My Journey

[Ace Brown]

Well I guess the old adage "you get what you pay for is true"

I enjoy the Anonymity of the faceless posting. Would not change a thing.

Love the pick of Yukons expectant mug through the well-used throw ring. That's my new pup's favorite pose.

If you are referring to Jerry’s lack of photos of himself that’s not actually true that he’s anonymous. This is just a guess for when but within the last couple of years he posted a photo of himself. I believe he said a stranger took it up on another one of his hundreds of peaks. I remember he was wearing a red plaid shirt or jacket. He looked younger than someone should for being retired and traveling as long as he has. I replied about finally seeing a photo of himself. He dismissed it saying something like he was sure his readers would prefer pictures of his dogs. So I’m glad he doesn’t post many selfies (only one?), because I get annoyed when folks think every photo should have their mug in the foreground.

Please continue to feed Yukon whatever she enjoys. She’s earned it.

Ace


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[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

ITTOG.....yea it's gonna be tough without her.....thank you.....

Arjan.....love them ! If I'm able to actually pull this off (I'm beginning to discover how difficult it will be while in travel mode), there's much more to it than just owning and travelling in a Defender. It's partially reliving a part of my past.....wandering around in a Defender up high in the Andes Mountains, into the Amazon jungle and along the Pacific coastline. My oldest son is a videographer and part time film maker. We've traveled together in the Andes and I know that he'd like to return one day. So once this anticipated trip is completed my plan is to hand off the Defender to him and hopefully he too will one day travel some of the same roads as I, and see & film some of the amazing things that I will have seen.....time will tell.....

tgil.....the memories.....

Greg.....very observant.....that was actually the last day for that "well used throw ring". She got a new one that afternoon and Tanner got a football that lights up.....looking forward to playing with that.....

Ace.....exactly and yep.....



I've lost track of the number of times that we've crossed the southern highways of Arizona this winter but once again the time had come to do it once again. We spent two fantastic weeks camped in the vast deserts of southern California. I was able to finish two books during our stay.....this book that I had found at Goodwill stood out and had quite an impact on me.....and I would imagine it would on you as well. The spirit of the explorer that we all have in our hearts is so well conveyed in the stories of past explorers from years ago.....





Books are an amazing escape from reality but it was the sand dunes where I truly escaped and went to heal.....





The sand dunes always seemed to be changing.....and in that change I saw life as it too is always in change.....





The wonderful sky too.....forever in change.....always in change.....





There has been a lot of reflection these past few weeks.....the changing sand dunes & the changing skies.....the campfires too.....



There's just something so special about living life outdoors.....and living on the road.....always change.....a change of seasons, a change of scenery, a change of clothes (the least frequent of the three).....sometimes I just hate change.....

 

[Arjan]

That dog is really, really very at ease !

Love the pics

 

[Ace Brown]

Jerry every time you talk about traveling I think back and reminisce about my 8.5 years on the road. So many great memories and I always had a dog with me.

Loved your sand dune shots. Couldn’t help but wonder if my fat bike would be able to float on that sand. It depends on how dry it is and if legal of course.



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[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Arjan.....and that's what makes it all so difficult. At times she almost seems fine, but then the reality is that she can no longer put any weight on her left front leg. Just recently I've noticed her losing her balance and it seems as though her hind legs are showing signs of deterioration and weakness. That being said, yesterday I was on the phone with the veterinarian asking for anothers month supply of pain killers.....she's a warrior ! Am I doing the right thing ? I don't know the answer.....

Ace.....that sand is a mixed bag. Some of it was solid under a few inches of soft sand while other areas were so soft you could barely walk and I would doubt bike. Always a dog.....




One day while out exploring north of the interstate I saw this roadside sign.....it rings of the truth to me.....



We have left.....I'll miss the warm air.....the amazing evening skies.....

















But I wanted to continue exploring while Yukon was still with us.....not to just let her die there in the desert. We have been very, very busy and we have traveled quite a bit lately. I have lots to tell you now.....

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

And so it was that we drove east.....again. Remember that large pinnacle north of the interstate that we attempted to climb several weeks ago ? Well, I knew when I left there last time that I would return again, and that is exactly what we did.....



This time we camped much closer to the base of the mountains.....it was perfect here.....and we had it all to ourselves. The dogs were able to wander unattended and honestly I just love giving them that freedom.....



Tanner and I did a recon early in the morning. My goal was to see if we might summit from a different ravine.....



I had no plans to try to summit that first morning.....it was just Tanner and I hanging out.....seeing what we could see.....



We got fairly high up this time.....but probably no higher than our previous attempt.....and there really was no way up from here either.....







We descended the mountain and began our return hike to the campsite, hiking across both flatlands and deep, wooded ravines. Tanner was walking in a ravine along the base of the mountain when we had what I'll call a National Geographic moment in our lives.....



Tanner was a good distance ahead of me at the time and when he did finally come back into my view I was astonished to see this huge buck with his head down aggressively attacking the pesky Tanner dog.....



When the buck saw me, and I don't know why (two against one ?), he bolted and Tanner gave chase. I stood there thinking "what the hell just happened ?".....and ten minutes later Tanner returns.....and then life was back to normal (as we know it anyhow).....

 

[Riversdad]

Jerry, She's going to let you know when she's ready but only you know if you're doing the right thing. Nothing is harder than deciding to end the life of your best friend. I've lost both of my parents, but putting down my dogs was much harder. They trust you for everything and you're going to have to trust yourself to have the strength to show her the ultimate love when the time comes. I love your posts but lately I'm always afraid to check in because we know what's coming. Just remember you have a surrogate family out here that supports you and wishes you the best. You've given her such a great life, just be there for her when the time comes, look into her eyes and tell her you love her.

 

[Ace Brown]

Yeh, I too worry a bit about each new post.

I’ve also lost both my parents and my brother but each dog was harder. Three times I’ve had do it. It never gets easier. I’m trying to remember if there was anything that told me when it was time. But I can’t remember anything specific.


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[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Riversdad.....when this thread goes dormant, she will have passed as I think I will take a short break then. I'm purchasing another months worth of pain killers not because I think she will be with me for that length of time.....it is because I don't want to be put into a position where we are out and she is in pain or agony due to my negligence.....

Ace.....when Montana died without notice several years ago I wondered.....is it most difficult to lose your best buddy suddenly or is it better to have time with them beforehand. What I have learned is that neither is better.....they both suck.....



That afternoon we were back into the mountains without the dreams of summiting that small pinnacle.....





Our idea was to simply climb up at one end of the range and hike & climb along the ridgelines to see what we could see.....





In all my days of hiking & climbing I've yet to see a mountain lion in it's entirety.....twice I've seen the back half only as they quickly disappeared into the forest. I didn't see one here either, but I'm always hoping.....





No doubt they exist here.....we saw some great mountain caves.....all different sizes and shapes.....







I like it here quite a bit and I don't understand why it is but we are always alone here.....and that is good.....

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

We continued east along the interstate, again, and made a brief stop in Gila Bend, Arizona, again, this time for lunch.....



The dogs chowed on burgers and french fries looking as if they hadn't eaten for days, maybe weeks.....



It's absolutely insane how quickly a dog can devour a couple of burgers and a pack of french fries.....



Our next stop that day was at Outbound Offroad located in Phoenix, Arizona.....



Now I've got this idea of traveling south next winter and if indeed I go that route I will need a much smaller rig so I'm starting to look at products and what not.....we will see where that idea goes. These trailers are not for me.....I thought you might enjoy the photos.....









I've been thinking about something like this on a Defender 110, but I'd certainly want to cut out the roof in order to stand up in the back of the rig.....

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Now there was a good reason that we drove across Arizona once again and that I'll reveal shortly but first I'll tell you about another climb that we got in before our planned destination(s).....



This was just something that we stumbled onto while looking for a free place to spend the night.....



After a good nights sleep in the wilderness we were up early and hiking on the Arizona Trail headed to the summit of Picketpost Mountain (4,375').....





Initially the trail was well marked.....even well groomed I'd say.....





But eventually we departed the Arizona Trail and began a scramble up the mountain.....





This mountain really was a challenge and I'd say a favorite climb for quite sometime.....

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

At this point I thought we had made the summit.....





But just as we were leaving I glanced to my right, noticed something that looked man made, and thought that that point along the ridge must have been just a bit higher.....





As you can see the summit was well marked.....maybe a bit too well marked for me.....





The views up there were stupendous.....even glorious.....







Lately there was talk about my lack of selfies.....this is the best I can do.....

 

[tgil]

Great selfie!
I've been kicking the idea around in my head of a teardrop camper. There are some really cool ideas out there, but I would have to find a rental to try before I could buy one. That roof mount is the other design I've thought about. I like what Dan Grec did with his Wrangler that he drove around Africa. I can see getting more use out of one of those, but neither would provide the comfort that you are used to with your current rig.

I stumbled across some pics of Havasu Falls this morning. It is on the Havasupai Reservation, on the west end of Grand Canyon NP. Have you been there in your travels? Sounds like a pain to get reservations, and costly too, but man, what a beautiful looking place!

 

[longhorn1]

Always thinking about Yukon. Never easy at the end. When we put Barley to sleep I laid with my arms around him whispering into his ear until he took his last breath. I wanted him to know I was there and he was safe. Brings tears to even think about it 6 years later. You will know when. Jerry take care. jd

 

[Ace Brown]

My dream rig for the kind of travel you’re talking about would be a Gen 1 Tundra with a “wedge camper” on the bed. Dead reliable and parts available around the world. These camper units bolt onto the bed rails so it’s a solid attachment, not slide in. They have pop up roofs that allow standing in one end. You could get just a shell and finish it your way or get a complete custom build ($$).

They were reviewed in Overland Journal Winter 2019.

I liked the Gen 1 because it’s smaller than a full size pickup, bigger than the current Tacoma but comes with a V-8. Of course the Taco is a bit smaller if you want to fit down narrower trails.

Another great option would be a Land Cruiser with an Alu-cab conversion. Biggest advantage with that style is there is no obstruction between cab and living area. In dangerous country it could be handy to jump into the drivers seat to bug out without stepping outside.

You can build your LR 110 the same way but I think the LC is a more reliable platform.

Disclaimer: I owned a Gen 1 Tundra and often wish I still had it.

Here’s a couple of “wedge campers” from that review:

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