploc freezer bags. and into the cooler fridge.    

i’ll use the cooked burger for chili later, I’m soaking beans now.    will cook some rice for tonight too.    I’ll have plenty of cooked burger leftover for spaghetti too.   Will make that when the chili leftovers are used up.    Probably having the nice cooking setup is part of why I’ve saved $ on the trip.    While it’s been nice to dine out, I also can eat well at camp too.   But I was definitely jonesing for proper restaurant food, so super thankful for Happy taking me out a couple times.

After lunch, to make sure I don’t get sore/tight, I’m going to haul my wesson oil jug of dirty dish water & pee, and a couple small shopping bags of garbage to the Groom Creek trailhead vault bathrooms.  It’ll be a 1.5 mile walk round trip.   When I get back, I should go explore the creek a little too.   there are some short 100-200ft paths from my campsite down to the creek   Most sites don’t have a creek next to them in Arizona.   Yes Mom & Dad, I’ll be careful about snakes.

That’s all for today.   Tomorrow, errands and driving Northeast to Mogollon (Muggy Yawn) Rim    .      
16 apr Sunday, Prescott walmart supply run
all stocked up now.   didn’t get much seeing how I need to finish up stuff that i’ve already got

the Down2Mob video posted already.  Phil’s Fast!

https://youtu.be/JGZP5CTbqOU

2023 apr 12-13th, Prescot AZ, Jeff and I split up

 
whelp, jeff and i have decided to go solo.   Jeff’s heading east, to mid/north New Mexico.   he’s going to make a few stops on the way, but he’s headed home.    

I decided to head back north

I’m in Prescott now and the temp is a glorious 75F !

So why did we split up early?
instead of next Wed. apr 19th, like we initially planned.

Basically, right now my truck is more capable of doing the jeep trails than Jeff’s van.    he’s going to change his side steps and split the plumbing underneath so that he has more clearance.

Also, he hasn’t lifted his van, because Maureen goes with him, and if it were any taller she couldn’t get in/out without a step stool.    So it’s only going to be stock clearance  AFTER he fixes the steps and plumbing.   right now it’s less.    He’s done some impressive trails with it.   but the short dips and humps are his van’s weak point right now.

my truck has been doing really well.   there was a shallow and short creek crossing, but it had a decent dip down.     Jeff’s van had the driver side front wheel up in the air and the passenger rear wheel up in the air at the same time.    The Sprinter’s drivetrain is smart enough to figure out which wheels aren’t spinning and uses those,  so ultimately he crossed fine.   looked cool.

On the other hand, my truck did the same crossing and it was very anti climatic.   didn’t get a single wheel in the air.  Crossed like it was nothing.   My truck wins on the offroading, it’s not close.    Shorter wheelbase 126” vs 144”, more wheel travel, my truck is lifted and I have nothing hanging low underneath

On the other hand, a big pro for Jeff’s van is that it’s much more comfortable in the heat.   it’s well insulated and he has a couple vent fans so one pulls in one blows out.    He can also carry way more food, clothes, and other stuff than me.    So he never needed to go into town.  I needed to go at least once a week if not more.    The more was mostly because it was my first long trip and I needed to get a few things I didn’t realize I’d need.   that and laundry.

Anyway, sad to part ways, but better than getting on each other’s nerves I think.    We parted well. 

I just had a burger, and now I’m off to find a dispersed, free camping spot.   there’s plenty just outside of town.    So many, I don’t think the local Walmart allows overnight RV parking.  There’s no need.




12 apr prescott dispersed site
found a spot!   was worried at first because there was a sign saying road closed, but it looked like the blockers had been moved.   so I decided to go further and saw tons of campers.

guessing the town just hasn’t picked up their stuff yet.  first place i’ve found on my own.   hopefully first of many    .  thinking maybe the official start for camping around here is apr 15th, but things are dry, there’s no snow around here.    

  

 

13 apr campsite

woke up earlier than I’d like, but slept well,  as I drifted to sleep someone had music going with thumping bass, but it was distant enough to not keep me up.   

my goal today is wash the truck, wash my clothes, get a proper restaurant meal and go for a hike.

will probably do the hike first, it’s closest.   I’ll bring my inreach w me, but it’s not anything major.    but better safe than sorry.

will have to be extra careful with my keys.   before leaving I gave my spare keys to Jeff and he vice versa, but we forgot to exchange back.    guess we were both excited to head off on our own.    It’ll be a good excuse to meet up at 5 guys and catch up after we both get home.   

13 apr evening New camp site E Wolf rd off S Senator Highway

found a new designated camp site near the hike I want to do tomorrow morning.    was about to do the Groom creek hike today, but Happy (Jason Rivera) called and he wanted to meet up for lunch.   Glad we did that, it was fun. 

We're going to meet up again so he can shoot a video of my truck.   he liked the little things like my kitchen drawer that uses square steel tubing between roller skate bearings to slide back and forth.

Tonight, just chillin by my propane fed lavabox (an ammo can firepit).   it's OK to use in areas with fire bans,  not that there's a fire ban right now. 

Watching some Star Trek rerun's.   Couldn't finish the burrito for lunch, so ate the other half for dinner.  Yummy!!! 

Also, did laundry (hopefully for the last time this trip)  I bought some more underwear and socks.   So I have enough for 2 weeks now.    Switching to that new tighter boxer style with a "pouch"   yay technology!  That's the kind of scientific progress we need more of /s

/s means sarcasm… 

I was close to a self serve car wash after the laundromat, so I did that too.  If my baby is going to be on Youtube (happy's channel) I don't want her filthy.  https://youtu.be/b9pzvWyfUZM


I have my tablet on the aluminum step stool.   Listening via wireless earbuds.    The green towels are drying, I used them to dry the truck at the self service car wash.    Ammo can firepit is in the foreground. 
I've found it's easier to sit close to the truck than remove the propane tank each time.    Besides, then I'm closer to the snacks and beer, lol. 

 

2023 apr 12, Saguaros National Forest

 



12 apr Saguaros National Forest (cacti galore!)

small but pretty park with lots and lots and lots of cacti.   some petroglyphs (native drawings on rocks).    managed to go before it go too hot.   was upper 80’s when we were done.