Hauling STUFF... for Traveling

[Ray Eklund]

We 'estimate' how long we may be on the road with our trailer.

We plan for three weeks. We may go for three or two weeks, depending on:

- Weather
- Time estimates to be spent at campsites
- Travel Time
- Detours from the original Route(s)
- Sitting at one campsite, to find potential new campsites using Atlas
- Purpose or Intent of our Original Plan
- Did I mention, Weather? Clear, Rain, Snow, Hot, Cold
- We carry Dog Food for two Blue Heelers for Four Weeks
- I carry tools to fix wheel bearings to Lath Screws to secure popped rivets
- We are set for Dry Camping, Fishing, Hiking and see a Pile of bicycles in S.D.
- Our clothes for Desert, High Desert, Utah Mountains, Wyoming (anything)
- NFS, BLM and County road conditions last year are NOT this years roads

Food is easily stored. Dry, Refrigerated, Frozen and pickup in a town, when necessary. I have not lost any weight due to no exercise or calorie consumption.

I like Denny's Double Cheeseburger and Fries when a Denny's is spotted, anywhere. Lots of them in Utah. Two days of energy at one meal. Try it.. but you may not be able to finish it. I always finish. Still handsome.

Water is not for showers or toilet. It is for cooking and drinking. Carry an extra five gallon jug for the Blue Heeler's outside water bowl. The jug sits on a plastic milk crate and I add water when necessary. I pour excess water, from their water bowl, into their water jug when traveling. We waste no water. Paper plates and bowls are easily wiped clean.

Nobody stands close to me in line at a Service Station. Although, it could be my appearance.

No we have not died from viruses, bacteria or had intestinal issues.

I stare at a State Atlas... to find 'new possibly campsites' and discover we would not ever return after arriving. Makes good stories, but lousy, otherwise. The location is marked on the Atlas... $#%& site. Flies, mosquitos, gnats are also notated.

We are Off the Grid Boondockers, Truck Stop overnight if necessary, side pullouts along the Interstate along the Yellowstone River (for example) have been very nice... but we:

Make No Plans and are Never Disappointed. Although when we get there, we could be disappointed. Part of the experience, we say.

If you are brave enough to step into this Bear Trap of Travel... what do you do and plan for?

Our next trip is to South Central Colorado to pick up another Blue Heeler Pup at a Ranch. Then once we secure this Pup, spend time in the mountains of New Mexico and Arizona to... adjust the new pup into our camping family.

We camp with our Blue Heelers. They also do not complain where we go, so it works. They alert us when something... is moving among the brush or trees. Almost like having a Door Bell that can smell a visitor... Bear, Moose, Elk, Deer or a mean Angus. We park. Set up camp. And... ahhhhhhh. Peace and Quiet? Sometimes.