#USAONDIRT a 5,000 Mile OffRoad Adventure Across America

[SirWilliamGoes]

Day 19 was tough we woke up cold and wet and looked out side to see heavy snow!! We have gone through all the seasons this trip and we are ready to go back to summer!! We drove nearly 400 miles and made it over the infamous Wolf Mountain which last year had stopped me in my tracks. We made it down the mountain and found a nice camping area in which we decided would work. When unpacking we found the big tent to be filled with water, not wanting to tackle that at the moment we left it open in hopes it would dry and set up the little tent. We decided to leave the rain fly draped over the ten and velcro on the rails but opted to not allow it to act as an awning which is definitely the way to use this particular tent in the low temps. I woke up to slight wind and rain and hurried to let down big tent so it wouldn't get anymore water in it. From there the wind and rain turned to just steady rain. Nice to sleep to, bad to camp in!! Now we have 2 tents that are soaked. We stayed warm though and the bugs are non existent in these temps. we are now pressing on to Port Orford and will make it no matter what today!! Then it's off to the warm temps again!!! Till tomorrow, Peace.

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[plainjaneFJC]

As you approach Ponca City, I'd recommend stopping at their small airport and eat at Enrique's (if it's not Sunday). Enrique's is a good Mexican restaurant.

That's the thing to do for all the small aircraft guys around here, they fly in just to eat there.

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

Day 20
Today we woke up to more rain. It was actually a nice temperature for us since we had found a way to let the rain fly stay up against the tent and not opened as if trying to catch a breeze. The problem was that 1) it started raining so everything was soaked 2) it had also started to condensate all on the inside so everything was wet. We gathered the energy to get up and then started packing in the rain. I put big tent in the roof basket hoping it would dry with the wind. That worked out well till we came across more rain!! At this point we have two soaked tents and really there's nothing we can do about it. I really don't know what a solution would be to this problem. The Trans America Trail took us near CVT so we stopped to have a look at some far more luxurious caping tent than what we have, these mount on the top of the 4runner and would be very cool, I still don't know how you would avoid wet though. From there my grandma called who is also on a traveling adventure and they were stopping in Eugene will traveling to Canada. We decided we would get off the Trans America Trail to meet them. Afterall we were in serious time crunch and at this point had run out of days to be on the TAT. We took boring roads into Port Orford OR where we arrived at 10pm local time. We made our plots in the truck and that's where we are camping tonight. Again, bot tents are wet and it's still raining!!! We are excited though to see the sunrise since we are right on the ocean, and to think people spend millions for this view!! P.S. We can't wait until we get sunny weather and we are just ecstatic about going back into the desert at this point!! Till tomorrow, Peace.

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[SirWilliamGoes]

After making it into Port Orford late last night the sleep was good. We decided to sleep in the rig at Paradise Point. I was comfortable and Kristi was somewhat comfortable. When I started prepping for the trip I made sure that everything could be packed inside or outside relatively easy so that way when we got to city if we had to we could stealth camp inside the 4runner. I let Kristi know that when we got into the city's portion of our trip this would be a necessary skill because it's harder and a lot more expensive to camp in those places. She told me that she was fine with sleeping in the front seat. This system works out great for me because I'm the one stretching out but I foresee Kristi getting tired of it quick. We drove down the 101 then to the PCH / 1 where we found some camping areas but 45$ just seems outrageous to set up a tent for a night or to even park anywhere. We found a spot to cook dinner off the hwy and down a little trail, it comes to a fence that says private property and we didn't cross the fence. We have the most amazing view!! We cooked dinner, no one bother with us so we figured we will just sleep here and be gone the first thing in the morning. The worse that can happen, in my mind, is someone tell us to leave. In that case we get a jump on tomorrows travels. Here are some pics, btw the west coast is amazing and breathtaking, if you haven't seen it go now!!!! Till tomorrow, Peace.

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[SirWilliamGoes]

Sorry the rain is bad for your trip but my dad lives in Grangeville and they've been pretty blocked in with forest fires so can use the cooler temps and all the rain/snow that'll fall without causing any damage. If you didn't have the rain/low clouds blocking your view it would probably be smoke so at least the air is cleaner.

Yeah that's what I told my wife was I'm glad this area is getting the rain they need it.

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[SirWilliamGoes]

Day 22 full write up!!
This morning we woke up to a beautiful view of the Pacific Coast complements of someone who lives there!! We had traveled some ways until we found a pull off where we were greeted by a family of deer. We traveled some ways down until it came to fence that said private property so we didn't cross. After cooking dinner we pressed on and truck camped!! We decided that cooking breakfast would be a little too much perhaps we would wear out our welcome, so we moved on to a daytime recreation site. We then traveled down the Pacific Coast Highway and we're meet with some pretty time consuming construction. Kristi had grown tired of the constant switch back and we had seen beautiful coast so we decided that we would hope back on the 101. We came into Pismo Beach, California at around 6pm local and had a good pizza at Dels Pizza, it was decent but Kristi and I are both now spoiled by Brown Dog in Telluride, Colorado. We came across Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area where we camped on the beach for 10$ it was awesome!!! People in off-road buggies trucks side by side you name it all having fun for the weekend. This also gave me a chance to repair / plug my tire which picked up a large nail at some point. Today we will make it into Los Angeles. Till tomorrow, Peace.

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[SirWilliamGoes]

Days 24-26
Sorry I haven't updated in a while, I found myself in vacation mode for the past few days. We headed from Pismo Beach and drove to the Mojave Rd / Trail through the Mojave National Preserve. It was awesome and challenging at the same time. None of the GPS we're working 100% so we had to resort to a paper map which would be fine but you're in the middle of the desert with tracks going all over. My copilot Kristi and I were up for the challenge and took it head on, we only got off trail a few times, some to include some pretty sketchy long treks across very fine desert sands. After seeing the Mojave Rd Rock Pile (which now has a #USAONDIRT stickered rock) and the Mojave Mailbox we came to a nice camp where we would spend the night watching a beautiful sunset. We woke up early to really heavy winds and pressed on to Visit Las Vegas where we got a nice room at the Artisan Las Vegas we explored the strip some and had a blast at a few little place including my favorite Vegas Bar Hogs & Heifers Saloon I love this bar!!! From there we went back to enjoy the room and shower. We experienced Freemont Street Las Vegas the Fountains At Bellagio and The Mirage Hotel and Casino and ate at White Castle for the first time which we determined to be a Krystal that adds pickles!! We left Vegas and on the way out had an awesome breakfast at the Omlette House. We then went to Zion National Park and enjoyed an amazing sunset just before finding camp a short ways outside the park along a pretty technical off-road trail. I can't wait to see the amazing sunset!! Till tomorrow Peace.

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[SirWilliamGoes]

Day 27
We camped on BLM Land right outside Zion National Park and woke up to beautiful mountain side view with nearly every color in the spectrum being reflected off the Mountains. We fixed breakfast and started out on what I call the initial approach home. We stopped at Toroweap Lookout to view breathtaking sights of the Grand Canyon minus the crowds of people which Kristi and I both tend to enjoy. I guess all the years of us both working with he public has made us to the point we are at now which is we would rather be alone!!! If you are ever in the area I highly recommend Toroweap, it's a 60mile ling dirt road that the last 3 miles is pretty technical and you go right to the edge of the canyon, like feet dangling off the edge!! From there we stopped by horseshoe bend and made the hike to see all of it's glory, I really wish we could drive up to the edge there too!!! From there we tried to make it through Monument Valley in time to see the sunset, unfortunately we were a little too late. We made camp right next to Mexican Hat Rock like literally underneath it. I strategically placed us to where in morning it's sure to be wonderful. We will travel through the Valley Of The God's tomorrow before going into Amarillo TX where we will began the final approach home. Till tomorrow, Peace

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[Randall253]

Awesome! You just hit one of my "bucket list" items. May I ask how much road clearance did you need for the trail? I have a Toyota Tundra Rock Warrior and have been debating whether to lift or not. I'm hoping I don't have to as I'm retired now and funds are tight. I followed on your first trip and continue to follow on this one. Good stuff!

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

Days 28-31
We woke up at the Texas travel center in Amarillo TX and after a quick breakfast we opted to take a detore from the fastest route and head the to the Dallas Fort Worth area so that I could show Kristi where I lived and went to JR High and some High School. We also wanted to go to a honky tonk which I knew the stockyards would have a spot we could enjoy. We drove to the DFW area where we ate at one of my other favorite fast food joints Chicken Express. I wish that I could open one of these here because I know that I could make it right, I love the tenders and gravy!!! From there we explored around Colleyville, Texas and Bedford, Texas. From there we headed to the Fortworth Stockyards where we found a cool little bar The Basement Bar. After a good night we headed to camp out on Lake Worth, Texas. We headed out early and made a stop by Gas Monkey Garage where it's obvious at this point they make their fortune selling their brand, hey more power to them!! We drove all day long 10+hrs and arrived at Talledega National Forest where we truck camped 1 last time for a short night's sleep. We woke up early and hauled *** home and made it here around lunch. It truly is bittersweet to be back home. As much as I enjoy the comforts and luxury of home I enjoy the adventure and freedom of being on the road. I will enjoy a good night sleep tonight and by the end of the week I will have a final thoughts blog as well as multiple videos with reviews, routes, interviews and more. Be sure to subscribe to my channel
www.youtube.com/c/sirwilliamadams so that you can see them when they are published. Thanks again for following.

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[SirWilliamGoes]

Check Out Episode 5 of #USAONDIRT watch as we travel through Oklahoma on the Trans America Trail
https://youtu.be/EYc1l5MKlLY

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[SirWilliamGoes]

Episode 6 #USAONDIRT - Oklahoma to Colorado on Trans-America Trail (TAT) https://youtu.be/Knk269_tD84

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

Episode 7 #USAONDIRT - Overlanding through Colorado on the Trans America Trail

https://youtu.be/80Z68F0B-zE

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

Episode 8

https://youtu.be/fIu0o9onVBc

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[SirWilliamGoes]

I wish that I was posting something saying to go watch Episode 9 of #USAONDIRT however I have recently discovered that there is a large portion of footage missing. I had fought storage issues the entire time as well as faulty equipment including a laptop that took a crap during the trip and apparently some how in all the efforts to contain the massive amounts of small clips that you accumulate with such a project I failed. I'm super upset because I had made specific hells revenge and other small videos to release independently also that is now missing. I still have a good bit of footage but the disappointment of not having everything complete has truly discouraged me from continuing with the series.

The camera will never and can never remotely capture the true experience of a journey of this size and I will forever and always say just get out and explore.

I will be posting a video on my channel Friday 12/15 at 8pm est. To explain the Future of the channel. If you haven't already go check it out and subscribe for future updates

www.youtube.com/c/sirwilliamadams

Peace,

Sir William