TigerTanker: Winter 2021/2022 Southern Blitzkrieg

I live in Communist Washington State. Time to look for another home. So, let's pack up the truck, trailer, dirt bikes, dog and put on some jammin rock'n roll. Will head out from Washington to Arizona in early November.

The loose plan is to ride some dirtbikes in Arizona and then head east following the Southern border, and explore the Gulf States. Then head up and check out Tennesee. Then?

I'll be posting here, on Instagram and YouTube along the way.

Once I head east from Arizona, I'm headed to country I've never seen/been to!

Will appreciate the ride company of y'all and some tips for when I'm struggling or looking for ideas.

To start, my truck has fresh oil, air filter and recently rebuilt the rear diff. The AT, Front Diff, and Rear diff have new oil.

My truck is now at 130k miles, I drive 25k per year. I need new tires...have liked the Toyo AT better than the Nitto's which wore out faster. I'm going to need new AT tires...suggestions?

Also, any other maintenance items to do before this big trip?

 

This trip isn't going to be "All things Moto", but here's kinda what I do...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgNXl0Ft5Ys

 

your truck is sweet! Come on out to Tennessee, the commies are hiding in these parts.

 

I plan on being on the road for 2-3 months. I am a frequent traveler of the West but usually, those trips are 30 ish days or less. I Will be remote camping and using a motel/hotel for a few days to clean up and get some business done (I'm an Investment Portfolio Manager)

 

My best friend Abbey is joining me on the trip.

 

I would run two cans of Berryman's B12 in a half tank of gas starting tomorrow. Clean the injectors and valves a bit

 

I'm also living behind enemy lines, here in WA. I'm always insinuating to my wife that we need to move to ID. Anyways, for your trip, I'd suggest not traveling to AZ by the usual WA to OR to CA to AZ. If you have the extra time, I'd suggest you travel WA to ID to MT to WY to CO to NM to AZ. It's a FAR less communist route and you'll stop by places that are much more suitable for making your new home.

 

Check out little Sahara here in Oklahoma, lots of dirt bike fun!

 

The trouble with that route is the potential for bad weather. I did have the pleasure of driving through Idaho during the summer a couple of times. I cam in through central Nevada, hit Boise and then headed to McCall then Lewiston/Clarkston on my way home. Was great and I'd consider buying a home there but it appears that everyone has beaten me to it and driven prices sky-high. The corridor of Sand Point to Cour De lene Idaho is mass urban sprawl now...used to be open country only 7-8 yrs ago!

I've got about 3-4 weeks now before my trip. I've bought most of the stuff I need and a private mechanic is making some cool alterations to my trailer. I've been actively scouting real estate in the south and have become intrigued by Tennessee and Alabama, Mississippi. I want 20 acres plus... Might ranch Chihuahua's or Cows, not sure which yet....

 

I have spent the last month busting my butt with client meetings. I'm itching to go and have a check list of things to do before I leave that I check daily. I got new Toyo AT tires to mount on my truck in the coming days...will have nice fresh tires for the road. I had the AT3 before and liked them, did the Nitto Grapplers and found them to wear out in just 40k miles. So, back to the Toyo. My fe450 is in for service, it will be my recon vehicle as my truck and trailer are my camp foundation, with dog keeping guard. My estimated departure date was Nov 7 or 8, but now I think I might move it up earlier if at all possible. My mind is already gone, but I'm physically still here...

Everyone can go to Hell, me, I'm goin South..

 

Northern Mississippi has some beauty waiting for you. Kinda jealous!!

 

I promise not to hurry, I promise not to be anxious, and I promise to not squander this precious gift of time I have... Bring me the horizon.

 

This is a link to my Instagram page if you're interested in following along. Will probably post the most pictures over there. More writing here.

https://www.instagram.com/tigertanker/

 

Loading day. I leave in the morning

 

Wish you safe travels and much good luck!!

 

Trip delayed. My motorcycle might need some engine work. Ugh.... will know more tomorrow after mechanic splits the case.

 

Abbey is wondering why we’re still at home.

 

Bike is ok. AM launch, Walla Walla here I come.

 

Winom Frazier Oregon

 

Very nice!! Thanks for sharing! Life is short, enjoy all you can!

 

Great thread..following.

You are living the dream. I have many years to go, but we will be punching out of this crazy state when we are done.

 

Last couple pics are Alamo Nevada. Very nice here with the wildlife refuge. A forest of Joshua Trees surrounds my remote campsite. Unlimited terrain here as I sit at the gateway to a 75 mile gravel road into the mystery of Nevada. I’m right next door to Area 51. Did see a strange shooting light last night. Did a nice 80 mile ride today. Will post more pics in coming days as I grab a hotel to do some work and can get better internet connection. Have already met two couples that sold everything recently and decided to travel. I’m thinking it’s common now and I’ll meet many more. Nevada is soooo desolate. Every town is so dead and run down. Maybe that will change if and when domestic mining booms.

 

Don't forget Southern Utah.
Lots to see and do.
We're still in the 60's for day time highs @ 5500'.
Looks like a fun trip.

 

I've done Moab 3 times in Aprils. Last time, last year, I drove South to Phoenix but took the trail of the ancients and the valley of the Gods. Wow!!!

 

I left Alamo Nevada and headed to Las Vegas to eventually hit Phoenix. I drove through the Lake Mead/Hoover Dam area which was pretty cool. I'd stayed at the lake back in May on my spring trip but the water level was very low.... I wound up getting to Kingman Arizona and I just didn't have the energy to press on into Phoenix and all the traffic and setting sun, so at 1pm yesterday I checked into the Best Western here on old route 66 and unpacked my stuff. I got a chance to unpack, organize, take a hot tub and make a plan for work stuff I had to do. Today I executed most of my work, financial advisor, and the got the truck washed and vacuumed. Abbey sheds like a monster! So I bought a dog brush/deshedder and gave her a spa day. I've stocked up on groceries and ice and after hot tub and burgers, I'm getting ready to call it a night.

Tomorrow I need to buy a foldable ramp for my bike, forgot mine at home...duh, but you always forget something on a big trip like this. Will wash my bike and hopefully explore the nearby Hualapai mountain that goes up to 8500 feet. I'll do a bit of work first. The dog is making this trip far less lonely than my trips in the past, and for any inconvenience she is, made up tenfold by her company. She's doing pretty good when I leave her in the truck, hotel, or trailer. Oddly, she prefers being left in the truck instead of the trailer for some reason.

On Wednesday I'm going South towards Phoenix, unless I find this Hualapai area amazing and temperate still, then I might just camp up there a day or two or...who knows. I'm just making all this stuff up as I go along.... and it feels great not being required to be here, there, or anywhere! Ok, I'll post a few pics from here, including a very cool moon shot trying to eat Venus.