Still here. Still exploring. A quick(ish) update.

Dang. It was September 2nd, 2019 since I last posted.. Suppose a lot has changed in that time if I look back, also kind of wild to think of all that happened right after then. Went through a divorce where I left with just my tools, camera stuff, computer and the Superduty/Skampy. Had to move in with some great friends that allowed me to stay as long as I needed to get on my feet again – which wasn’t just a divorce thing, but a career change thing mixed in. Yeah. Dark and difficult times – determining you’re own self worth in many different facets. But I made it through the lowest of low’s and life has finally started to look up.

Landed a job at Northrop Grumman building shit that goes to space. So that’s cool. Too bad I can’t share pictures! Also moved out of the town/area where I’ve spent my entire life and am now a SanDiegan? The biggest news that relates to ExploreDesert is that I sold Skampy the camper and the Superduty to purchase a 2005 4Runner. So that means it’s time to explore, and boy oh boy do I have a collection of maps that I’ve generated during this down time.

So during my absence of keeping the website updated, there was still quite a bit of desert trips and exploring that went on. Just never got to posting any of it. So suppose I’ll do a quick(?) run down and bring you up to date.

October 2019 I moved out of the house and said my final goodbyes to the life we had built. After the last load of my stuff was situated and realizing all the newness that was laid out in front of me, I was in no position to sit idle. I needed to keep my mind busy so I immediately loaded up Skampy and took off through the Mojave Desert to go spend a couple days in Arizona and visit my parents.

Heading east from the Granite Mountains I looped around to investigate a mine, windmill and the Big Horn Cabin.

Took a gas line road towards Kelbaker road and I remember it being the worst decision I’ve ever made. Not that it was sketchy or anything but a 1 ton truck with a camper going over big rocks for miles and miles was literally the worst.

Once on the other side of the mountain range it thankfully smoothed out. Next stop would be the Vulcan Mine.

Kelso Dunes in the distance

Once on Kelbaker I hit Cedar Canyon Rd and found camp in the New York Mountains for the night. Once again, big truck+camper+joshua trees=badtimes.

In the morning there was a little more exploring to be done before making the last jaunt to Arizona. Few old cattle sites, OX ranch, Ivanpah road and getting to view the all saying eyes of the solar plant. Parent’s were currently living in their RV while searching for a house to purchase in the Bullhead area so that’s where I’d meet up with them.

First order of business in the morning. Poo with a view.

Being able to see my parents anytime I wanted for basically my whole life was something I took for granted. When they decided to move to Arizona I was extremely happy for them as that was their dream, but also a bit hard to process as they’d be so far away. To this day I wish I could see them more, but I do make a solid effort to drive out there about every month or two and visit. More on that to come….

Nonetheless, on this trip it was great to decompress about life’s events and the current situation. Something about the people who raised you and loving you for you regardless of what you’ve gone through/going through is so soothing. My Mom and stepdad have been such rocks in my life and I’m very fortunate to have the parents I do.

Anyways, we got to talking while I was there on what we should do on my visit and the Grand Canyon came up. They’ve never been and what a sight to be able to share with them. So with that being said, a rental car and a full day ahead that’s where we went.

Even though it was the touristy area which I usually avoid like the plague, it was such a amazing experience to share with them.

February 2020 – From there. It was time for the annual Death Valley trip. The twist this time was I’d be doing on my dual sport. Everything mapped out like usual, I’d be leading a group of vehicles which provided support throughout the journey. 265 miles of mainly dirt. Panamint Valley, Saline Valley, Lippincott, Racetrack, Hidden Valley, cabins, hotsprings, donkeys, killer food, absurd amount of beer and endless laughs and good times.

Video I threw together of the trip.

Did a Glamis trip in March.

August 2020 – My best friend and a dude I grew up with when we were young grasshoppers had some side work for me up in Idaho. Absolutely gorgeous cabin that his family owns, it’s a vacation in itself. Been up there a couple times prior, but this time around I drove myself with Skampy and the dual sport. Plan was when I was done working there for a couple weeks I’d take a little over a week to myself and slowly work my way through the state until I had to make the journey home.

When the work was over it was time to start m own adventure. Unfortunatly, during 2020 the wildfires currently going on smoked out most of Idaho. Everything I had mapped out, which was the Sawtooth Wilderness area and parts of Wyoming was covered in a smoky haze. I improvised. Stayed in a campground one of the days and mapped out heading north to get out of the smoke. Worked out because I got to see a lot more of the country then I originally planned on. Made it almost to Canada, drove through Montana and where they film Yellowstone and eventually made my way to the coast where I got to ride on some of the most scenic and bitchin sand dunes I’ve ever seen. By far one of my most favorite trips.

February 2021 – Some small trips to the local desert then it was time for Death Valley again. This go around I was fortunate that friends let me lead with their super bitchin’ Ford Raptor. What a treat that thing was and can definitely see owning one. Such a killer trip.

Another video I threw together.

Looking north into Saline Valley

Pretty shit summer but it was around this time that things started to change. In August 2021 I finally locked down a place to live in San Diego so I could be closer to work and start the process of building me and a future. Also sold my vehicles and picked up a 2005 4Runner as I knew what I needed in order to find myself again. That sounds super corny and cliché, but it’s the truth. One of my favorite things in life is exploring, being outdoors, camping and just the atmosphere of being in the desert. So picking up a new ride that enables that is/was huge.

Clean, one owner/elderly couple, binder full of all it’s service history and original window stickers, a bag full of spare keys/remotes. Basically a dream as far as used vehicles go. Within a couple of days suspension goodies came in. Icon 2.5 resi fronts with CDC, rear spring, 2.0 rear resi and of course the ol’ tried and true Total Chaos upper control arm. And like every vehicle I own, a fresh set of BFG KO2’s.

Nothing fancy here. Not going over the top like the Tacoma turned out to be. Basic and functional. It’s going to be perfect for that.

Did a quick shakedown run in Anza Borrego and was pleasantly surprised how well it works. The rear shocks do need some more rebound valving but I’ll address that in the future.

Put together a quick trip north of Barstow/Black Mountains. Most of which I’ve seen before (trip report here) but other’s haven’t so it’s always fun sharing what I’ve found. Pretty disappointed that many cabins have been burnt down, ruined and are now non existent. People suck. Still had a absolute blast though and kinda set the stage for getting out there again.

A realization I had on this trip was how much I hate totes. Things get buried, hard to find, too much shit and get too heavy. I priced out some drawer systems and being the DIY’er I am, cheap (aka broke) and having some time off from work I decided to build my own. Learned some basic CAD so I could mock up a basic model of the back of the 4runner and be able to play with different configurations. Finally happy with a setup, I was able to get all my dimensions and take them to Home Depot, lay it out and then cut on their panel saw.

Currently living in a studio and a majority of my tools are at my parents in Arizona, but with the basics I have here I was able to put this thing together for about $160 bucks. Super stoked, works great and overall pretty happy with how well it came out. Just need to dial in how I’m going to best utilize the space it offers.

Still with me? Haha. I said it was going to be quickish…

So, my parents had moved to Arizona, specifically Fort Mohave. Sound familiar? Well, that’s because it directly ties into the history of the Mojave Road. They’ve mentioned how they often see lights coming down the valley as they can see the Mojave Road from the house and we’ve talked about getting up there so they can experience the trail that they so often see being used.

In October 2021 on the Halloween weekend, I got to share my passion for exploring and the history of what lays in their backyard with them. Loaded up the 4runner and headed out early Friday morning for a day trip along the now overlander’s paradise, aka Mojave Road.

Interstate 40 to Black Canyon, up through Hole in the Wall campground eventually dropping onto Kelbaker Rd via Macedonia Sandwash Canyon. From there, up Cedar Canyon Rd and a slight detour to visit the Death Valley Mine. Then continued on the Mojave Road, hitting all the stops and explaining the amazing history and importance of the road along the way.

I had such a blast sharing this with them, it was special for sure. Now, every time they see vehicles off in the distance they can have a better understanding and appreciation on where they came from or where they’re heading. And with so much more surrounding where they live I look forward to more adventures with them.