May 1, 2026. Last morning at one of the most epic campsites I've ever had in the van. I'll be sad to say goodbye but it's going to be great to resupply.
Shannon gave me a pack of gum last night, which felt like the greatest luxury. I don't know exactly what forces are conspiring to make gum taste so good out here, but that and bubbly water are the two things that feel genuinely luxurious. The food has been satisfying in a way that's hard to explain too. Everything tastes amazing. The coffee. All of it. Maybe it's my clean living.
Last night I dug out my weighted blanket. I'd put it in a bin during a recent cleanup, too warm for it lately. Last night it was glorious. That thing works some magic on me. I love these simple inexpensive things that make life better.
Today is a day of effort. About an hour and fifteen minutes to St. George, with seven miles of rough dirt road at 7 or 8 miles per hour before I hit pavement. Costco, a grocery store, Best Buy. Forty gallons of diesel. Fill the water jugs, dump the trash. Then a two and a half hour drive to the next spot. Shannon and I are splitting up this morning and meeting up at Greg's rig this evening.
Our friends who went ahead to Colorado are reporting freezing temperatures and snow. Some are retreating. Sounds like we're in no hurry.
The three nights here were a rest and recharge. I made a little progress with the music gear. I'll finish the dance mix over the next few days and maybe post it here.
Time to pack up. We've got a fairly advanced section of road for the first 75 yards getting out of here. Shannon has low clearance and a spare tire that hangs low in the back. I have a tight space to turn the van around. It's going to be a 50 point turn on the edge of a cliff. When the engine is on I keep triple checking that I'm in park.