This will be the shakedown cruise.
If you’re reading this I’m out in the middle of nowhere on the maiden voyage of my new camping trailer. Here it’s parked in my driveway yesterday afternoon not long before I left. Batteries are charging, water tanks are full (both of them), gas tanks are full (both of them) and everything else is pretty much ready to go.
It should be an adventure because it’s been raining for several days and we’ll be on gravel/dirt roads much of the time. But the forecast says it’s supposed to be nice beginning Wednesday and I’m chomping at the bit so at this point we’re just gonna do it!
It’s quite likely I won’t have a good enough internet connection to post to my blog so I’ve written this post and scheduled it to post automatically. Don’t be concerned if I don’t post tomorrow.
This is the kind of country we’ll be in – desert floor interspersed with multiple island mountain ranges. This shot was taken several years ago when it was hot and dry but with our wet spring and all this recent rain it should be pretty green out there. I’m looking forward to it.
It goes without saying that bird and wildlife photography is one of our primary motivations for the trip and this is one of my several target species – a Juniper Titmouse. I still don’t have any photos of the species that are very good and I’d very much like to improve on that.
Shakedown cruises with a new camping trailer can be haunted by breakdowns, forgotten but necessary equipment and supplies and unanticipated shortcomings of the new trailer. But this will be a relatively short trip for only a couple of days so hopefully we’ll avoid any real disaster.
Better to work out any kinks now, before one of our marathon trips to Idaho, Wyoming or Montana.
Ron
Happy for you as you embark on your long-delayed “cruise.” Hope the skies are fair and the birds are plentiful!
Your camping rig looks super, have a great time and get lots of fun shots. Very glad your back is behaving and you can get out and do it.
That Juniper Titmouse shot is pretty sweet. Is that a shadow or coloration change on the bill?
Happy trails to you.
Nothing like a getaway. We’re 76 here today (it had been windy for a week), so hoping you’re weather is just as nice. If I didn’t know better I would say you were out here in the high desert (So. Calif.). Looks the same. Love your truck and trailer!
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Have fun. And a safe trip
Ron, you have a nice looking trailer. Hope you have a great trip with a lot of photos, which I’m sure you’ll share with all of us. Thanks for the post.
Beautiful, have a great time and a great shoot!!!
I am so happy for you that your back is allowing you do what you enjoy. We look forward to the photos. Safe travels!
Congrats on the new trailer & journey, and watch your (low) back! May I ask what took so long for this trailer to hit the road? I remember you purchased this several weeks ago. And do you use a spotting scope to find birds in this “jungle”?
I’m with Lyle on this one — that is one special (and wall-worthy!) Titmouse. 🙂
Hope you and Mia have a wonderful time, that the new trailer is all you hoped, and that Ol’ Murph can’t find you guys out in the wilderness.
Not sure you can beat a Juniper Titmouse perched in a juniper grasping a juniper berry and looking cute as heck to boot, but I look forward to seeing what you bring back from this photo safari.
Looking good Ron. All polished up and ready to go. Hope you have an outstanding and productive trip and send us back lots of great birding and nature shots.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Bon Voyage! Have a great trip and many great shots
Good Morning Ron, As an RV dealer for Forest River Flagstaff (sister brand for your Rockwood) I can assure you that you have a great camper. It looks like you are carrying two spare tires on you rear bumper or is that just the angle of view ?? Gary Carlson ifishinri@aol.com
Great shot of the Titmouse! Wishing you smooth trip and no problems and lots of great shots.
Charlotte
Hopefully all goes well! Great you’re finally able to take it out and check it out…… 🙂 Bet with the mud it won’t look that pristine when you get back. 😉
Awesome, Ron!! I thought it was about time for a camper/photo excursion!! Have a terrific time & let us know what you learn from your maiden cruise with the new camper!! Hope it’s successful in more ways than one!!
So exciting! Have a wonderful trip!
I hope you see signs of Spring! Buon Viaggi!
Sounds like fun! I don’t imagine you will have forgotten anything but then… Best of luck on the photo op with the titmouse…cute little one.
Bon voyage!