Overlandnm

Is there much worse of a feeling than the burning anticipation of the next trip you have planned? For me, the absolute worst part of any trip is airing up at the highway. The trip is absolutely over at this point. Airing up is the official and symbolic end of the trip, good bad or otherwise. It’s time consuming, not very exciting and often the last step before heading home at highway speeds after adjusting to trail speeds for a few days. A close contender in second place is, waiting for the next trip to start. 

My mind is always wandering, and it’s especially bad when I have a new trip planned. This weekend, I’m going on a quick adventure with Grizz to scout a new trail we’re planning to run with the whole crew in the future. I’m excited for a solo trip with the dog. It’s been a while since it was just he and I on the trail. We travel at a different pace when it’s just he and I. We have a lot to do on this trip and not as much time to do it as originally planned, but will be a welcome end to the week that includes an extra shift. Grizz isn’t the first dog I’ve camped with and definitely not our first road trip dog. He is unique in that he tends to honestly appreciate scenery. He’s spent evenings in the rain staring out of his window in the tent (he has a window, and a dinosaur sleeping bag) watching the storm. He’s stopped and sat down to look around after getting out of the truck in new places. Being responsible for the world he sees, it’s incredible to watch. 

This route if it works, will lead to a trip of firsts for a couple of us, crossing state lines on USFS roads instead of highways, being mobile for more than one night (hoping for 3) with our FULL load out, trailer and all. 3 adults, 3 dogs, 2 vehicles and roughly 75 miles of dirt road, dancing between New Mexico and Arizona and their respective NF lands on either side of the state border. While this is far from what most would consider challenging, there are always inherent challenges on any trip. It’s going to be a great test of our current gear choices and setup. Traveling with 3 dogs presents its own challenges, space being one of them. We have a plan for this trip that includes not using the annex room on the trail when the tent is setup. If we can pull that off we’ll save a ton of time each day as we setup and tear down. 

Friday evening can’t get here soon enough, let’s hear what you have planned for your next trip.

Until then,

Andy