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.
