It was just an idea. I could put it in one sentence, not a summary, the whole idea and plan and thinking was just a sentence: A summer with Twyla. Well, it is not even a complete sentence, but you get the idea. I didn't do anything specific for the preparation, except buying a Dometic fridge. I also made modification to the power system. Basically I moved the monitor and control unit to the camper. These proved to be very important updates.
Cover photo:
This trip in a song:
1- Sunday, May 18, 2025
Mile: 29
Grant WMA, Georgia
I cleaned up the house and my office. Packed all I need for me and Twyla, for at least a month and after waiting for the storm to pass, we left the house at around 1:30 pm. I stopped at Walmart to get a few missing items and made it to a small pond in Grant national forest.
It is nice after rain here. Finally after another short drive we arrive at the first camp. It is warm so I just eat peanut butter banana sandwich for lunch.
We enjoy the quiet and relatively cool camp. Final chore of the day is a cup of coffee while listening to the rain drizzle and a podcast later. We walk multiple times. I light the wood stove, fry some chicken for Twyla’s treat and tomorrow’s lunch on road. This stove burns nice and quiet.
Nights are still cool and it seems there are not many mosquitoes and hopefully Twyla will not chase the intruders over night.
next morning:
2- Monday, May 19, 2025
Mile: 149
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, Georgia
After a walk, breakfast and coffee we hit the road. We saw a runaway dog. Appeared in a very bad shape. It seems animal cruelty is common in this region because this is not the first time I see abandoned dogs. I have never been this disturbed.
It was short and rainy day to north Georgia. The campsite is busy. It is funny people just leave a cheap tent to save the spot while they are hanging around. After a few back and forth we make it to the last campsite. A fallen tree blocks the road just after our campsite. People can walk and there is a narrow path for bikes and motorcycles, but cars can’t cross it.
Weather is cooler here, despite a very hot day across the southeast.
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| A fallen tree partially blocks the road. |
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| No, the camera is level! |
3- Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Mile 453
Meriwether Lewis Monument, Tennessee
Long driving day, mostly in north Georgia, at the foothills of Appalachia, then in Tennessee. We drive through many iconic landmarks of the Appalachian trail, Amicola waterfalls, pinhoti trail and many more. Absolute craziness of the traffic in Chattanooga.
The campground is busy, not full or not many generator campers (I can hear one at distance now). Dispersed rain and a little wind. Bugs and more bugs!
Note: I learned about Max Weber, the age of dis-enchantment
4- Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Mile: 720
Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri
Meriwether campground was surprisingly quiet and peaceful, despite being almost full. I think relocating to site 25 was a good decision and the distant generator running over night was hard to hear. We eat breakfast after a very nice walk in the hiking trail. It is almost untouched. Full of fresh greens and refreshingly wet after the last night’s rain.
We pack and head down to the Little Swan Creek. We enjoy our private walk. Twyla is especially delighted with the beautiful, shallow and calm creek. I get a chance to refresh myself and get cleaner.
We briefly stop at Meriwether Lewis’ cabin and take a picture and hit the road.
A group of bikers get surprised by the high number of cars aligned behind them, but finally we manage to get through the traffic.
The rest of the day is driving in the backroads of Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas and back to Missouri again.
We camp at a beautiful lake (Foshe). It is quiet. There are a few fishermen. The campground is more organized compared to the last time we were here a few years ago.
I get a chance to cook a luxurious mac and beef with cheddar cheese.
Around the sunset a family pulls in and with many small kids it isn’t quiet anymore, but they are managed and it is not annoying.
Early evening another group of noisy locals pull in and camp at a place that is for parking and not camping (there’s actually a sign that explicitly says no camping). Maybe this place hasn’t changed that much, but at least they are not shooting guns, like last time I was here.
I brew a fresh cup of coffee using the wood stove. The more I use this stove, the more I am in love with it. It is so efficient, I boil 800 cc of water in a few minutes, using a few small twigs and one pice of 1x1x3 wood, without blowing air and without smoke.
The rain at early night makes the noisy neighbors quiet and we all go to sleep with the sound of the rain. Even bugs go to sleep after I turn the lights off. All troubles of the world go to sleep until tomorrow, at least in this little home next to a little lake. “The human labyrinth of hope and despair” as Abbey says.
5- Thursday, May 22, 2025
Mile: 1183
Somewhere in Kansas
I wake up earlier than usual. It is dark and I feel one of those mornings. I jot down yesterday’s notes until it is brighter and birds start singing. The rain has stopped. Twyla switches her sleeping location. It is refreshingly cool and I am under my sleeping quilt, the one I sewed myself. The neighbor family is up at 5:30 and I hear they are breaking some wood, for a fire I assume. It drizzles briefly. I get out of bed and see the neighbor has fire going on and a lantern is hanging at their campsite. After typical morning chores, we hit the road. I stop at Walmart for re-supply. In Missouri you can get hard liquor in any store, even on Sundays. It is a long drive. Driving in prairies drives you crazy; straight, long and boring ( it is just corn field after corn field!)
We get stuck in a heavy traffic near Wichita. The weather is nice and cool. Twyla is exhausted, there is really no rest area to walk her.
We arrive in campground on time. No one else is here. Weather is nice. I cook fresh corn, and make a chicken sandwich.
6- Friday, May 23, 2025
Clark county state lake, KS
Mile: 1310
Clark State Fishing Lake, Kansas
We sleep nicely taking advantage of a quiet campground. I linger my morning chores. I would like to make it to higher elevations but there is still good distance from Kansas to the Rockies. Campgrounds at one day distance don’t look promising either, so I decide to do short drive, just to reduce the distance and have a light day. I stop at a Walmart on our way just to get some coffee beans and make it to this beautiful lakeside spot. Being a popular place guarantees a busy and not very peaceful place. There are many people but it seems they are all nice. The weather is a little warm but it significantly cools down after the sunset. I spent a time to cook a nice spaghetti with chicken and cheddar. It is supposed to be windy, with some dispersed thunderstorms. I can already see the lightning at distance.
7- Saturday, May 24, 2025
Mile: 1703
Hayden Creek, Colorado
We hear a car loading very early morning. First I think the neighbor is packing out. When I take a look outside, I see someone has pitched a tent and a bathroom tent and left! This is the memorial day weekend and these crazy tricks appear to become popular around here.
After our regular morning chores we head out. Today will be a long drive to Canyon City, CO. The weather is nice and cool, a little windy though. Dodge city is a fun stop.
I learn La Junta is actually “the junction “, very suitable name for this city. Most of my drive is along the Santa Fe trail.
When we arrive at the campsite, it is full, both official campgrounds and dispersed spots. We manage to squeeze in a small spot. I prepare some food. We walk around. I notice I have been ignoring Twyla, so I brush her, clean her ears and discover two big ticks. She takes Simparica, so I am not worried too much, but I don’t want ticks on her skin for a long time. The walking trail is beautiful. We walk twice. I collect some water.
I start the wood stove, boil water and make a hot cocoa drink.
8- Sunday, May 25, 2025
Mile: zero day
Hayden Creek, Colorado
A day of rest. It is cold here. Such a significant difference from a few days ago on the plains. I spent the day resting and cooking and short walks. It is cloudy all day. I spent a good time on cooking cutlet (ground beef, potato, flour, egg) with a boiled corn side. Around and after sunset it lightly rains.
9- Monday, May 26, 2025
Hayden Creek, Colorado
Another rest day. It is the Memorial Day so it will be busy out there, so camping and relaxing is the best option. It was a rainy night. We have usual morning chores and short walks. I wash my clothes and after that I realize the neighbors are gone. So we have this entire area for ourselves. We take advantage of this loneliness and walk around as much as we can. There are beautiful flowers near our camp. Interestingly the weather cooperates and we enjoy a nice partly sunny and warm day. I cook and clean myself as well. When we jump back to the camper, two cars drive by and camp next door. I light the ritual small fire in my Bushbuddy. The rain rolls in slowly. It is more comfortable now because I decided to set the tarp up, even half open, it provides a superior shelter and cover.
10- Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Mile: 1781
Clear Creek, San Isabel National Forest, Colorado
We wake up after a cold night. I literally wear every cloth I have because I only have my light synthetic quilt not the warm down sleeping bag. First thing in the morning I light the fire and warm up my hands. During morning walk we notice the neighbors are gone. Today’s agenda is simple, we head to Walmart in Salina for re-supply and then get to higher elevation near Twin Lakes and Clear Creek, which is a short drive. I am a little concerned about the temperature at higher elevations. We are at around 7500 ft now and our destination is above 9000 ft, so it will be much colder, but I think we can manage it. Upon entry to the backroad I notice it is much quieter now. We had trouble finding a campsite the last year but this time there are only few campers. I set up the extension today just in case I need a heat source over night.
This place is amazing, we are surrounded y giants, many 14ers are here, even the highest point in the Rockies and the second highest point in the lower 48, Mt Elbert is here. All peaks around us are above 14000 ft!
I love the view of shorter Jenkins Mountains from the valley. The temperature is definitely lower and even when a cloud covers the sun, it drops significantly. A Steller’s Jay comes and checks us out.
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| Twyla enjoys the shade and keeps an eye on intruders. |
11- Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Mile: 1788
Clear Creek, San Isabel National Forest, Colorado
We wake up after a nice and comfortable sleep. The temperature wasn’t that cold. The only incident was an intruder around 3 am whom Twyla caught by surprise. I didn’t see anything but presumably a deer.
We are very close to the Colorado Trail, so we decide to hike a small section of it. It cuts the road we drove in yesterday and there is a small parking space. You can also park in the campground especially if you want to hike southbound. I initially want to hike northbound but when we arrive I notice the good old north/south vegetation difference. I like to be in trees with this sun, so I change the plan and hike southbound that offers more shade.
We approach the campground and somehow we have to cross to the other side of the Clear Creek. At first it is not clear how. I am looking for a shallow passage and I am also looking at the other side to find the trail mark. Suddenly I see a nice narrow bridge and the trail sign! Nice, I stay dry today.
The trail is nice. The weather is amazing. There are many what appears to be prescribed burn and fallen trees. We hike as much as we enjoy and at one point we turn around, find a nice sitting spot and both have some snacks. A couple pass by, “it’s a beautiful day!” I say, “pardon?”, the lady replies. I repeat myself and she smiles and says “isn’t this amazing!?, enjoy your day!”. “You as well”, I reply. They climb up and we continue down.
When we arrive at the river again, it’s time for another stop and snack. Twyla enjoys getting into the water.
We head back to the same camp and the rest of the day is preparing food and short walks as usual. I keep finding more dead ticks on Twyla. I think the Missouri campground had the highest number of ticks I have ever seen. I found many crawling on my skin and had one serious tick bite that I am recovering from.
The weather cools down. It is cloudy and windy for the rest of the day.
We hear a woodpecker, but I don’t see it to identify the species.
12- Thursday, May 29, 2025
Mile: 2032
Vedauwo Recreation Area, Wyoming
We have the usual 3 am intruder repelled by Twyla. While morning walk we notice the neighbors are gone. Leaving this early is presumably for long hike. After breakfast we pack and head toward the same location as yesterday. My plan for today is hiking the opposite side of the trail we hiked yesterday (Colorado trail northbound). It is cloudy today so this exposed trail is a nice hike. The view of the ponds and the reservoir is breathtakingly beautiful. After this enjoyable hike we stop by the campground to have some snack.
We hit the road around noon and our destination is Wyoming. This is a beautiful road. We see scattered showers along the road, heaviest is near Silverthorne. Most notable city in our way is Leadville, at elevation above 10,000 ft this is the highest incorporated city in the United States. This city is historically important silver mining town from the Colorado silver boom era. The Silver Dollar Saloon is still operating today and it has hosted many famous and infamous people, most notable is Doc Holiday who played faro here.
13- Friday, May 30, 2025
Mile: 2078
We wake up to beautiful morning. I am not sure where I am heading next. We drive to Laramie and Walmart for a minor utility essential re-supply. My original plan was to camp near Wind River Range and try a few trails there, but soon I am in doubt. I am more worried about Twyla because that area is not covered with many trees and although the weather temperature is fantastic, the relentless sun will wear her out quickly. So I return to the same campsite and plan to take a day and explore different options. Upon return, I notice the campground is busy and I realize it is weekend and we are close to two big cities, Laramie and Cheyenne. So we will be overwhelmed by the weekend warriors. I explore a few remote camp spots, but they are dirty with broken glass or not level or both! So I return to one of the closer spots. It is beautiful spot but this is the spot that will further deteriorate my faith to humanity. A noisy neighbor is shooting guns, using fireworks and all kind of noise making tools. Later a couple turn to an area next to us and camp there, they are fine and quiet. Another person camps on the other side after the sunset, and over night another truck pulls in! It seems I don’t get a nice comfortable camp in Wyoming. Live and learn!
It is around midnight that I am typing this, the firework has stopped but the latest arriving neighbors are still talking to each other!
14- Saturday, May 31, 2025
Mile: 2325
Clear Creek, San Isabel National Forest, Colorado
Early morning we pack up before any morning routine. I would love to have a breakfast in a better place than here, and more importantly I want to let Twyla have fun and enjoy without leash. After all this trip is all about letting her enjoy her freedom. I drive back to one of the remotest trails and a tough road guarantees a low traffic. I notice most spots are full but my guess is correct the spots I am looking for are empty, beautiful and clean. I unpack, walk Twyla, have breakfast and take some photos. While we are packing to leave a car with a young driver slowly drives by and politely asks “ can I take your spot, if you are leaving?”. “Sure, we are leaving”, I reply. She pulls over and I start the car. Suddenly I notice she has a Georgia tag! I get excited and jump down. “You have a Georgia tag!? I have a Georgia tag, what a small world!”. She gets excited and replies “ yes, I live in Alpharetta, I go to Georgia Tech”. We talk shortly and I wish she enjoys her biking. “It can get warm afternoon, but you have a tree!”. “ No worries, I have plenty of water”. “ Enjoy it!”, I say and I hit the read.
I am still not sure if I want to continue north or head back to Colorado. I love the Wind River Range but without trees, Twyla will suffer the heat. So I decide to head back to Colorado and continue exploring high elevations. I will hunker down until weekend warriors return home. Every corner is full of cars. I am glad everyone is enjoying outdoors. My main complain is always not treating the nature as we should. We shouldn’t bring our city life into the nature. The main mystery of the nature is the unspoiled wildness and simplicity and power of it.
We stop at the information center at Walden to stretch our legs. There is what appears to be a remaining of the Pacific Union train.
Silverthorne is busy as usual. Near Leadville there is still ice over the lakes but it has decreased substantially since a few days ago we passed by here. The unpaved road to our usual spot is very busy but fortunately our spot is not taken. So we have a nice tree over our head under this sun and a place to call home.
15- Sunday, June 1, 2025
Mile: 2325
Clear Creek, San Isabel National Forest, Colorado
From my camper window I can see the sun hits the top of Quail Mountain peak first.
We just stay around the camp and take a rest. Morning was busy with people going up and down, until around noon. Everybody moves out around the afternoon. After 3 pm this valley is quiet again, it’s just the creek, the wind and occasional birds. I amuse myself with a couple of podcasts and wash the blues away.
This afternoon is in particular warmer and Twyla is sheltering under the car. As the sun sets we decide to go for a walk. The lower campground is vacant, as well as the upper campground. We wander around and come to a small pond. Twyla is finally happy and excited by the water and sure she jumps in. We enjoy the burgers I cook and I get a chance to do some clean up. Night has fallen on the mountains and the valley. We let the quiet night take us away. Tomorrow we will go exploring.
16- Monday, June 2, 2025
Mile: 2688
Clear Creek, San Isabel National Forest, Colorado
Weekend warriors are gone. We wake up to a quiet morning, nice walk and breakfast. I have a strong urge to explore more places. I hit the road and initially I plan to drive to north-west and possibly make it to Idaho. But I am not sure, so I drive to Aspen via the Independence Pass. Most of this area is still covered with snow. I remember my first long hike in the United States back in 2018. I drove this road over night to be in Maroon Bell early morning. I hiked entire Four Pass Loop. It was very crowded. It seems like hundreds of years ago but feels so close!
Aspen is artificially beautiful city.
I head out of the city after a short stop and drive north-west but I feel I am doing exact same trip as the last year. It will be through Irish Canyon to Wyoming. Very beautiful route but not new. I change the plan and head to Gunnison. After Crawford it starts raining. Between Maher and Gunnison everything is fresh green and flowers with different colors paint the roadside. I can’t believe I dismissed Gunnison before. I think I thought it will be boring. But the gorge and the canyon in the mystic fog and rain and the fresh spring air is an amazing experience. What a day, what a surprise.
I make it to the Monarsh pass and to Salina. The rain temporarily stops. Get re-supply at Walmart in Salina and head to the camp. It starts raining again. I make it in time and set up the camper in the rain.
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| Everything is so fresh and vibrant in the rain. |
17- Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Mile: 2688
Clear Creek, San Isabel National Forest, Colorado
It rained all night. We wake up and organize everything in the camper. Morning walk is a walk in a magic world. Low hanging mist and clouds, dew covered flowers and scents of flowers.
After breakfast we hunker down in the camper until it is sunny and warm. I spend most of today working on the blog and editing and uploading images.
After lunch I follow Twyla chasing chipmunks and creeks. It’s an incredible experience. Following her, I discover multiple small ponds and creeks and a family of rabbits living nearby. How I missed these the last few days?!
The weather turns colder and cloudy around the sunset. There is scattered afternoon thunderstorms as usual.
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| An apparently empty woodpecker nest. |
A glimpse of mountain weather:
18- Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Mile: 3144
Clark State Fishing Lake, Kansas
We wake up to another beautiful morning. It is a little warmer. Today is the hard day, because we have to prepare to drive back home. I will be missing Mt. Elbert, Quail Mountain, Mt. Oxford, Mt. Belford, Mt. Columbia and all peaks and passes and pines and creeks. Until next time, adios.
We have a long drive today. I drive all the way to Kansas. There is no specific event other than a bird hitting my car. I am always careful with even the smallest animals, but this bird just fell off the sky. Oddly I saw many dead birds this trip. I missed another roadrunner who was causally walking on the road. The driver before me missed a pumpkin color cat later. Perhaps the most dramatic one was a hopping mouse (not sure, maybe a kangaroo rat) on the road that was escaping a crow and my car and she survived by jumping into the grass!
Prairie is not at the top of my favorite list but this afternoon suddenly I love the beauty of it. Endless horizon with golden fields of wheat and open sky such that clouds end but the sky extends beyond that!
We arrive at the campsite just before the sunset. Regular spots are full so I choose another spot a little far away.
I do not attach the extension tonight as the weather is nice and warm. Just a bug screen and fully open door. Outside, Twyla is busy chasing bunnies!
After we go to bed and I turn the lights off, lightning bugs can be seen in front of the camper. They move slowly and appear at random directions, until we both fall into sleep.
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| If you are looking for solitude, camp far away from the restrooms. |
19- Thursday, June 5, 2025
Mile: 3421
Neosho State Lake, Kansas
Nice and beautiful morning after the last night’s rain. We finish our morning routine and hit the road. I am doing a lighter drive today, all across Kansas. I get the concerning news. It makes me more upset but I try to enjoy the flourishing beauty of the prairies. I stop in a coin carwash on my way and wash the mud off the frame.
We make it to the campground early. At first it appears like one of those city parks, but upon more inspection I find a secluded spot and call it home. There are so many rabbits and deers hanging around and Twyla is as excited as she can get. So she is chasing them all around. I find ticks on my leg and on her skin. I used to ignore them when I was a kid, but nowadays they easily knock me down. The bite mark from many days ago when we started the trip is starting to heal now. I brush Twyla and find a giant tick on her skin. I inspect sensitive spots and don’t see any more ticks.
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| Orchids, I believe. |
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| More Orchids! |
20- Friday, June 6, 2025
Mile: 3692
McCormack Lake RA, Missouri
We continue driving back home. I stop at Walmart for re-supply. I also need some hardware for the camper upgrade. Basically light and shelf. I get most of what I need from Walmart, but I stop at Home Depot for the few remaining items.
Driving near Seymour, Missouri is always fun to see horse wagons.
Near our destination suddenly I see a small black object on the road. I try to avoid it, but I also think it is just a piece of tire. I am wrong. I hear terrible noise, my rear tire is blown! I manage to pull over. I replace the tire and continue to the campground. It’s a beautiful place and I have it all to myself, but my mind is busy with the tire situation. A hummingbird visits us. This is the third hummingbird in this trip.
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| One of the three big rips in the tire. I am glad we are safe. |
21- Saturday, June 7, 2025
Mile:
Bankhead National Forest, Alabama
We wake up to a heavy rain and thunderstorm. Our morning routine is very slow. We hit the road with the spare tire is still on. Today is mostly driving backroads of Missouri and Mississippi. It is not a big distance but all these up and downs and bad quality roads are frustrating. Interesting event of the morning is seeing two people driving horse wagons on the road. I think they look at the hassle of the modern car driving people with pity. Here they are riding a peaceful rainy morning with a beautiful horse and we are racing for cities. I should not complain as in my case driving a few thousand miles in a few short days is only possible with these iron horses.
Near Memphis there is a big truck rolled over so it is very slow one line traffic. The Tesla car before ma has a Tennessee tag that reads: “QUITGAS”.
Early afternoon we make it to Alabama. No rest stop. My attempt to find a city park, open parking, rest area, … fails. Near Natchez Park Way, I take the exit and stop at Buzzard Roost Spring. We enjoy the short stop and snack and hit the road and make it to the campground. Big abandoned tent and many fallen trees. It’s hot and we definitely feel the significant change in humidity since a few days ago. If I can make it to home tomorrow, this will be the last camping and the last night of this trip. Soon we will be back to the civilization!
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| The spring emerges from under the rocks on the right. |
22- Sunday, June 8, 2025
Mile: 4384
Home, sweet home!
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