#USAONDIRT a 5,000 Mile OffRoad Adventure Across America

[SirWilliamGoes]

Got the first episode of #usaondirt loaded. I will try to get these loaded at least 1 a week so subscribe to be notified and thanks for watching
https://youtu.be/eYSbFjIDPKw

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[SirWilliamGoes]

Day 5
The end of day 4 was a little shaky When my phone decided to not work because it was out of memory, I remind you that my phone debacle is real!! I have been fighting with phones for years now and won't even begin to describe it in this post. Any who, I then tried to hook it to the laptop and transfer everything. While doing that the laptop decided that it wanted to freak out and turn off then do nothing but run the fan, to be honest if it was not for Kristi being with me to calm me down I would be writing about how I lost my **** and destroyed my laptop. Keep in mind the only reason I bought a laptop is because of this trip, I've used it for more now but when I got it that was why. Kristi, my rock, gently reminded me that 1 my luck with electronic devices of any sort is terrible and 2 perhaps this was a reminder that I just need to stop being bothered by the stupid stuff and enjoy my trip. I woke up early, went to the bath house that the park had and enjoyed my second shower of the stay, I learned last time take advantage of every shower because they are nice and you don't know when the next one is coming!! It was then that I really reflected on what Kristi had to say about letting the small things interrupt my trip, I determined that she was absolutely correct. Do not let her know, it may go to her head!!! I got back to camp, woke her up, cooked breakfast and then sat by the beautiful lake with the wild deer while she took her second shower. While packing up I tried the laptop for 1 last time and wouldn't you know it works perfect now!!! I guess the universe was just teaching one of the many life lessons!! We left out and drove quite a bit, about 300+ miles I believe. I let Kristi know that she would forget her days and time and miles as we went along, and we have!! I had every intention of keeping up but when the sensor broke I disconnected the battery in the truck and that reset everything, we have been kinda slack since!!! We made it to the TAT stop where we were able to get a picture for the book they make every year, really cool little spot and I honestly believe the TAT travelers are the most exciting thing to come through the little area it sits!! After talking with them for a second we were off again, trying to gain time. We are in fear that we will not finish the TAT in time to enjoy the other parts of the trip I have planned for us. My goal was to finish the TAT in 20 days then have 10 to come back and see other stuff, seems that most believe the TAT will take the entire time. I have choose to shorten it by skipping many of the unnecessary backtrack and hauling *** every chance I get. I ordered the part I need from a dealer in the middle of Oklahoma about 50 miles south of the TAT and I'm trying to get there by tomorrow. Outside of the TAT stop We were meet with a completely flooded road that I decided to reroute for. While on the trail in the farmlands of AK We stopped to make lunch and were immediately bombarded with the most mosquitoes I have ever seen in my life, and they were HUGE. These were pterodactyl mosquitos!!! In no time at all We had 20+ in the 4runner attacking us and they were huge. We would continue to fight them all day. We drove until nearly 9pm when we found a little spot to set up camp in the Ozark National Forest. We plan to leave pretty early and look forward to being out west. The views today have been awesome as normal and the moon is so full I thought many times there were headlights coming through the woods, here are some pics from today's travels. Till tomorrow, peace.

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[87Warrior]

I am glad to see you back on the TAT! Your adventure last year was a hoot to follow and I must say, you seem to be having a better run this year. Thanks for the daily updates!

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

Day 6
Today was just a good day of driving. We woke up at a campsite we had found the night before very late in an attempt to make up time. When we got there it was pick black and no cell service and we were the only souls for miles. Kristi ended up calling this site Jason's home!! When we awoke we found that on the other side of the campground there was a really nice water fall and some of the prettiest teal color water, I contemplated jumping off into the water but decided not to. We drove through Arkansas up and down the Ozarks enjoying some beautiful views. We stopped at the Oark General Store and had a fantastic lunch complete with homemade pies that were amazing. This store is the oldeststill in operation and has been there since 1890. It almost seemed like everyone that walked in worked there but what a cool little place. We came across the most technical portion of the trail thus far and to sum the days driving up in one word it would be bumpy. The trail had some large rocks all through out the entire trail that would come up insectios just after doing 40-55 through gravel, these were interesting encounters to say the least!! Once we got into Oklahoma it was kinda the same however if it wasn't large rocks you were dodging, it was washouts. We came across one of the prettiest rivers we have seen yet, the Illinois River. I wish we could have camped there but Kristi and I both determined that we had to keep it moving. The dealer that I have ordered the part I need for the truck is near Ponca City OK which is still a good ways away. After stopping at a grocery store to restock We found a campsite off of Hwy 69 in Oklahoma outside of Pryor. It has a great view and while cooking dinner 4 other TAT riders pulled up on bikes. 1 is from Houston and the others are from New Foundland which I think wild!! We enjoyed a beautiful view of the sunset over a great lake. The local ducks came to investigate us and just before I could tell Kristi not too she made the mistake of feeding them!! Luckily they left us alone after they learned we were done with that activity. The best part is we were able to get showers today and will again in the morning!! Tomorrow is a long day of driving so I'll catch up with you then, hopefully I can get a video loaded while waiting on the truck at the dealer and hopefully Kristi can find a place to do laundry so I can stop hearing about it!! Here are some pics from today, Till tomorrow, peace.

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[87Warrior]

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.

 

[ReconZJ]

Last time I was at Enrique's was in 2003 and it was a good experience then. I was there on vacation this past June, and can add that El Patio had good food and service. My family moved there in 1961 or there abouts, and I graduated from Ponca City High School. Great place to grow up. If you need any assistance there, please shoot me a pm. I'm guessing your parts are coming in to the Toyota dealer in Stillwater?

Enjoying your journey!

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

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.

Wish I would have seen this earlier. The guy at the dealer said the same thing however we needed to make up sometime.

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[SirWilliamGoes]

Last time I was at Enrique's was in 2003 and it was a good experience then. I was there on vacation this past June, and can add that El Patio had good food and service. My family moved there in 1961 or there abouts, and I graduated from Ponca City High School. Great place to grow up. If you need any assistance there, please shoot me a pm. I'm guessing your parts are coming in to the Toyota dealer in Stillwater?

Enjoying your journey!

Ponca is a cool little City. We ended up eating at Braums my wife had never heard of it and I loved them as a teen in Texas.

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[SirWilliamGoes]

Day 7
We woke up today to a beautiful view of the lake in Snowdale State Park and based off the temperature this morning it's appropriately named. Though it was a bit brisk it was no where near some of the temps that I had to endure last year. The Camp host at Snowdale was a complete 180 from the camp host at Natural Falls State Park whom I believe was named Dwayne, I had encountered his grumpy confrontational attitude the year before while trying to find a state park to camp in. The Camp host at Snowdale was polite and came to ******** chat with us in the morning about the trail and the other riders that had come through this week. It was a little difficult getting up after I spent most the night drinking beer and talking with the TAT riders that were camping next to us. They are in my opinion truly riding the Trans America Trail since they are on Dual Sport motorcycles. John was from Houston and the other 3 were from New Foundland which is wild!! We left out and stuck to the boring regular streets in order to make it to the Toyota dealer I had set an appointment with to repair the 4Runner. While that was getting done I dropped Kristi off to do laundry which had really been bothering her. Luckily she did because if we would have waited it would have take a day to get it all done!!! From there we went to one of my favorite chains out here Braum's in Ponca City OK. We then got onto the trail and traveled on. I found camp at Alabaster Caverns State Park which has beautiful mesa views and hiking trails as well as a cave you can explore, after paying for a permit of course!! Best of all though Kristi and I are the only ones here so that's excellent!! We can't wait to see the stars and the moon over the plains!! I'm hoping tomorrow to began the assent into the Rocky Mountains and start the Western half of our trip which we are both extremely stoked for!! Here are some pics from today's travels. Till tomorrow, peace.

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[SirWilliamGoes]

Word to sum up today LONG!!! We drove 475 miles today and made up amazing time. We were mesmerized by the sweeping landscape of the the Oklahoma farmland and how it seemed to just go on forever and ever as far as the eye could see. One think that I never realized is that all that flat land was at around 3000 ft in the are. Considering where we are from the tallest mountains are 5000 and the average one is around 2-3000 that is crazy, then you add in the fact that it's flat and the sand on top is like beach land sand is mind blowing!! Luckily this part of the trip the landscape seems to change rather quickly from flat sand to rocks and tree shrubs to all that with the huge peaks of the Colorado Rocky's. Colorado is absolutely beautiful and we are just getting into it good. We stopped through the town of Trinidad where we were meet with some very eclectic folks. Apparently the pot they get there is way different than what I've experienced on the east coast!!! From oder women with bright pink and blue hair to huge works of art atop of cars busses and other vehicles. It was quite interesting to say the least. From there we decided to continue driving in hopes to find a place to camp. What we were meet with was tons of private land that realistically we could have probably pulled off so not the trees just a bit and camped and no one would have known but Kristi and I both decided we didn't want to be awoke at the we hrs by a rancher and his shotgun, I explained that it would be my luck someone had been stealing from him for the two months prior to us showing up and camping on his land and he would think it was us!!! So we drove on looking for BLM land. That has proven to be a chore both times I have don't this trip. If anyone has any easy way to find BLM land please hook a brother up!!! We never did find it but drove to Cuchara and found a national park to camp in, finally. On the way Kristi started feeling ill I believe due to the altitude, luckily it somewhat went away b4 we set up camp. Just about the time I was getting dinner started a family pulled up and kindly let me know that they had reserved the spot we had taken. Through the hurry I was in we never thought to check if the site was reserved and come to find out it was. Luckily we were able to find a spot right by the camp entrance and in near the bathroom. We cooked camp pizzas with tortilla wraps and pizza toppings that were awesome. Tomorrow we will get up and go have breakfast at Lus main St cafe where I had the most amazing breakfast burrito ever last time. By the way, it's very cold at 10k feet in the air where we are camping!!! Till tomorrow, peace.

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[Foy]

BLM Lands on maps

The Benchmark Road and Recreation Atlases show BLM lands as a separate shade (generally a faint pink color) from National Forest and other Federal and State lands. At around $25 per state, they're a bit spendy, but I would not dream of long traverses across several Western states without a Benchmark for each one.

Foy

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

Day 9 this morning we woke up chilled to the bone. We are from the south and it really hits us when we get just the slightest bit of cool weather, and I do mean cool!! It was around the mid 40 overnight and the lightweight sleeping bag I chose over my big fluffy one may be rated for it for some folks but not for me! I had double socks on and all my clothes and still was cold. Its crazy that it's 90 at the bottom of the mountains then 40s at the higher-ups, guess that's the way it works though. I woke Kristi early so that we could go get breakfast and I could enjoy the best breakfast burrito ever at Lu's Main Street Caf if you are ever in the area you have to try it and get it smothered in the green chili sauce. Absolutely amazing!! After leaving there we hit the trail in hopes to make it to Telluride. We made a detour to Canyon City for the Wal Mart in order to get propane tanks that I absolutely hate due to how extremely wasteful and cumbersome they are. I opted to not buy a 5lb tank because I couldn't see spending 70$ for 5ld when you can buy a 20lb for 30$. Wouldn't you know the Wal Mart,we drove an hr to get to, was 100% out of the 1lb tanks!! Luckily there was an ACE Hardware so I got my tanks and we carried on. We got back on the trail and quickly realized that Telluride was not an option this evening and we had better start looking for a place to camp. We found this absolutely amazing piece of BLM land that sits right off the trail at about 10k feet and over looks the valley with beautiful mountains in the background. We headed into the town of Salida, Colorado to get some inventory (Bud Light) and then back up to set up camp and watch the sunset. I can't wait to see the sunrise in the morning. Here are some pics from today travels, peace.

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[SirWilliamGoes]

Today was an amazing day for OffRoad Adventure. After waking up and having an amazing breakfast with a perfect view of the sunrise over the Rocky's we set out back on the TAT through Salida CO and into some of the roughest terrain we have come across yet. Super technical climbs to over 12,500 ft with steep drop offs and switchbacks. Mix all that with a little rain and low clouds and it definitely keep you on your toes. We spent most the day in 4wd which is what I love, the rocky terrain and the less than 10mph quickly bored Kristi after going over Cinnimon Pass Engineer Pass and Corkscrew Pass I hear a metal on metal noise from the 4runner and decided to check it out. I found that somehow the dust shield was rubbing the brake rotors. After a quick fix we decided due to time we would get off the trail and head to Telluride, Colorado via normal roads, after all we had done enough offroading for today and we both were looking forward to the pizza I have craved since having it last year. We arrive at Brown Dog Pizza in Telluride and now are enjoying a cold beer and the best pizza ever. This is a must stop if you are around here. We still have yet to find a shower but are hopeful that we will tomorrow. Tonight we will just enjoy the town and figure out a place to stay when the time comes!! Here are some pics, Till tomorrow, peace.

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[SirWilliamGoes]

Episode 2 is on the books. Go have a look!!
https://youtu.be/Z8KhCcTI1lg

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[case]

Episode 2 is on the books. Go have a look!!
https://youtu.be/Z8KhCcTI1lg

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The WMA outside Lafayette, Georgia (not pronounced like every other Lafayette. It's Luh-fet) is Crockford Pigeon Mountain WMA. Commonly known as Pigeon Mountain. Has some good campsites and cool caves, hiking, rockclimbing, etc.

Did y'all go across the mountain (Rocky Lane) and come out on Hwy 157? It's ~ 10 miles of dirt that's not challenging, but worth the drive.