• landscape,  lifestyles,  Transportation,  Travel

    Some Options

    July 31, 2020
    My ride in 2004 was a BMW R1150RT Sport Touring bike. From a trip to Washington

    My dream for quite some time has been to have a Class B van, one I could spend several weeks on the road with, even living in it and have that feeling like I’m right at home. I had the Class A on the Radar for a short period of time but quickly realized that was more than I wanted to deal with.

    I have also dreamed of getting a roof top tent for my Forester and traveling a bit more on the rustic side without a toilet, shower or running water on board. The romantic in me whispers life would be perfect with either of these, right? But I’m wise enough to know that external stuff and dreams will not bring me lasting joy or happiness. It would not make life perfect. However, I do believe it would be an adventure. So, these ideas and dreams have been stewing for quite some time. There is a financial price that will need to be made for either a van or roof top camping. Nothings cheap while there is a major price difference between the two options.

    I’ve been looking at two options for Class B vans. One  would be nice setup with on board water, shower, and toilet such as the Roadtrek SS Agile or even a step up to the Class C  Leisure Travel Vans Unity. The other option would be an adventure style van which really appeals to me. It is a Class B but setup more for dispersed camping without a toilet and shower such as the Winnebago Revel. And there are also some very nice custom shops that will convert a van for you.

    The other option is the roof top tent which has interested me for several years. One option that appeals to me the Autohome Columbus Variant. This idea was spawned by David duChemin and Jesse which he wrote about back in 2011.  Another option would be the Thule Tepui. These are slick to setup and take down which really appeals to me. 

    I’m throwing these out there because these options and their marketing teams have perked my interest enough to keep me awake at night and brought up thoughts of selling off my kids, grandkids, my home or even your home. In a later post I’ll talk more to the reality of what I want with travel, is it feasible for me at this stage of my life and what fits my budget.

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  • Transportation

    The Silver RT

    July 18, 2010
    The Siver RT

    As I was looking back over some images from 2004 I came across this photo of my BMW 1150RT Sport Touring motorcycle. I purchased it after being laid off and broke it in with a wonderful 3 week, 4200 mile trip. There were many trips to follow this one as I found motorcycle touring to be a great experience to see this country of ours. I bought this bike after talking to an older gentleman at a campground in eastern Oregon. I had already been looking at a BMW motorcycle and after noticing his bike I walked over and started a conversation. His tent was pitched, riding gear was laid out to take on the fresh air. He was eating baby carrots, slicing up a tomato and drinking a glass of wine. He told me he was heading to Seattle on his way back from New York. His stop in Seattle included picking up his girlfriend and riding up to Vancouver then taking a ferry ride to an island for the weekend. He was 72 years old. I wanted to be just like him.  His sales pitch and life style sold me, so the following year I met up with him in Idaho at a BMW MOA rally and got to meet his girlfriend while on my silver RT.

    This campsite was in the Gros Ventre Campground just outside of Jackson, Wyoming. I have used this campground as a base for several camping/photography trips. In face I may go back and post of few images from those trips. Sadly I needed to sell the bike in 2008 and move on to other things in my life. Inside I still dream of riding one of them on a twisty mountain road. Heck I’d like to have it on any road. Maybe someday.

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