jiminy crickets!

From Utah we drove across Nevada on route 50 and passed no more than three cars over nearly 200 miles. This has to be one of the most desolate stretches of road in the country. There weren’t even fences to keep the cows in, they were just wandering free-range, across the road.

Charlie was worried that if we’d had any mechanical issues, or hit a cow, we could be stranded for a month.  Thankfully, we didn’t have any mechanical issues, nor did we hit a cow.  But, we almost had one when we saw the entomological wonder that awaited us in the desert.

Using our handy camping app, we found a free campsite just outside of Austin, Nevada that touted petroglyphs.  As we drove down the road to the campsite, I saw what I initially thought were cow patties in the middle of the road. But then I noticed they were MOVING.

Upon closer inspection, we saw that they were gigantic crickets that were swarming and eating dead crickets on the road. Glancing around the desert landscape, we could see the crickets were scampering all over the desert floor, emerging by the thousands en masse on to the road, from all directions.

It was like a scene from a horror movie.

What were those things? Where did they come from? Was it mating season?  The closest thing I could find with my online search was Mormon Cricket? Maybe Spider Cricket? The photos don’t do them justice, they were HUGE and close to half the size of my palm.

There were several campers already there - including tent campers who were flicking the gargantuan bugs off their tent walls.  We slowly drove around the campsite, in gross disbelief at the size and quantities of crickets, before deciding we’d take a hard pass on this spot and keep driving to camp at a higher elevation. There was no way my husband - with his extreme bug phobia - would be staying at this location, despite the awesome rate.

As we pulled away, crushing scores of swarming massive crickets under our tires (that splattered the Airstream) Charlie said, “See kids? That’s why it’s FREE. Now ROLL up your windows!”

boondocking is for us

We’re on Day 5 of our trip and thus far have traversed Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and are nearly across Utah. Last night we camped in the Fishlake National Forest.

We’ve been in Utah several times before and have visited most of the big National Parks in this state. Nonetheless, it’s a good thing Charlie was driving, because I would have been compelled to get off our route and drive through Canyonlands, Zion and Bryce.

I don’t think I could ever tire of those parks and this part of the country.  As I was asking if he wanted to make a detour he kept repeating, “Touring the Colorado Plateau isn’t on this trip itinerary - we’ll come back and spend two months here, soon.”

Charlie, doing the morning coffee ritual. It’s a religious experience for him.

It’s so beautiful out here - there is nothing like the sensation of dry air, warm sun, beautiful sedimentary rock formations that jut up around you, and the fragrant smell of sage.  We found another gem of a campground off the beaten path, and last night sat around a campfire taking in the most brilliant sky.  The moon hadn’t risen yet, so the only interference came from our fire - but we could still see several constellations and satellites tracking across the starry horizon.

Best of all, I had cell phone reception so could take my morning call.

And Elizabeth could do a Zoom meeting with her new running coach and learn new exercises.

THIS is my happy place... out in nature, soaking it all up.  There is no greater privilege than to be here, in good heath, with my family, a job that encourages flexible work arrangements.... and internet connectivity.

we were o’havering for this

After a quick stop for a sand blasted adventure yesterday at Great Sand Dune National Park, we headed northwest towards Salida, Colorado.

We weren’t exactly sure where we were going to land for the night, but with a camper there seem to be some great options.  We could stay at an RV park with full hookups, or we could “boondock” it and head out to a campsite where there would be no water or electric, usually at a fraction of the price. We love an adventure so opted for boondocking. (We thought it was called “boondoggling” and figured the term came from spending more than you needed in an RV Park. Turns out the correct term is “boondocking” which means out of the way or backwards. We’re learning new things everyday!)

Using a handy camping app we downloaded, we found the epic “O’Haver Lake” campground.  After driving up a steep and windy road, we weren't quite sure what we’d find - but we were met with the quintessential Colorado mountain camp. Nestled in the pines and aspens, backed up to snow capped peaks, with views of a pristine mountain lake.  There are few things that bring me more joy than to find a gem like this, off the beaten path! 

Charlie had cooked up and frozen different meals before we left Texas, so while our chicken tikka masala was warming up, we took a hike around the perimeter of this lake. We came back to find the kids sitting around a campfire, while William was practicing his new ukulele.

The one pickle is that I had a conference call at 6 AM and we had no cell phone reception. So after dinner, we detached our truck and Charlie took a quick ride with me to find a spot where I could take the call.   I've got to admit, there was a small part of me yesterday that was debating if we'd made the right choice buying and towing a 27-foot camper around.  The ease and simplicity of tent camping is really unsurpassed and trailers can be so unsightly to the seasoned tent camper.  But it was very nice to cook a wonderful dinner inside, out of the wind, and not have to schlep out of the tent in to the dark night at 0100 hours to use the restroom. 

And when I woke up early this morning, and stepped outside, I found myself in a totally unexpected snow-scape.  It was so toasty inside, I never would have guessed that it had been SNOWING outside while we were sleeping.  I can't say the same for our fellow campers who I know were frozen in their tents.  I've been there.  It isn't entirely fun. 

The truck was coated in snow and ice, and using a DVD from the car,  I cleared the windows and made it to my rendezvous point on time.  This was the view from my office, today.

After a few hours of calls - I drove back to camp, had breakfast with Charlie and the kids, and we took off on another hike around the area - hopping streams, soaking up the cool mountain breeze and fresh smell of pine.  Then we went back in to our toasty camper - made sandwiches for everyone, closed the door and drove away.  I've never broken down camp that fast.  IT WAS THAT EASY. 

 

While I do love tent camping (under the right conditions!), I am so grateful that we have Quarantinny.   Even our kids are blown away by how awesome this experience has been.  We've been discussing that if they hadn't spent their entire lives camping in a tent, they wouldn't fully appreciate this luxury for what it is. 
 

There's quite a community of Air Streamers out there - something else I never realized.  Charlie and I are meeting fellow Air Streamers, and seeing awesome rigs out there. Including this one that has its own little matching gear trailer....! 

We so totally made the right choice. 

#RetirementGoals

not all who wander are lost

Charlie has a t-shirt that reads, “Happiness is a full tank of gas and an empty road.”  I’ll add to that, euphoria is towing an Airstream that is stocked with every possible item we could need for camping, including our mountain bikes.

While we have a larger plan for this trip, the details haven’t exactly been ironed out. While I know that might drive some people crazy, it gives us a sense of freedom that’s indescribable.  We’re taking it as we go, meandering our way across the country on trails we’ve never traveled before.  And probably couldn’t find again - even if we tried.

Turn left here... no wait, go right!

The first night of our trip, we stayed in Texas. Last night, we made it to New Mexico. Today, we’re trying to decide if we want to go northwest, southwest, or due west.  There are so many spectacular National Parks in this part of the world, there really is no wrong direction.

The consensus in the car is that we’d like to avoid the heat, so it’s looking like our next stop will be somewhere in Colorado .... Rocky Mountain High!

quaran”TIN”y

Ever since the girls have joined scouts, our family has done a lot more camping. At least once a month, we’re in a tent beneath the stars.  And we love it.  Nothing creates a better bonding experience, or opportunity for making memories, than to unplug and get in to nature.

This summer, we had plans to attend five weeks of scout camps from Arkansas to New Mexico (where I’d be completing a 12-day backpacking trek with just the girls), to North Carolina.  Our summer was packed with camping and we were excited. Albeit a little nervous because me, backpacking for 12 days sans Charlie to provide any kind of moral, emotional, or physical support, had me shaking in my literal boots. 

While camping with scouts is very fun - it’s not quite the same experience as when we camp just as a family. When it’s just us: there are no distractions, which pending the demeanor of our teenagers - can be a soul sucking challenge, or exhilarating.  Thankfully, it’s usually more of the latter in spades.

A prime example includes our four-week camping trip three years ago, when we visited 12 national parks, forests and monuments. As a family unit, it our best singular memory. Catching fish in Yellowstone Lake; swimming in the meltwaters of the Athabasca glacier, white water rafting on the Salmon River in Idaho and seeing a mama Moose and her tiny calf in the river. The one memory that has been seared in to my memory forever, is kayaking in the middle of Bowman Lake at Glacier National Park. In the reflection of the awesome snow capped Rocky Mountains in the still turquoise waters, I told my children to never forget how they feel at this moment.  Regardless of what life may throw their way: always remember that they, too, come from this beautiful world.  In my book, the God that created this magnificence, created them also. 

Suffice to say, with coronavirus, all of our plans for Summer 2020 were canceled.  One day, while out for a walk, Charlie and I conjured that all of these cancellations presented us with an amazing opportunity unlike any other. With nearly 10 weeks before us in south Texas, with a society that is being encouraged to stay and work from home, and four teenagers who will be with us for just a few years longer (gasp!) ... this is a prime opportunity to go on an epic socially-distanced camping trip. 

Things came together pretty fast after that decision. We contemplated renting a camper, so we could remain quarantined - no public restrooms or need to stop at restaurants - but then couldn’t find something suitable or available.  Or, at a reasonable cost for the duration we’re considering.
We’ve always talked about buying one, and travel is the nucleus of our plans in retirement... so maybe we should just move those plans forward 10 years? 

We’ll never again have an opportunity with the four kids home - with zero commitments - to do something like this again. So after researching options, perusing website chat rooms, reading reviews and talking with friends and colleagues ... and listening to the wise words of my mother who kept calling to say “DO IT! If not now, when?!” we did it. 

Our new home away from home is a 2020 27-foot Airstream. It comfortably - and safely - sleeps all six of us - and Ollie. Although the shell of an Airstream is aluminum, we think “quaran-tin-y” has a nice ring to it. This post will hopefully be the first of many blogs I’ll write to chronicle our summer 2020 “plan B” adventures. It’s off to a sweet start! 

We’ve never camped like this before, so will be figuring a lot out over the next few weeks... including how to properly post images to the blog from my phone!