On March 15 I will leave the snowy mountains of Colorado and head west.
Packing is Happening
First: the roof rack got the extra gasoline, a shovel, a squeegie, and a tarp all artfully bungeed .
Second: a luxurious gift of rug padding was cut up and installed.
Two sections went on the bed, the other piece went on the floor.
Third: the passenger area received a day pack, tarp fixings, rock hunting equipment, hammer, tape, water etc. Heavy winter coats will go on top to hide goodies.
The kitchen is packed with everything but fresh food (apples, oranges, avocados, eggs, etc.).
Next week the truck will be inspected, have her oil changed, have her joints checked, and have a recalled leaf spring replaced. She will be so ready.
Its happening!
Truck Camper Hints 
it sounds like you don’t cook inside when battened down for the weather. I have done so using a backpacking butane stove ($$ fuel and stinky, toxic so crack the windows), a home made alcohol stove (simple, fast setup, less toxic if using bio-ethanol which you can buy at hardware stores for indoor non vented fireplaces, but I just use methyl hydrate and crack several windows), several tealight under the pot (slow but nice for a long burn, cheery flames), and my latest is using vegetable oil lamps made from exhausted tealight shells – simple, cheap and relatively non-toxic fuel that I have around anyways).
I cannot abide cold soups and take a long time to finish my hot beverages. The home made set-up consists of a pie plate in which sit tealight shells that either burn alcohol or oil, a pot stand from a dollar store, and a windscreen made from aluminum flashing when used outside.
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I hesitate to heat up anything inside the truck, as that is where I keep the propane tank. Makes me nervous to have a flame inside. If I didn’t have the propane tank I would follow your route. Thanks for the hints!
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Sounds like a great trip! I would love to see New Mexican soil through your eyes:)
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I will post pictures of the soil! But you know that plans on this kind of trip are very flexible, and I may end up in Montana.
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Pickett – Good Luck and good exploring and hiking on this upcoming adventure. We’ll follow
your posts – both Doug and I have enjoyed them. Jean
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Thanks for following. You all know how much fun I will be having.Are you heading out on an adventure?
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Yes, Jean & I will be heading to The Monument (G. Jct.) in early April & then two wks later we go to Squaw Flats in Canyon Lands. This time of year, we get eager to satisfy our addiction to red soil, red rocks, canyons, and the sound of a canyon wren.
Have a safe trip.
Doug
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Sounds perfect Doug!
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Pickett, Diana, Alix and I will miss you at our 50th reunion. Travel safely! I look forward to your future posts!
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Thanks, Wendy. I will try to update every two weeks or so …. when I find wi-fi!
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Hi Truck Camper,
I love your posts!
Just one thing, it is not recommended to have propane tanks inside the truck.
I’m just worried about your safety.
Via con Dios
MO
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Dear MO, Thanks for the concern. I do cook with the back open and the tank is bungeed into place while traveling. I have done it for 40 years and seems ok so far. I love that you read the posts.
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