Recent content by Jim Oaks

I created videos for each day of my travels on the Trans America Trail, and finally created this 20 minute video showing the highlights of the trip from New Mexico to Port Orford, Oregon. Thanks in advance to anyone that takes the time to watch it!

While I'm sure that's the case sometimes, the roads I encountered problems with were actually named roads on maps.

Sorry I'm just now replying... I used an Arkon TAB086-12 Heavy Duty Tablet Clamp Mount with 12 inch Neck that I got from Amazon. I was able to clamp it to the top lip of the console up by the tray. I've had a 10-inch Samsung tablet for years, and used that. It has a built in GPS just like a...

The Final Trans America Trail Numbers In June, I drove 3,880 miles exploring the Trans America Trail and surrounding areas. 1,861 of those miles were off pavement. In August I drove 1,517 miles exploring the Trans America Trail and surrounding areas. 480 of those miles were off pavement. That...

August 17th: This was the final day of the Trans America Trail. It was a fairly boring day as well. There was very little off-pavement driving. Most of it was 2-lane back country roads that were either paved or chip and sealed. But then near the end, I ran in to a gravel section that had...

August 16th: After a good nights sleep, I fueled up the Ranger, pressure washed the mud off of the truck, and was back on the Trans America Trail. I've been seeing a lot of these vines growing in Mississippi. In some spots they were covering fences, trees, and utility poles. There was...

August 15th (Continued): And then things got a little more fun just outside of Coffeeville, MS. I think it's safe to say that this county road is not maintained. I was actually pretty pleased at how well the Ranger was working. Even though I got a wheel in the air when I was crossing the...

August 15th: So I spent another night in a parking lot in Arkansas, and woke up a little after 7am listening to a crop duster spraying a nearby field. There would be a few times on the trip today that the Trans America Trail (TAT) would follow along the top of a levee. The TAT is always...

When I travel and I'm not sleeping / camping somewhere without a shower, I use these Shower Pill Body Wipes. I just go in to a restroom stall, wipe myself off with one, and then throw it in the trash. They're bigger than those little wet wipes, don't leave a residue, and dry pretty quick. They...

August 14th: I had actually drove some in to the night last night, and then spent the night in the parking lot of a Loves Travel Stop by IS 49 south of Mountainburg. I woke up, paid for a shower, and then hit the trail. I big part of today would be spent driving through the Ozarks in the...

Trans America Trail - Oklahoma - Tennessee August 13th, 2019: I started the unfinished part of the Trans America Trail (TAT) today. I did the sections from Oklahoma to Port Orford Oregon in June. Now I'm doing the sections from Oklahoma to Tennessee where the TAT starts. This stream crossing...

I finally finished the TAT from Oklahoma to Tellico Plains TN. I chose to end there since that's where Sam originally started it. I'll have to post up some pics. I'm currently in PA. When I finished the Trail in TN, I headed to Roanoke VA to visit a friend, and then on to PA to visit a buddy...

I really like it. I own a 1996 Ford Ranger, and I've have owned new F-150's and a F350 Superduty. The Ranger is a nice in-between size. I rides nice, has plenty of power, and the 4-doors make it nice for traveling with family, or just the dog in the back. It has more room than the old Ranger...

Going up Trail Creek Road from US 93 (Chilly) to Route 75 (Ketchum) This link should take you to a starting point: https://www.google.com/maps/dir//44.0669017,-113.8462152/@43.9570523,-114.1641112,10.82z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0

I don't know exactly how to take that, but it's funny as hell. I haven't used them, but it made it a little easier getting this truck in the sand for the first time knowing I had them if I needed them. I think it has to be a mutual respect when we're talking about public roads. I respect...