Squeaky Penguin's Ongoing Road Trip Thread

I would seriously enjoy hearing a 'Things I learned' from this experience, if you have the time and desire.

 

Don't go to 35's. Leave it close to stock so you can use it on trips. Stock Tacoma is quite capable.
Probably something like that.

 

I'll type up my current thoughts next time I'm on my computer.

Nah, get out and do it with whatever vehicle you have. Plus I think it's likely that this truck will get 35s after this trip.

 

Next up, Brett's 2nd gen Marlin Crawler RCLT build.

 

A) I won't support marlin
B) even if I wanted to I could never get anything from them.

 

Awesome weekend celebrating @Night Eagle s last month as a free man , I mean upcoming wedding. Congrats dude, awesome being able to join you for a few days, and see you in a month!

We were joined by @TMFF and @Reh5108 along with a few other friends for some fishing and camping at one of our favorite spots in the middle of nowhere Wyoming.





Tried to do a time-lapse of the dramatic skies, but the phone didn't want to cooperate with the changing light. Still worth posting though.

https://youtu.be/4zQLypRpvtQ





Low water on the river pushed us into the mountains and a random FS road to a lake with no fish in it, where I added more character to my truck.



Afterwards everyone dispersed, Ryan and I headed back down an awesome section of trail to check on a bench we made with the help of @BossFoss back in 2018.





And then spent today bombing it back to smokey ID to spend a few days riding dirt bikes with my brother in the sawtooths.

 

Now that I'm sitting here thinking about it, this is not the easiest question for me to answer, but I'll touch on a few important subjects that come to mind:

-If you're on the fence about doing something like this, or have just thought about doing something like this, make it happen. And I would say that applies to the broader subject of extended travel in general, not just the kind I'm partaking in. I had been thinking about it for a while, but never seriously, and always had several excuses why I wouldn't/couldn't. Even when I had decided to do it, I had reservations and was fairly nervous. In reality, this has definitely been the best summer of my life, and the things that concerned me haven't been an issue at all.

-Planning: I don't plan. I don't like planning. I had no plans. And it's worked out perfectly. This was one of my areas of concern, but it's been a total non-issue. What I did do was prepare enough resources (below) to figure it out as I go. I think this strategy is a bit of a double edge sword: it does give me complete freedom to decide to do whatever, but on the other hand I'm sure I've missed out/driven right by some awesome stuff. But at the end of the day, I've been having fun most every day, so what does it matter if I missed out on something to do something else.

-Resources - aside from the usual google maps and googling things as I go.

• Delorme Atlas: I love these things, although I am a bit of a paper map enthusiast. Can get the big picture of the areas I'm in, where public land and roads are, basic fishing info. Etc. Etc. If I could have one map this would be it. Would love more detailed paper maps, but it's just not practical for all the areas.
• Gaia: I downloaded most of the Western US before I left in the form of basic Gaia topo and NatGeo where available, but choose what layer you like most. Provides detail that you can't get in the atlas. It's been super helpful, but wouldn't use it as my sole mapping resource.
• Ioverlander app: Yes, even though it has overlander in the name, it's been helpful for finding easier to reach campsites, water, showers, etc.
• Trailforks: every mountain bike trail ever. Such a good app that allows me to find riding wherever I am.
• RE Fishing: it's a little harder to find one good resource, but I do have some basic guide books that get me a start. Otherwise just go fish whatever body of water you're near and find out.

-Vehicle: My truck has been great. Everything I did to prepare it has been working well. GFC, Fridge, Solar, drawer setup, suspension, etc. The only changes I would make would be more backseat organization, and a water tank with a pump. Gas milage has been poor, probably under 16.5 average, and I would like to regear it, but that probably wouldn't have been worth it just to get slightly better mileage and driving performance. That being said, aside from like 3 of the most difficult trails I've done, you could get everywhere I've been in a stock Taco. And certainly don't let having all that other shit stop you. Might be a bit more of a hassle, but you could do the exact same trip with a stock truck, a ground tent, a knock-off rotomolded cooler, etc.


And time to get back to my one day of work for the week. If you have any specific questions post them up, or I'll add to this as things come to mind.

 

When are you going back to a 1st Gen?

 

Good friends and company Id say. Talk to people, they will show you were to go.

 

I still have a 1st gen.

And the 2nd Gen is hands down a better vehicle for this trip.

 

Nice to get back on the KTM for a couple days.

 

Is that and the mtn bike stored in the bed?

 

Hell no. I wish I could bring it with but it's just too much shit. My brother drove it up from CO.

 

That's a familiar shot. I didn't realize you could ride a motorbike up there. Wish you'd been there a couple weeks earlier; would have been awesome to run into ya!

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There's quite a bit of single track open to motos back there. Was awesome riding, and glad the smoke cleared up for a day or two at least. Like you, couldn't see much of anything my first couple days in the area.

 

Cruising around the middle of Idaho, plus knocking off a bucket list item by catching a fish while soaking in a hot spring.

 

Nice! I also skipped the sheep bridge and walked across the main river to take the trail. I had to share that pool with several other people when I was there.

 

No river crossing needed

 

Yeah, not needed, but it was more fun to not take that bridge.

 

No bridge required either.