desert life Archives

Adventure Rig: Coming Into Its Own . . .

I’ve had this adventure rig for two and a half years now. I’ve hauled it around America more than 600 nights and over 35,000 miles.

Self-sufficnet off-road trailer/adventure rig with rooftop tent set up in the Chihuahuan Desert — **Moonrise Over Mexico – Chihuahuan Desert**

This rig lets me wander and explore far more than not. I use it for extended basecamps and quick overnights in all kinds of weather and environments.

It is my primary living space, put together from components chosen after extensive research. I crawled over, under, and around as many camping and off-road trailers as I could. I checked out every style of awning and water tank and solar power system and roof top tent that exists. Those components I could not visit in person, I read and researched as much as I could. Company background, construction techniques, features and options, and end user reviews.

In the two and a half years since I put this rig together, I’ve tested all components and pushed them to their limits. I’ve damaged and broken shit and repaired it in the field.

Underneath it all is the rugged and dependable XVentureTrailers XV-2. Born of military heritage, this more-than-capable trailer is the foundation that makes this adventure rig possible.

No, not sponsored or affiliated. I just like the product.

For more several more images of my XV-2 expedition trailer in use, see my Bundutec 360 Awning review.

For details on other gear I like and use:

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#xventurefamily #goxventure #xventurelife #rooftoptentliving #rtt #rooftoptent #adventurerig #overlandtravel #offroadtrailer #offgridhome #offroadcamper #mylifeoutside #campinglifestyle #getoutdoorsmore #overlandlife #livingsmall #bugout #bugoutvehicle #exploremoreoutdoors #gonecamping #onsomeadventure #nomadict #nightphotography_exclusive #nightskypainting #lightpaintingphotography #lifeadventure #hittheroad #night_owlz #night_shooterz #nightscaper

DARK SKY BONANZA

by Road

Under the dark sky bonanza of the borderlands you will see more stars and constellations than you ever thought possible.

Dark sky bonanaza: Billions of stars over the border — Dark Sky Bonanza Along the River Road, US-Mexican Border, West Texas

Even nights before the Milky Way appears, when moonlight shines bright, or not long after sunset as in this image, you will see so many stars you may have a hard time picking out familiar patterns.

Do you see Orion in the night sky above?

In my Night Sky Photography Workshops participants learn constellations and marker stars and planets, time indicators for the Milky Way, full range of camera settings, how to scout night sky locations, which apps I find helpful, software/developing/print techniques, and more. I enjoy customizing my workshops to participant’s needs.

I still have slots open for the Big Bend area Gila/Organ Mountains areas and can accommodate most schedules from March through May. Solo and small groups encouraged.

I’m available for custom Night Sky Photography Workshops anywhere in west Texas and southern New Mexico.

What past workshop participants have said:

“Today was one of the best experiences I have had since I took up photography. Your knowledge and experience shows in your teaching. I learned more about photography in the first 30 minutes talking to you than I have from reading books or watching a video…” – Phil H.

“Road does a great job facilitating — giving guidance and options to consider without restricting creativity.” ~ Earl S

“You catered to what I wanted/needed to practice. What a gem of a teacher!” ~ Beth R

“Road explains setups carefully and doesn’t give just one scenario. He proposes several alternatives.” ~ Sophia Z

“Road is not only very personable he is very knowledgeable, too. The icing on the cake is that he listens and worked out my ideas using his experience. I had a great time!” ~ Ke F

If interested in learning astrophotography and more about the night sky under the darkest skies in the lower 48, send me a note.

#farwesttexas #astrophotography #starshooter #milkywayphotography #milkywaychasers #nikond850 #nikonphotographer #travelphotography #travelingphotographer #nightskyphotography #bigbend #visitbigbend #transpecos #visitmarathontexas #visitmarfa #terlingua #westtexas #borderlands #offgridliving #desertlife #vivaterlingua #ghosttown #photographyworkshops #nightphotos #longexpoelite #painterly #artphotos #longexposurephotography #celestial #thedesertiscalling

DESERT LIFE IS THE RIGHT LIFE

by Road

DESERT LIFE IS THE RIGHT LIFE…

off-road trailer with expansive awning and rooftop tent with ebike nearby in sandy beach setting — Base Camp Setup – PINS Jan 2019

though I’m digging having the Maine Coast Life in-winter-with-fam be the right life while preparing for Desert Life.

Then Desert Life; that’s the one I’m after.

I might fit in some Gulf of Mexico Life (this image is on the Gulf) and some Bayou Life. Maybe a little Ozark Life and some upper Rio Grande in New Mexico Life. Most will have to wait, though, or be brief as all get out.

My main push is getting ready for Desert Life in the Trans-Pecos. I may be on the road a year this time, who knows. I need to be prepared and ready for a variety of scenarios.

Cactus Capital of Texas

I’m starting in Sanderson, seat of Terrell County. Terrell County has a population density of half a person per square mile, one of the most sparse in all of Texas.

I can vouch when I’m there all of me will be in the same square mile. My mind is already there.

Sanderson and Terrell County is the setting for No Country for Old Men, Cormac McCarthy’s great novel and Academy Award winning film by the same name. The area is sparse, vast, rich with history and holds tremendous appeal for me.

Sanderson is the cactus capital of Texas, too. I hope to embellish local walls with murals of cactus using my painting skills, desert research and over 1,000 images made during last spring’s record Chihuahuan Desert bloom.

Near the eastern edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, Sanderson is perfectly suited as starting point for deeper exploration of my favorite part of North America.

I’m anxious to get painting, researching the Trans-Pecos more in depth, using new gear for recording bats—Sanderson has a great colony not far from Desert Air Motel–and writing more about the most diverse, unique and historical desert region in the Western Hemisphere.

Desert life is the right life right now for me.

It all starts in Sanderson.

#itallstartsinsanderson #sanderson #sandersontexas #chihuahuandesert #borderlands #padreisland #desertlife #beachlife #adventurerig #offroadtrailer #xventure #xventurefamily #goxventure #xventurersunite #desertair #batsofsanderson #terrellcounty #lifeinthedesert #thetowntoomeanforbean #bigbend #transpecos #ilovethedesert #myoutdoorlife #nomadic #nomadiclife #lifeontheroad #overlanding #overlandrig #bibe #thedesertiscalling

What past workshop participants have said:

Cactus Capital of Texas

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