Arizona
3-9th May
From there it was a fairly straight forward ride to Bevan and Clare’s, in Phoenix, where we were welcomed back, just like coming home! They are amazing people, really kind and helpful, just what we needed, looking forward to a couple of days off before heading up to the Overlanders Expo in Flagstaff the following week. While we were there we met some more new people, and caught up with others we had met before, including Al Jesse, from Jesse Luggage, and Ted Simon, who needs no introduction. Les and Kath, another couple of bike travellers also came in, everyone was going to the Overland Expo at Flagstaff. We had also decided it was time to take the plunge into a truck to travel in, the US was too expensive for hotels, and we were over tenting now the weather was going to be more unpredictable. We found one on the net advertised down in Tucson, which we rode down and had a look at, and it ticked all the boxes. We decided we would wait and see if there was something else available at the Overland Expo, and if not, would take it.
3-9th May
From there it was a fairly straight forward ride to Bevan and Clare’s, in Phoenix, where we were welcomed back, just like coming home! They are amazing people, really kind and helpful, just what we needed, looking forward to a couple of days off before heading up to the Overlanders Expo in Flagstaff the following week. While we were there we met some more new people, and caught up with others we had met before, including Al Jesse, from Jesse Luggage, and Ted Simon, who needs no introduction. Les and Kath, another couple of bike travellers also came in, everyone was going to the Overland Expo at Flagstaff. We had also decided it was time to take the plunge into a truck to travel in, the US was too expensive for hotels, and we were over tenting now the weather was going to be more unpredictable. We found one on the net advertised down in Tucson, which we rode down and had a look at, and it ticked all the boxes. We decided we would wait and see if there was something else available at the Overland Expo, and if not, would take it.
The truck we found in Tucson
10-15
Camped at the Overlanders Expo, a really good event, with exhibitors and visitors, they get over 12,000 people there each year, a huge turn out. Lyn and I gave a talk on preparing the bikes for long trips, and also sat on a panel with some other guests to talk about Australia, and answer questions from the audience. One of the other guests was Ron Moon, who has done a squllion miles in a 4x4, and written books on travelling off road in Australia, and other places. Great to meet him in person. Other people we met up with again there were Tiffany Coates, Sam Manicom, Simon and Lisa Thomas, Margaret Peart, Greg and Melanie Turp, and of course Ted Simon, and Al Jesse. It really is a great event, and gets overlanders from across the globe there. Much cooler there than Phoenix, it is up in the mountains, and was bloody cold at night! We had a good look around at the trucks there, and decided to go with the one we looked at in Tucson.
Camped at the Overlanders Expo, a really good event, with exhibitors and visitors, they get over 12,000 people there each year, a huge turn out. Lyn and I gave a talk on preparing the bikes for long trips, and also sat on a panel with some other guests to talk about Australia, and answer questions from the audience. One of the other guests was Ron Moon, who has done a squllion miles in a 4x4, and written books on travelling off road in Australia, and other places. Great to meet him in person. Other people we met up with again there were Tiffany Coates, Sam Manicom, Simon and Lisa Thomas, Margaret Peart, Greg and Melanie Turp, and of course Ted Simon, and Al Jesse. It really is a great event, and gets overlanders from across the globe there. Much cooler there than Phoenix, it is up in the mountains, and was bloody cold at night! We had a good look around at the trucks there, and decided to go with the one we looked at in Tucson.
16th May-22nd July
The next 3 days were spent at Bevan and Clare’s, where we met some more Aussie travellers, Andy and Tammy, from Brisbane. They had left their R1150GS there, and had just flown in to pick it up for their trip up to Canada. They wanted to have a look around, and that included going to Tucson, so we hired a car and drove down, finalised the deal on the truck, and picked it up. We spent a couple of days staying at a b&b south east of Tucson, and did a day trip to Tombstone, very touristy, but one of those must see things if you are in the area. Lyn and I headed back to Phoenix, while Andy and Tammy continued on their sightseeing, including a drive to Winslow Arizona to stand on the corner…… Another couple of travellers were staying with Clair and Bevan, Paul Stewart and Elle, travelling on a couple of DR650’s. Once we had the truck back at Bevan and Clare’s, it was full steam ahead to do a basic fit out to make it liveable so we could continue our trip. Bevan had bought a damaged slide on camper for some bits he wanted, so we bought the rest off him for our build, including the fridge, microwave, water heater, stove, shower/toilet cubicle, clean water, grey and black water tanks, some windows, and the corner sofa cushions. We also salvaged some lights, about a million screws, and a couple of cupboards, so it was well worth it. Working on it wasn’t fun though, for a few weeks it was over 45 degrees, and even hotter in the back of the truck, so I didn’t put any weight on, despite Clare’s cooking! While there, both Lyn and I got our Arizona drivers licenses, as insurance was a lot cheaper than using an overseas one.
The next 3 days were spent at Bevan and Clare’s, where we met some more Aussie travellers, Andy and Tammy, from Brisbane. They had left their R1150GS there, and had just flown in to pick it up for their trip up to Canada. They wanted to have a look around, and that included going to Tucson, so we hired a car and drove down, finalised the deal on the truck, and picked it up. We spent a couple of days staying at a b&b south east of Tucson, and did a day trip to Tombstone, very touristy, but one of those must see things if you are in the area. Lyn and I headed back to Phoenix, while Andy and Tammy continued on their sightseeing, including a drive to Winslow Arizona to stand on the corner…… Another couple of travellers were staying with Clair and Bevan, Paul Stewart and Elle, travelling on a couple of DR650’s. Once we had the truck back at Bevan and Clare’s, it was full steam ahead to do a basic fit out to make it liveable so we could continue our trip. Bevan had bought a damaged slide on camper for some bits he wanted, so we bought the rest off him for our build, including the fridge, microwave, water heater, stove, shower/toilet cubicle, clean water, grey and black water tanks, some windows, and the corner sofa cushions. We also salvaged some lights, about a million screws, and a couple of cupboards, so it was well worth it. Working on it wasn’t fun though, for a few weeks it was over 45 degrees, and even hotter in the back of the truck, so I didn’t put any weight on, despite Clare’s cooking! While there, both Lyn and I got our Arizona drivers licenses, as insurance was a lot cheaper than using an overseas one.
The inside of the truck before we started the conversion
Insulation going in
The shower / toilet module
We have windows!
The rear roller door is gone, and an upper and lower tailgate is made
A "Sam's Club" workbench becomes our new kitchen sink and storage unit
Solar panels go on
The front starts to take shape
Solar controller, microwave, and a storage cupboard in place
The front, kitchen, and bathroom finished
and the back, with the drop down bed, and dining area. The water tank is under the rear seat.
23
Finally we were on the road, with “Izzy" the truck up to the stage we could live in it, and headed north to Sedona. Beautiful scenery around there, really impressive mountain formations. Going down a dirt road looking for a spot to park for the night, a particularly rough section had the top tailgate opening on to the handlebars of the bike, and smashed the window. Bugger, not the start we wanted for our truck travels!
Lots of tape sealed it up for the night, tomorrow we would go into Flagstaff and try to get it replaced. A quiet night for our first night on the road, all good.
Finally we were on the road, with “Izzy" the truck up to the stage we could live in it, and headed north to Sedona. Beautiful scenery around there, really impressive mountain formations. Going down a dirt road looking for a spot to park for the night, a particularly rough section had the top tailgate opening on to the handlebars of the bike, and smashed the window. Bugger, not the start we wanted for our truck travels!
Lots of tape sealed it up for the night, tomorrow we would go into Flagstaff and try to get it replaced. A quiet night for our first night on the road, all good.
The scenery around Sedona
24
Into Flagstaff and found a guy that could fix the window, but it couldn’t be done straight away. A trip to Home Depot got some catches to secure the rear window, and stop a repeat of the previous days breakage. We finally got away from there around 3.30, so not many miles that day, we found a spot to wild camp near the north rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. The weather wasn’t really good, drizzling rain, but much cooler than Phoenix!
Into Flagstaff and found a guy that could fix the window, but it couldn’t be done straight away. A trip to Home Depot got some catches to secure the rear window, and stop a repeat of the previous days breakage. We finally got away from there around 3.30, so not many miles that day, we found a spot to wild camp near the north rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. The weather wasn’t really good, drizzling rain, but much cooler than Phoenix!
Campspot near the Grand Canyon
Utah
25-26
The next 2 nights were spent at a campground near Kanab, just over the border into Utah, where we visited Zion and Bryce National Parks. We knew we could get a National Parks annual pass a lot cheaper than doing individual passes, but when we inquired and I showed my Arizona license, proving I was over 62, I got a lifetime pass for $10! Bargain, the Arizona license already paid for itself, it only cost $10.
25-26
The next 2 nights were spent at a campground near Kanab, just over the border into Utah, where we visited Zion and Bryce National Parks. We knew we could get a National Parks annual pass a lot cheaper than doing individual passes, but when we inquired and I showed my Arizona license, proving I was over 62, I got a lifetime pass for $10! Bargain, the Arizona license already paid for itself, it only cost $10.
Our campsite out of Kanab, where we stayed 2 nights
Driving through Zion National Park
At Bryce National Park
Horses following a trail through Bryce National Park
27-28
We spent the next 2 days driving north along highway 89, not a big highway, more like a good sealed single lane road through a lot of farming country. Wildcamped on a backroad the first night, but we were left alone, I think only 3 cars went past the whole night. On the 28th, we arrived at Orem, just south of Salt Lake City, where we camped in Cabela's carpark for the night. (Cabela's is a chain of outdoor stores, usually really big, and very well presented, complete with stuffed animals and wilderness settings). We had found a place where we could get a spare tyre for the truck, and were heading there in the morning.
29
Called in at the truck wreckers we found online north of Salt Lake City, and got a spare wheel and tyre, as we didn’t have one. We still don’t have a wheel spanner or socket, but every one says they have never met anyone strong enough to undo the nuts anyway, seems like the 1’’ drive rattle guns are the only way to undo them!
Slept at Curtis Canyon, near the National Elk Refuge, in Grand Teton National Park. Must be a top place with a name like that!
We spent the next 2 days driving north along highway 89, not a big highway, more like a good sealed single lane road through a lot of farming country. Wildcamped on a backroad the first night, but we were left alone, I think only 3 cars went past the whole night. On the 28th, we arrived at Orem, just south of Salt Lake City, where we camped in Cabela's carpark for the night. (Cabela's is a chain of outdoor stores, usually really big, and very well presented, complete with stuffed animals and wilderness settings). We had found a place where we could get a spare tyre for the truck, and were heading there in the morning.
29
Called in at the truck wreckers we found online north of Salt Lake City, and got a spare wheel and tyre, as we didn’t have one. We still don’t have a wheel spanner or socket, but every one says they have never met anyone strong enough to undo the nuts anyway, seems like the 1’’ drive rattle guns are the only way to undo them!
Slept at Curtis Canyon, near the National Elk Refuge, in Grand Teton National Park. Must be a top place with a name like that!
The view near the National Elk Refuge
Wyoming
30
Stayed at John D Rockefellow Parkway, between the Grand Teton National Park, and Yellowstone National Park.
We had a look around the Grand Teton National Park, very nice, but I think we are getting hardened to the scenery. It's sad, but all gets a bit ho hum after a while if you are living with it every day. I never thought I would ever say that!
31
The next day was spent wandering around Yellowstone National Park, doing the usual touristy stuff, like watching Old Faithfull doing its thing. Slept in Canyon Park Campgrounds, in Yellowstone National Park. Cost $12, but a nice place with basic facilities.
30
Stayed at John D Rockefellow Parkway, between the Grand Teton National Park, and Yellowstone National Park.
We had a look around the Grand Teton National Park, very nice, but I think we are getting hardened to the scenery. It's sad, but all gets a bit ho hum after a while if you are living with it every day. I never thought I would ever say that!
31
The next day was spent wandering around Yellowstone National Park, doing the usual touristy stuff, like watching Old Faithfull doing its thing. Slept in Canyon Park Campgrounds, in Yellowstone National Park. Cost $12, but a nice place with basic facilities.
Old Faithful putting on a display, right on time
Grand Prismatic Spring in the park, looks good enough to swim in, but it is very acidic
Waterfall loaded with minerals
Yellowstone River flowing through the park
Montana
!st August
We crossed into Montana, continuing north on the 89, and that night wildcamped near the town of Wilsall, off a dirt road going over a open barren hill. It was very windy, with the truck rocking a bit in the gusts, but we slept OK. I think there was only 2 cars go passed from when we stopped to when we left.
2
The next day there was reasonable weather and road, nothing worth talking about, camped at Choteau, in a council operated campground, with toilet facilities, but no shower. Tomorrow we would cross into Canada......
!st August
We crossed into Montana, continuing north on the 89, and that night wildcamped near the town of Wilsall, off a dirt road going over a open barren hill. It was very windy, with the truck rocking a bit in the gusts, but we slept OK. I think there was only 2 cars go passed from when we stopped to when we left.
2
The next day there was reasonable weather and road, nothing worth talking about, camped at Choteau, in a council operated campground, with toilet facilities, but no shower. Tomorrow we would cross into Canada......