Author: rj

Before leaving Salida, I took full advantage of the crisp morning air and cool mountain weather with one final ride up the mountain and back. Strangely, the climb felt easier today—maybe my legs are getting stronger after one day of hill training. Heading west toward Gunnison means crossing Monarch Pass. As I crested the summit,…

I woke up to a beautiful, crisp morning. The sky was a clear, brilliant blue, and the air had that refreshing mountain bite. I hopped on my bike and headed up into the hills behind the motel. The ride was demanding, climbing about 1,000 feet on gravel roads into Bureau of Land Management property. The…

My original plan this morning was to rise with the sun, breathe in the crisp mountain air, and fire up my butane stove to make some instant coffee and hot oatmeal. But then I thought—to heck with it. I packed up and drove into Salida, CO to find a good coffee shop and grab a…

I had a great night’s sleep tucked into my sleeping bag as the temperature dipped near freezing. The cold air was no match for the cocoon of warmth, and I slept long and uninterrupted, waking refreshed just as the sun began to rise over the horizon. Eventually, I crawled out of the back of the…

Although Colorado Springs was never on my short list of relocation spots, my first impressions were unexpectedly positive. I stopped in the northern part of town to get some routine blood work done at LabCorp. Since I was a bit early, I took a walk through the surrounding neighborhood and was pleasantly surprised by how…

Last night’s stay at the campground took an intense turn just as I was finishing up a quick shower—thunderstorms rolled in fast and hard. The rain poured all night, and I’m pretty sure I heard hail bouncing off the roof. The stainless steel SmartCap amplified every drop and ice pellet, making it sound like I…

I woke up around 4 a.m., bundled in my zero-degree sleeping bag–which, ironically, I had to climb out of bed to retrieve from one of the bins in the middle of the night. I didn’t want to move. I was warm enough under the covers, and the idea of stepping into the cold air felt…

I launched my adventure this morning after hugs, scratches, and kisses. With the truck loaded, I rolled out with anticipation and a side order of jitters. But I didn’t even make it out of North Carolina before the road reminded me that nothing goes quite as planned. Interstate 40 came to a dead stop for…

Today was another full day of trip prep, focused on getting the truck organized and making sure everything has its place. I packed up the storage bins that slide neatly under the cot in the bed of the truck–each one serving a specific purpose to make life on the road smoother. – Bin 1 (Tailgate…

Today marked the first serious day of preparation for my upcoming scouting trip to Colorado. The original plan was to hit the road tomorrow—Sunday—but given everything still left to do, that’s looking a little optimistic. Still, I made solid progress today and can see the vision starting to come together. This trip isn’t just about…