As the end of the year approaches, Truck Camper Magazine’s friends are checking in with their 2008 truck camping reports.  Gary Love (Gary Love's On a Roll) sent in photos that should make anyone want to hit the road full time in a truck camper.  As you will see, his cat Ramble has seen more of the world than most people.  Rambin Ralph (Ramblin' Ralph's RV Roamings) continues to have a wonderful truck camping lifestyle that we truly enjoy following.  And Chris Todd (Chris Todd: Low Range Travels) sent in his recent truck camping explorations of the South.  Thanks guys for sending these reports and photos in.  Happy holidays!

Gary, Ariana, and Ramble Love

"It’s been a very busy year for us.  Things are going great!  I just wanted to share some recent photos. There's plenty of our crazy cat.  More than necessary, but he's just fun to take pictures of. I hope everyone is well and enjoys the pictures.  The camper picture with our lights on is where we’re staying as I write this - near Silverton, Colorado.  That’s 10,000 feet with a low tonight of 18 degrees. So many stars!"

- Gary, Ariana, and Ramble Love
http://www.garylove.net/home.html

Ramblin’ Ralph

“I'm finished with my third six-month session living and traveling in my Lance 845 truck camper.  As with the previous two years, hardly anything went wrong.  This year I did experience a slight leak in my truck’s water pump which required adding coolant every 1,000 miles or so - only a nuisance. 

I added four major pieces of equipment to my camper this year; SPOT satellite messenger (my kids get an email with my exact location), sound system for my iPod, small propane BBQ, and interior LED lights.  All worked out great and will be with me next year.  At this point, I can't think of much else to add.  However, before I leave next year, I'm sure I'll think of at least one thing.

Overall, I traveled about 9,500 miles in the six months including 6,100 miles on my usual trip to Montana and back (about 3 months time).  I dropped my "cruising speed" this year from 62 to 58 mph.  It appears to have paid off with my gas mileage increasing about 0.8 mpg to just under 12 mpg.  Probably saved around $250 by going slower.  Since I only drive about 150 miles a day (or less), driving slower doesn't really cost me that much time.

I stay mostly in US Forest Service campgrounds.  Average campsite fee (including Federal "Golden Geezer" discount) was $9.40.  Without the discount it would have been $14.20.  I was camping for eighty-six nights, not including staying at friends and relatives.

My route to and from MT this year was California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and California.  Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado were new states, giving me all the western states on my "been there" map.  I really enjoyed Colorado and plan to return there and spend more time.  Love all those mountains and fishing streams!  Hardly a day goes by that I don't see something interesting or beautiful on the road.  We sure have a beautiful country!

I told myself that this year I was going to do more boondocking.  However, did it only about eight nights.  Only spending one night in an area makes it kind of hard to find a boondocking spot, unless you've been there before.  More next year, though!

A typical day: Get up and have a cold breakfast - Leave the campsite around 10 a.m. - Stop in a town for lunch, shopping & Internet access via Verizon laptop card - Stop for some sightseeing - Arrive next campsite around 4 to 5 p.m. - Look at the AAA Campground book & pick campsite (preferably National Forest) around 150 miles away for next night - Have dinner - Update my RVing website on my computer hard drive for uploading next time I have Internet access - Hit the rack

Some trip highlights: - Snow on Labor Day near Stanley, ID - Rocky Mountain National Park - Deer listening to my mandolin playing - Sisters Music Festival (Oregon)

I thoroughly enjoy the RV life.  Even after six straight months of travel, I'm not tired of it.  I spend the other six months in a house, which gives me an opportunity to do things I can't do on the road (like use my song recording equipment).  However, I think I could spend more than six months a year in my truck camper and still enjoy it.  It's one of the best decisions I've made in my life!

The "Google Map" I added to my website this year (http://www.hogtimemusic.com/nomad/CampsiteMap.htm) really turned out well.  It gives a nice "in sequence" view of where I camped.

I'm already looking forward to 2009!  TC on."

Chris Todd

“I decided that I would travel north for the holidays.  I have a friend in Asheville, North Carolina.  It’s a beautiful town that I need to investigate geographically. It feels like it sits in an old volcano, a caldera of some ancient sorts.  These are old mountains, potentially the oldest in the country, if not the world.  So they must be carrying quite a history.

The trip has been icy and uncomfortable, cold and condensation rule the roost.  Then the weather changed in the middle of Mississippi where the river really shows its style, curving and twisting like a huge snake leaving behind its skin intermittently as sand bars, coal, and drift wood.  I walked one with the dogs for a couple hours and really felt the sense that I had finally found the river. The weather warmed and fog rolled in caressing everything for the last two days.  Making any of the trips along the high levees is an adventure, especially at night when you feel that things are really dropping off all around.
 
I talked with a local gentleman about the south.  The land between the river and the levee is a real compelling place where things and people have to evolve and react around the rivers whim.  He told me of how he learned to throw knives, how to properly prepare a rattlesnake to eat, and cars he once drove.  I cooked a pork chop with grilled squash.  A little olive oil, pepper, and salt makes easy and tasty prep.  I enjoyed the warmer, moist weather.  The bugs came out and there where animals about.  John was busy. Ella tenaciously found every wet, muddy stick to be thrown.  I ate.  Happy that time was finally spent on a part of the river that was naturally majestic and satisfying.
 
I think that I may begin a portfolio of the abandoned places.  There are more that enough subjects.  Each town has a hollow house or building.  This river has dramatically changed many lives, seen the booms, and the depression.  Barges roam with a deep resonating groan peacefully navigating these water roads.  People with roots stay, rich or pore.  Both are equally compelling and imperative to the structure of society here.  Everyone needs to be here for sustenance.  And the levees ironically protect this balance, mechanically prepared to hold off these great waters. This watershead holds many lives in its balance. Some people hunt to live, others pay to belong.
 
Much more to write, I will continue the road banter in a bit, hope you all are well."

- Chris Todd