COMPLETED: Dirty Bacon's return to Anza Borrego

[DirtyBacon04]

Yup, you read that right. I'm headed back west for a few. Taking 2 weeks off work to drive back out to CA. My brother is likely going overseas for about 3 years for embassy duty, so I'm going to spend some time with him. Going to be a hard core drive out/back trying to cover ~2500 miles in 3 days. That's about 800 miles or 12 hrs each day

But once I get there, everything slows back down. Between Roadie and I, we'll be able to figure out the Anza Borrego trails portion once I'm there. What I'll need help with is local knowledge of potential quick overnight camp sites along the way. Looking like first night will be around St. Charles, LA (not far from TX border) and night 2 should be just east of El Paso, TX. I'm trying to avoid KOAs and motels, if possible. Post up your suggestions!

Just got some maintenance to do before the long haul: Tires (high priority), rear lower control arms, thermostat, front hubs. Then after some standard fluid swaps, I should be good to go. After this trip, that'll be 3 coast to coast drives for the ol' girl.

Who else is coming along?! Maybe Roadie will have to go summon Teebes so I can finally meet the final founder.

[Anthony Hernandez]

Sounds fun, beeee careful brooo!

[djthumper]

So you are taking 10 all the way across?

[DirtyBacon04]

Yea, looks that way. nearly 13 hours to cross texas alone...

I'm looking to cover appx 800 mi/ day so first night should put me around Lake Charles, LA second should be around El Paso, but I'm open to different suggestions. I took the 10 across when I first moved back, so I'm willing to take a different route as long as it isn't too far out of the way

[DirtyBacon04]

now I'm leaning more towards taking the 40 across...
I'll pick up the 10 in Lake City, FL, head north on the 98 to the 47 into Jackson, MS. Then hit the 20 through Shreveport, LA and Dallas, TX. Pick up the 40 in Amarillo, pass through Albuquerque and Flag Staff. I'd get back on the 10 near Palm Desert and go straight into Borrego Springs.

I took the 10 straight through last time and it was... well... long. At least now i'll get new scenery and probably find a good campsite in Flagstaff

[djthumper]

I wasn't sure if that would be an option for you. No matter which way you take through Texas it is long. I use to take the route from Tampa to Vegas, I think it was 50 hours of drive time.

[DirtyBacon04]

50 hrs? shit. I'm looking at 34-36 hours of drive time

[KingBird]

That would have you driving right through Lubbock to hit 27 to Amarillo.

You'll see what I'm talking about with this flat land. There's some beautiful scenery down between Snyder and Post. It'll get pretty again in NM.

[Trail X]

Yeah Bacon, good to see you heading out again and getting ol Bill's head out of the stars.

[DirtyBacon04]

I'm real excited about it. Gonna spend quite a bit of time out there. Work has been bananas lately and I could use a break. I'm sure after 4-5 days of not working, i'll go crazy again, but hey at least i'll be spending time with the big bro. and Bill.

[mikekey]

When are you going to Anza Borrego? We're already here! This place is awesome!

[DirtyBacon04]

Hell yea it is. So much to explore!
I'll be out there in the first 2 weeks of February

[DirtyBacon04]

Well, I just spent the past week in California. Unfortunately it was by way of airplane and also it was a family emergency that took me out there a few weeks early. Work cooperated with the situation and I didn't have to burn any vacation time. So that means the trip is still on. I've got 5 more shifts to work then I'm off for an entire pay period! Looks like my big bro is going to meet me out there and spend a few days on the trails!

MikeKey, I should be out there Feb 2nd if I'm hauling balls across. Maybe a day after that if I decide to spend the night at one of the ghost towns I found along the way. (Canyon Diablo. If you're interested in that kind of stuff, i recommend looking into the history of Canyon Diablo. It makes Dodge City and Tombstone look like a children's playground)

[DirtyBacon04]

WHOOPIDI DOO!!!
Already 3 states away from FL. Left Orlando around 3pm. Currently somewhere west of Slidell, LA. Hoping to make it to the TX line tonight. Probably just sleep in the truck at a rest stop. Decided to just take the 10 straight across and not do anything special en route and just do some hardcore balls to the wall driving.

[v7guy]

Good luck, keep us posted!

[DirtyBacon04]

Drive through the night, Made it to Texas in the first haul (just over 12 hrs) Caught a few hours sleep. Today's goal is to cross Texas.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Saw you made it out there. Have a blast!

[Trail X]

Keep the updates rolling DB.

[DirtyBacon04]

Yes yes yes, i'm here. Internet is really intermittent and slow. I've managed to post a few pics to my FB and if one of my FB buddies would be so kind as to repost them here, I'd be grateful.

So a big thumbs up go to the following: Lockers, 4.10 gears, Radflo Coilovers, BDS Fox 2.0 rear shocks, BFG AT KO2 tires deflated to 18psi, and the Smittybilt RTT.

Last night was very windy in the canyon where I slept and I was getting frequent gusts from every direction that made me think I was going to lose my tent like Tom Hanks lost his porta-potty sail in Cast Away. There come morning time, there was not a single torn stitch, broken buckle, or tear in the fabric.

The mechanical upgrades that I've made since I was last here caused me to giggle like an idiot at how little effort it took me to get past some of the obstacles I used to have to hit with speed just to get past.

Good trip so far!

[TBYODA]