Greetings everyone,
While this may not constitute such a great endeavor as transcontinental travels/expeditions it's our first of hopefully many and longer expeditions. So while my wife and I have been on many other trips similar to this, bear with me as I recount our very first trip here with the whole family.
Purpose: Explore portions of Colorado (and a little in Kansas) intent on finding abandoned mines, ghost towns and other areas of historical significance and/or natural beauty.
Starting Point: St. Louis, MO
Furthest Destination: Durango, CO
Time span: 2 weeks
Team: 3 children + wife and myself: I did 100% of the driving while my wife navigated and the kids enjoyed the ride. Everyone chipped in on making/breaking camps, cooking, having fun!!!, etc.
Vehicle: 2005 Dodge Ram 3500, 5.9L TurboDiesel Cummins Engine, Single Rear Wheel, Long Bed, Limited Slip Rear Differential, 4x4: Primarily stock with a few basic modifications - Hellbent Steel 2" level + 315 BFG AllTerrain KO2 tires + Thuren Shocks + Synergy Adj. Track Bar + Custom Load Rack + Tonneau Cover + 1pc. Driveshaft + Inverter
Gear: Coleman Octagonal Ground Tent + Coleman DualFuel White Gas Stove + Coleman DualFuel White Gas Lanterns + Coleman Xtreme 5-day 72qt Cooler + Military Surplus Medical Office Container converted into a kitchen kit + custom wood slide out for cooking, etc. + Schumacher jump pack/power supply (115v + 12v + USB) + Coleman 1850 portable generator + tools + various other camping necessities + 10gal. extra diesel in NATO cans + 2.5gal. extra unleaded in sm. NATO can + 2.5gal. extra white gas in sm. NATO can + approx. 28gal water stored in 4 Reliance Aquatainers + HiLift Jack + BottleJack/JackStand + Perforated Steel Plate Sand Ladders + Custom Awning + Various Tow Straps + Extra Fluids, parts, etc.
Navigation: Garmin GLO GPS Head Unit + iPad Air using GAIA (supplemented by: DeLorme Gazeteers, iPhones, etc.)
Entertainment: DVD player for backseat + iPads + PSP + Nintendo 3DS + DVD player for tent + Disc Golf flying discs + Ultimate discs + Wiffle Balls/Bat + cones + fishing gear + soccer ball + small toys, etc.
That's the start of it... I'll add more posts and make updates, add photos, etc. over the next few days. Please feel free to ask questions, see more photos/details, etc. I'll be more than happy to share anything about the trip!
Thanks for looking!!!
While this may not constitute such a great endeavor as transcontinental travels/expeditions it's our first of hopefully many and longer expeditions. So while my wife and I have been on many other trips similar to this, bear with me as I recount our very first trip here with the whole family.
Purpose: Explore portions of Colorado (and a little in Kansas) intent on finding abandoned mines, ghost towns and other areas of historical significance and/or natural beauty.
Starting Point: St. Louis, MO
Furthest Destination: Durango, CO
Time span: 2 weeks
Team: 3 children + wife and myself: I did 100% of the driving while my wife navigated and the kids enjoyed the ride. Everyone chipped in on making/breaking camps, cooking, having fun!!!, etc.
Vehicle: 2005 Dodge Ram 3500, 5.9L TurboDiesel Cummins Engine, Single Rear Wheel, Long Bed, Limited Slip Rear Differential, 4x4: Primarily stock with a few basic modifications - Hellbent Steel 2" level + 315 BFG AllTerrain KO2 tires + Thuren Shocks + Synergy Adj. Track Bar + Custom Load Rack + Tonneau Cover + 1pc. Driveshaft + Inverter
Gear: Coleman Octagonal Ground Tent + Coleman DualFuel White Gas Stove + Coleman DualFuel White Gas Lanterns + Coleman Xtreme 5-day 72qt Cooler + Military Surplus Medical Office Container converted into a kitchen kit + custom wood slide out for cooking, etc. + Schumacher jump pack/power supply (115v + 12v + USB) + Coleman 1850 portable generator + tools + various other camping necessities + 10gal. extra diesel in NATO cans + 2.5gal. extra unleaded in sm. NATO can + 2.5gal. extra white gas in sm. NATO can + approx. 28gal water stored in 4 Reliance Aquatainers + HiLift Jack + BottleJack/JackStand + Perforated Steel Plate Sand Ladders + Custom Awning + Various Tow Straps + Extra Fluids, parts, etc.
Navigation: Garmin GLO GPS Head Unit + iPad Air using GAIA (supplemented by: DeLorme Gazeteers, iPhones, etc.)
Entertainment: DVD player for backseat + iPads + PSP + Nintendo 3DS + DVD player for tent + Disc Golf flying discs + Ultimate discs + Wiffle Balls/Bat + cones + fishing gear + soccer ball + small toys, etc.
That's the start of it... I'll add more posts and make updates, add photos, etc. over the next few days. Please feel free to ask questions, see more photos/details, etc. I'll be more than happy to share anything about the trip!
Thanks for looking!!!
