This is what I went for, the Festival of the Cranes!
I’m, not doing bird photos here, this one is just to wet your appetite.
On the drive from Phoenix to Flagstaff, you start down in the desert filled with Saguaro cactus.
- Saturday, Nov 15th leave Ehrenberg, drive to Flagstaff.
- Sunday, Nov 16th leave Flagstaff and drive to Magdalena, NM
- Monday, Nov 17th drive to Photograph Bosque del Apache NWR.
- Tuesday, Nov 18th take two classes: 1) Editing with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, 2) Macro Photography
- Wednesday, Nov 19th take two classes: 1) Bird Photography 2) Shooting Star Trails and Light Painting at the VLA (Very Large Array) Radio Telescope (made famous in the Jody Foster movie, “Contact”.
- Thursday, Nov 20th Leave Socorro and drive to Quartzsite, AZ
- Friday, Nov 21st arrive at Ehrenberg, AZ
There were three things that were most memorable about the drive: 1) how pretty it is from Phoenix to Flagstaff, 2) how unattractive and boring it is from Flagstaff to Socorro, and 3) how very cold it was the whole trip!! Today we’ll look at the drive and the weather.
Then you climb up into high desert.
It’s a pretty drive from Phoenix to Flagstaff!
It’s over a 600 miles trip from Ehrenberg to the Festival Of the Cranes in Socorro, NM and I prefer to drive less in a day so I took 2 days to drive over. The first day I drove to Flagstaff and stayed at my old camp and then the second day I drove the rest of the way to the Festival. I’ve always thought the drive from Phoenix to Flagstaff was an unusually pretty drive because you get an amazing variety of landscapes. Phoenix is pretty because it’s set in a broad valley surrounded by rugged desert mountains, and then as you drive north you gain a lot of elevation; Phoenix is at 900 feet and Flagstaff is at 7000, so you gain 6000 feet and you can just watch the landscape change from flat desert, to high desert, to grasslands, then,to Juniper forest and finally the largest Ponderosa Pine Forest in the world.
Then you climb up into the Ponderosa Pines.
Finally you get into Flagtaff which is dominated by the San Francisco mountains.
My second night I woke up to a very heavy frost on my windshield!
It was cold!!
The Polar Vortex had dropped down just before my trip and gripped the rest of the nation in it’s icy grip. Most of the Southwest was spared, but not the northern mountains at higher elevation–they were also very cold. My first night at Flagstaff was miserable! It was probably about 19 degrees when I woke up and had snowed a little bit in the night. I had plenty of warm clothes and blanket with me so I slept warm but poor Cody was shivering and obviously uncomfortable. I thought I could just run my stove to keep the van warm in the evening while I worked on the computer but because the van is uninsulated, it was just too cold for it; the heat escaped as fast as the stove made it. So the next morning I went to the Flagstaff Wal-Mart and bought a Little Buddy heater then stopped at a PetSmart and bought Cody a coat to wear at night.
But Cody stayed warm in his fancy new coat!
On the drive through New Mexico, we climbed up to the Continental Divide at 7700 feet–it was extremely cold! Right at the Pass is Pie Town, New Mexico and there’s only one thing to do in a place called Pie Town, and that’s have a piece of pie! So I did. Boy was it good!
Right beside the Pie-O-Neer Pie Restaurant was a little road, so Cody and I went down it for a walk. It was cold, the snow was deep, and the ice was frozen solid on the road!
It was too cold up there so we kept going and this was my camp on BLM land at Magdalena, NM.
Finally, we arrived at Bosque del Apache National Wild Refuge for the Festival of the Crane.
I found this nice camp 11 miles from the Visitor Center on BLM land. Other than temperatures down to 14 degrees the first few nights, both Cody and I loved it.
Those little propane heaters really do the job in a van.
I saw the documentary “Without Bound – Perspectives on Mobile Living” tonight.
It was good, and you did a fine job Bob! http://youtu.be/Lg37Cbx-kak
Thanks so much for the link to the video, Rob; loved it! Good job by all!
I saw the video today. Very inspiring.
Glad you like it Calvin!
Bob
Very nice video Bob !
My regards. Lucy.
Thanks Lucy!
Bob
Bob, If the cranes are birds why does the banner portraits a cat ?
My regards, Lucy.
Lucy, the other side of the banner is of Cranes, but I wanted the one facing into the sun. Just like your house cat loves to chase and catch birds Mt Lions also love to catch and eat birds, and especially their eggs. So there are many Lions around the NWR. In fact there were numerous warnings that the Lions were a threat to dogs and people out walking in the surrounding deserts. So they are part of the heritage of the cranes.
Bob
Thanks for posting it here Rob. Yeah, it turned out really well!
Bob
I’m glad you got to go to the VLA Telescope also, that is one of my stops along the way. Its funny how we followed Luisafernandes building out his van on the forum and doing the insulation so well that he is quite comfortable and you were freezing, for a purpose of course.
I opened a video on you tube tonight and damn, there you were. Well produced on the van dweller subject you can be proud of your participation.
Sorry I can’t make Thanksgiving, I’m still lining up my ducks for the future lift off.
jonthebru, I’m sorry you can’t make it. I was looking forward to spending more time with you. Yeah, I didn’t insulate the van because I planned only to take summer trips in it and my trailer is well insulated for winter living. Before next year I think I’m going to do a little insulating on it. On the trip I hung blankets between the front and back and that seemed to help a lot.
Yeah, the documentary turned out pretty well!
Bob
You went from Ehrehberg to Socorro via Flagstaff? Why? You could’ve done something like Payson to Show Low and Eager, then down through Reserve and Datil to Magdelena. Or, if you really wanted to do Pie Town, you could’ve turned north after Reserve at Apache Creek and taken 32 to Quemado (a lovely drive) and picked up US60 there. Then, on the return, you could’ve taken a southern route, from Socorro to Caballo Lake, then 152 through Hillsboro to Silver City (a truly thrilling drive), 90 to Lordsburg, 80 to Douglas, Bisbee and Tombstone, 82 to Sonoita, 83 north to I-10 and catch 86, to the Kitt Peak Observatory (to go along with your visit to the VLA). Then Why, Ajo, Gila Bend, Buckeye, and I-10 to E-berg. Southeastern AZ has a lot going for it. And it’s warmer. 😉
Al, I gave all those things some consideration. Going north there was snow in the forecast and I didn’t want to be in the high country and get trapped. I knew exactly where I would camp at Flagstaff and there was little chance of getting trapped in a snowstorm. In fact it did snow a little on the trip but it was insignificant. As you say in the photos, there was lots of cold and snow in the high country so I’m glad I avoided it.
On the way home I drove the whole trip in one day which was over 600 miles. When I was younger I did lots of long days but not anymore. I just wanted to take the fastest, easiest way which is taking the freeway the whole way. As it was I drove a lot in the dark and the backroads of southern AZ are not the best for that.
The bigger problem is how close it is to Thanksgiving. Lots of people are on their way here and I wanted to be here to greet them. I also have a dinner for 30 people to shop for and get ready. I needed to get home to deal with that.
The biggest problem was that I was so busy the whole time driving, shooting and taking classes I went three days without getting online and I just can’t do that with the website, blog and forum. So I had t get back to camp to get to work.
I really anted to stay because there was ore in NM to see and do. I was just a few hours away fro the Three Rivers Petroyglyph site and White Sands National Monument. I really wanted to see them. Plus eastern NM has so much history I would have loved to explore. Next year I’ll get their a week or two earlier and explore before the Festival.
Bob
What a great adventure…I cannot wait to see more photographs.
“should have gone with you and I am kicking my self!”
It is on my list for next year!
So happy you had spectacular adventure!
Sameer, you would have been welcome to join me. Next year maybe!
Bob
Hi Bob
I was thinking of getting a little Buddy Heater for my non insulated van. I thought I would get a lot of condensation in the van as it is bare metal and then it would start dripping water into the van. Did you experience that?
Glad u had nice trip life is good when u can afford to travel by the way if u don’t mind my asking how do u afford to do your trips please do not take it the wrong way I know when ever I want to travel the costs are just to much for me right now I.m glad for u and I enjoy reading your travels it is fun to learn from u as well u are great at letting others know what’s going on about camping travels etc.. I will always read your story’s any way I.m trying to save more cash to get on to the southwest for the winter but my van is in need of TLC so I am hoping to go at some point take care
Hi Joe, no worries, I don’t mind talking about my finances. Back in 2011 I had a severe injury on the job and I recieved a nice workmans comp settlement. That is funding my trips.
Keep plugging away, hopefully you can get some travels in if only a little bit at a time.
Bob
Andy, I had no problem at all and I ran it for 6 yours a night. But it was oly for 3 nights so maybe it would have accumulated had it been longer. Also, it got warmer every day and the days were actually fairly nice so maybe that dried it out every day.
Bob
I have attended a sand cranes festival in Othello, WA also. They seem to party where ever they go ! 🙂
Klbexplores, there is something about cranes that fascinates us, that’s been true for 1000s of years. You gotta love the cranes.
Bob
yes, cranes are fascinating. I had the good fortune to meet one up close as he had taken a shine to the caretaker of a local bird sanctuary and stuck around rather than migrate. They are very tall in person, with a wickedly sharp beak. We had bought bird seed to feed the sanctuary birds, but I felt like I should come back with some sardines or something for the crane.
Ming, at this NWR you can not get very close to the canes. I have a fairly long lens so they look close, but i never got closer than 100 feet or more.
Bob
I’m glad you had a good trip despite the cold. Bosque del Apache will be on my route sooner or later, whether I’m vandwelling or traveling by some other mode.
Your experiences reinforces two ideas I’d picked up here and elsewhere about vandwelling. (1) Whatever vehicle I use must be insulated. (2) Photography is a great hobby for travelers.
I still do not see the check box that will let me get emails when people comment.
I have t admit that their is nothing all that special about Bosque. What made this special was the Festival and specifically the classes. I wouldn’t go again at any other time.
Bob
Nice trip report, Bob. And those classes sound fantastic! I look forward to the posts that are coming.
When was the video made? It was nice to see you and other people in walking talking mode, it adds a lot to the blogs I read. I will make it to one of the RTR’s one day.
The “follow” checkbox has disappeared from my browser as well. Firefox on mac.
Ming, the video was filmed in the summer of 2012. It took him a long time to get it made!
Bob
Bob_
*i enjoyed the video link to the documentary and really like the way the Mobile Codger thinks. ( Thanks Rob, for that )
**I would have to say the two necessities for surviving a winter in the Midwest are a good insulation job and a Big Buddy Heater. Everything else is secondary to those two things and I encourage anyone having the time to prep their van to invest as much as you can, time and money wise on insulation or it will never maintain the heat Mr. Buddy provides.
***Disclaimer: I do not work for or receive any compensation from Mr. Buddy Heaters for this endorsement…but I would have died from pneumonia by now with out it.
I totally agree Openspaceman, in truly cold areas insulation and a good heater re vitally important!
Bob
Bob, I enjoy each of your posts so much, and have learned lots from the several years I’ve been reading them…but, today I watched Without Bound and I want to tell you what a fabulous documentary it is!! Being able to hear your voice, and Randy’s, and all the others was just so wonderful… almost like being right there with you guys!! I LOVED IT!
Thank you so much for your kid words Linda! Glad you liked it!
Bob
What a trip. I agree about being done with the cold, you sure got a full dose. Cody looks like a great lil’ partner. We had one that looked just like him, great dog.
That (the Cranes) is quite a sight we were there last year and saw a bit of their migration.
Bob, I watched the documentary and I hope I am not misunderstood.
To begin with, I want to make a disclaimer. I have no animosity towards anyone in the documentary or look down on anyone. I am certainly not rich or have a lot of material things. I have full respect for everyone that lives the life they choose. I just want to give a different viewpoint on this type of lifestyle. Everyone should be able to live the life they choose as long as it doesn’t impose on someone else. These are strictly my opinions. I will stand corrected if proved otherwise.
Ok, here is my thoughts on this living in a vehicle and being more free and happy. Although everyone in this doc, seems happy and carefree there are some things to look at. For one, they talk about things that make this a better life, like living inexpensively and not having to struggle to pay for a house and things that they find unnecessary. Freedom to do what they want. Not being a slave to a house. Not being afraid all the time.
But, really this type of life can make you as much a slave and have as many hardships or more than people that have a house to live in. I mean, I heard the one person say that him and his lady have to drive and cruise for hours to find a place that feels somewhat safe to pull into and sleep for the night. When I get tired I just go into my king size bed and go to sleep. I don’t have to wander around the neighborhood to find it.
And then Bob states that there are million dollars homes just a little way from him and that he has the same things in his environment that they do. That’s not true, they are living in million dollar homes with all the nice comforts of home, flush toilets, ac, nice modern appliances, etc, and you can complete that list with many more. And they can go out and wander around in the shrubs, deserts, mountains, etc, and then when they are hot and tired can go back and enter their nice million dollar homes. The difference? Bob wanders around in the desert, shrubs, mountains, then goes back to a van. nothing wrong with that but, I’ll choose the conventional home any day. That is a big difference in my book.
And one thing that I seemed to hear from just about everyone in this video was how they don’t have to struggle with the expenses and can live very cheaply. But it seemed to me that there was a price they were paying for that. They are struggling just as hard to keep their expenses down so they can make it month to month. Or to be able to save their money for things they really want. It looks like they are struggling to just save money….cooking out in a solar oven, driving around for hours to find a free and safe place to sleep, having to maintain solar panels and batteries, doing without certain conveniences like flush toilets, nice hot showers. I think this would qualify as opportunity costs.
I could go on with some differences and advantages that they state that really don’t make sense or are flawed. But, the one that really stuck out to me was the obvious, and that is, that people that live conventional lives can’t experience the things, views, and freedoms that living this sort of life offers. I have to strongly disagree. I can get in my vehicle and go anywhere that anyone of them are ,and enjoy what they are doing and not have to live out of a vehicle to do it. When I get through enjoying where ever I have traveled to and took in all that I want, I can casually mosey on home to a nice solid house and enjoy it too. And it doesn’t have to be a million dollar home. I live in a 900 square foot house and am very comfortable.Lots of conveniences and comforts I could never get in a vehicle. Very inexpensive payments. I’m not broke or living day to day in misery.
It’s possible to have the best of both worlds and not be rich or struggle. Besides this doc makes it seem like everyone living in a regular house and home are miserable. I don’t really think so. And I am not scared in the least.
I can’t “disagree” with anything you wrote. I will say that I got a completely different read on the video. The concept of “Freedom!” is a totally individual thing. If freedom to you is having a stack of bills relating to your lifestyle every month then it is best to have a lifestyle that the money coming in can cover. Lessen the cost of that stack of bills by being frugal and you can devote more of your time to other pursuits than making money to pay bills. That was touched upon clearly in the video by the guy who went on about having the time to do “other” things. The “American Dream” is an illusion. Some may notice that many people are truly desperate in their entrapment. Why live in a dingy apartment when, with a little planning, one may move out to a healthier environment. It can’t be for everyone of course. The filmmaker found eight functional adults who could express their love of the vandwelling lifestyle clearly and made a movie about them, thats what happened here.
Please, don’t take me wrong, I am NOT trying to pick a argument or be rude or disrespectful of Bob or anyone in the vehicle dwelling community. I at one time lived in an RV (92 Southwind) for 5 years, and have lived out of my car for a few days to a week (Walmarts, State parks, etc) when traveling on road trips. I do have some experience in some aspects of this.
Well, even though this film was about depicting 8 people that loved the van dwelling lifestyle it was made in a way that had lots of comments about how people that did not live this type of lifestyle were the losers. ***Not exactly put in those words.****
But a lot of the comments that were by the various people said things like, people that don’t live this lifestyle are deeply in debt for things they don’t need, are so scared that they have to run home at night and lock and bolt themselves in their houses, never do anything except just go to work and come home to a drab boring life, never go anywhere and have fun, etc. I am just giving my opinion that I don’t think that is the case in the majority of the American home life.
Not everyone has a stack of bills to live the American dream. You can still be frugal and live in a house or apt and do what you want. And as you say, the American dream is different to everyone. That’s why it’s called the American dream. Because in America the dream is to be free to do what you want to make you happy. Although there are rules, regulations, laws, restrictions etc, I think that is basically true. You have to have those for a civil, healthy, and safe life. With over 300 million people in this country we need that to protect everyone from each other. That’s unfortunate, but it is the reality of things. And like I said, everything has opportunity costs. I just want to give my flip side of the real costs of the van or vehicle living aspect of things.
As far as living in a dinky apartment is concerned, I would think that would be more healthy than living in a small vehicle with no facilities, and in such an unhealthy small space. That is both unhealthy, mentally and physically. I mean really, think about it, you are living in about 35 to 40 square feet, no regular toilet facilities (unless you want to use a bucket with kitty liter), cleanup with baby wipes, being very cautious where you park when getting into a new town or area (or being hassled by undesirables or worse…… the police). Uh, in my opinion that is neither a healthy or carefree lifestyle.
And, I say all this with the utmost respect to Bob and all the wonderful people on this board and that are doing the van lifestyle.
Heck, I may come out there someday and catch up with you all to become acquainted and say hi. I just wanted to give a respectable if not matter-of-fact opinion on some of the things I took away with me after watching the video.
Steve, we live outdoors most of the time….no one stays inside their vans in the way you would stay inside your house. If I’m inside my van, the side doors are usually open to fresh air & a beautiful view.
On cold desert mornings, I will be outside all bundled up waiting w/ my morning coffee for the sunrise to put on it’s light show.
In the 2 years I’ve been a vandweller, I have never been ill. My blood pressure which had always been border-line high is normal for the first time in years.
Everyone is unique. This is a lifestyle I love but it does not appeal to everyone. Not a lot of folks are going to truly understand how we can be content w/o modern day comforts.
Kudos to you for living a frugal life that suits you and makes you happy. You are not one of the fearful, yet there Are those who live behind locked doors fearful of everyone. There Are those whose lives are simply eat, work, sleep, pay the bills.
There Are folks never have time or extra money for a vacation.
The option to live in a vehicle does not appeal to everyone. Folks need to know there is an alternative to the daily grind If they are looking for a way out.
I WAS and I will be forever grateful to Bob for creating the forum & spreading the vandwelling message!!
I didn’t add to my rant because I went on a little long, but I personally will never go where I am not wanted. Therefore I feel, just for me, that the city style stealth camping isn’t right for me. It was very honest to include that part about driving around looking for a place to sleep because that is real. My bet is that that couple has figured out how to avoid that situation by now. And I really want to emphasize that your opinion here is respected deeply.
Great post Bob, I’m curious, are you going to do any posts on winterizing this year? My van seems to be completely uninsulated underneath and has giant bay like windows on the sides, I freeze on the way to work and am shaking at night often. I’m trying to figure out some ways to make it work- the heat that I do use is escaping too quick, my dog is often cold on our bimonthly trips out of town (further north from where we currently are by about 100 miles). I think I’ll look into getting her a jacket, or I may crochet her a sweater. Is the buddy heater safe inside a van? I’ve heard they need proper ventilation, I was concerned about getting one because of the lack of ventilation in vans.
Myddy, yes, I need to do a post on heat and soon with winter already here.
Codys new coat worked really well and he doesn’t mind it at all.
Yes, the Buddy heater is safe in a van and yes all propane heaters need ventilation. Your owners manual will tell you exactly what you need, it’s usually around 30 square inches which is about having both front windows rolled down an inch or two. It will produce much more heat than it lets! in!! Highly recommended!
Bob
Hi Bob, I see you got a Little Buddy heater. Is it possible to use that with a larger propane canister, perhaps with a hose? And if so I assume I should keep the canister outside the van because it’s a big one?
I just got a cheap used cargo trailer to go with my van. The cargo trailer makes it not legal for me to keep parking on the street where I live, according to some guy I met today. I guess I’ll move it every few days, or detach the trailer and store it somewhere until I’m ready to use it. I was hoping to get my possessions down to where they’ll fit in the van and that trailer, and sell the house and hit the road. I figure I’ll be ready by spring to list the house.
One thing I’m a little wary about with the trailer is it’s an old pickup truck back end with a cap. Not very secure of a lock. I don’t plan to store anything worth much in there. Maybe extra clothes, water, and food, and the propane, unless it’s better off on a bracket outside any enclosed space at all.
Hi Penny Pincher, I’m going to try to see if I can figure out a way to hook up the Little BUddy to a heater, but it will not be easy like it is with the medium and large Buddy. I carry my bigger bottles in the van with me. I think the risk is very minimal.
I would think you could make the lock stronger, but without seeing it I can’t give specific advice.
Good luck!
Bob
I would think a small travel trailer would work real well for both of the last post of Penny Pincher and Muddy. The travel trailers are already set up with heaters air conditioning, water tanks, etc to be used as somewhat comfortable living conditions.
*Mydd
Sorry about the typo
*Muddy
I’ll get this right in a minute.
*Myddy
This has got to be right.
Hi Bob,
I just discovered your site a couple of days ago. What a wealth of info! I have a popup camper which I’m going to add solar power, which I know very little. Your explanations are great. I will have questions on the forum, I just wanted to say thank you for devoting the time. I love the West, especially Arizona, and my dog Blanca and I intend on seeing more of it quite soon.
Thanks again,WTXCal
Oh, I found you on rvsue.
WTXCal, thanks for your kind words! I’m glad to help in any way I can! When you get to AZ, be sure to look me up!
Bob
In my case the van would be living space and the trailer is storage/hauling only. I also have read the subsequent comments to my question about someone saying the big buddy heater is the one to get in the midwest. If that is the case, then I know that can take a larger propane tank and a hose, and my only question now is if the tank must be transported outside the vehicle altogether or if it is safe to put it inside the trailer to transport it. BTW that trailer (empty) bounces a lot.
PP, owning a Little Buddy heater, I’d be hesitant to crowd in with the larger version inside a van, unless it’s placed so it isn’t packed in close to stuff or myself. But if your van is uninsulated and you’re in a Midwest winter, do what you have to, and stay within reach of a propane tank refill source.
Lightly-loaded single axle cargo trailers can scramble even many strapped items. What you’re going for in transporting propane is to avoid leaked propane in an enclosed space, especially one also enclosing electrics, electronics, wiring, or switches. Just my opinion, but I’d rather have a 20# propane tank (with a good valve) secured inside the trailer than hanging outside in a collision or trailer separation. No hoses or devices attached to it during transport. Leaked gas can’t dissipate in the open air, but then again, the tank is less likely to be damaged and leak, if packed smartly.
To your earlier message on using a larger propane tank, the dogma is to keep it outside. That’s because its connection is one more potential leak point, and any uncontrolled fire inside a vehicle will risk an explosion when the tank goes. But apart from elaborate and expensive solutions, I’ve never found a really good way to add a passthrough into the vehicle from a remote tank. So I keep and use my tank inside, and stay comfortably paranoid about secure connections at both ends of the flexible hose, as well as hose condition. Sooner or later, there will be a leak/fire incident, most likely at the heater connection, or then less so in the hose itself. So I keep my heater and tank separated by distance, with the tank valve very openly accessible. I also never leave the tank valve open while the heater is off. And I’d suggest not placing the heater between you and an easy exit, or trapping the tank where you can’t get at its valve on the way out. No need to be nutzoid about it, but no need to be careless, either.
I’m in an old TT, not a van, so others here will be able to help you less vaguely, I’m sure.
Penny Pincher, I’ve carried my propane bottle inside for 13 years. The key is to be sure it is somewhere secure so it can’t move or fly around in an accident. The Bottles are heavily regulated and are very safe, they aren’t just going to suddenly start leaking. But if they go flying in an accident it is possible to damage the valve so they do leak. If you prevent that, you won’t have any problems and very little risk.
Bob
Saw the Doc. thought it was great, liked and shared. Hopefully people will watch and realize that a lot of ‘Mobilesteaders’ are not drunks,dopers nor dropouts. I, like you, chose to live in a van. My job is driving a big truck, on the road for weeks “home” for a few days to visit family and then back on the road, why have a physical residence when all I need is a mailing address/homebase for the taxman, driver licence and such. You proved to be a good spokesman for our lifestyle, Thank You.
Charles,
Life Should be Fun
Oh yeah, I remember the original Mother Earth News, too.
I loved the old MEN so much!! It changed my life!
Bob
Thanks Charles!
Bob