ITTOG's Overlanding Trips
- Thread starter ITTOG
- Start date
ITTOG
Well-known member
You have a keen recollection of my wild and crazy adventures and near misses. LOL! That is the primary reason I bought it.
ITTOG
Well-known member
No, but hopefully in April.
ITTOG
Well-known member
It has been a while since I posted any of my camping/ATV trail trips. So I will post some pics that I think may be of interest.
First time camping with the camper wrapped.
The easy trails. We like to see the wild around us. So we normaly travel about 6 to 7 mph.
It is rare for us to see deer.
Pretty steep here.
I wasn't able to stop the bike and pose on this section of trail.
It had been very dry so the creeks were low and not flowing.
Mudhole wins again.
On the next trip it was much colder. Snow flurries and high of about 20 F.
First time bringing a generator. I definitely liked the ease of the lights. Funny thing is they were not on much because we like it dark.
One of my favorite places. I have posted it before.
First time camping with the camper wrapped.
The easy trails. We like to see the wild around us. So we normaly travel about 6 to 7 mph.
It is rare for us to see deer.
Pretty steep here.
I wasn't able to stop the bike and pose on this section of trail.
It had been very dry so the creeks were low and not flowing.
Mudhole wins again.
On the next trip it was much colder. Snow flurries and high of about 20 F.
First time bringing a generator. I definitely liked the ease of the lights. Funny thing is they were not on much because we like it dark.
One of my favorite places. I have posted it before.
ITTOG
Well-known member
Moving to the next trip. I had just turned my bike (the red one) onto its side trying to move up from the trail between the two bikes to the trail up on the ledge to the left of my bike. Unfortunately while trying to make the turn it slid into the washout and rolled onto the side. This pic is after we got it back on all fours. My bike doesn't have power steering and I can tell I am getting older. It seems I roll it over on every trip anymore.
Yeah, it was a cold day. I think the high was around 19F.
Found a new to us, natural spillway in the creek.
I thought this overhang over the creek looked cool. I will have to go back some time and try to get to that side for a photo op.
The view from an old derelict cabin.
Another waterfall.
It isn't as fun as the trails we ride but sometimes a pipeline right of way is needed to show the expanse around you. It was a cold and wet day.
I love creek crossings on the ATV, especially the deep ones that make the exhaust pop.
That was the end of this trip.
Yeah, it was a cold day. I think the high was around 19F.
Found a new to us, natural spillway in the creek.
I thought this overhang over the creek looked cool. I will have to go back some time and try to get to that side for a photo op.
The view from an old derelict cabin.
Another waterfall.
It isn't as fun as the trails we ride but sometimes a pipeline right of way is needed to show the expanse around you. It was a cold and wet day.
I love creek crossings on the ATV, especially the deep ones that make the exhaust pop.
That was the end of this trip.
ITTOG
Well-known member
For this next trip, I was a little concerned because the forecast was for torrential rain and flash flooding, which doesn't bother me at all. Being in the mountains alone though, is not safe. Even for the miniature mountains in OK and AR. So I sent an email to those that said they were going to ensure everyone was still planning to attend. Everyone said yes, rain or shine. I have the furthest to go so I usually drive in a day before everyone else. When I got to camp I did a few things to make the trip easier for everyone. But before I get to that, I had problems on the highway. I had recently left a gas station and a car came up beside me pointing to my trailer. So I stopped and took a look and discovered half of my folding ramp was missing.
Someone must have stolen it or disconnected it at my previous spot.
I did backtrack and looked for it but didn't find it.
Finally, I reached the road into camp and stopped to take a pic.
I placed a huge tarp over the fire pit to ensure we would be drive. I also put a lot of wood in the shack.
First time using the LED light on the side by side, which this is my first trip with it.
It is bright!
I awoke the next morning to a lot of rain, thunder, and lightening. It was easy to tell this wasn't a normal storm. I decided to go get some measurements at creek crossings to monitor how fast they are filling up. The deepest creek was at 20". I took a glamour shot on the way to the creek.
While on top of one of the hills I started receiving texts. One of those texts was what I was afraid of. The others were not coming! Well, I am here for today. Lets make the best of it and monitor the creeks.
Obviously this trail didn't need anymore rain.
Lots of water crossings in our area.
One thing I despise about this bike is the wheels are far wider than the fenders. I end up wearing a lot of mud. This isn't even that bad, compared to later that day.
The bike didn't like it either. I will have to address this issue.
Someone must have stolen it or disconnected it at my previous spot.
I did backtrack and looked for it but didn't find it.Finally, I reached the road into camp and stopped to take a pic.
I placed a huge tarp over the fire pit to ensure we would be drive. I also put a lot of wood in the shack.
First time using the LED light on the side by side, which this is my first trip with it.
It is bright!
I awoke the next morning to a lot of rain, thunder, and lightening. It was easy to tell this wasn't a normal storm. I decided to go get some measurements at creek crossings to monitor how fast they are filling up. The deepest creek was at 20". I took a glamour shot on the way to the creek.
While on top of one of the hills I started receiving texts. One of those texts was what I was afraid of. The others were not coming! Well, I am here for today. Lets make the best of it and monitor the creeks.
Obviously this trail didn't need anymore rain.
Lots of water crossings in our area.
One thing I despise about this bike is the wheels are far wider than the fenders. I end up wearing a lot of mud. This isn't even that bad, compared to later that day.
The bike didn't like it either. I will have to address this issue.
ITTOG
Well-known member
I went and looked at the creeks I had to cross to get out of camp and they are all significantly higher. In addition, a lot of rain was headed my way (a lot more than what fell today) and the creeks were beginning to flood so this turned into a one day trip. Kind of rough on the body to go for one day when it is eight hours of driving to get there.
So I went back to camp and packed up as much as I could and then headed home around 4 AM the next morning. It was raining so hard I couldn't get many pictures but this is of a crossing that is usually just a foot deep and about three feet wide. Here it is probably 20' wide and 2.5' to 3' deep.
This is usually just a mudhole but today it is a raging river with a 15' waterfall.
It rained almost the entire trip home. But it wasn't just rain, I received about eight of these alerts.
Once home I packed up the camper and gear for the summer. I won't use it again until October.
A few days later a friend that has been going on these trips with me the past couple years suggested we go this weekend because the weather was supposed to be good; 40's at night (good for me) but 80's during the day (a bit hot). At first I told him know then a few days later, I changed my mind. Given this trip was going to be just the two of us and only a few days, I decided to take my neighbors dog, a Belgian Malinois. She is a great dog.
First stop on the trip.
We made it to camp about 11 PM. At 1 AM she was still wanting to play. I didn't have it in me and we went to bed.
Given I already packed my camper and gear I took a minimalistic approach and slept in the cabin. That was a mistake because any shack in the woods is going to have mice and they drover her crazy all night. She drove me crazy all night. So we both started the day with no sleep for the most part. The rest of the trip she slept with my friend in his truck bed.
The creek by camp was flowing and cold. It was great for baths at the end of those hot days on the trail.
Time to unload the bike and hit the trails.
She started the day strong and had to lead us on the trail. Even though she had never been there. Amazingly, when she got to intersections she would stop and look back at me.
I love this view. A great view for the cabin behind me.
After about 15 miles of running that day, she was ready to ride.
A nice little waterfall.
So I went back to camp and packed up as much as I could and then headed home around 4 AM the next morning. It was raining so hard I couldn't get many pictures but this is of a crossing that is usually just a foot deep and about three feet wide. Here it is probably 20' wide and 2.5' to 3' deep.
This is usually just a mudhole but today it is a raging river with a 15' waterfall.
It rained almost the entire trip home. But it wasn't just rain, I received about eight of these alerts.
Once home I packed up the camper and gear for the summer. I won't use it again until October.
A few days later a friend that has been going on these trips with me the past couple years suggested we go this weekend because the weather was supposed to be good; 40's at night (good for me) but 80's during the day (a bit hot). At first I told him know then a few days later, I changed my mind. Given this trip was going to be just the two of us and only a few days, I decided to take my neighbors dog, a Belgian Malinois. She is a great dog.
First stop on the trip.
We made it to camp about 11 PM. At 1 AM she was still wanting to play. I didn't have it in me and we went to bed.
Given I already packed my camper and gear I took a minimalistic approach and slept in the cabin. That was a mistake because any shack in the woods is going to have mice and they drover her crazy all night. She drove me crazy all night. So we both started the day with no sleep for the most part. The rest of the trip she slept with my friend in his truck bed.
The creek by camp was flowing and cold. It was great for baths at the end of those hot days on the trail.
Time to unload the bike and hit the trails.
She started the day strong and had to lead us on the trail. Even though she had never been there. Amazingly, when she got to intersections she would stop and look back at me.
I love this view. A great view for the cabin behind me.
After about 15 miles of running that day, she was ready to ride.
A nice little waterfall.
ITTOG
Well-known member
The magic hour when the sun sets.
She was worn out by the time we got back to camp.
The next day her age made her slow down. She probably only ran along the trail about five miles. I should have held her back yesterday to prevent the pain for her.
Completely spent on the last day.
She was worn out by the time we got back to camp.
The next day her age made her slow down. She probably only ran along the trail about five miles. I should have held her back yesterday to prevent the pain for her.
Completely spent on the last day.
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
But, she was spent and happy. If we could all be so lucky.
If we could all be so lucky.
ITTOG
Well-known member
West Bound and Down
Earlier this year I decided it was time to get a different boat. One that was not only newer, but better at wake surfing and water sports in general. After a lot of research I found one in the Salt Lake City area. That is a long way from Houston and I hate driving. I spent a lot of time trying to rent a truck in the area so I only have to drive one way. Unfortunately there wasn't one available because it was their busy season and they didn't allow one ways. My only options were to pay a delivery company, rent a U-Haul, or drive there in my truck and pick it up. The delivery company was too expensive and driving a U-Haul that far would be miserable. I recently drove one an hour and thought I was going to lose a couple inches in height and I can't afford to lose any height.
Once I decided to do it myself, for about 1/3 the cost of the delivery company, I started figuring out when I could do it. After looking at several options I decided to do it on the back end of our annual Fourth of July vacation. So the plan was to drive from Houston to NE Oklahoma, spend three days at the lake with family, and then head to UT. The route looked like this. After mapping it out and seeing the time commitment, I almost backed out. The only thing that held me to it was that I had never driven those routes in CO, UT, and NM. Thus I was a little excited to "see what I could see".
It had five sections and I estimated it would take me five or six days.
1. 563 miles over 8 hours and 48 minutes.
2. 852 miles over 14 hours and 2 minutes.
3. 392 miles over 6 hours and 31 minutes.
4. 367 miles over 6 hours and 8 minutes.
5. 1062 miles over 15 hours and 46 minutes.
But somehow the trip changed to a version of "East Bound and Down" by Jerry Reed with one exception, I was West Bound and Down and picking up a boat. For the most part, the songs first verse and chorus definitely applied. Also, I am not Bandit!
Keep your foot hard on the pedal
Son, never mind them brakes
Let it all hang out 'cause we've got a run to make
The boys are thirsty in Atlanta (The lake has lots of sun and is ready in texas)
And there's beer in Texarkana (and there's a boat in Salt Lake City, Utah)
And we'll bring it back no matter what it takes
[Chorus]
East bound and down, loaded up and truckin'
We gonna do what they say can't be done
We've got a long way to go and a short time to get there
I'm east bound, just watch ol' Bandit run
The first day was from Texas to Oklahoma and is a trip we have done 100's of times. It is a relatively easy trip and we were all excited for fellowship with family over the holiday. The family time was great but we also took some time to think about the "Legacy of Liberty" by going to a war memorial.
Earlier this year I decided it was time to get a different boat. One that was not only newer, but better at wake surfing and water sports in general. After a lot of research I found one in the Salt Lake City area. That is a long way from Houston and I hate driving. I spent a lot of time trying to rent a truck in the area so I only have to drive one way. Unfortunately there wasn't one available because it was their busy season and they didn't allow one ways. My only options were to pay a delivery company, rent a U-Haul, or drive there in my truck and pick it up. The delivery company was too expensive and driving a U-Haul that far would be miserable. I recently drove one an hour and thought I was going to lose a couple inches in height and I can't afford to lose any height.
Once I decided to do it myself, for about 1/3 the cost of the delivery company, I started figuring out when I could do it. After looking at several options I decided to do it on the back end of our annual Fourth of July vacation. So the plan was to drive from Houston to NE Oklahoma, spend three days at the lake with family, and then head to UT. The route looked like this. After mapping it out and seeing the time commitment, I almost backed out. The only thing that held me to it was that I had never driven those routes in CO, UT, and NM. Thus I was a little excited to "see what I could see".
It had five sections and I estimated it would take me five or six days.
1. 563 miles over 8 hours and 48 minutes.
2. 852 miles over 14 hours and 2 minutes.
3. 392 miles over 6 hours and 31 minutes.
4. 367 miles over 6 hours and 8 minutes.
5. 1062 miles over 15 hours and 46 minutes.
But somehow the trip changed to a version of "East Bound and Down" by Jerry Reed with one exception, I was West Bound and Down and picking up a boat. For the most part, the songs first verse and chorus definitely applied. Also, I am not Bandit!
Keep your foot hard on the pedal
Son, never mind them brakes
Let it all hang out 'cause we've got a run to make
The boys are thirsty in Atlanta (The lake has lots of sun and is ready in texas)
And there's beer in Texarkana (and there's a boat in Salt Lake City, Utah)
And we'll bring it back no matter what it takes
[Chorus]
East bound and down, loaded up and truckin'
We gonna do what they say can't be done
We've got a long way to go and a short time to get there
I'm east bound, just watch ol' Bandit run
The first day was from Texas to Oklahoma and is a trip we have done 100's of times. It is a relatively easy trip and we were all excited for fellowship with family over the holiday. The family time was great but we also took some time to think about the "Legacy of Liberty" by going to a war memorial.
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Very cool posts.....it brought back memories of my own father who was a World War II veteran and participated in the Battle of Normandy and continued through the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) and Central Europe. Something I noticed about Harold Keller (position #2) was that he was born and also died in the exact same years as my father. This makes me want to go unpack one of my rarely opened cardboard boxes stored in the barn and check out his old military pictures once again. Thanks for posting this ITTOG.....
ITTOG
Well-known member
Thanks. I wasn't going to post anything about this trip because it was about being with family and going to pick up a boat. Not something the masses here would really want/appreciate. But once we decided to go see this new memorial, I decided it was worthwhile. We may not all agree on war and the politics associated with it. However, we need/must support the guys that are fighting it. They may have volunteered to join the military but my guess is 95%+ did not volunteer to go to war. Thus, they will always have my support and respect. Also, it may have not been our war, but in many ways, past wars have prevented or mitigated future wars for us. My father, father-in-law (who I was with at the memorial), and grandfathers were all in the Navy so going to a memorial like this definitely makes me think hard about what they went through.
So that will be the best part of this trip. Most of the rest will be the drive to go get the boat with pictures from the truck. Most of the time I didn't even stop to get the pictures, which make me appreciate @YukonMontanaTannerTrapper pictures from the road. As I said, it became a race.