West Texas Shadows at Sunrise . The warm tones and long shadows of a West Texas sunrise always warm my heart, no matter the temp outside. It’s a long warm glow that stays with me all day. . I love the long open rolling high desert of West Texas and southern New Mexico. This is No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood, Hell Or High Water, and Paris Texas country. All are movies which were shot here and which evoke the open expanse and somewhat forlorn nature of this part of the great American southwest desert. . It’s my favorite place on earth. I keep coming back here to explore more every chance I get. . Swipe for historical and Overland markers. . . #overland #texas #newmexico #us90 #sunrise #rooftoptentliving #rtt #rooftoptent #trailerlife #adventurerig #xventurefamily #xventurersunite #morningshadows #movielocation #homeonwheels #tinyliving #ontheroad #nomad #digitalnomad #myoutdoorlife #roaddude #westtexas #highdesert #vanhorn #igerstexas #hellorhighwater #nocountryforoldmen #overlandhistory #ilovethedesert #adventure (at Van Horn, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsvfFYiBuvU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ljgl9w42ec3t

Be Prepared . Folks often ask why I carry the amount of gear I do. . Why, for example, I have multiple ways to cook and prepare meals and redundancy in other gear. Like two sets of jumper cables. . I do because I typically stay out for months at a time and end up in a wide variety of situations/environments. If I was just headed out for a week or few days, I’d be much more simple about packing. . Here’s a good example. Swipe for pics. My van has been setting for a couple days and not been driven much, so my starting batts (2 because it’s diesel) were more depleted than usual, having the fridge/freezer and cell boost etc running at different times. . It got below freezing last night and my van wouldn’t start this morning. Needed a jump. . The deep cycles in the trailer haven’t had any input for a few days either as I ramble around El Paso and explore the area with my buddy @tractionjack. . So...I hooked up my solar panels to the trailer and hooked up both sets of jumper cables to make the run to the van battery. It’s a big-assed, long van. Even my 25’ set of cables won’t reach from trailer to front of van. . Didn’t take long for there to be enough juice flowing for the van to crank over. I know from experience that the battery packs that are popular with some just don’t have enough oomph to jump my diesel, so not worth the expense or room to store. But my solar>deep cycle>two cables>starting battery hookup did. . I like knowing I can do the same thing, and have, when off the pavement somewhere alone and miles from help. . Be prepared. Be prepared even more if you like to #getoutstayout . Now to get breakfast! And maybe check those batteries for ability to hold a charge 😊 . #selfsustained #offgridliving #beprepared #solotravel #borderlands #solarpanels #jumpercables #redundancy #rooftoptentliving #rooftoptent #urbanexploration #selfdependent #travelersnotebook #overland #xventurefamily #xventurersunite #cleversolutions #camplife #urbanlife #igerstexas #letsgetlost #letsgosomewhere #batteries #adventurerig #gearedup #homeonwheels #tinyliving #nomad #thedesertiscalling (at El Paso, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtESdwthEkq/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1oa10alpb5aux

Rooftop Tent Camping, Silver City Style . Swipe for another urban camp pic and a tease of where we are tonight. More of that tomorrow perhaps, if we have time and service. . We were invited to spend the night in Silver City, New Mexico by a friend of my daughters, so we backed right into the dirt drive and set up. . Temps got down to about 40F/4.4C overnight, but she was warm and cozy in the @roofnest. I’ve slept in it in temps into the low 20’sF/-7C and was fine, but didn’t know how she’d do. . “Cozy and warm!” she said. . Tonight though, where we are in the mountains, is supposed to gust up to 50mph with temps around freezing. We’re setting up a contingency plan if she needs to shelter in the van. I’m sure the temps won’t bother her in the tent, but the wind might be a mite much. . She’s a tough adventurer, though, so who knows! . . #rooftoptent #rtt #rooftoptentlife #rooftoptentcamping #urbancamping #silvercity #silvercitynm #igersnewmexico #nomad #fatherdaughter #camplife #campvibes #xventurefamily #xventurersunite #offroad #offgrid #trailerlife #gmcsavana #vanlife #wanderlust #letsgetlost #letsgosomewhere #ontheroad #adventurerig #adventuremobile #adventurist #expedition #homeonwheels #overlanding (at Silver City, New Mexico) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsy-1tbB4wz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1wgoceuryyyn2

Rooftop Tent Setup . #TBT to a time-lapse showing complete setup of my rooftop tent setup, complete with setting up my solar, raising the rack, sliding the canoe out, popping the tent up, spreading the quick and easy awning, setting up the galley table and getting out the kitchen gear, raking the entire area, putting out my firewood bench, tables and chairs, and popping a beer. Total time (hard to see the phone clock at start and end) is eighteen minutes. That’s without hustling or double-timing, too. I have a real time vid of the same process and more that I’ll load to YouTube sometime. . I have a lot of fun, actually, tweaking my packing and unpacking process to be quick, easy, and efficient. . Gives me more time to enjoy the day and where I am. . . #rooftoptent #rooftoptentlife #rooftoptentliving #rtt #offroadtrailer #trailerlife #xventurersunite #xventurefamily #solarpower #selfsufficient #offgrid #offroad #liveauthentically #roadtrip #vanlife #roadwarrior #rubbertramp #camper #vancamper #realvanlife #campvibes #goxventure #roofnest #thisisthelife #nomadlife #exploreamerica #letsgetlost #borntoroam #thedesertiscalling (at United States) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsMYVYfhCfy/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=z1p2zh5spqtr

PACKMASTERING . Maybe it’s that I like creative solutions. . Maybe it’s the sense of satisfaction I get from seeing the results of having done something well, even simple things like packing. . Could be it’s a compulsive thing; that I crave order and will feel unsettled until it’s done just. like. this. . Perhaps it’s much more simple and that I just enjoy arranging things. That it can be done differently each time with similar results. Like the little plastic puzzles where you slide pieces around the one open space to make a picture. . Or that I enjoy the visual balance of color, shape, and texture. . Truth is it’s probably a bit of all of those things. Except the just.like.this thing. I enjoy the challenge of doing it differently. . I get a kick out of the puzzle of it all, to be sure. Every time I load up for the next leg of adventure, I think about how I can do it better and more efficiently. If I end up just stopping for a quick night, what should I keep on the tail end so I don’t have to unload everything. What can I keep on top so I can grab it from the sides. . It’s a right brain / left brain thing, really. The simple act of physically sorting and arranging while seeing the bigger picture and desired end result in your mind actually helps balance the hemispheres of one’s brain. . A Cross Crawl Movement of sorts. Look it up. It’s the same thing as going for a walk to help clear one’s mind after sitting at a desk for hours. Actively using both halves of one’s brain to accomplish something. . For me it results in a feeling of satisfaction and clarity. A “Cool. All settled. Ready and easy for next camp. What’s next?” . Do you have things you enjoy doing to make life easier? Is it an enjoyable process or an onerous task? . . #packmaster #nesting #puzzles #creativesolutions #rooftoptentliving #trailerlife #offroadtrailer #offgridliving #ontheroad #packingup #packingtips #nomadlife #travelblog #xventurefamily #xventurersunite #solotravel #ilovecamping #offgrid #vanlife #tinyliving #liveauthentically #adventurerig #exploremore #overland #expedition #campinggear #roaddudetips #crosscrawl #leftbrainrightbrain #rightbrainleftbrain (at Edna, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsJADBaBAEh/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5fhsim9lzzq0

Ready for the Desert . Filled up my fresh water tank with twenty-two gallons in Study Butte for $2.20. Bought groceries and supplies in Fort Davis yesterday. Got a sixer of Lone Star today in Terlingua, to add to the Shiner I already have. . Have a new buddy riding down on his bike from Las Cruces NM to join me camping for the night, maybe two, so am all set for a few days. . It is 72F/22C with almost no breeze and few clouds here today down on the border. Front coming through tonight and daytime temps will drop to freezing tonight with winds around 10-15mph/16-24kmh Tomorrow’s high will be around 53F/12C with a bit less wind. Then temps back up a bit for rest of the week. . Headed off-grid, so may not be online much for a couple days. . #noservicenoproblem . #desertcamping #imissmykid #desertrat #southofi10 #borderlands #xventure #xventurefamily #xventurersunite #ontheroad #thedesertiscalling #nomadphotographer #iphoneography #overlanding #adventurerig #solotraveler #travelblog #homeonwheels #minimalist #offgrid #offroad #optoutside #getoutandexplore #warmandsunny #fliesareout #letsgetlost #letsgosomewhere #exploremore #igerstexas #cowboycountry (at Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtMfFZ8h3tG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=74y2r8jrc8ah

Be Prepared . Folks often ask why I carry the amount of gear I do. . Why, for example, I have multiple ways to cook and prepare meals and redundancy in other gear. Like two sets of jumper cables. . I do because I typically stay out for months at a time and end up in a wide variety of situations/environments. If I was just headed out for a week or few days, I’d be much more simple about packing. . Here’s a good example. Swipe for pics. My van has been setting for a couple days and not been driven much, so my starting batts (2 because it’s diesel) were more depleted than usual, having the fridge/freezer and cell boost etc running at different times. . It got below freezing last night and my van wouldn’t start this morning. Needed a jump. . The deep cycles in the trailer haven’t had any input for a few days either as I ramble around El Paso and explore the area with my buddy @tractionjack. . So...I hooked up my solar panels to the trailer and hooked up both sets of jumper cables to make the run to the van battery. It’s a big-assed, long van. Even my 25’ set of cables won’t reach from trailer to front of van. . Didn’t take long for there to be enough juice flowing for the van to crank over. I know from experience that the battery packs that are popular with some just don’t have enough oomph to jump my diesel, so not worth the expense or room to store. But my solar>deep cycle>two cables>starting battery hookup did. . I like knowing I can do the same thing, and have, when off the pavement somewhere alone and miles from help. . Be prepared. Be prepared even more if you like to #getoutstayout . Now to get breakfast! And maybe check those batteries for ability to hold a charge 😊 . #selfsustained #offgridliving #beprepared #solotravel #borderlands #solarpanels #jumpercables #redundancy #rooftoptentliving #rooftoptent #urbanexploration #selfdependent #travelersnotebook #overland #xventurefamily #xventurersunite #cleversolutions #camplife #urbanlife #igerstexas #letsgetlost #letsgosomewhere #batteries #adventurerig #gearedup #homeonwheels #tinyliving #nomad #thedesertiscalling (at El Paso, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtESB9cB7ET/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=13cdzwl1cj7tj

Beach Camping . Finally made it out to the beach for the night, maybe two. . Padre Island National Seashore is Open for camping, at visitor’s risk, though no staff, no services, no rescue, etc. due to the govt shutdown. Contrary to several other national park properties, trash and restrooms along the road here seem well policed and taken care of by those of us here. . Swipe for more. . Not knowing when high tide was, I marked the sand at high water with a line and the time 18:06, to see if it was coming in or going out. It was just before high tide, not far from the van. . Pretty sweet out here, beautiful dark sky full of stars. . Sleep well everyone, I’m looking forward to being lulled to sleep by waves. . . #rooftoptentliving #rtt #rooftoptent #offroadtrailer #trailerlife #vanlife #padre #igerstexas #padreisland #myoutdoorlife #sunset #oceansunset #rooftoptentlife #roofnest #xventurefamily #xventurersunite #roaddude #texas #seashore #nationalseashore #beachlife #gulfofmexico #adventurerig #liveauthentically #optoutside #exploreamerica #ontheroad #americanlife #nomad #beachcamping https://www.instagram.com/p/BsUKMAVBqm9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1m8e9trlhz7lb

It Was A 30% Kind of Day . Hope to be camping on a beach right on the Gulf of Mexico for a night or three starting tomorrow. Tonight, though, will likely be truck stops and parking lots. . So I look at photos like this to remind myself how much I love my setup and how much I love my outdoor life. . Spent the day in the big city of Houston—pop. 2.3million—getting some art and gear shopping done. . Found that office supply store Staples price matches. If you show them the item you’re after is priced less elsewhere, they will reduce their price to match. I saved 30% on the gear bag I bought. . Then, Jerry’s Artarama, which I was tickled to stumble upon just around the corner, had a NYD 30% off all purchases for members. So I joined and saved a bunch of cash there, too, on stuff I had already planned to buy. . Now I can buy a hot dog. 😜 . I’d rather be somewhere all set up and getting a fire going like in this photo. . Gotta get there first. . Back to the road... . Hope y’all have a good first night of the year! . . #itsanewyear #rooftoptentliving #rooftoptent #rtt #basecamp #roaddude #xventurefamily #xventurersunite #overlandtravel #overlander #adventure #expedition #campgear #camp #campervan #tinyliving #minimalist #minimallife #adventurelifestyle #laissezfaire #advanture #letsgetlost #rooftoptentlife #solotravel #travelblogger #campinghacks #vanconversion #camper #diycamper #thedesertiscalling (at Louisiana) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsHONU7hPpC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1wfdzqyoy5sm

Been raining all day, so I went to see AQUAMAN here in Houston. . I’ve always loved good comic books, from The Phantom to Superman to Tales From the Crypt and many more. . Now that the big movie studios have been bringing superheroes from both Marvel and DC to the big screen, as well as lesser known characters like Darkman (Liam Neeson in a killer role in a really well done movie), I’ve been having a blast munching on popcorn, drinking too much coke, and sitting in theatres revisiting the pantheon of superheroes and dastardly villains. . Aquaman, who has been around in comics for over 75 years, was great fun to watch. . I found myself at times wanting it to be more serious and suspenseful, but kept reminding myself to enjoy it as a comic book come to life. It has all the power of myth elements we respond to; call to action, resist, be persuaded by mentor, and save the world. It’s a pretty spectacular flick full of all kinds of cool effects. . I’ve always dreamed of being able to float like they do in this movie, whether through water or air, and to be able to just lean into it and zoom away. . I’ve had very real dreams since I was a kid reading comic books on porch steps that I can fly and zip about, and remember imagining what it must be like. . To now watch characters do it at will and with great speed is a huge part of why I enjoy seeing comics come to life on the big screen. . Jason Momoa, @prideofgypsies, is a lot of fun to watch. . Very cool, too, that he just got an @xventuretrailers XV-2 like mine (swipe for pic, photo by @xventuretrailers) fully kitted out by XVenture. . Jason Momoa is part of the #xventurefamily. . #XVenturersUnite! . Me and Jason, we go way back. Yeah, went to different schools together, we did. Yep, yeah, boy, I could tell you stories. . Well, no, not really. . But almost.🤣 . . #aquaman #jasonmomoa #superhero #xventuretrailer #offroadtrailer #overlandtravel #dccomics #adventurer #roaddudestories #rooftoptent #rooftoptentliving #homeiswhereyouparkit #trailerlife #borntowander #imadreamer #popcornandcoke #sundaymatinee #rtt #exploremore #ontheroad #aquamanmovie #xv2 #wegowayback #ilovemovies #adventurelife #igers #thedesertiscalling (at Houston, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsCP5inhOyG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=rhkay0s7s50b

Shoe Shopping . Prada Marfa . Actually in Valentine Texas, this is an art installation on a long lonely stretch of US 90 between Marfa (thriving remote NY art scene) and Van Horn, Texas. . Been through here many times over the years. Some of the most beautiful sunrises I’ve ever seen, the Davis Mountains on one side and wide expanse of high Texas desert, around four thousand feet elevation, stretching south to the Big Bend. . Spent the night east of here at a tiny historical marker/picnic area on 90. Paisano Pass, where Juan Dominguez De Mendoz camped in Jan 1684. Legends has it that two traveling Spaniards met here in passing and said “My Paisano! (my countryman!)” . This pass later became well known as point on the Chihuahua Trail, an emigrant road to California. . Picking up my kid in El Paso in a few hours for a week of aimless adventuring, and we are both wicked psyched! Weather and temps will help determine which way we wander. . . #pradamarfa #bigbend #valentinetexas #lifeontheroad #paisanopass #us90 #federalhighway #gmcsavana #nomadlife #solotravel #gowest #vanlife #trailerlife #roadlife #letsgetlost #travelblog #igerstexas #westtexas #enroute #adventurerig #homeonwheels #tinyliving #livinglarge #timeforbreakfast #ineedashower #grody #xventurefamily #xventurersunite #gotallineed #fatherdaughteradventure (at Valentine, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bss3CbmhNSF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=wtwtqnzc6x1x

Indian Point Pier, Portland, Texas . Looking over to Indian Point from under the causeway bridge separating Nueces Bay and Corpus Christi Bay, NW Gulf of Mexico. . Second image and third (vid) is from Indian Pier back towards Corpus Christi. Windy, wet, and chilly, though beautiful as all get-out. . The things I just stumble upon by accident are often mesmerizing. I’ve been through Corpus in the past, even stayed here years ago, but didn’t have the time to explore like I do now. . Last (sound up for Tejano!) is a quick glimpse of The Blue Ghost—which I hope to visit today—before heading up and over the Nueces Bay Causeway Bridge (US 181, TX 35). Check today’s stories or in the Open Road moments for a short one going across the bridge. . Who, other than my AZ buddy @mrjimbolio, knows what The Blue Ghost is and why I’d want to see it in person? . Anyone have tips for beach camping from here down the Gulf to the Mexican border at Brownsville? . I’m hoping to get a couple nights of low-cost/no-cost beach camping on the Gulf, then a little time in Laguna Atascosa, a terrific bird sanctuary and the only place in the US one can see Ocelots in the wild. . . #adventurerig #rooftoptentlife #rooftoptentliving #rooftoptent #rtt #offroadtrailer #corpuschristi #igerstexas #myoutdoorlife #thethingsisee #american #exploremore #exploreusa #roadtrip #openroad #borntoroam #borntowander #vanlife #realvanlife #trailerlife #rubbertramp #offroadrig #adventurer #travelculture #xventurefamily #xventurelife #xventurersunite #letsgetlost #getoutstayout #exploreamerica (at Corpus Christi, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsLfhOoBsWq/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=tb14bo9fm5nx