Shalane (the wife)
Yesterday was yet another great adventure for us. We had decided to spend a couple of nights at a free primitive BLM campground called Meadow Valley. It is a couple of miles south of Spring Valley State Park near Ursine, NV. It is a beautiful campground located in a gorge, so it’s surrounded on both sides by steep mountains. It really does provide some breathtaking views. We always learn new things when we’re out camping, sometimes through experience, and sometimes through the quiet “think time” that comes when we’re out enjoying the peacefulness of our surroundings. Here are a few things that we came up with this time around.
1) Canyon breezes at night can be quite extreme. We tried to put up our portable shower/restroom shelter last night at about the same that the winds developed. Needless to say, we decided we would wait until the next morning to do get it done. Had this been video taped, it would have been worthy of America’s Funniest Home Videos! Related to this, is to make sure everything that can blow away in the wind is secured. This is one thing that we do seem to be pretty good at. For instance, it would make for an uneasy sleep, as the wind roars through the canyon, to wonder if your solar panel will be there in the morning. 2) Before crawling into the back of the truck for the night, it is a good idea to make a checklist of all items that you will need BEFORE closing the tailgate and back window. As soon as we got nestled into the cots, we realized that the fan that we use to keep us cool before the nightime chill kicks in, was still in the front of the truck. This wasn’t the first time this had happened. We have decided that from now on we will make a checklist of the “must have” items before crawling in for the night. I’m not gonna lie. It’s a pain in the rear-end to get out of the truck once you’re all closed up and tucked in. I try not to drink too much before bedtime, because I don’t want to have to get up in the middle of the night. So far, so good. ;O)
3) It is far less expensive to Greendock in the back of the truck than to take our entire trailer. First of all, there is the difference in gas mileage. Pulling the travel trailer to the Eagle Valley Resort, we got exactly 10 miles to the gallon. We have had the chance to fill up one more time, since we unhitched the camper, and I am happy to say that we got just a little over 15 mpg. In previous posts, we have mentioned the month long trip that we are planning in July to go back east. We originally had talked about pulling the trailer, and it would cost in the neighborhood of $1600. Without anything hitched up to the truck, it should only costs about $1070 in diesel. That’s a difference of $530! Another reason this is so great is that anytime I purchase something that Dean wants to complain about, I can just say, “Hey, we’re saving over $500 on gas!
4) The other great thing about Greendockin’ in our truck, is knowing that we can go just about anywhere we want. For instance, the campground that we are at now discourages trailers and motor homes due to the narrow roads leading to the campsites. I have heard of other people converting vans into campers, however, they would still be limited on just how far back into the rugged countryside they could go and not have to worry about destroying their vehicle. There is so much of the western United States that is owned by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management). This land is, more often than not, free to camp on (usually with a 14 day limit). Cheap camping in a beautiful setting is an unbeatable combination, but, again, often times you need a good truck to enjoy these lands. True. Even Beaver Dam State Park, where we were at the other night, only allowed Rvs about half way into the park. After that, the roads get even worse, and you REALLY need a good truck to get back into campground number three and to the waterfall trailhead.
5) Being in love is even better in a secluded mountain setting. ;O)
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