My Journey
- Thread starter YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
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YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Don.....I don't use the water system in my truck camper, therefore I've never used the shower once, including the Bigfoot truck camper.....
Life of the working man and his dogs.....12 hour work days 7 days a week.....
The dogs love hanging out with Bacon.....
Life of the working man and his dogs.....12 hour work days 7 days a week.....
The dogs love hanging out with Bacon.....
Ace Brown
Retired Ol’ Fart
I suggest that the next time you pass through Colorado you spend more time on the West Slope (Best Slope). Avoid the crowds on the front range.
I always enjoy your reports.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Thanks Ace.....I agree with your comments about staying further west. I recall seeing some amazing mountains on past trips (I climbed a few) in western Colorado.....I'll be back.....
So Don, I'm not sure I can give you a good answer to your question. The simplest answer would be saving the weight of carrying all that water. But it's more than that. When I bought the Bigfoot in 2005, I filled the water tank on my first trip out. And I just didn't like it, and I can't seem to verbalize why that is. I prefer using regular showers, or bathing / swimming in lakes & rivers. I like to keep things simple too. This rig has no TV, no microwave, nor air conditioning, and it was winterized before I took possession. I bought a generator but have never used it.
I use the Jeep like a trailer and generally haul 12 to 14 gallon jugs with me. That's typically plenty.....
The Jeep works perfectly for hauling the jugs.....
I can put 8 jugs in the rear and 4 jugs on the passenger seat or on the floorboard. I'll refill the jugs at various grocery stores and that's fairly inexpensive.....
So Don, I'm not sure I can give you a good answer to your question. The simplest answer would be saving the weight of carrying all that water. But it's more than that. When I bought the Bigfoot in 2005, I filled the water tank on my first trip out. And I just didn't like it, and I can't seem to verbalize why that is. I prefer using regular showers, or bathing / swimming in lakes & rivers. I like to keep things simple too. This rig has no TV, no microwave, nor air conditioning, and it was winterized before I took possession. I bought a generator but have never used it.
I use the Jeep like a trailer and generally haul 12 to 14 gallon jugs with me. That's typically plenty.....
The Jeep works perfectly for hauling the jugs.....
I can put 8 jugs in the rear and 4 jugs on the passenger seat or on the floorboard. I'll refill the jugs at various grocery stores and that's fairly inexpensive.....
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
Jerry, Hope the ranching is going well! Looks like you made a platform for the dogs in the back of the jeep?
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
PNWY.....yep, I built that platform when I was in the Renegade. It's kind of funny cause I had one massive storage box on that Renegade with easy access to my tools. So one night staying at a Lowes I got inspired to build something. So now I've got a landing for the dogs and a storage area under that landing (which I never use).....
McCarthy.....it's somewhere between 11,000 and 12,000. The truck just got it's second oil change a few days ago. It's running great, full of power, and I love it. The only downfall that I've noticed is that it seems to overheat easily on long pulls up the mountains.....
It's hard for me to believe that it was 278 days ago that I went homeless again.....time continues to fly (usually).....and I've yet to find an end game so I continue to travel and I just move on.....
I finished my stint on the ranch. Working hard and working long days allowed me to complete my tasks way early and I was anxious to explore again. My friend gave me a wad of cash on my last day.....she said I had to take it or she'd feel bad, but that's something I just couldn't do, cause I'd feel bad. At the end of the day we donated the money to a poor family.....and she and I felt great about that.....
The dogs and I, well, we were ready for National Forest time so our first night was camped in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Controversy found us shortly into our stay. I walked by an old trailer, not a single window or vent was open, and saw a small dog inside which was barking, but seemed to be OK......
It was 11:00 a.m. and the thought haunted me all day and through the night. Nobody came and finally the next day at 5:00 a.m. I called the sheriff. At 8:00 a.m. a sheriff showed up, and shortly after a game warden. I moved on.....
We drove west, passed through Butte, Montana for a brief stay (there's an excellent used book store here). But my next real stop would be Missoula, Montana.....my friend, she says too many hippies in that town.....
Apparently she's not the only one thinking like that.....
Missoula is a college town, I think with a population of around 75,000. I like the town but like my friend says, lots of young people here living on the streets.....lots of beggars.....
For your enjoyment, check out this truck camper. I've developed a thing for the classics.....
McCarthy.....it's somewhere between 11,000 and 12,000. The truck just got it's second oil change a few days ago. It's running great, full of power, and I love it. The only downfall that I've noticed is that it seems to overheat easily on long pulls up the mountains.....
It's hard for me to believe that it was 278 days ago that I went homeless again.....time continues to fly (usually).....and I've yet to find an end game so I continue to travel and I just move on.....
I finished my stint on the ranch. Working hard and working long days allowed me to complete my tasks way early and I was anxious to explore again. My friend gave me a wad of cash on my last day.....she said I had to take it or she'd feel bad, but that's something I just couldn't do, cause I'd feel bad. At the end of the day we donated the money to a poor family.....and she and I felt great about that.....
The dogs and I, well, we were ready for National Forest time so our first night was camped in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Controversy found us shortly into our stay. I walked by an old trailer, not a single window or vent was open, and saw a small dog inside which was barking, but seemed to be OK......
It was 11:00 a.m. and the thought haunted me all day and through the night. Nobody came and finally the next day at 5:00 a.m. I called the sheriff. At 8:00 a.m. a sheriff showed up, and shortly after a game warden. I moved on.....
We drove west, passed through Butte, Montana for a brief stay (there's an excellent used book store here). But my next real stop would be Missoula, Montana.....my friend, she says too many hippies in that town.....
Apparently she's not the only one thinking like that.....
Missoula is a college town, I think with a population of around 75,000. I like the town but like my friend says, lots of young people here living on the streets.....lots of beggars.....
For your enjoyment, check out this truck camper. I've developed a thing for the classics.....
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Good to know you're on the move again Jerry. I really enjoy tagging along. My wife and I have always loved Missoula and the people-watching there (basically watching the hippies) is stellar.
Without being specific enough that it might be identified, can you generally describe the area in which your friend's ranch is located? Also, approximately where within the B-D Nat Forest was the pup located? Again, without being too specific--I'm just curious that way.
The wife and I are flying into Bozeman in a couple of months for a week of driving, hiking, fishing, and visiting old haunts in and around Philipsburg, the Big Hole, Dillon, and the Centennial Valley, all in observation of our 40th anniversary. It's been 3 years since we've visited Montana--too long!
Foy
Without being specific enough that it might be identified, can you generally describe the area in which your friend's ranch is located? Also, approximately where within the B-D Nat Forest was the pup located? Again, without being too specific--I'm just curious that way.
The wife and I are flying into Bozeman in a couple of months for a week of driving, hiking, fishing, and visiting old haunts in and around Philipsburg, the Big Hole, Dillon, and the Centennial Valley, all in observation of our 40th anniversary. It's been 3 years since we've visited Montana--too long!
Foy
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Good Morning Foy.....her property is located in southwest Montana.....and the dog incident was at Homestake Lake. You might be familiar with the area.....it's the mountain pass just to the east of Butte, Montana.....
We spent a few days hanging out in Missoula.....
I enjoy walking the historic section of town.....
In one of the parks is an old piano. This guy (appeared to be homeless) rides up on his bike and started playing some good stuff.....
But maybe the best part of Missoula is the Clark Fork which runs right through the city. The dogs and I were in that river everyday.....with daytime temperatures now around 90 degrees, it's not only a way of staying clean, but it's a way of staying cool. One thing about Montana, the sun is intense here, so we're always looking for shade or cool waters.....
We finally left Missoula and headed north up Highway 93.....the goal....St. Ignatius, Montana. If you've followed this thread over the years, you'd know that we come here to visit the birthplace of Yukon, and to visit with the family that first raised her.....
This year marks her 10th year of life.....it felt a bit special this time. I always wonder.....can she remember the barn where she took her first breath.....she's always so attentive as we approach one of the most beautiful little farms I've ever seen.....
I think she's smiling.....
We spent a few days hanging out in Missoula.....
I enjoy walking the historic section of town.....
In one of the parks is an old piano. This guy (appeared to be homeless) rides up on his bike and started playing some good stuff.....
But maybe the best part of Missoula is the Clark Fork which runs right through the city. The dogs and I were in that river everyday.....with daytime temperatures now around 90 degrees, it's not only a way of staying clean, but it's a way of staying cool. One thing about Montana, the sun is intense here, so we're always looking for shade or cool waters.....
We finally left Missoula and headed north up Highway 93.....the goal....St. Ignatius, Montana. If you've followed this thread over the years, you'd know that we come here to visit the birthplace of Yukon, and to visit with the family that first raised her.....
This year marks her 10th year of life.....it felt a bit special this time. I always wonder.....can she remember the barn where she took her first breath.....she's always so attentive as we approach one of the most beautiful little farms I've ever seen.....
I think she's smiling.....
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
A few years back the family sold that particular farm and moved on to a much larger property just down the road. This property really is just as amazing as the other. I never give these people a fair warning that we're in town, and I've always been welcomed with open arms. I love this family.....
Typically my visits here are brief.....usually one night only. This visit would be much different. I headed over to a small park near the Saint Ignatius Mission. This turned out to be the perfect spot to camp and explore Mission Valley.....
I never made it into the church, but we hung out here quite a bit.....
I'm into the old buildings mostly.....
This would be the first time I journeyed into the mountains, crossed the highway and toured the National Bison Range, and lots more. I'll have several more posts regarding my time spent exploring the Mission Valley.....
Hanging out with the Amish would be next.....
Typically my visits here are brief.....usually one night only. This visit would be much different. I headed over to a small park near the Saint Ignatius Mission. This turned out to be the perfect spot to camp and explore Mission Valley.....
I never made it into the church, but we hung out here quite a bit.....
I'm into the old buildings mostly.....
This would be the first time I journeyed into the mountains, crossed the highway and toured the National Bison Range, and lots more. I'll have several more posts regarding my time spent exploring the Mission Valley.....
Hanging out with the Amish would be next.....
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
JD.....it's always difficult to leave Montana once you get here.....
So next up for us in the Mission Valley was attending the annual Amish Auction. I had a blast.....
Homemade ice cream and homemade pies.....makes my mouth water just typing this. I don't know how they do it, but there's no better.....
Lots of very cool stuff for sale here. The Amish are well known for their quality handmade furniture and handmade quilts.....
Also lots of flowers for sale that day.....
I like the way they arrive by horse and buggy. Their lives appear to be so simple and I'll admit I'm a fan of trying to keep life simple....
Anyhow what a great way to spend a Saturday morning and an afternoon as well.....
So next up for us in the Mission Valley was attending the annual Amish Auction. I had a blast.....
Homemade ice cream and homemade pies.....makes my mouth water just typing this. I don't know how they do it, but there's no better.....
Lots of very cool stuff for sale here. The Amish are well known for their quality handmade furniture and handmade quilts.....
Also lots of flowers for sale that day.....
I like the way they arrive by horse and buggy. Their lives appear to be so simple and I'll admit I'm a fan of trying to keep life simple....
Anyhow what a great way to spend a Saturday morning and an afternoon as well.....
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
I met some new people in town and got an invitation to visit their off the grid cabin in the mountains. Thirteen miles of forest service road....I had to park at the driveway entrance and leave my dogs in the Jeep due to their very protective dog.....
Their cabin was absolutely amazing.....
Before returning back to the camper, they took me to their favorite waterfalls.....there's nothing like local knowledge. There are 2 separate falls, each about 40 feet high. We spent the evening jumping off rock cliffs into the ice cold river. Life was good.....
The following morning my other friends invited me to their church service. It's taken 10 years of friendship to get that invitation. I was honored.....
It was quite an interesting experience for me. These people (Old German Baptist) resemble the Amish in their dress, but I believe they have strong differences in their faith.....
Travel is such a learning experience.....
I often find myself anxious to live the next day of my life.....
Their cabin was absolutely amazing.....
Before returning back to the camper, they took me to their favorite waterfalls.....there's nothing like local knowledge. There are 2 separate falls, each about 40 feet high. We spent the evening jumping off rock cliffs into the ice cold river. Life was good.....
The following morning my other friends invited me to their church service. It's taken 10 years of friendship to get that invitation. I was honored.....
It was quite an interesting experience for me. These people (Old German Baptist) resemble the Amish in their dress, but I believe they have strong differences in their faith.....
Travel is such a learning experience.....
I often find myself anxious to live the next day of my life.....