NC to OR on the TAT in my 4Runner

[SirWilliamGoes]

Here's a video of the first 5 days

https://youtu.be/R0mbrwF6d_g

there is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror


there is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror

 

[dcg141]

I just saw your thread...lol you were 30 miles from my house when you camped at Enid. I camp there often. Have fun I have a KTM dealership so we see a lot of TAT guys.

 

[94Wrangler]

Hey I just watched video. Interestingly enough I just read an article about the purple paint. Turns out that that is a no trespassing sign. According to the article there is a thing called the purple paint law so that instead of having to buy tons of no trespassing signs if you paint trees every so many feet a color that would not be natural and that will stand out then that is equal to a no trespassing sign. We don't have that law in Tennessee. Also I don't live in a trailer however I think tires on the roof helps keep the roof from blowing around in a strong wind. Don't know that for sure but we do see that in Tennessee as well. Just thought I would shed some light on your questions. And let you know people are keeping up with you. Keep up the posts and the videos.

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

Hey I just watched video. Interestingly enough I just read an article about the purple paint. Turns out that that is a no trespassing sign. According to the article there is a thing called the purple paint law so that instead of having to buy tons of no trespassing signs if you paint trees every so many feet a color that would not be natural and that will stand out then that is equal to a no trespassing sign. We don't have that law in Tennessee. Also I don't live in a trailer however I think tires on the roof helps keep the roof from blowing around in a strong wind. Don't know that for sure but we do see that in Tennessee as well. Just thought I would shed some light on your questions. And let you know people are keeping up with you. Keep up the posts and the videos.

That's what I had thought about the purple Pait. Cool law, I live on 50+ acres and will ha e to see if this is the same in SC

there is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

DAY 6

Today started great!! How can it not after having 12+ hrs of sleep in the comfort of a hotel room!!! Thank you to the Americas Best Inn Ponca City OK. After waking up I stopped at the little restaurant next-door and had a huge breakfast, country Fried Steak omlet complete with hashbrowns,peppers,onions, and gravy, It was awesome!!!

After that I was off to the Trail. It had started to rain sometime in the night and continued on. Once I got onto the Trail I noticed that these conditions were byfar not ideal. The farm roads made of clay and sand had turned to thick slick mud that was similar to driving on ice

I have more videos of this than pics because I was trying to maneuver through it. After spending 2hrs in mud and getting stuck no less than 10times I determined that this was no fun and I was going to find some paved rds to get me past the wet plus my mpg had dropped to 9mpg and I was traveling at less than 15mph and like I said it wasn't fun which is the reason I wanted to go on the trip. You know where I'm from there's mud bogs and everyones idea of Off-roading is going mudding, I'm the opposite. I enjoy Off-roading but don't like being in mud.

After driving for a while on paved rds it seemed to be dry enough to try the Trail again so I hooked back on to it. I ran into some more mud but not near as bad as before. Here are some pics I took going through OK

Going into New Mexico the scenery changed to desert and flat. But still gorgeous.

Finally I see the Rockies

Approaching the Rockies was just as I expected it to be. Absolutely beautiful and breath taking. As I have said many of times on the trip the camera can not capture the full effect

Maybe TMI but I had to use the bathroom and couldn't find anything for miles and hrs, once I started heading up the mountain, which is way steep I might as, I decided to pull off at a little cut off and try my shovel out!!! While doing this I heard my phone going off indicating I had cell signal. I hadn't had this or even FM radio for hours. It was beginning to get dark and I knew the weather was bad somewhere ahead and this was my view

So I decided to set up camp and stay here for the night.

As promised here is a closer pic of my window set up at night.

Tonight the low is 27 so needless to say I won't be rolling down my window!! Tomorrow, due to the weather I will be traveling until I get to pavement then heading on into Colorado and figure it out from there. Holla tomorrow.

I am Camping on a mountain pass outside Folsom NM on the Colorado border

there is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

I'm finally in Colorado heading towards Denver now within the next 2 hours will be there

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[SirWilliamGoes]

DAY 7

Today after waking up to temps in the 20's I made it down the gorgeous pass I was on and made my way to the big city of Denver. My whole trip I have been by myself and away from people. After visiting Denver I wanted to go back away!!. I was there long enough to piss the locals off because I had no idea where I was, and could hardly see with all the mud. Then there was snow. Sorry dnver we dont get snow in SC!!! I pulled a u turn in a great place, a marijuana dispensary!! Although pot is legal here, the process you have to go through to purchase it still feels criminal. It's not quite like getting a beer or an ice cream cone, as it should be. None the less I had to experience it once!! I decided that I would stay around here for a night plus I needed to do laundry and wanted to chill also ITS 30° outside! Hopefully it will warm up and I can explore the beauty of Colorado, not the big city!! Sorry Denver I'm ultimately a small town boy from the Southeast. Although I will say what I have seen so far is astounding!!! I can't wait to see without all the clouds. Here's what you really wanted, the pics of Today!!

Dnver was too crazy to shoot pics plus I broke my clip after throwing it, that's the last times that damn thing will fail and scare the **** out of me!!!!!

Tomorrow I need to get a new air mattress, a jacket since they seem to be nice and on sale here(what's left) maybe with the air mattress I can get some good sleep. I'm ready to camp in the beautiful scenery.

I'm writing this while sitting in the semi warm pool of the comfort inn in Crystal Rock, the folks here are still in a big hurry!!! I'm doing laundry and drinking a beer!! I plan to get great rest and then back out tomorrow. I do wish the hot tub worked here. My view tonight sucks as well.

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[SkiFish]

Look forward to reading your report after your sampling of CO's best. Lol.

I'm sure you realize this, but your timing was really bad. I'd love to be able to do what you are doing, but I think the highlight would be the high mountain passes, which you won't be able to do. Either way, I'm enjoying your reports. And if you felt you needed to "go now"e I get it.
At least,go,skiing...Im jealous. Such sick conditions.
Be safe. Post more.

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

I will do at least one.

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[unkamonkey]

Good trip so far. Good luck with Denver, I spent the first 19 years of my life there and now avoid it at all costs. I don't think it has gotten any better.

 

[Maddmatt]

Enjoying your report so far - keep it up! Watch the snow though, this weekend's storm was no joke, totals range from almost nothing a bit north of "The City" to 6' (yes, feet) in the mountains just to the south and west. Safe bet that all trails west of Denver are closed, and will be for a good long time.

On the good side, the highways are plowed and safe - and even I-70, our main thoroughfare to and through the mountains - is pretty spectacular - you just have to take the time to look, which is difficult at 75mph.

But I might suggest picking any 2 lane blacktop through the mountains - mountain towns where the ski area is already closed will have good 'mud-season' deals on rooms and relatively small crowds. On the other hand, if you stick with I-70, you'll go through Glenwood Canyon - could probably qualify as a National Park if it didn't have a highway right through the middle of it - make sure you look up.

From this point forward you can't go wrong, as long as you do your driving in the daylight so you don't miss it.

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

ADVICE NEEDED

I need to find a good place to buy camping stuff around Denver, Colorado Springs

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[Maddmatt]

1416 Platte St, Denver, CO 80202 - this is the Denver REI flagship - fantastic store, if you're not part of team "I hate REI" - obviously I'm not, this store is worth the drive. Has a Starbucks in it. Of course.

Right across the street is Wilderness Exchange: 2401 15th Street Suite 100|Denver, CO 80202 - can be better deals.

Note that these are on the North side of the city. This time of day it's an easy drive, don't let Denver scare you. I-25 goes north and south, I-70 goes east and west, and Speer cuts across the middle on a roughly 45 degree angle.

 

[Maddmatt]

If you must stay south of the city - Bass Pro is all you need:

Colorado Springs, CO | Bass Pro Shops
13012 Bass Pro Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80921

But if you enjoy the shopping experience, the REI is worth the drive.

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

1416 Platte St, Denver, CO 80202 - this is the Denver REI flagship - fantastic store, if you're not part of team "I hate REI" - obviously I'm not, this store is worth the drive. Has a Starbucks in it. Of course.

Right across the street is Wilderness Exchange: 2401 15th Street Suite 100|Denver, CO 80202 - can be better deals.

Note that these are on the North side of the city. This time of day it's an easy drive, don't let Denver scare you. I-25 goes north and south, I-70 goes east and west, and Speer cuts across the middle on a roughly 45 degree angle.

I will try this out to say I've been at an REI store.

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