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THE ART OF SLEEPING IN YOUR VEHICLE
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THE ART OF SLEEPING IN YOUR VEHICLE

Campers, JeepCamping

THE ART OF SLEEPING IN YOUR VEHICLE

Overlanding & Stealth Camping DIY - 30-minute video by TrailNewbie Greg filmed this video 1/1/24. He’s one of the few overlanders ‘with a channel’ who does not have a rooftop tent. “If you're just starting out, you can sleep inside your vehicle; just about whatever vehicle you have, you can find a way to have a good sleep setup.” INSPIRATION He was telling others about camping in his Jeep, when a friend chimed in: “You know, when I was growing up there were times when me and my mom had to live out of our car not by choice but because of necessity; we were homeless.” The friend continued “When you're a kid you don't realize that you're homeless, you just remember the times when you'd wake up and your front yard was a park or a beach. Those were good times, some of the happiest memories I have.” He admired Greg’s CHOICE to “wake up to a granite cliff as your front porch, a symphony of birds as your alarm.” “Then he said something I'll never forget – ‘Don't confuse comfort for happiness.'” GREG'S SLEEP SETUP “When you get to camp late, there’s nothing to set up.” He starts at the rear passenger door Window shades provide blackout and privacy The essential good mattress; he likes the DeepSleep Solo Mat, which is extremely comfortable and cut perfectly Sleeping bag & king size pillow w/passenger seat folded forward Stow gear up and away from your body; he uses a Vector shelf to get the job done Front Runner boxes SideStasher Bags “hold a ton of gear” Have your power system within arm’s reach A small fridge with good interior volume is “key to being [...]

Micki LeCronier2024-08-30T14:57:04-04:00April 12, 2024|

WHY I STOPPED USING PAPER MAPS AND SWITCHED TO THIS

"What I'm using, why I like using this and why I kind of keep coming back to this" Summary of a helpful 14-minute YouTube Video by TrailRecon Brad answers questions on navigation systems, hardware and mounts. “I thought today would be a great opportunity to just sit down take a minute and let's just discuss what I'm using, why I like using this and why I kind of keep coming back to this because I have tried a few other things over the years.” He’s not being paid. “This is what I genuinely prefer to use.” When they first started out, they were using maps, compasses, books and phones. “But if you’re going to be doing this a lot, like I do, having a dedicated system where you can record, track, mark waypoints and make sure you don’t get lost is extremely invaluable.” WHAT HE’S USING An iPAD MINI “The important thing is it needs to have cellular capability.” That feature gives you GPS. The Wi-Fi version doesn’t have built in GPS. He doesn’t have a cell phone plan for it, but he links it with his phone. If your budget allows, he thinks the cellular plan “makes a lot of sense.” The iPad Mini is lightweight and easy to charge. “The charger that I'm using charges both my phone and the iPad, so I can switch back and forth – which is really really perfect for me.” A RAM© EZ-Roll’r™ MOUNT. They’re not very expensive so he has three. “Once you get this where you want it, you don’t really want to move it around.” He shows how he has his mounted. “It holds the iPad very very securely.” He discusses attaching to a [...]

Micki LeCronier2024-08-30T15:03:13-04:00March 29, 2024|

TEN STATE PARKS THAT RIVAL NATIONAL PARKS

16-minute YouTube Video by Exclamation Destination; includes key locations, activities and park fees. #10 – Letchwork State Park in New York, “The Grand Canyon of the East” “The park’s rugged cliffs and numerous trails offer a range of outdoor activities for hikers and nature enthusiasts.” $10 parking fee per vehicle during summer; off-season is free. #9 – Emerald Bay State Park on the shores of Lake Tahoe “This California State Park encompasses approximately 1,533 acres, offering you a diverse and immersive experience in one of the most iconic locations in the Sierra Nevada region.” Small parking fee. #8 – Watkins Glen State Park in the Finger Lakes region of New York It captivates with “stunning landscapes, deep gorges and cascading waterfalls.” Entrance fee is $10 between May and October; camping is available. #7 – Smith Rock State Park in central Oregon “This iconic Park stands as one of Oregon's Seven Wonders, captivating you with its breathtaking landscapes and thrilling recreational opportunities.” Skygazing is a key feature. Parking pass is $5, camping is available. #6 – Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah “Offers an awe-inspiring vantage point overlooking the majestic Colorado River, providing you with an immersive experience into the heart of Canyon County.” $20 fee per vehicle, or $10 if you’re on foot. #5 – Waimea Canyon State Park in Hawaii “A stunning geological masterpiece” – known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, it offers “a scenic escape into the heart of the islands.” No fee to access the park. #4 – Ecola State Park, 80 miles NW of Portland This park encompasses diverse ecosystems that “seamlessly blend dense tempered rainforests with dramatic Cliff cliffs overlooking the vast Horizon of the [...]

Micki LeCronier2024-08-30T15:26:28-04:00March 22, 2024|

CAMPING IN ALASKA’S DEEPEST SNOW

Building a snow cave as a dugout survival shelter; 25-minute YouTube Video by Outdoor Boys BEFORE WATCHING – REMEMBER. “Don’t run off and do things you see on the internet without thinking it through. I'm just some dude who's doing a bunch of stuff outdoors and hasn't managed to kill himself yet. “If you're ever up in the mountains and you need to get out of the nasty weather, you dig down. "The point of snow caves is to protect you from wind and extreme cold. If you build them right, they usually stay about 20 degrees Fahrenheit no matter what the weather’s doing outside.” SO HE TAKES A FLIGHT TO JIUNEAU, ALASKA The video opens with him walking towards Mendenhall Glacier. Per traveljuneau, “Mendenhall, one of the most beautiful and accessible glaciers in North America, is just 13 miles from downtown Juneau and a few minutes from the airport.” DOUGLAS ISLAND; Avalanche Danger Zone Eagle Nest Ski Resort is closed, so he puts his skis on to explore on his own. Brushing the snow off the Avalanche warning sign, he jokes that ‘danger’ is his middle name. “Avalanches are a major concern, so I'm sticking close to the trees. Trees act like an anchor, they keep the snow from sloughing off the side of the mountain. If you stick close to the trees you're less likely to hit an avalanche.” Trees look small because he’s only seeing the top. They’re buried in snow. “Snow's kind of hard up here, makes it a lot easier to walk, Made it up to the top in a little less than two hours.” HE HASN’T BEEN SKIING IN A LONG TIME Skiing downhill was harder on his legs [...]

Micki LeCronier2024-08-30T15:18:38-04:00February 18, 2024|

‘GUIDE TO THE BEST OVERLAND TRAILS’

Inspiration for a fresh new year By Taxaoutdoors “The allure of discovering uncharted terrains is irresistible. In this guide, we’ll delve into what makes an overlanding trail truly captivating, catering to both experienced enthusiasts and beginners.” This article helps you choose: Best destinations by location/climate (Midwest, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest – Pacific Coast and Atlantic Coast) Type of route – from remote locations to scenic beauty and historical/cultural landmarks Optimum time of the year Best trails for beginners Recommended trip duration List of essentials And more “The trails we've discussed, from the serene beauty of Valley of the Gods in Utah to the historic Mojave Road in California, are just the beginning of what overlanding has to offer.” #bestoverlandtrails Best Overland Trails Across the US: Ozarks to Georgia | TAXA (taxaoutdoors.com)

Micki LeCronier2024-08-30T14:12:48-04:00January 28, 2024|

ENGINEER PASS COLORADO – A BUCKET LIST TRIP

24-minute YouTube video by Mountain State Overland Jason says “It’s been a big kind of goal in my career to make a story, to get this far west and then tell the story along the way.” DAY ONE – RESTING UP Their first day is spent on their friend Jim Browning’s amazing property on a stream in a canyon outside Lake City. They need their rest because the following day they'll be tackling the Alpine Loop. Dinner is the Jalapeno version of their favorite burger. Jason explains “There’s nothing like making it over an open fire.” The recipe for crunch wrap sauce is shared as they prepare. Note the pentagonal fold; the edges will be sealed with cheese. “This is definitely a fun meal to cook if you’re got time and especially if you’ve got a couple people to help cook… We’ve got three people eating, two people cooking, one guy on camera and we are having the times of our life here in Lake City Colorado.” DAY TWO – THE ALPINE LOOP “We’ve got a good team.” But at 10,000 ft. Jason confesses to a little nervousness about the unknown. Eric says “I don’t really know what to expect besides the videos that we’ve seen and the pictures that we’ve seen and the research we’ve done.” He finds driving the Jeep instead of the Tacoma “is quite fun honestly, it feels like a high power Go-Kart with the diesel in there. It’s got a lot of torque, but it’s been a lot of fun just driving it offroad. It feels more natural on gravel roads than it does on pavement and I’m sure that’s what it’s designed for.” Ben explains that Eric was [...]

Micki LeCronier2024-04-17T22:00:35-04:00December 29, 2023|

WHEN THANKSGIVING BECOMES ‘FRIENDSGIVING’

Enjoy Adventure Anywhere ‘s 19-minute video of 'Thanksgiving campout on the Manistee River in Northern Michigan' YOU FORGOT WHAT?Their daughter introduces the YouTube video and expresses initial disappointment that they forgot the Smores. All is forgotten when she wanders into the woods. “I found this stream and this kind of neat forest area… It’s really pretty. Gorgeous, actually. See, all you got to do is go in nature and just look and you’ll find beautiful things. Pretty neat, huh?”Pretty neat indeed.She examines the stump of a tree that’s been cut. She wants to learn more ‘nature facts.’GAMES ENSUEOne features toilet paper and wieners. Quantity of wieners is a concern, so alternatives are discussed. Rules are explained. Followed by a game featuring candy corn and chopsticks. Dad struggles. COOKING BEGINS“So we are out here on the Manistee River camping, doing a Friendsgiving or early Thanksgiving celebration. We all brought some food to share and we’re just hanging out for the weekend.” LEAVING IT BETTER THAN THEY FOUND IT Young Nature Lover goes into the woods to do some cleanup. She found two beer bottles, one soup can, old mosquito spray and more. Dad praises her. “Nice of you to clean when we’re out camping, huh!” She responds “Yeah, you always want to leave where you camp better than it looks.” She goes off to find more and explains how cut metal from cans can harm woodland animals. Dead wood is cut for the evening fire.THE CASE OF THE GIANT PANCAKEThe following morning the Nature Lover sees a giant pan and suggests – what else - a giant pancake. It takes five people to flip it. No, wait - they have to call for backup. Hesitation [...]

Micki LeCronier2024-04-17T21:38:47-04:00November 23, 2023|

TRAIL HERO 2023

Another Epic Jeep Adventure’ 17-minute video by BrainyHead - no narration, only breathtaking video TRAIL HERO is all about community outreach programs and charitable efforts. This year’s action-packed event took place from 10/1 to 10/8 at Sand Hollow State Park in Hurricane, Utah. The off-roading event “focuses on trail riding and rock crawling across amazing landscapes with large mountainscape backdrops.” Learn more at thetrailhero.com ABOUT SAND HOLLOW STATE PARK “In the middle of the Greater Zion desert are several water oases, and Sand Hollow State Park is one of those crowning jewels. Whether it’s summer or our mild winters, this 20,000-acre park offers a little of everything – from sitting on the soft, orange shore to diving into emerald green waters to tearing it up on the sand dunes.” Learn more about Sand Hollow State Park at stateparks.utah.gov https://youtu.be/j4jIIai9GEY?si=7a2Ewd6aG2h7IU6w

Micki LeCronier2024-04-17T21:15:42-04:00October 27, 2023|

‘HOW HARD CAN IT BE?!’

Things get messy on the Kentucky Adventure Tour 47-minute YouTube Video by Ozark Overland Adventures Matt begins reporting “from a field somewhere in southern Kentucky.” Not far from Williamsburg. The group consists of 12 rigs on a on a four day trip with Brad from Goxplorusa. The Kentucky Adventure Tour, or ‘KAT’ is a 1,000 mile trip around eastern Kentucky. “Absolutely beautiful” - Matt describes it as “a mixture of trails, technical trails, Forest Service roads, county roads, as little highway as possible… it takes you through some breathtaking scenery.” The one challenge is finding disbursed camping. (‘Disbursed camping’ means little to no services.) “For a group our size, we need to reserve space.” Their plan for this day will include gorgeous water crossings. Matt’s looking forward to it. First stop: CUMBERLAND FALLS He highly recommends a visit. “It is a state park and it is GORGEOUS, absolutely beautiful. It’s free to get in and not far from the KAT.” ROCK CREEK CAMPGROUND This is their last night, they’re at a private campground. Matt’s frustrated by the lack of primitive camping but likes the location. “Everybody just piled in here, there’s lots of room. It’s nice and flat with hammocks back here in the trees.” After a delicious dinner, they hang out and get to know each other better. They say rain will be moving in. Matt’s trying out a new portable air conditioner as they settle in for the night. “It’s a little bit cheaper than Zero Breeze and it has a slightly bigger battery.” The following morning, they’re happy to say “It worked really good.” Brad's group leaves camp. They will continue for at least half a day. “THIS LOOKS DANGEROUS.” Matt's intrigued [...]

Micki LeCronier2024-04-17T21:01:15-04:00September 30, 2023|

HITTING JEEP BADGE OF HONOR TRAILS

At Rubicon Ridge; 11-Minute You-Tube Video by #dirtybunchjeepclub and #bestlifeadventurechannel In this video you’ll learn what Jeep Badge of Honor Trails are all about and enjoy: The Rubicon Ridge Jeep Badge of Honor Trail. Hot Springs Off Road Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas; “If you’ve not seen the Hot Springs Off Road Park before, be prepared to be impressed, it is a great place. If you are familiar with the park, we think you are really going to enjoy our take on it.” Learn more at hotspringsoffroadpark dot com You can get trail maps at the park entrance, store or website. (They used Gaia GPS to track the trail as they moved along.) “TRULY A BADGE OF HONOR” Jeep Badge of Honor Trails are trails where badges can be earned from Jeep Corporation. Use the Jeep Badge of Honor app to check in at the trailhead. When you’ve completed the trail, Jeep will send your badge. Find details at Jeep dot com. ABOUT RUBICON RIDGE Rubicon Ridge has a trail rating of 3-6 – which is “roughly in the moderate rating area.” The difficulty depends on weather and ground conditions. “Loose gravel can make this interesting.” “As you near the end of the trail, it climbs steeply upward. The last quarter mile or so is all uphill” and requires some climbing. STOP TO ENJOY THE OVERLOOK! “This has been a great day. We’ve earned three Jeep Badges of Honor; those are going on the Jeep as soon as we get home! We’ve ordered them, they should be there shortly.” https://youtu.be/XDKPlk8BwfY?si=_0ZNPD-Mn0aVNGPR

Micki LeCronier2024-04-17T15:20:57-04:00August 26, 2023|

About Micki LeCronier

THE ART OF SLEEPING IN YOUR VEHICLE

THE ART OF SLEEPING IN YOUR VEHICLE

WHY I STOPPED USING PAPER MAPS AND SWITCHED TO THIS

TEN STATE PARKS THAT RIVAL NATIONAL PARKS

CAMPING IN ALASKA’S DEEPEST SNOW

‘GUIDE TO THE BEST OVERLAND TRAILS’

ENGINEER PASS COLORADO – A BUCKET LIST TRIP

WHEN THANKSGIVING BECOMES ‘FRIENDSGIVING’

TRAIL HERO 2023

‘HOW HARD CAN IT BE?!’

HITTING JEEP BADGE OF HONOR TRAILS

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