Barrie of Synchro32 fame has a new "caravan" that he recently shared with the world on his BLOG http://barriejohnsonsynchro.blogspot.com/2009/09/its-finally-happened.html - so I thought I'd share a few pics of my "caravan". Caravan - he British term for a camper pulled behind a vehicle. I personally like ALL the comforts of home - and I mean ALL! Nothing like going off into the wilds of Texas - especially the West Texas Trans Pecos Big Bend Region - and roughing it. By roughing it, I mean - warm dry bed to sleep in, if it gets too cool - turn on the mattress pad warmer. Keep the heater going during the winter and the chilled air going during the summer. Then, nothing like having a nice HOT shower in the evening to dust off the grunge from hiking all day - and then having a toilet for when nature calls. Dinner time - well of course we have a microwave and a full electric kitchen. Then, there is a fridge to keep the wine at the proper temperature. Of course, in the morning - breakfast being the most important meal of the day, must have a pot of coffee to go with the meal.
Nicest thing about my camper, is it's all mine - paid for and I have the note to prove it! Took me five years to pay it off - but it's nice to have. It's a Starcraft 11RT for off-road camping. I've also got a huge 3000 watt Honda generator to provide the electricity when out in the field. - It's WHISPER quiet too! The way the economy devastated my 401K, this will probably be my retirement home.
Only bad thing about the R2D2 - (that's it name R2D2) - hey boats have names - why not campers :) - coined by a good friend of mine - is that it causes the Avalanche to guzzle petrol. Normally on the open road w/o R2D2 bringing up the rear, the Avalanche gets about 18mpg until I hit the 85mph stretch of Interstate out towards Big Bend. However, with R2D2 coming along for the ride, 8mpg is what I figure. Back when petrol was topping $4 bucks a gallon, it takes about 4 tanks of gasoline at about 25 gallaons or so per fill-up - well - you can do the math - to get to Big Bend - that's one way. YIKES!
I've selected some pics of my caravan to share with you. I typically do things in a big way - especially camping. (remember, all the comforts of home) Now, mind you when I strap on a back pack, then it's ultra light and every 1/10th of an ounce matters (even tear out the tags in my clothes to trim weight).
These pics are from a variety of trips over the years. If you are really in-tune - you can figure out where they were taken at or at least the region of Texas...
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/
I've got a real yearning to hit the open road and head to Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, Black Gap Wildlife Management area, and of course my fav at Balmorhea (where the water is always crisp and cool). Perhaps over Thanksgiving.
Even Doc and his girlfriend Scout love to go camping...
Not to worry, I just got a tad bit sidetracked here and I'll pick back up on the Colorado trip before tooooo long...
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