Rainy Mountain Top

So I'm packing my bags for the misty mountains where the spirits now go....

-Led Zeppelin-

We met up with our newest overlanding friends for another Jeep trip.  This time we'd camp overnight.  Mike and I picked the area and decided to show everyone Superior.  It has been several years since we've explored the area and the first time we would do so in the Jeep.  This was a favorite spot for us to take the KTM.

And of course they forecasted rain for the whole weekend.

I was bummed about the weather, but it started out just overcast and we all got to play in the water.

We made our way up the Montana Mountain Loop on the north side of highway 60.  It was glorious.

Brett and Liz of @ourovelandlife caught a great shot of Mike and I leading the way.

Last weekend before the torrential rain hit we had the pleasure of joining @theadventurewife and @ktmmike on a trail they had done a few years back on bikes. Officially it's Montana Mountain located on the northwest side of Superior AZ its a nice combination of mountain switch backs, Stream crossings (depending on rain) and a big elevation change, what starts as desert shrubs quickly gives way to Juniper trees and lower pines. It was a fantastic trail. No hard obstacles but a lot of breathtaking views and narrow cliff sides. And their might just be a couple epic camps spots at the very top. -B #trailtuesday

A post shared by Brett & Liz (@ouroverlandlife) on Feb 21, 2017 at 12:20pm PST

We climbed the switchbacks.  Slow and steady.

Good trails and great people. Poor weather won't stop us. @ktmmike @rinabeard @seanrubiconnery @ouroverlandlife #jeep #socalteardrop #trailboss #lifeisgood #overland #offroad #4x4 #wanderlust

A post shared by Amanda (@the_adventure_wife) on Feb 18, 2017 at 1:56pm

I had camera problems but made the best of the trip with my long lens and iPhone.

@rinabeard caught me in my element: sitting on the windowsill of the Jeep snapping pics on the move. What a killer weekend. #jeep #nikon #socalteardrop #teardrop #camptrailer #overland #getoutside #optoutside #photography #rubicon #lifeisgood

A post shared by Amanda (@the_adventure_wife) on Feb 19, 2017 at 5:19pm PST

The higher we climbed, the quicker we approached the weather.  The fog rolled over the mountain top, obstructing the amazing views the area offers.

We hit the top of the mountain in early afternoon.  Traveling with five rigs (two towing trailers) meant a large campsite.  We found one of two spots large enough for all of us and quickly deployed tents and canopies.  Elly parked herself in the teardrop and didn't leave it till morning.  Rommel spent the evening hanging with us until the water soaked through the mats we had out.

Well I think @ktmmike and I made @theoztentgroup some business this weekend. Our Foxwing and tapered walls were a huge hit with the group. #offroad #lifeisgood #elly #rescuedog #jeep #foxwing #awning #tepui #campingwithdogs #camping #rain #arizona #snow @rinabeard @seanrubiconnery @ouroverlandlife

A post shared by Amanda (@the_adventure_wife) on Feb 19, 2017 at 11:51am PST

The Foxwings were deployed just in time for the rain.  And it rained and rained.  All night.  We packed ten people under our Foxwing.  Set up two propane fire pits and enjoyed each others company. Beer was consumed, steaks and veggies were enjoyed.  It was a great evening.

We woke to more rain.  In fact, we don't think it ever stopped since the afternoon prior.  While breakfast was cooked, the rain would shift to snow every once in a while.

We contemplated staying an additional night, but the kids tent got soaked through from condensation.  So we packed up in the rain and headed out into the fog.

Look closely - there are Jeeps/FJ in the fog

It quickly became apparent we would be chasing water down the mountain.  The desert is AMAZING in the rain.

Snow at breakfast and rain and fog on the way out. These are the best trips. #lifeisgood #jeep #fj #toyota #trailboss #socalteardrop #teardrop #overland #4x4 #offroad @ouroverlandlife @seanrubiconnery @rinabeard @ktmmike

A post shared by Amanda (@the_adventure_wife) on Feb 19, 2017 at 11:25am PST

We saw many waterfalls on our way down, but this one warranted a stop.  Several of us braved the rain to hike out to it.

Waterfalls? In Arizona? #waterfall #arizona #tontonationalforest #offroad #getoutside #cactus #saguaro #flood @ktmmike

A post shared by Amanda (@the_adventure_wife) on Feb 19, 2017 at 11:28am PST

The rain slowly faded, but the fog remained.

We parted ways at the highway - Brett, Liz, Jeremy and Dave went to Box Canyon while Pete, Mandy, Mike and I headed west for lunch.  

It was a quick one nighter, but it was full of memories that will stick.  It's funny how adventures on sunny days easily fade from memory, but the adventures full of poor weather and wet roads stick with you.  

Onwards to Silverton!

Its summer so the sun sets too late and rises too early.  That didn't bother Elly, who barely slept the night before but was in full lizard hunting mode come morning.

And after an ample struggle, we managed to get four adults, two kids and two dogs still long enough for one photo.

Bye Valley of the Gods!

We blazed through Utah, through Bluff and the Reservation.

And into Colorado, through Durango and onwards east.  The final destination of this journey is Colorado Springs.  Why?  Because we haven't been there.  But first, a stop off in Silverton because A) we love the place and B) its a mid point.

Mineral Springs.  If it aint broke, don't fix it.  Stick with what you know and seek out a camp spot.

This trip was planned a month earlier than usual, for reasons I can no longer remember.  There was a lot more snow on the ground than usual and the waterfalls and creeks were full and raging.  We also hit a small snag.  The Jeep just couldn't get itself and the trailer over this small snow block.  FJ to the rescue!

Hey, I'm not ashamed we got stuck and needed help.  We're hauling a fat bottomed girl, and have lower ground clearance than the FJ.  We wouldn't have anymore issues with this spot since the sun and vehicles were shrink it down for us. 

We pushed through and down into the valley at the end of Mineral Springs.

While camp was erected, I let Rommel briefly play in the creek.  Briefly because it is so cold, your toes begin to burn after a few seconds.  He would play himself into hypothermia if I let him.  So just a few minutes of blissful play with the added benefit of washing away the red dirt from Utah.

To encourage K9 dry time and to stretch our legs, Mike and I ventured around.

After our hike, Mike and Pete played horseshoes while Mandy and I prepared dinner.  I want to say we enjoyed potato soup tonight but I'm not 100% sure.  The June sun is blazing in Colorado, but the second the sun moves behind the mountain, we were chilled to the bone.

Warm showers were enjoyed, lounging commenced and eventually we all tucked in for a restful night soothed by the sounds of Mineral Creek.

Vacation or BUST!

It's that time of year again: mountain time.  I feel like our trip to California was eons ago.  This past year has been busy, at times stressful and without enough adventure.  Work invaded personal time, project cars ate up valuable adventure time and we were beyond ready to escape.

We opted for Colorado again.  Why? Because it always provides ample dirt roads, cool mountain air and the ever necessary flowing water.  But before lush Colorado mountains, we needed to push through hours and hours of barren desert.  So of course, we stopped in Mexican Hat for our first night of camping.

Valley of the Gods called to us.  This place is very special to Mike and I.  It was our first bit of dirt we hit on our honeymoon and we've been enamored with this place since.  We had our hearts set on a specific spot with slight elevation over the valley and most importantly afternoon shade.  While we escaped record temperatures in southern Arizona (it hit 118 at home), it was still in the high 90's in Valley of the Gods.  Shade was crucial. We lucked out!

Mike and I set up camp pretty quickly.  We parked.  HA! We wandered around while our camping companions set up their roof top tents.

We settled in, the boys conversed over frosty beverages and Mandy and I started on dinner.  We discovered freeze dried food at the Overland Expo (West).  We ordered a bunch from Thrive Life and were thoroughly impressed with how tasty and easy it was.  I'm still not convinced its cost effective, but it saved space (both fridge and dry food), weight and mess.  Mandy made a log of which meals we ate.  If she actually blogs this year I will link to it at some point.  

The sun set.  The (almost) full moon rose.  The night remained warm and we left the doors to the teardrop open.  Elly was dramatically hot all night and kept us both unfortunately conscious.  But it was a good first day on the road and the week had just begun.

The Joys of Roof Top Tents

I worked a bit of overtime last week and we splurged on a purchase. A Howling Moon Stargazer Roof Top Tent. The Adventure Couple decided that sleeping on the ground is the pits and wanted more comfort and security.

After many different mounting ideas, Mike settled on mounting it directly onto the truck cap.

Now comes the fun part. Unwrapping it!

It even came with shoe pockets.

The Adventure Husband fast at work propping up windows.

One the tent was up - maybe only 5-10 minutes set up time - we set out to put on the bottom room. The dog room, aka, changing room.

 Rommel poking his head in - whatcha doin?

 Always a dog in the picture.

 Once set up on dirt, the room will make more sense. Its kinda hard to stake something out on a concrete driveway.

 I wish the mud on the truck was from a camping excursion, but alas, its only from the muddy parking lot at work.

So we're thrilled. Its huge and comfortable. I need to run out and buy bedding (which can be packed away with the tent). I'm hoping for a camping trip soon.

ARB fridge - check
Packable kitchen - check
Chairs & hammock - check
RTT!!! - check

I'm ready!