Another damned good piece. But you put me to shame. I've traveled all of those roads, but I'm almost never able to talk myself into veering off the highway up some dirt road and going for a run. Well, I don't run, but I always do have my bike with me. But it seems to be just for show or something. When I first went through Hillsdale and Colorado City years ago it was creepy as hell and when I noticed a sheriff’s deputy behind me and assuming the sheriff was one of them ‘Constitutional sheriffs’ you mentioned who generally do not feel great about either liberals r non-white people, I decided to be on my way. It was really weird to find a little roadside coffee stand in a Fundamental Mormon town that doesn't cotton to coffee. But my last time through, maybe two years ago, I was surprised as hell to find a badass, full service, grocery store in the neighboring town of Colorado City, as well as a pretty decent brewpub. I was kind of blown away.
You put me to shame with all your wandering around, especially in the silver bullet. And especially just sleeping in your car or your tent in all kinds of weather. I have an old Nissan truck that I’ve owned and cared for since it was new and a pretty badass slide-in camper, with lithium ion batteries, a heater, refrigerator, water, queen bed, and solar panels. I don't think I have nearly the adventures in it that you have in the silver bullet. I'm familiar with all of those towns you were in, and if they have a Walmart, I've slept in it. The parking lot, not the store itself. Walmart camping is kind of my go to place when I'm on a road trip. Safe, easy to find, and they have bathrooms. I can tell you where the liquor stores are in most of those towns.
Embarrassingly, I DO have two vehicles. Not only my adventure truck, but a 2006 adventure Honda Civic with a roof rack and an awesome pop-up tent. Release four clips, and up it goes all by itself. I always wondered why you didn't outfit the silver bullet that way. But now you can just put a cap on your truck, buy a portable propane heater, slap on a “One less Sprinter van” bumper sticker, and you're good to go.
The Ranger will serve you well. My son inherited my father's 2010 Ranger. My father had been concerned he was putting too many miles on his early 90's F150, and in turn bought a MGB and 2 subaru outbacks before retiring the F150 and getting the Ranger. Since my son took possession of the Ranger, we've had several great drives - from LA to Oregon up the SIerra Nevada and Cascades, to and fro from Boulder where he's a student, to Jackson Hole. Those are just the ones I've been able to join. Totally reliable, and capable for those long drives around the West
I'm looking for one, but everything I finds for that vintage of Ranger fits a 6 foot bed. This one has a seven foot bed. So I'm going with my diy rack (steel bars bolted to the truck) with the bike carrier and eventually a rocket box.
Along the same vein "The Lone Ranger" or "HH Silver" (High Ho Silver) with a tip of the hat to the "Silver Bullet".
Another damned good piece. But you put me to shame. I've traveled all of those roads, but I'm almost never able to talk myself into veering off the highway up some dirt road and going for a run. Well, I don't run, but I always do have my bike with me. But it seems to be just for show or something. When I first went through Hillsdale and Colorado City years ago it was creepy as hell and when I noticed a sheriff’s deputy behind me and assuming the sheriff was one of them ‘Constitutional sheriffs’ you mentioned who generally do not feel great about either liberals r non-white people, I decided to be on my way. It was really weird to find a little roadside coffee stand in a Fundamental Mormon town that doesn't cotton to coffee. But my last time through, maybe two years ago, I was surprised as hell to find a badass, full service, grocery store in the neighboring town of Colorado City, as well as a pretty decent brewpub. I was kind of blown away.
You put me to shame with all your wandering around, especially in the silver bullet. And especially just sleeping in your car or your tent in all kinds of weather. I have an old Nissan truck that I’ve owned and cared for since it was new and a pretty badass slide-in camper, with lithium ion batteries, a heater, refrigerator, water, queen bed, and solar panels. I don't think I have nearly the adventures in it that you have in the silver bullet. I'm familiar with all of those towns you were in, and if they have a Walmart, I've slept in it. The parking lot, not the store itself. Walmart camping is kind of my go to place when I'm on a road trip. Safe, easy to find, and they have bathrooms. I can tell you where the liquor stores are in most of those towns.
Embarrassingly, I DO have two vehicles. Not only my adventure truck, but a 2006 adventure Honda Civic with a roof rack and an awesome pop-up tent. Release four clips, and up it goes all by itself. I always wondered why you didn't outfit the silver bullet that way. But now you can just put a cap on your truck, buy a portable propane heater, slap on a “One less Sprinter van” bumper sticker, and you're good to go.
How about "Kemosabe"?
Yeah, I was going to suggest ‘Tonto’, but you beat me to it...kinda.
Love the trip report and adios to the silver bullet. Welding it to the new truck is just an epic idea.
"Łigai nidaalnish"?
Your travel commentary makes me homesick for places I haven't seen in a long time, like all of the great, wild country in central Nevada.
Great travelogue. Smiled throughout.
Enjoyed the journey. In addition to its truck attributes, the Ranger fits in parking spaces.
The Ranger will serve you well. My son inherited my father's 2010 Ranger. My father had been concerned he was putting too many miles on his early 90's F150, and in turn bought a MGB and 2 subaru outbacks before retiring the F150 and getting the Ranger. Since my son took possession of the Ranger, we've had several great drives - from LA to Oregon up the SIerra Nevada and Cascades, to and fro from Boulder where he's a student, to Jackson Hole. Those are just the ones I've been able to join. Totally reliable, and capable for those long drives around the West
Sweet Ranger (Mazda)! Highly regarded and reliable. You need a shell now!
I'm looking for one, but everything I finds for that vintage of Ranger fits a 6 foot bed. This one has a seven foot bed. So I'm going with my diy rack (steel bars bolted to the truck) with the bike carrier and eventually a rocket box.