Flatlander Offroad Trailer's first adventure (more vacation that overlanding)

[aalbinger]

Pro-log Day 1

Just about to head out on the maiden voyage for My Flatlander Offroad trailer project. http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/128627-flatlander-offroad-project?highlight=flatlander+offroad

 

[aalbinger]

Night 1.

Somewhere east of Omaha. Perfect night for driving. When Flatlander (my Jeep Wrangler) pulling a trailer passes you it is time to reconsider your decision to be on the interstate.

West of Omaha the speed limit picks up to 75MPH. Flatlander just kind of snickered. A few times we hit 75. As long as there is no incline, headwind, crosswind, bugs, sunshine, negative vibes, etc.

Spending the night reacquainting myself with 1982 at the Super 8 in Lincoln. Conor's first new experience for this vacation.
Stage one in the books.

 

[aalbinger]

Midday day 2

Near Ogallala. Central Nebraska is much like Iowa without all of the excitement.

Decided to grow a vacation beard. Had to start weeks ago to avoid a vacation tuft. Trying to imitate Grizzly Adams. Might see bears in Colorado. Bears love Grizzly Adams.

 

[aalbinger]

Evening day 3

We had an excellent time with Neal and Nancy. We toured mile high home of Conor's Broncos.

Had some trouble yesterday with Flatlander overheating. Apparently Flatlander is suffering altitude sickness even tho Conor and I are fine. Fluorescent green puddle in Neal's driveway. 2 part stores. One $4 part and $40 of 50/50 antifreeze and we are on the road again.

Taking the peak to peak route to Estes Park. Quick bite in Nederland and we will be back on the road.

BEAUTIFUL DRIVE!!!

Nederland, CO

Mile High

What the visiting team sees before taking the field

Beer Room

 

[aalbinger]

Morning day 4

Our first night in my off-road trailer project. Success!

Could not figure out what this insane screech/cricket noise was. Once outside I saw hummingbirds roosting on the tent spars. Less annoyed now that I know who's wings were making that noise.

Conor is still in the tent but I expect he is awake.

 

[aalbinger]

Morning day 5

Old Fall River Road, the Alpine Visitors Center and the rest of RMNP were awesome.

We watched a herd of 12 elk wander around for 2 hours.

Camped at lake Granby. Due to known bears in the area we practiced strict bear protocol with food & trash.

Conor proved one can pee from the tent ladder in the middle of the night. Bears dislike pee :********:

 

[aalbinger]

Mid-afternoon day 5

Disc golf on the ski slopes.

Sangria and sorbet after.


Disc Golf Course at Winter Park, CO

 

[aalbinger]

Evening day 6

We have arrived in Silverton CO.

Conor felt well most all day but is tired/napping after 8+ hours of driving.

 

[aalbinger]

Mid-day day 7

Jeep trails



Headed up to Clear Lake

Clear Lake

Flatlander coming down the trail

 

[aalbinger]

Afternoon day 8

Yesterday afternoon was a trip across engineer pass to Lake City and a return to Silverton via cinamon pass. Both were great but we were worn out.

Today Conor and I relaxed with a trip to Telluride via Ophir Pass. A round of disc golf in Telluride and a return to silverton the other way across Ophir Pass.

We saw a crashed BMW motorcycle remnant.

I showed Conor my squirrel whispering skills by making a marmot stop, turn, and pose for us.



On Engineer Pass

Ophir Pass

Disc Golf at Telluride

 

[aalbinger]

Mid-day day 9

Stony pass this morning. Leisurely ride through fields of wildflowers.

Headed back to Denver tomorrow.

Coffee & Espresso in Silverton

 

[aalbinger]

Evening day 10

Long day of driving from Silverton to Denver.
Coolant temps were below 212f all day till we pulled into Denver for a burger. Then the temp spiked and the radiator hose burst (or the hose burst and the temp spiked).

Luckily this happened 0.2 miles from a parts store. I have a fairly comprehensive set of tools in the Flatlander. The install was easy and we are safely at the Christensen hotel with Nancy and Neal.

I'm starting to think that Flatlander hates Denver. Or possibly it is time to replace everything in the 17 year old cooling system.

Tomorrow is a viewing of Broncos spring training and then the long haul from Denver to Ames.

 

[aalbinger]

Postlog

Day 11 started at the best accommodations of the trip with Neal and Nancy. Neal took Conor and I to watch the Broncos training camp. It was our first time seeing pro players live in action.

We rolled out of town after noon unsure of Flatlander's cooling system. Other than being a LONG drive the trip was uneventful. We arrived home at 2:15AM last night.

11 days
Approximately 2400 miles on the new trailer.
A couple of very successful nights in the Tepui RTT.

The first trip for my homemade tent trailer, Conor's first "men's vacation" are all in the books.

Time to start planning for next year!

 

[mph]

Good for you guys. It looks like the trip was a total success. My guess is that Colorado really blew you away compared to the flatlands of Iowa. I have done the drive across Iowa and Nebraska a ton of times when I lived in Wisconsin. I always hated when I got to the Nebraska/Colorado border. I would always expect to see the mountains. But no...A few more hours...

Thanks for sharing and get back West soon!

 

[lumpskie]

Looks like a fun trip! Thanks for sharing.