Time for another update!
Since I last posted quite a bit has changed in my life, the biggest being that my girlfriend now has her bachelors degree and we're both now out of school!! Whew...and, umm...now what?!?! Currently I'm living in Flagstaff working for a Grand Canyon river outfitter, trying to work my way into a guide position. As for the truck and camper, they're both still around, and being well used. I've added a set of Ride-Rite airbags to the rear suspension to remedy the sag that was going on, as well as a Fantastic Fan! I always read everyone's rave reviews about how amazing those fans are but never really bought into the hype. Now having one however, I don't know what I was thinking! Definitely a worthwhile investment, and as a bonus, not terribly difficult to install.
The drawers that I mentioned in my last post (removed fridge) are now in, and fairly permanent, although the top one is in need of a bit of finish. I apologize for the super-fisheye effect...all shots came from a GoPro.
If you notice in the back of the drawers there are two pieces of Reflectix insulation covering the old fridge vent holes. I would love to replace those hatches with solid panels instead of the flimsy vented ones. I'm thinking about using a piece of
Starboard as it's not wood, won't need paint, and hopefully will match the general overall white of the other hatches outside of the camper. I've looked fairly extensively for an existing hatch, and can't seem to find anything...so it goes.
Over the past couple of days I've had a chance to do some more interior remodeling of the camper. Namely do away with the awkward and mostly useless (for me) bench seat, and replace it with a dinette style arrangement
This configuration still allows me to seat two, store/charge the battery, and gives waaaay more useable living space.
I'm still somewhat undecided on the table, however having seen both the original FWC setup adapted to mount on the step-up in between the seats, and the Lagun style table, I think I'm leaning toward the latter...it might be a while until I can cough up the pocket change for that though. Does anyone here have any experience with
8020 aluminum extrusions? It would seem fairly easy to create a sweet Lagun-style table using their extrusions and fittings. I spent some time this morning looking at it, but a few of the fittings, namely the pivot and a few of the quick-adjustment clamps might be hard to come by.
Still on the list as well are some new cushions, but I'll get there eventually
Lastly, and on a
completely different note, my brother is headed out this way this coming weekend, so maybe I'll get to put up a bit of a trip report next.
My teaser itinerary starts with picking him up at PHX then heading straight for Salome Canyon for a bit of canyoneering.
Spend the night somewhere near West Clear Creek, perhaps hit up another slot that feeds into West Clear or Tonto Creek the next day.
Head toward Prescott, maybe via Crown King and Senator Highway and spend a day or two climbing there.
Up to Jerome and Sedona the next day camping at a FS campground in Oak Creek Canyon.
Do a hike or two up one of the tributaries to Oak Creek then spend the night in Flagstaff.
From Flag, we'll head up toward Lee's Ferry, either camping there or heading out to a spot right on the north rim of Marble Canyon.
Explore some of the Vermillion Cliffs and Coyote Buttes the next day, finishing up on the Kaibab Plateau near the North Rim with a day or two wandering a few of the roads leading out to the various places on the North Rim.
That should be more than enough for 10 days-ish.
Cheers,
West