I’m sitting in my camper at 5:02am because I’m an over 50 kid. I’m that kid who takes all of his toys out to play as soon as he brings them home. I didn’t have much time to acclimate myself with the camper yesterday the drive to Wilmington and back was enough adventuring for one day and all my gear is at the deli.

One of the reasons why I like this set up is I can sit up comfortably so I can write when I wake up. Morning time is my creative peak. When I go camping I never sleep well and or the morning temperature puts a hamper on my typing. Hands get real cold in a tent at 40° and I can’t type with gloves on. The very first things I added to this camper was insulation, heater port and an overhead fan. This thing can go pitch dark or it can open wide with windows and back open to feel like I’m sitting in the shade on a summer day. Rain, sleet or snow, I’m in a good place. No more canvas flapping all night. There’s no bathroom, sink, kitchenette or anything like that. I prefer to do my things outdoors and sleep inside. Double bed that folds into a couch. This would make an amazing tailgate vessel if I did that type of thing. Actually I suppose I do exactly that when I camp. Except for the full cooler of beer.

I’m labeling my journal entries “On the Moon” with the intention to encourage me to write more when I’m not distracted in the outdoors.

My awning may not make it to Utah with me my load bars lack the length to hold. That’s a giant pain in the ass to reckon with in a short notice of time. I’ve got an outfitter in Travelers Rest who can do just about anything but he may not have time to fabricate some universal brackets and drill them into my camper. Utah is awesome. Even more awesome when you bring some mobile shade with you. I guess it’ll be hats instead. We’ll survive regardless. I somehow managed to camp without one on several trips years ago. If you’re ever in need of a vehicle outfitter Appalachian Outfitters is your guy. I’ve given him some ridiculous ideas and he’s done it without any hesitation. Solid guy too. His name is Mark the Bus Guy in my phone because he helped with my bus a few years ago.

This camper would be a little cozier if I wasn’t sitting at a 20° angle. My truck is the size of our entire slanted driveway. It’s one inch from the road.

We leave for Utah Saturday so I have a couple of days to get all of my shit together for its 10 day mise en place. How to Tetris all of the gear into tight spaces all the while retaining a living space. It gets real tight once you put a week’s worth of gear into the back of the pickup X 2 if you have a companion. Add to the measure that the companion is 6’4” 260 plus and you have a sitcom traveling cross country. Pick your travel companions wisely. You’re gonna get to know each other really well.

Body odor

Poop schedules

Weird looking moles

Bad habits

Nostril whistles

Snoring

Digestive noises

Patience

This is Shane’s second cross country trip with me. He’s the only one to ask to go again and that list includes my daughter and wife. I can be difficult to be around at times although I’ve gotten better, much better. I made mental notes on how to be a better traveling roommate last time so we shall see. We’ve both agreed to skip any discussion about politics or Jesus this go round. I think Shane was ready to swing on me by day 2.

Spent the earlier morning hours looking up spots in New Mexico. Deciding if we want to hit a camping spot on the way the or back. Southern route across I-40 is the route I’ve always preferred to cross country. Obviously if I’m heading to the heart of Colorado it’s I-70 for about 15 hours worth of driving but the south route, other than the gridlock in Atlanta you don’t encounter too much traffic. Maybe a little driving through OK city and a some in Amarillo. Atlanta makes up for all of it. I’m checking both routes to see if I want to drive further out or further back. Further out makes more sense the drive back is brutal after a week of dispersed camping. An Airbnb on the last night of the trip is a good idea to soak your bones in some hot water, comfy bed and a restaurant cooked meal. Last year we arrived home about 5am Monday morning. I slept most of the day exhausted but smiling.

After reading this over I think Moab first makes the most sense. Done son

This trip will be a good time. The camper is what I wanted it to be.

Simplicity

Secure

Sexy. Not really it’s just a big box with shitty gas mileage but it’s exactly what I was looking for. I don’t feel exposed in inclement weather, it’s safe for when I pull over next to a methadone clinic in rural Kentucky to get some sleep. I may of mentioned this before but I always check out the gas stations where I pull off to sleep in a random parking lot. If the clerk looks like a meth head or the beer in the coolers are all shitty cheap domestics and twisted teas I leave. IPAs mean there’s some sort of gentrification nearby. Sounds dumb but it works.

I never pull over within 20- 30 miles of a large city.

Worst places I’ve parking lot camped – southern Kentucky gets real sketchy, any place within 20 miles of St. Louis I try to drive as far away as possible. O’Fallon can kiss my ass.

Santa Fe was oof

Northern Texas is where all the serial killers sleep

I won’t camp at any gas station inside of West Virginia.

I’ve actually heard that there are numerous serial killers on I-40. I take that with a grain of salt but I don’t stop for anyone. Car broke down? Hope you gotta cellphone. Hitchhiking? I ain’t your boy. Even if I see a child walking alone I’m keeping my gun by my side while I do a check on them.

I’ve mapped out about a dozen worse case scenarios in my head when I’m camping in lots. Regardless of situation I won’t be caught off guard. I will make front page news if anyone opens my camper while I sleep. I pack for bears but mostly humans.

I may take some time off of this media for that week. Keep my eyes on the road and mind in the desert.

Cheers