I Call It Camping

Yellows and Oranges, Fishlake National Forest, Utah

But that’s a bit of a stretch, really.  I’ve done the other kind, sleeping on the ground, maybe in a tent, or sleeping in the back of an SUV.  It was one of the latter trips that got me thinking of alternatives.  The overnight temperature was around 15F, and I spent the night in a sleeping bag, in all the clothes I could find, wrapped in my emergency tarp. By morning there was a layer of ice from my frozen breath on the tarp. I decided I was too old to keep doing that.

After that precious experience, in 2013, we bought a slide-in truck camper made for off-pavement use, called a Four Wheel Camper. We used the heck out of that camper on our Toyota Tundra for eight years.  Since then, we’re in a Sprinter Van which suits our needs a little better but serves the same purpose.

A Story, Fishlake National Forest, Utah

I’ve stolen an idea from a fellow overlander who says that his camping rig is the best piece of photographic equipment he’s even had.  The van allows me to be comfortable and therefore to spend more time in the forests.  There’s heat, a fridge, comfy bed, and solar panels & batteries for charging and running the necessary electronics.  Overlanding puts me out where I want to be, without a lot of driving around in the dark before sunrise or after sunset.  I have the chance to do leisurely, solitary walkabouts and make photogenic discoveries.   I’m more creative when less rushed, and I enjoy the experience so much more. There’s never enough time to explore.

We’re just back from 12 days chasing fall color.  This trip has become an annual tradition.  This year we covered lots of ground in Utah and clipped the corner of Colorado on the way home.

Last gasp of summer after the rain, Kaibab National Forest Arizona

Our first night was in the North Kaibab Forest, mostly to break the trip up.  My plan is to save myself the emotional experience of seeing the Dragon Bravo burn scar until next season. It rained and I sloshed around and got wet a couple of times.

Wind, Fishlake National Forest, Utah

The Southern part of Fishlake National Forest was extraordinary this year.  We laid over for two nights, enjoying the one-two punch of peak timing and the best showing I’ve ever seen there.  Even the clouds were beautiful. I was giddy.

Fishlake National Forest, Utah

These days were perfect, too, for aerial shots of the blazing yellow forest.

First light, Wasatch National Forest, Utah

From there we bit the bullet and made the long drive nearly to the Wyoming border, spending a couple of nights beside the East Fork of the Bear River. The cold weather and our weekday arrival ensured solitude, and I’m told the fishing was good. I treasure layover days, with time to download photos, wash my hair, and attend to camp chores and emails.  Yes, we use Starlink.  If at some point there’s a viable alternative we’ll move, but connectivity is a big part of what makes these longer trips possible.

Fishlake National Forest, Utah

Then we headed to Teasdale Utah and spent a few days in luxury in a rental with shower and laundry facilities.  From there we did day trips to the Northern Fishlake Forest and Dixie National Forest on the slopes of Boulder Mountain.

Speaking of luxury, we had a glorious meal at Hell’s Backbone Grill in the town of Boulder one night.  If you’re ever in the neighborhood (close to the middle of nowhere), don’t miss it.  Reservations are a good idea.

Teasdale, Utah

I’ll assert that there are three ways to do good landscape photography.  The first is careful planning of every detail.  Second, putting myself in a beautiful place at what seems like the right time and seeing what I can find.  The third is just dumb luck.  This image was a that – stumbled upon on the way to somewhere more planned. I love tree tunnels and give bonus points for vivid color and backlight.

San Juan National Forest, Colorado

Finally, we driveway-camped at a gracious friend’s place in Cortez Colorado and had quite a time leaf-peeping in the San Juan National Forest. 

Did I mention that there's never enough time to explore?

I’m grateful for “camping” adventures and the chance to share them.

More images are in the Fall 2025 Gallery on the website.