1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Big White Truck Crosscountry

Discussion in 'Trip Reports' started by worktruckwhite, May 9, 2021.

  1. May 9, 2021 at 4:56 PM
    #1
    worktruckwhite

    worktruckwhite [OP] bryceCtravels.com

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2019
    Member:
    #31792
    Messages:
    476
    Gender:
    Male
    Charleston, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 White Crewmax
    Hi, welcome to the thread. My names Bryce, and I’m a 19yo photographer from Charleston, South Carolina. I am currently living full time out of my Tundra, and I am going to document my current trip location-by-location in this thread.

    My website (and printshop) is https://www.brycercampbell.com/
    My photography Instagram is @brycercampbell and my Tundra Instagram is @bryces.tundra

    Here is where I’m at time of writing.
    93FF5CCF-686A-4916-8BED-F81A71346961.jpg

    My truck is a 2010 Crewmax base, with some mods:
    Front to Back
    bajadesigns Squadrons (yellow/combo) w/ custom mount
    dv8offroad Tundra Bumper w/ 4 ditch lights (white)
    rcioffroad Skidplate
    falkentire Wildpeaks 275/70r18
    bilsteinus 6112s (front) & 5160s (rear)
    ark_splash_guards Tundra Splash Guards
    sunstopperschs brow & window tint
    bamufflers Straight piped w/ resonator
    Custom 40% rear seat delete
    relentlessfabrication RTT bed rack
    roofnest Sparrow EYE
    FED6680F-0A8E-4067-AF2F-4A887712D3B9.jpg

    The necessities:
    For drinking water, I use a primo 5gal water jug and a primo hand pump. Every Walmart has a Primo water refill station where they charge 30-40c per gallon.
    For food, I use an otter box cooler.
    For the bathroom, I use a shovel.
    For showers, I have a gym membership or use campgrounds for a small fee.

    If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!
     
    Last edited: May 14, 2021
    Badknees, RRR1C0, Wallygator and 11 others like this.
  2. May 9, 2021 at 4:57 PM
    #2
    worktruckwhite

    worktruckwhite [OP] bryceCtravels.com

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2019
    Member:
    #31792
    Messages:
    476
    Gender:
    Male
    Charleston, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 White Crewmax
    I left the morning of April 15th from Charleston. I have spent many many days car camping in Appalachia, so I figured the best spot would be North GA.
    2F0BC83A-5620-4769-8A2B-E067F47EDF2F.jpg


    The next morning, I headed to LBL in Kentucky, where I’ve also camped before. Absolutely gorgeous out there. Originally, I planned on camping by the lake. But the jeep trail to the waterline was soft dirt, and it rained that night, so I camped on hard gravel off a side road instead. I made the right choice, I was slipping when I was leaving before it rained.
    B9D96D36-F6C1-42A1-8F17-27598590B003.jpg

    The next day, I headed to Arkansas. This was where I had my first hiccup.
    I planned on camping in Ozark NF. The roads were muddy, there were crowds, and this was my first time in a new place so far. I was down a road, near a lake, trying to find camp. There were two people blocking the road talking, so I figured I’d take a different route. As I was backing up, I hit a tree. The tent went straight thru the back window. It was nearly dark and I was an hour from any town.

    I hauled ass to the nearest auto parts store and got some plastic and some tape. I spent 5 hours moving everything, unbolting and rearranging the tent, covering the now-massive hole, and finding a motel (why was every hotel/motel in AR booked that night?) Thankfully I kept my calm and kept focused.

    37B87B88-5C91-4F18-9FED-D48F3B75A438.jpg

    The next day, I headed to a coin car wash to vacuum out the bed and cab. Glass gets literally everywhere. I still find pieces, three weeks later. I got everything vacuumed and continued to Oklahoma.
     
    Last edited: May 9, 2021
    2mchfun, Wallygator, The Dude and 5 others like this.
  3. May 9, 2021 at 4:57 PM
    #3
    worktruckwhite

    worktruckwhite [OP] bryceCtravels.com

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2019
    Member:
    #31792
    Messages:
    476
    Gender:
    Male
    Charleston, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 White Crewmax
    My first night in Oklahoma, I stayed at Beavers Bend State Park. Absolutely gorgeous, not what I expected from OK.
    23CB0F60-D99A-4C62-9514-B80D68FA713F.jpg

    There, I did further inspection of my situation. The drive was freezing, and it was incredibly loud, not the time for straightpipes.
    I cracked the tent where the tree impacted, so I went to Autozone and got some epoxy to do an ugly, but functional, repair. You can see it on the bottom left.
    5B9739D5-26AC-46A0-975F-920259F696ED.jpg


    The next day, I went to Black Kettle National Grassland in the panhandle. I had the rear glass replaced in OKC. This was hiccup 2.
    A476199E-B736-42B9-9416-61EEDD95BD6D.jpg

    I’m not sure what exactly I was experiencing, but at about 9:30 the sky went pitch black and there were gusts up to 40mph. Not the time for a soft sided tent. I didn’t sleep, and finally at 3am I decided it was too risky. I got back on the highway and headed to Amarillo.

    Now, I did not know what to expect in Amarillo. I just needed to get out of OK. Well, it was blisteringly cold. I slept in the bench seat at a truck stop anyways. The windshield cleaner at the gas station was frozen when I arrived sometime around 6 or 7am. From there, I showered at my gym, got a Bang, McD hashbrown, and hit the road.

    Then, I drove all day to Lincoln NF and White Sands NP in New Mexico. It was a gorgeous drive, a part of the country I’d never seen. Made everything else seem okay.
    C3B34936-1C94-4946-AA49-0E1348B3890A.jpg

    8058058F-D98B-4F87-B9E3-D66632A74397.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 9, 2021
  4. May 9, 2021 at 4:58 PM
    #4
    worktruckwhite

    worktruckwhite [OP] bryceCtravels.com

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2019
    Member:
    #31792
    Messages:
    476
    Gender:
    Male
    Charleston, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 White Crewmax
    The next day, I cruised around Alamogordo NM and then went to take pics of the sunset at White Sands.
    And it was absolutely incredible. I can’t even describe what I felt watching it. I hiked 30mins thru the dunes to a place by myself. I will absolutely go back, and if you’ve never been, you need to go.
    87DCC55D-8BA1-4381-BC21-0284D47073A8.jpg

    The next day I started to check things off my list in NM. I tried to go to the Trinity test site, but didn’t know it was closed except for two days a year. Then, I went to camp in Gila NF so I could see the Gila Cliff Dwellings early in the AM.
    CDC17828-8DC4-4B1A-AD71-B6563F214DC0.jpg

    And the cliff dwellings did NOT disappoint. If you are into history (or aliens), all the cliff dwelling sites in the SW should be on your to-do list.
    7A53DAAD-14A3-4D59-B3B0-58E6F95EE122.jpg

    From there, I headed to Albuquerque...and didn’t really have a plan. I slept at a Loves and didn’t get kicked out until 6am (apparently Loves in NM has 2hr sleeping limit.) The bench seat has been a life saver on this trip.
    7ED953B8-5D83-4A07-92ED-405ACA1F821E.jpg

    From ABQ, I went to see more dwellings at Bandelier National Monument. These were even more impressive, and the NPS let’s you inside.
    07DAC398-F543-4DAD-81CB-099186A0971D.jpg

    That same day, I went to Valles Caldera which was incredibly.
    5972B738-AEFF-4B7B-9EC0-6025C157F025.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 9, 2021
  5. May 9, 2021 at 5:11 PM
    #5
    worktruckwhite

    worktruckwhite [OP] bryceCtravels.com

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2019
    Member:
    #31792
    Messages:
    476
    Gender:
    Male
    Charleston, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 White Crewmax
    From Bandelier, I drove to Sedona, but not before making one bucket-list stop.
    0A4DE7BE-5BEC-41A7-A8D2-0D5FD3BE982F.jpg

    I mean, it’s a crater. From a meteor. And it’s big. The photo does not do it justice. To get a sense of scale, look at it on google maps.

    After Meteor Crater, I continued to Sedona and camped 15min outside the city.
    E29B54DE-9066-4755-84CF-88A69585AF41.jpg

    Sedona is incredible. I was there on the tail end of when everyone is (ie it was getting to hot to live in your van/car/rv without AC). I would absolutely go back, even though the Southwest in general isn’t my preferred geography (I need a beach).

    From Sedona, I went to Flagstaff and spent the night - trying to learn to slow down and pace myself.
    642DD9DA-5312-4E06-B47B-C435E6F82E67.jpg


    And then I hit the big one. I met up with some friends of a friend who are all on the road full time, at the Grand Canyon. And it was certainly grand. I spent two days (or maybe 3 I forget) there and then headed my own way.
    0984AAF8-6357-46A9-9189-10D0C141591E.jpg

    Speaking of heading my own way, when I left for this trip I figured I may get a bit lonely. It never happened. Not to sound like I don’t enjoy company from friends, but I like to go at my own pace, if there’s a road I pass that I wanna see, I’ll flip a uturn. That kind of thing. All that to say, I enjoy traveling alone immensely. It is freedom.

    From the Grand Canyon, I went to Lake Powell with another bench seat special, this time in the Page Walmart. It’s crazy, the entire parking lot from 5pm to 10am is RVs and trailers. There’s not many campgrounds around, so everyone huddles at Walmart. If I end up there again, I wouldn’t hesitate to sleep in the tent. It was no different than a campground. The next day, I met up with a friend at a dispersed site on the lake. We went for a swim (more like an ice bath) and spent the day just hanging out and working. It was incredible.
    E49841D7-59E3-49DD-97F9-8C8613E4CE3A.jpg

    The next morning, we hit Horseshoe Bend, which, in my humble opinion, is superior to the Grand Canyon.
    FAFB424E-8548-4B1B-8F1A-FCB80513447A.jpg

    We spent another night there by the lake, and then we split up and I went to Monument Valley. I’ve watched all the classic westerns (and Forrest Gump), which means monument valley was mandatory. And I’m glad it was. The Navajo Nation is still shut down, so the museum and visitor center was closed (bummer). But the state roads were open, and that’s where I spent my time.
    942A07AB-746B-4CF0-9931-293A53DB6779.jpg
    B5E70146-1E42-403B-90CD-FAD4245F51F7.jpg
    And:censored: Jenny
    4F6ED4F3-DA10-4A52-8CED-1913888769D6.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 9, 2021
  6. May 9, 2021 at 5:24 PM
    #6
    eccracer104

    eccracer104 Dirty Paws Off-Road

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2017
    Member:
    #11593
    Messages:
    2,876
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Tundra 5.7 4x4 CM
    Awesome!
    Bum luck on the window though.

    What sparked the cross country road trip?
     
  7. May 9, 2021 at 5:39 PM
    #7
    worktruckwhite

    worktruckwhite [OP] bryceCtravels.com

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2019
    Member:
    #31792
    Messages:
    476
    Gender:
    Male
    Charleston, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 White Crewmax
    I worked in a surf shop before this, and everyone there either wanted to live in a van, or did and loved it. I also did not go to college, and I had nothing else to do. I kinda just wanted to see what’s out here.
     
  8. May 9, 2021 at 5:46 PM
    #8
    I_Am_Thee_Walrus

    I_Am_Thee_Walrus New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2021
    Member:
    #57160
    Messages:
    292
    Vehicle:
    ‘21 Tundra TRD Off-Road
    A+ thread. Excited to see what’s in store.
     
  9. May 9, 2021 at 5:50 PM
    #9
    eccracer104

    eccracer104 Dirty Paws Off-Road

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2017
    Member:
    #11593
    Messages:
    2,876
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Tundra 5.7 4x4 CM
    Badass! Travel safe and enjoy talking to all walks of life with different backgrounds and stories. Should be a great life experience and a lot of fun. :thumbsup:

    oh and - :worthless:

    :D:fistbump:
     
  10. May 9, 2021 at 6:04 PM
    #10
    worktruckwhite

    worktruckwhite [OP] bryceCtravels.com

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2019
    Member:
    #31792
    Messages:
    476
    Gender:
    Male
    Charleston, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 White Crewmax
    Thanks!! Me too lol
    Thanks! I’ve already met some awesome people (Spoiler alert)!!
     
    eccracer104[QUOTED] and MS22 like this.
  11. May 9, 2021 at 6:24 PM
    #11
    Kiddnapped Tundra

    Kiddnapped Tundra New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2017
    Member:
    #34331
    Messages:
    273
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tim
    Grand Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 Tundra DC
    Good so far.
     
    worktruckwhite[OP] likes this.
  12. May 9, 2021 at 7:32 PM
    #12
    worktruckwhite

    worktruckwhite [OP] bryceCtravels.com

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2019
    Member:
    #31792
    Messages:
    476
    Gender:
    Male
    Charleston, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 White Crewmax
    From Monument Valley, that same day I drove to Mesa Verde NM to see more dwellings. It was insane, and the drive was gorgeous. The dwellings here are pit houses and cliff dwellings. Super interesting stuff to read about, check out the Wikipedia.
    6343BB74-EC5A-4D65-B694-1F21A4B0E74E.jpg

    one other thing, at Lake Powell I noticed two thing an 1. The rear window wouldn’t roll all the way up 2. There was a massive gap on the rear window exterior seal. I needed to get it replaced with OEM glass.
    I called Durango Toyota and they overnighted the rear glass, and that kinda decided where I would head next.

    From Mesa Verde, I spent the night in San Juan NF. The next day I drove to Durango for an 8am appt to finally get my rear glass fixed. 1. The first replacement was incredibly warped. 2. The leak was huge and water could get in. 3. The company is supposedly sending a check to my parents house for a full refund (I left a review after I got the $625 bill from Toyota.) I know the rear glass can be replaced for cheap diy, and if I had the tools with me I would’ve, but all that stuff is at my parents house, so I had to cough up the money.

    From Durango, I figured I’d do what everyone who goes to CO does - Telluride and Ouray. I drove the Million Dollar Highway into Ouray.
    178EC57B-93E7-4DE9-B42D-D518AC6127E6.jpg

    I then went to try and climb Mt Sneffels but the snow was chest deep. I hiked one mile in an hour. Instead, I camped outside Telluride. And the spot was insane. Absolutely incredible view of the San Juans.
    E3601D83-5749-44B1-8E4A-95636DAB684E.jpg
    D509F66A-360C-4D37-B319-C8B767E0A71A.jpg

    The next day I hit Black Canyon of The Gunnison. An extremely underrated National Park. It’s main attraction is how vertical the cliffs are.
    08686AC3-BABA-4DAC-800C-945C935946B3.jpg

    After that, I camped outside Montrose CO. Kinda your average “large” country town. I spent two nights there. Again, teaching myself to slow down (and because it rained). The Roofnest is pretty watertight.
    2DB1D52D-3E0C-4719-A7E1-5D0063BCF00B.jpg

    Afterwards, I went back to Ouray because (as all stories go) I met this chick and she showed me around for a few days. Which gave me time to find a good campsite. And boy did I.
    59928785-0912-41FE-AA34-2F6A344DAD07.jpg

    Up a jeep trail (not a 20ft long truck trail), thru snow and mud, over rocks, and with a lot of skinny pedal, I made it to this plateau 5min (downhill, 20min up) from Ouray and with full cell service.
    F4E2610C-8831-4D78-BACD-D195B16B35FA.jpg
    F5F8F151-C9EA-484F-82E1-E5218B384A04.jpg

    I spent 4 days between that spot and Ouray, but as the weekend approached, I had friends in Moab and needed to head out.

    Now I’m in Moab after meeting with them, though I’m gonna be here solo for a few more days. Once I leave, I’ll post about that.
     
    Last edited: May 17, 2021
  13. May 11, 2021 at 8:19 PM
    #13
    worktruckwhite

    worktruckwhite [OP] bryceCtravels.com

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2019
    Member:
    #31792
    Messages:
    476
    Gender:
    Male
    Charleston, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 White Crewmax
    Well, I’m already forgetting what I’ve done so I need to write it down.

    I arrived in Moab Friday afternoon. I met with my friends, 4 folks fulltime in vans. We got dinner at Moab Brewery and then went to make camp outside town. And it was incredible.
    FAC1CC42-E168-40B3-AD41-37286F934FDB.jpg
    Starlink satellites were visible as well. Pushing my camera to the limits, gonna have to upgrade one day!
    58B8A22E-C6CA-4B48-BF1D-8AE84A262971.jpg

    And then we went to bed. The next day, I went my own way. I did laundry in Moab then went to find some solitude for myself. I succeeded.
    E8DC31B7-7AE4-4BC3-A24C-4831DB3E609A.jpg

    As soon as I hit the road fulltime, I started to feel a bit elitist... looking down on the “weekend warriors”. I’m not sure why, maybe because of crowds everywhere and camps being overrun with ATVs, even in the middle of the desert. So, it now being Saturday, I huddled down and waited.

    Sunday morning was different. I woke up at 4:30 to catch the sunrise at Canyonlands. Well, so did 50 other people. The way I see photography, I’m not documenting moments, I’m sharing emotions. I’m not so much interested in catching a perfect picture of an arch framing the sun, moreso the feeling of stoke that everyone felt watching it. I think I succeeded. These images are for purchase on my site (shameless plug)
    4629A919-BFDC-45FA-9964-716F6D8BD15D.jpg
    9064E0D8-E210-46A4-92D6-333D9A9E4A31.jpg

    After that, I explored the Island In The Sky section of the park. If you don’t know, Canyonlands is huge. It doesn’t have one road through the entire park. It can take anywhere from 2-6hrs to get from one section to another. But Island In The Sky was definitely top of my list.
    EB5CC504-E30D-4FB9-8F7C-07AD592DA541.jpg
    61083359-DCCE-48CF-9F6F-A232B0A49A2C.jpg
    A4EC37FE-7F3E-404B-BD6C-1E48F840949F.jpg

    and being in Moab, I’d be embarrassed if I didn’t do the following at some point. These trails were right outside my campsite. So I hit them on the way back from Canyonlands. Big White Truck makes everything seem small.
    69CD1DF4-E84B-4B14-AC7C-E756BE1386A2.jpg
    0B91D37A-AAE1-4C63-B3F0-913B6B2DA7AE.jpg
    8C4FE696-924E-4F3C-A86B-255663F1C171.jpg
    A90CBCEC-517A-4FA7-9E61-1472B0378D93.jpg

    Unfortunately, I know I am too young and inexperienced for any trails where death is a reality. So I stuck to some calmer stuff.

    The next day (yesterday) I slept. Literally all day. I got out of bed at 2pm and went back in at 6. But it was all in preparation for something incredible... :D
     
  14. May 12, 2021 at 4:05 PM
    #14
    worktruckwhite

    worktruckwhite [OP] bryceCtravels.com

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2019
    Member:
    #31792
    Messages:
    476
    Gender:
    Male
    Charleston, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 White Crewmax
    Some days, things happen you literally can’t make up

    on Tuesday, I woke up at 4:30 to catch the sunrise at The Windows at Arches. The crowd was insane, but with the right angles and some photoshop, you’d never know. All of these are available on my site.
    88B78632-DB2E-4142-85E4-F004EB74F622.jpg
    0D148E5C-567F-40EF-8F6E-EF27B63ED31D.jpg
    F7DB8D36-120D-482F-BAD7-C4220657A53D.jpg

    from there, I walked to Double Arch. In my opinion, it’s even more incredible. Maybe because I was the only one there for a while. Eventually I climbed my way up onto a ledge.
    16F471FC-8698-4CA9-B34F-1A5EC8719241.jpg

    As I was sitting in silence, this girl climbed up to check it out as well. And wouldn’t you know, she had a U o South Carolina hat. Small world. We get to talking, eventually climb down and back to the parking lot. She’s doing something similar, a month in a Honda Fit - from SC to Wisconsin for an internship in a horseshoe type route. Basically speedrunning my route.

    anyways, we go hike to Delicate Arch next. And it was incredible.
    6A9BA950-ADCD-418E-A7F0-3E94B3919ECC.jpg

    I didn’t know what to expect of Arches, let alone the southwest. I’d never been. But I was absolutely amazed. Such a gorgeous landscape. I will be back at some point, and I was not disappointed.

    After that, we went our separate ways, and that leaves me here in the morning - the middle of the desert. The same place I’ve spent the last five nights. I’ve never stayed in one place as long as I have in Moab. Partially due to the sheer amount of things to see, partially weather, partially my own exhaustion. But as of today, Wednesday, I feel like my time has come. Tomorrow I have two choices. Backtrack to Grand Junction or onwards to Capital Reef. I’m not sure if there’s a right answer. And I won’t know until I wake up and choose which entrance onto i70 I take. But for now, I have to say I feel pretty fulfilled. Gonna hit one month real soon.

    9932D645-DF0C-4FE2-94CF-8365B273ADA7.jpg
    BB8C4015-DE1F-41C6-8F3D-8599FB9AF449.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 17, 2021
  15. May 12, 2021 at 4:33 PM
    #15
    Punisher29073

    Punisher29073 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2020
    Member:
    #54055
    Messages:
    375
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    White Knoll, SC
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tundra TRD Pro
    Clearance lights, Light bar in front bumper, Ditch lights, CB Radio, AGM Battery, SLEE Sliders,
    Fellow palmetto state resident here. My family and i did a very similar trip last year dragging out side by side. It is an amazing trip. I plan to make it back. Enjoy yourself!
    Ryan
     
    worktruckwhite[OP] likes this.
  16. May 12, 2021 at 4:44 PM
    #16
    kletzenklueffer

    kletzenklueffer New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2019
    Member:
    #26476
    Messages:
    11
    Gender:
    Male
    Georgia
    XP pack, TRD CAI
    If you haven't left colorado hit up red rocks amphitheatre for any concert happening and head up to rocky mountain national park early in the day. Bear lake. Then drive down devils gulch road. You will not regret that ride
     
    worktruckwhite[OP] likes this.
  17. May 12, 2021 at 4:51 PM
    #17
    worktruckwhite

    worktruckwhite [OP] bryceCtravels.com

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2019
    Member:
    #31792
    Messages:
    476
    Gender:
    Male
    Charleston, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 White Crewmax
    Unfortunately I only hit the far west side of CO. I’m hoping to hit the eastern half on my way back!
     
  18. May 12, 2021 at 4:52 PM
    #18
    worktruckwhite

    worktruckwhite [OP] bryceCtravels.com

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2019
    Member:
    #31792
    Messages:
    476
    Gender:
    Male
    Charleston, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 White Crewmax
    It’s a whole different world out here. Born and raised in Charleston. Traveled a ton, but never out west.
     
  19. May 12, 2021 at 7:20 PM
    #19
    Half Assed

    Half Assed me ne frego

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2020
    Member:
    #48947
    Messages:
    830
    Heartland Florida
    Vehicle:
    Reg Cab Gang
    Awesome pictures bro. Many of those pictures remind me of the trip I did in 2016.

    I can't remember if you told me a few months ago when you mentioned your trip... Are you making it out to California and up the west coast? If you think the crowds are bad now, CA is the worst for it (maybe not this year but IDK). There are so many things too see though if you get off the main roads and attractions.

    Great basin NP in Neveda is pretty cool and not very busy if you're going through that area. Has some of the oldest trees in North America IIRC.
     
  20. May 13, 2021 at 8:23 AM
    #20
    worktruckwhite

    worktruckwhite [OP] bryceCtravels.com

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2019
    Member:
    #31792
    Messages:
    476
    Gender:
    Male
    Charleston, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 White Crewmax
    So honestly my limit is going to be money. I have to see what my finances look like when I get done down here. I’m going to head up to Salt Lake and figure out the next leg of my trip. But, if possible, NorCal/Sierras/PNW are something I absolutely want to do.

    I still haven’t decided if I wanna do NV. I def wanna do Hoover Dam, my sisters in Vegas, but it will cost a lotta gas money with the 5.7. I’ll probably decide once I get done at Zion.

    You’re from FL right? I won’t ever complain about the humidity in FL/GA/SC again lol. My knuckles have been bleeding every day out here.
     
    2mchfun likes this.
  21. May 13, 2021 at 8:28 AM
    #21
    Punisher29073

    Punisher29073 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2020
    Member:
    #54055
    Messages:
    375
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    White Knoll, SC
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tundra TRD Pro
    Clearance lights, Light bar in front bumper, Ditch lights, CB Radio, AGM Battery, SLEE Sliders,
    It is very dry. Pick up some lotion. My feet were horrible for a month after i got back.

    We cam back through the Badlands and saw Mt Rushmore. It was great. Good luck.
     
    2mchfun and worktruckwhite[OP] like this.
  22. May 13, 2021 at 12:04 PM
    #22
    Taco-Blender

    Taco-Blender Old Guys Rule

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2017
    Member:
    #9710
    Messages:
    1,797
    Gender:
    Male
    AZ
    Vehicle:
    2010 DC 4x4
    Excellent road trip young man!!! I wish I had done something like that at your age (and single).

    Maybe hit the RimRocker trail from Moab to Montrose on your way back? Roughly 160 miles of dirt and supposed to be pretty nice and not too difficult.
     
    worktruckwhite[OP] likes this.
  23. May 13, 2021 at 12:12 PM
    #23
    BuckWallace

    BuckWallace Ball don't lie.

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2017
    Member:
    #11160
    Messages:
    1,857
    Gender:
    Male
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    Sierra 3500 AT4 Gasser
    Very cool thread, thanks for sharing! My parents are on a road trip (from Oregon) and were at Arches on Tuesday also--you probably bumped into them!
     
  24. May 13, 2021 at 12:38 PM
    #24
    Bikeric

    Bikeric New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2020
    Member:
    #56779
    Messages:
    488
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Vehicle:
    2007 DC 5.7
    Blown Engine.....
    Keep the pics coming!! I could donate gas money to a PayPal account. My work IT has your website and Instagram blocked.
     
  25. May 13, 2021 at 6:58 PM
    #25
    Half Assed

    Half Assed me ne frego

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2020
    Member:
    #48947
    Messages:
    830
    Heartland Florida
    Vehicle:
    Reg Cab Gang
    Yup, FL. Yeah the low humidity was interesting. I stopped at my grandmas and did some laundry. She told me to stop the dryer after 10 minutes or I would burn up my clothes. At home I have to run it for 90 minutes. During my trip I went through northern Minnesota I dont complain as much about mosquitos now either. They are on another level up there.


    Great Basin NP is sort of in between vegas and salt lake. I bet the 5.7 is a hungry pig with the gear in the back, using 4wd, and gas $3/gallon right now. I did my travelling in a Ford Escape, I was getting about 25mpg and a quart of oil every 200 miles. :laughing: I almost took my Chevy truck at the time, but it got like 8mpg. Would've broken down and left me stranded too so I sold my car last minute and got the Escape to drive.

    Nothing else like Utah though. I didnt know you were into photography, you're probably going bananas there lol. I minored in geology in school so it's an interesting place to me for slightly different reasons.
     
  26. May 13, 2021 at 8:30 PM
    #26
    Half Assed

    Half Assed me ne frego

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2020
    Member:
    #48947
    Messages:
    830
    Heartland Florida
    Vehicle:
    Reg Cab Gang
    I stayed at the Page walmart one night too. People had their awnings and chairs out cooking like it was a campground lmao. The walmart in Bozeman, MT was the same way. The rural walmarts away from interstate and bigger highways were full of semi trucks in the morning.

    I ate a bunch of $4 dinner plates from the walmart deli lol. Better than fast food.
     
    worktruckwhite[OP] likes this.
  27. May 14, 2021 at 12:32 PM
    #27
    worktruckwhite

    worktruckwhite [OP] bryceCtravels.com

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2019
    Member:
    #31792
    Messages:
    476
    Gender:
    Male
    Charleston, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 White Crewmax
    That’s my plan for heading back. South Dakota then back home. As for lotion, I’m using a ton haha.

    haha, I don’t think I could do this trip with a girlfriend! Showering might be a problem. Thanks for that. I’ll definitely check it out!!


    I might have! Tuesday was super busy, Monday it was kinda ugly weather so everyone went the next day.


    yeah the gas is not helping right now! Utah’s been incredible, probably even moreso if you’re into geology.
    I honestly had never seen a Walmart like that. It was insane. Kinda comforting in a way too lol. Walmart Deli ain’t half bad (worse than Publix but beggars can’t be choosers)


    I don’t want to just take your money.. I’ll dm you, maybe I can send you a print.
     
  28. May 14, 2021 at 12:53 PM
    #28
    Blueknights75

    Blueknights75 040 IS THE FASTEST

    Joined:
    May 13, 2018
    Member:
    #15276
    Messages:
    4,431
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ron
    Clayton, NC
    Vehicle:
    18’ TRD CM leveled with 295/70 Ridge Grapplers
  29. May 14, 2021 at 3:44 PM
    #29
    worktruckwhite

    worktruckwhite [OP] bryceCtravels.com

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2019
    Member:
    #31792
    Messages:
    476
    Gender:
    Male
    Charleston, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 White Crewmax
    So, I figure as a I sit high above Grand Junction on Rimrock Road, there’s no better time to write about the past few days.
    162BF37D-D82F-45B6-AB71-029B9CD6CCC4.jpg


    Tuesday was Arches (previous post). Wednesday, I planned to meet up with a huge inspiration of mine, Drew Simms @drew.simms on IG. He has been on the road for 3 years in a Jeep, more on that later. The plans fell through, and we rescheduled for Thursday.

    So I had an empty day, 6 or so hours until sunset, a pitch black sky near an international dark sky park, and a camera. I spent all day waiting. I went to bed and set an alarm for 12:30.

    It paid off.
    C106C4C6-BA90-48A0-8ECC-B80749FCFB2B.jpg
    This was shot from my Roofnest, with the window open. I was under my blankets because it was 40f...and 1am.
    Had I met with Drew on Wednesday, I probably would’ve skipped town right after. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason (even my glass getting replaced twice, but I still haven’t found the “why”..)

    The next day I went to Moab to do laundry, shop, and meet up with Drew. Like I said, he’s been on the road for 3 years. He lives fulltime in his Wrangler with a RTT (iKamper). He left from Jacksonville FL, I left from Charleston SC. He went to South Dakota and worked his way south, I went to New Mexico and am working my way north. It is incredible how similar our beginnings were/are. Anyways, we had lunch and discussed many things. But I bring it up because it’s incredible how many people I’ve met on the road. I worked in a surf shop in a major tourist town. I have met more people in a month than I did in 2 months at the shop (Parrot Surf & Skate, check it out if you’re ever in town). Most of these people I never get contact info from, I will never see them again. But when you live on the road, you are more open to connections, perhaps because you’ll never see each other again. Although there are many people who I will stay in contact with.

    After lunch, I drove halfway from Moab to Grand Junction.
    A7F8A913-CFF5-4FAA-9FAB-36E03D75EF0F.jpg And I have the important things in life.
    09336F19-9EE5-42AB-B4B3-2060F21F5C6D.jpg

    Then I went to bed. When I woke up, I went straight to Grand Junction to shower. From the gym, I’ve spent probably 4 hours up here at Colorado National Monument. I think I’ll spend a few days around here, maybe hunkering down through the weekend crowds.

    But something else has been on the back of my mind recently. I’m thinking about cutting out the rest of my trip in the southwest and heading to the PNW. I do want to see Bryce and Zion, but I didn’t get shuttle tickets for Zion (I’ll have to fight the crowd the night before), and it’s getting hot out here. And if I leave early, it will give me a reason to come back to see the rest of the area. I’ve got probably a week to decide. I don’t know if I have enough money to do both the rest of the southwest and the PNW, and I need to be in SLC in a week and a half to pick some stuff up. If any of you have opinions, please share.
    E6FD5106-97F2-42C9-BDA0-869F91246144.jpg

    For now, I’ll have daily showers, company, and camp not far from town. Not exactly a bad setup. I’ll probably post again when I leave GJ.
     
  30. May 19, 2021 at 4:12 PM
    #30
    worktruckwhite

    worktruckwhite [OP] bryceCtravels.com

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2019
    Member:
    #31792
    Messages:
    476
    Gender:
    Male
    Charleston, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 White Crewmax
    Man, last Friday seems like a long time.

    When I met up with Drew in Moab, he told me I could have a solar panel he wasn’t using *if* I was in Salt Lake City by Wednesday (today). Well, a free 100w panel is hard to pass up, and so I made the drive, taking the scenic route.
    19E0D5B3-5EA5-433D-9ECC-4D0EDA5C65D0.jpg

    I stayed in Junction until Sunday morning (I think, I forget easily). From there, I headed to Capital Reef, which was incredible. Capital Reef is so diverse. It is wet enough in the valley for orchards and farms (which the NPS still maintains), but outside, it has more resemblance to the rest of southern Utah. I actually didn’t take any pics inside the valley, but it was luscious. Here is the famous photo spot in the park, far down a sandy, washed out dirt road.
    07C048C8-05FF-4BB7-ADC3-631A23E2338C.jpg
    75E70AAC-AD00-4545-9264-54408595A440.jpg
    602F5F49-1F77-44EB-BAEB-D915945F8890.jpg

    After Capital Reef, I hit Escalante and Boulder. I spent the night inbetween both towns. I had another friend tell me about this awesome hike, and there were other things I wanted to check out as well. Escalante had less than 1,000 people in the 2010 census. It’s now (relatively) a tourist mecca. The main things I did was a waterfall and slot canyon hike. For specifics, feel free to DM me.
    01F84FD7-FD38-40E2-B64D-E6EC89D71EBC.jpg
    E06A95CB-0AA7-4423-BF80-6ABCB2BE4FF5.jpg
    34DA6E91-9E9B-4D67-B01F-A0A2CC13C0F7.jpg
    91629532-01F1-4D55-8A41-67A66354D2E4.jpg
    1F762E85-27DF-4A7A-9586-2FC2D8E0B90C.jpg

    That hike was incredible. Unfortunately, to beat the crowd, I started at 7am, and it was too cold to go for a plunge (I regret not doing it). One of the most gorgeous hikes so far. The way the morning light hit the sand and the rocks was incredible.

    From there, I hit the slot canyon (lotta hiking in one day.)
    5E442B62-8FA5-4FB4-B8D1-0A8CA016D1D4.jpg
    4E7E508A-EE6F-4930-9E70-E73A9F5107FB.jpg
    E1189FD3-2AE2-4181-B61B-6137A4A483F7.jpg
    B989B490-2CB5-4163-A608-CE167B8FC039.jpg

    This was like hiking thru the soft sand by the dunes at the beach. Absolutely brutal. I got there late as I did the other hike first, and it was toasty. Absolutely worth it tho. Only me and one other couple with the canyon all to ourselves. Some spots were so tight my boots were getting stuck. Would highly recommend.

    continued below>
     

Products Discussed in

To Top