The weekend is coming, and we’re preparing for a trip. Time to load up the adventure mobile and hit the road. Car camping is fun, and having ample gear space is convenient. But do you know your vehicle’s weight limit? Most people won’t come close to that weight, but what about when you load up the family, dogs, and gear? And what about all the gear on the roof rack? Is it safe if you’ve added tents, racks, and accessories? I’m not an expert on the subject, but I’ve spoken to professionals and researched specifically for my vehicle. Consult a professional if you have safety concerns or questions about your vehicle.
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It is Wednesday again, and it is that time when I share another place I have enjoyed along my travels with you. While this โlocationโ is more of an area than a physical spot, it is well-known by those who spend time in or live in Arizona.
The Mogollon Rim is located just outside Payson, Arizona shares dramatic views that rival the Grand Canyon. This naturally formed geographic feature spams 200 miles from Yavapai County, Arizona, into New Mexico. The central section of the rim is described as having highly eroded cliffs of limestone and sandstone that have been dramatically cut through the centuries. With most common elevations between 4,000 and 5,000 feet on average, some areas rise well over 8,000 feet. Dramatic views with sheer dropoffs to the valleys below are incredibly stunning.
Whether you’re going on a short weekend trip or an extended adventure, packing the right items is essential for a smooth and enjoyable journey. Forgetting essentials can cause stress and inconvenience. To prevent such mishaps, we’ve compiled a list of ten must-have items for travel. Let’s get started!
During the late 1950s, the commissioning of a spy satellite program marked a significant milestone. The program commissioned the launch of Corona spy satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base in 1960. These satellites orbited the Earth, capturing over 850,000 images from 1960 to 1972. Their primary objective was to monitor potential military threats worldwide, with a particular focus on the USSR during the Cold War. The CIA constantly updated the surveillance targets based on gathered intelligence. The satellites followed a polar orbit and encountered numerous challenges and setbacks throughout the program. To retrieve the exposed film, they utilized parachutes to drop it back to Earth.
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There are many products out there that promote making camping or being outdoors more enjoyable. I have been caught buying something from social media ads many times, and they may or may not have worked as advertised. In my many years of camping, I have learned that quite a few things seem too good to be true, but they truly do work. I have compiled a list of some of my most commonly used and favorite โhacksโ to help your camping and adventure trips be a little more enjoyable without breaking the bank.
In my last story, I wrote about my two old Jeeps, some of our adventures, and how we got to today. To give you a better idea of the timeframe for those events, they occurred over the last 10 years. Fast forward to today, and you have probably guessed what vehicle was chosen as my newest adventure rig.
I must start by explaining that I am not a gearhead or a car lover. While I enjoy my vehicles and see them as a form of freedom and mobility, I am not mechanically minded in the least, nor can I build something easily. So, with that said, all projects have been completed with lots of youtube watching and consulting of friends who are.
When I think about it, everything all started with a crash. I purchased a 2010 Toyota Camry to replace the 1993 Camry that had gotten me through college. Sadly I did not have the 2010 Camry for very long. Within the first year of owning it, I had totaled it. Thankfully no one was hurt, but the accident was caused by a deer on a back road headed to visit family for a long weekend. The deer hit every part of the car’s passenger side, starting with the front bumper to the back, destroying the tail light. The damage was all cosmetic, but every panel down the right side of the car would have to be replaced. The vehicle survived and was driveable to get me to my familyโs place and then back home to my place several days later. However, the insurance company determined that due to all the damage, it would cost much more to repair than to total it and pay it off.
Just outside Florence, Arizona, a small town in Pinal County in southwest Arizona, sits a historic volcanic mound. Some might even call it a hill. However, if you are from the Midwest, it is much taller than just your average everyday hill. On top of that hill sits a 14-foot-tall masonry pyramid. Hikers can hike to the top to view the pyramid and the surrounding desolate desert for miles around. The half-mile hike is fairly easy, with switchbacks leading up the mound’s side to the summit giving you a beautiful 360-degree view, but why is there a pyramid on top?
The short answer is yes, and not buying them can be expensive.
If you are heading out into the outdoors, no matter where you are going, you need to research and find out if there are permits required to have before going. These could be day passes, annual passes, or lifetime passes, and everything depends on the location you are headed.
Reading the fine print is extremely important. I found this out the hard way. When I was living in Tucson, a coworker and I decided to hike in a popular area in town. She had a pass that she thought transferred to any vehicle as long as it was visible in the car. We went for the hike and came back to a ticket for $70. Upon further inspection and reading the super fine print, it reads โnot transferrable across vehicles.โ We both thought that was odd, considering she had paid for the pass and it was in the vehicle, but every place has its own rules.
After this, I always make sure that you are looking up the places you are going and reading up on what passes and permits you might need. This post will get a little long, so bear with me.
Woke up to snow on the ground, a surprising sight I was not ready for. I am quite ready for spring to be here but this snow is a sign that winter is not quite ready to leave. Todayโs plan is to hop in the truck and head out to a local trail on the northeast side of town. A bit of a drive for me, but I do love a good drive. The morning was clear and crisp and perfect for a stroll down an unknown trail to me. I was up early enough that the roads were empty and still had frost and snow covering them before the sun hits them. Continue reading
