rfoubi
Observer
So this is a blast from the past, from the trip that got me really hooked on this lifestyle. I'd been on many trips before this, but this was the first where we had no real itinerary or time constraints, just a trusty old VW van and the desire to head south. This is obviously written seven (wow) years later, and I am a bit fuzzy on the details. Here is the map for those that like that sort of data:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1V52Ql5OGbcDMG_rxU7fUazhXCdg&usp=sharing
This was march to may 2009, and my wife (then girlfriend) had just finished our first winter ski bumming in Rossland BC, and were keen to get some sun before we had to be back to work as geologists in northern canada for the summer field season. I had spent the winter also tuning up and painting my 1987 volkswagen vanagon and readying it for the trip. It has changed alot since then, but at the time it had the stock (91hp) water cooled 4 banger, with no real mods except big mud tires and some electronic goodies. Ah, the good old days! My parents bought this van new, and I have been riding in it since I was 2. So lets say it has no shortage of sentimental value.
Anyway, lets get started.
Here she sits, freshly painted in my garage by me with no experience, and <$200 materials (interlux brightside boat paint rolled on).
Of course, the day we go to leave, with bikes and surfboards strapped on, it snows!
Well lucky for us we are going skiing first. We head south, on a marathon drive to jackson wy (1100+km). This would be epic enough, but it was freezing slush, I was solo (wife was in the other car with our friend), and in my rush to get the van ready, i bumped some wires loose, and I had no stereo :Wow1:
Oh, and I got stuck in 3rd gear for the last 200km. And teton pass was closed, and it was a blizzard. Lets just say it was a white knuckle drive, and We were pretty glad to show up in Jackson at 2am. We went to bed, and miraculously woke up without alarms at 7am. 55cm (22 inches) overnight! Holy ****, here we go! What a way to start the trip.
Anyway, we stuck around for a few days, toured the pass, and then parted ways with our friend. She took all our ski gear with her, so we didnt have to haul it all down to mexico. And then we were off, in 3rd gear only, to limp to SLC. The pass west of Bear Lake was the only place we ran into problems, and at one point we sputtered out going up the hill without enough speed. I had to pull a quick u turn, go back down, and then come at it again with speed. 2nd try is the charm, and we continue (again white knuckle) into salt lake. must have been 5-6 hours in 3rd, with some sketchy gas stops.
Anyway lucky for us, we found a vw mechanic, and he just bled the clutch, and we were fine! Shows how little i knew mechanically back then that I didnt even think to try that. Oh well, a couple hours later we were on our way and feeling like it was going to be a stressful trip with the old bus. Though like every other trip, soon you forget about your vehicle issues and continue with blind faith!
Ah, the open road... next stop moab, UT. I think I'm starting to ramble here, so Ill try and stay on point!
nice free camping in the desert scrubland
Gist of the story, it was cold and windy, but we had fun, rode bikes, climbed, and then hit the open road.
dead horse point
South to the real wide open spaces:
The classic monument valley shot we all know and love. As cliche as it is, there is nothing quite like the 4 corners area to really get the nostalgic, romantic, unfettered and exhilirating road trip feelings. This is what all of us on this forum live for. The open road, just a map and full tank of gas, and some dreams
Day or two spent in Canyon de Chelley, some cool cliff dwellings and stuff, but not great weather or light for photos unfortunately.
South, through arizona (petrified forest)
Finally, its warming up, and we are thawing out after a long Canadian winter. Saguaros! Now we are starting to feel like we are travelling further afield.
Ocotillo
Now, resupply, gas up, and hit Nogales, to cross into Mexico:
Part 2 Coming Soon!
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1V52Ql5OGbcDMG_rxU7fUazhXCdg&usp=sharing
This was march to may 2009, and my wife (then girlfriend) had just finished our first winter ski bumming in Rossland BC, and were keen to get some sun before we had to be back to work as geologists in northern canada for the summer field season. I had spent the winter also tuning up and painting my 1987 volkswagen vanagon and readying it for the trip. It has changed alot since then, but at the time it had the stock (91hp) water cooled 4 banger, with no real mods except big mud tires and some electronic goodies. Ah, the good old days! My parents bought this van new, and I have been riding in it since I was 2. So lets say it has no shortage of sentimental value.
Anyway, lets get started.
Here she sits, freshly painted in my garage by me with no experience, and <$200 materials (interlux brightside boat paint rolled on).
Of course, the day we go to leave, with bikes and surfboards strapped on, it snows!
Well lucky for us we are going skiing first. We head south, on a marathon drive to jackson wy (1100+km). This would be epic enough, but it was freezing slush, I was solo (wife was in the other car with our friend), and in my rush to get the van ready, i bumped some wires loose, and I had no stereo :Wow1:
Oh, and I got stuck in 3rd gear for the last 200km. And teton pass was closed, and it was a blizzard. Lets just say it was a white knuckle drive, and We were pretty glad to show up in Jackson at 2am. We went to bed, and miraculously woke up without alarms at 7am. 55cm (22 inches) overnight! Holy ****, here we go! What a way to start the trip.
Anyway, we stuck around for a few days, toured the pass, and then parted ways with our friend. She took all our ski gear with her, so we didnt have to haul it all down to mexico. And then we were off, in 3rd gear only, to limp to SLC. The pass west of Bear Lake was the only place we ran into problems, and at one point we sputtered out going up the hill without enough speed. I had to pull a quick u turn, go back down, and then come at it again with speed. 2nd try is the charm, and we continue (again white knuckle) into salt lake. must have been 5-6 hours in 3rd, with some sketchy gas stops.
Anyway lucky for us, we found a vw mechanic, and he just bled the clutch, and we were fine! Shows how little i knew mechanically back then that I didnt even think to try that. Oh well, a couple hours later we were on our way and feeling like it was going to be a stressful trip with the old bus. Though like every other trip, soon you forget about your vehicle issues and continue with blind faith!
Ah, the open road... next stop moab, UT. I think I'm starting to ramble here, so Ill try and stay on point!
nice free camping in the desert scrublandGist of the story, it was cold and windy, but we had fun, rode bikes, climbed, and then hit the open road.
dead horse point
South to the real wide open spaces:
The classic monument valley shot we all know and love. As cliche as it is, there is nothing quite like the 4 corners area to really get the nostalgic, romantic, unfettered and exhilirating road trip feelings. This is what all of us on this forum live for. The open road, just a map and full tank of gas, and some dreams
Day or two spent in Canyon de Chelley, some cool cliff dwellings and stuff, but not great weather or light for photos unfortunately.
South, through arizona (petrified forest)
Finally, its warming up, and we are thawing out after a long Canadian winter. Saguaros! Now we are starting to feel like we are travelling further afield.
Ocotillo
Now, resupply, gas up, and hit Nogales, to cross into Mexico:
Part 2 Coming Soon!
