When you ask avid RVers how they came to choose their current rig, they’ll often recount all of the not-so-right setups they’ve had. For most, finding the right unit takes a bit of experimentation and while our motorhome offered many wonderful advantages, it simply wasn’t the right fit for us.
Enter the Cricket.
Yeah, it’s a bit strange looking, but it really fits the bill. With a laser cut aluminum super structure, it’s light enough for Ruby Jean to pull.
The interior is built like a tank, but it’s is also extremely flexible with lots of truly useful storage.
Of course it’s more minimal than the motorhome, but it’s not lacking in amenities. The Cricket boasts a kitchen (with hot water and fridge/freezer!), an outdoor shower, and even a cassette toilet!
Best of all, everything (except the optional A/C unit) will run for days on the 12-volt dual-battery and 40 lbs. propane system, making off-grid camping a natural choice.
And keeping those batteries charged is easy with our solar suitcase!
Oh, and we don’t have to go camping without our bikes thanks to this handy roof rack.
So let’s quit blabbing about it and hit the road! Hey, those Rocky Mountains look pretty cool…
Connected Journal Entries
Back in The Lou!
Anytime we’re headed out West, a stop in St. Louis is required. Because we were here fairly recently, it felt (in some ways) like we had never left. I met up with old friends, stopped in at our favorite restaurants and museums, and caught up on work at Nebula. Is there anything St. Louis can’t do?
Hurricane Pass to California Gulch
Today, Ruby Jean took me up. Higher than we had ever climbed before. The California Pass reaches 12,960 feet. And there just isn’t much up there.
Just silence. And beauty. In all directions.
Oh, and an old, abandoned mining town called Animas Forks. Now, that’s my kinda town!
Silverton, Colorado
This morning I awoke to find that the fall color was moving in. And quickly.
Many of the local mountain trails connect Ouray, Teluride, and Silverton, so if you’re in the area and you’re Jeepin’ around, you’ll most certainly end up visiting Silverton. Silverton is a former silver mining camp, most or all of which is now included in a federally designated National Historic Landmark District called the Silverton Historic District.
Here’s a nifty little video describing Silverton and the surrounding area:
Corkscrew Gulch: Ouray, CO
Red Mountain Pass: Ouray, CO
Taking a few days to acclimate to the altitude…
One of the effects of high altitude is light-headed dizziness. Driving on narrow, rugged roads that are barely clinging on to the side of a mountain at 11,000 feet isn’t advised. So today, Ruby Jean and I decided to take an easy (non-technical) drive up Brown Mountain.
Even so, the views were spectacular.
Along the way, I found dispersed campsites — even near the top. I stopped and asked someone about them and guess what? He lives in Centerville, Ohio!
So, sitting high up in the San Juan Mountains, we had a strange (but fun!) chat about Bill’s Donuts and Marion’s Pizza.
Small world.
Ouray, Colorado
Nestled high in the San Juan Mountains, Ouray was established in the mid-late 19th century by miners in search of sliver and gold. The town sits at about 7,800 feet, but the surrounding mountains frequently exceed 12,000 feet in elevation.
Due to its unique history, the entire length of Main Street is registered as a National Historic District. Here’s a great video summarizing why Ouray is a desirable destination in 2018.
Wait! Did you say that Ouray is the Jeeping Capital of the World?!? Well, Ruby Jean heard you and is ready to go…
First Aliens, Next Mountains
Time to leave Houston (and that horrible heat + humidity combination) and head home via Colorado. But along the way, it’s comforting to stop and see some old friends.
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