A relaxing solo camping trip on Mount Lemmon, in my 5th gen 4Runner

After last month's mushroomy adventure, I was ready for a relaxing trip, that wasn't too far from Phoenix. Gunther and I did a short hike (once we found the trailhead), had a picnic lunch, and found way more mushrooms that we did during the mushroom foray!
The menu: some campfire cookery, pieiron puff pastry baking, and a TikTok-inspired ice cream recipe.
The entertainment
The podcast: www.tenpercent...
The music: open.spotify.c...
The movie: • Asteroid City - Offici...
I use the Merlin app to identify birds by song (it's free!)
[merlin.allabou...](merlin.allabou...)
Stuff I use from Amazon
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The motion sensor light, from Temu
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Use my code to get 10% off the Joulle kettle
www.stokevolta...

[@tracker5849]

Gunther living absolutely his BEST life. You too

[@ChristineD8093]

Your videos are so pleasant and relaxing. If I didn’t know better, I would think I was at a fancy cocktail lounge. I’m always sad when your camping adventure comes to an end.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Aww thanks and me too 🥲

[@nosleeplisa]

@@ChristineD8093 same! Glad to know it’s not just me 😜

[@BalancedHuman]

Something I love about your videos is how much I learn! Mushroom names, bird call identification, recipes I’ve never seen or heard of. I love it! Love all the knowledge. Sending lots of love to you and Gunther, and Happy Fall! ✨🍁✨

[@ShoestringMartha]

Thank you! I do so much research while I’m editing - I’m learning too 😄

[@tracker5849]

Love Gunthers big jumps. Too cute

[@tracker5849]

You gave me an idea with your chocolate pastry. I tried it tonight..ok..I had to do it in my kitchen...it's LATE. Lol. Pastry..shredded chocolate..bannana round slices..sliced marachino cherries..and a bunch of tiny marshmellows...yummy

[@ShoestringMartha]

Giving banana split vibes - I dig it!

[@tracker5849]

@@ShoestringMartha hhhhmmmm top with a scoop of ice cream? LOL

[@ShoestringMartha]

YES PLEASE

[@lisamallard]

You make the most unique food, you should make a camping cookbook.

[@WhstlblwrBlastingEpsteinsILK]

Gorgeous camping 🏕 spot. I am used to watching bushcraft camping where they gather flammable tender & use a ferro rod. I laughed when you just busted out a torch! Gunther is so cute. What a Trooper 😊

[@tracker5849]

LOL!!! NO " bird nest" no Farro rod..NO Maya dust..just WHOOSH!!! FIRE!!!! MORS COCHANSKI is rolling...

[@ShoestringMartha]

I mean , I *have* a ferro rod, and a magnesium block, and lighters -- as backups -- but when I'm cold and/or hungry, I do not dilly-dally. 😊

[@thatcampingchic3817]

Love how you have simplify your cooking setup. You inspire me. Thanks for sharing.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Thanks! I know I said when I first put it together, I’m still going to use my big camp kitchen, but the little one has been so compact and convenient, I’m having second thoughts 😬

[@lynnef3297]

Thanks for a nice relaxing visit to Mt Lemmon. The pastry and the peach ice cream looked delicious! 😊

[@moscafroglover2127]

"Only Sausage party I want to be invited to"😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 You made me laugh out loud roaring and snort at that one!!!!!

[@ShoestringMartha]

👉😏👉

[@sandratorchia4803]

Very relaxing to watch. Going to try the pastry AND the ice cream! Yummy!

[@ramonapuckett3059]

Great camping trip, loved the wildlife. Gunther, as always, is a cutie pie!❤

[@Crap873]

Your window invention is genius!! I just got a Toyota 4Runner same colour as yours and have made a set up but never thought you could make that in window area…I look forward to watching your video on the making of it. Cheers 🇨🇦

[@ShoestringMartha]

Thanks! I really need to get cracking on that video. I probably have 10 hours of footage to pare down to 20 minutes 😅

[@Crap873]

Lol I am sure editing is a pain but we enjoy your efforts !🙂

[@cybernixster]

look forward to it!@@ShoestringMartha

[@skybluepink998]

Finding those mushrooms! I just found a couple puffballs the size of a volleyball and a softball. I've eaten them in the past but this one was on the edge of a yard so I didn't risk the lawn chemical posibility. That frozen peach and codensed milk reminds me of Korean Bingsu without - Yum!

[@ShoestringMartha]

Puffballs-such a lucky find! Too bad about the one. I had to look up bingsu and it looks delicious and so complex!

[@driveabout1world872]

Awesome trip. I like your simple camps.

[@michellejohnson-ochoa3100]

Just wanted to say thank you for creating your channel. You have inspired me to downsize from my class A RV set up, to smaller and waaay easier set up. Can you believe I'm from Tucson and have never camped at Mt. LEMMON. unacceptably. Lol! 🙏🏽👊🏾

[@ShoestringMartha]

That's so cool to hear, and yes, you must get up there, when you can! If you stay at Rose Canyon, you might have to argue with them a little to stay in an RV site, but it's possible 😂

[@michellejohnson-ochoa3100]

@@ShoestringMartha I just learned how to read comments on KZbin. I can be a very slow learner. Lol! Thanks for the tip when camping at Rose Canyon. I plan on getting up there soon.

[@dmdavis4551]

I loved it too, 10 stars. Good video. Especially like you identifying the mushrooms and birds. Cool.

[@joanndavis4843]

Thanks again for bringing us along with you and Gunther (BTW, you're not really soloing it, and a plus he's such an easy going fella to travel with). A book I'd recommend you take along next time is A Supremely Bad Idea. Non-fiction book of a guy who starts to go on trips with his birdwatching friend's who are a married couple. A very funny book that will keep you entertained, and possibly learn more about migration patterns of the many species that they set out to possibly, not always, maybe, catch a glimpse of. Obviously there is some skepticism of bragger's within that community because some birds are just downright too shy to be seen for the many who've claimed to have seen them. Anyway its a good book that yes, you can take months to finish 😉

[@ShoestringMartha]

Thanks for the recommendation - I’ll add it to my reading list! 🤓

[@breechaudoin8465]

“This is the only sausage party I want to be invited to.” I. Am. Dead. 💀💀

[@ShoestringMartha]

🌭🎉🙅🏻

[@lindahopson5003]

I love your videos. Thanks!

[@greywolfoutdoors]

Sausage party! Hilarious! Did you make dropdown shelf in your rear window? It's genius!

[@ShoestringMartha]

I did! It's the mate to the much simpler passenger side panel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2bNooShaN92jZY . I only just recently completed the driver's side panel, so 'll be working on the build video shortly.

[@greywolfoutdoors]

@@ShoestringMartha love your videos and your approach to all.

[@laurencasapulla5135]

We cracked up at sausage party too 😂

[@zealousoutdoors]

The amount of cheap fishing poles I have bought due to not wanting to take my poles, and then seeing fish jump is shocking lol. I finally settled with having a collapsible pole and small tackle kit that stays in the 4runner.

[@ShoestringMartha]

LOL I didn't show it, but the far shore was speckled with people fishing. I didn't see anyone *catching*, however. I have a collapsible pole, and -- if I can condense my tackle into one little box -- I'm going to follow your lead.

[@jeniferokeywsu]

I really enjoy these relaxing camps. The hiking looked very enjoyable. Liked the quiet around the fire with the nighttime bug noise. The silver chunks on the rock did look like mica. Was it in flaky layers? If yes then most likely mica. Your “giddy troll noises” (as you dubbed them in a previous video) always tell me everything I need to know about the food haha. Fun to see the hammock out!

[@ShoestringMartha]

Yes! They were flaky! LOL - yes gotta say the food was on point this time, and refreshingly uncomplicated 😄

[@jeniferokeywsu]

@@ShoestringMartha based on what you said in the video and the fact that it was all “chill” it sounds like you were able to really take a step back from all the things and just enjoy. Probably a good thing where now you’ve got life and some unexpected stuff keeping you home for a bit.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Luckily, this snag was expected, so I was able to prepare, and enjoy this last little outdoors hurrah. 😊

[@William2N]

Just love your videos! Enjoy!

[@user-md5tz3wh1m]

Your reaction when the cup knocked over was perfect! You just keep sipping your coffee! Thank you for another perfect video! ❤️❤️❤️

[@ShoestringMartha]

What else can ya do? 😅

[@michaelbruchas6663]

Thanks!

[@ShoestringMartha]

Thank you!

[@tracker5849]

I like the way you said..theres a camper in the back...could lead one to believe someone is bringing a camper later...lol.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Intentionally vague, yet not untrue 😏

[@tracker5849]

@ShoestringMartha exactly someone asked about my van once and said it's not a camper if there's not a toilet.. And water....I said it has a toilet ( a luggable loo) and running water ( a big water bottle with battery faucet) glad they didn't look...only because my dog told them to back off my window...lol. maybe not the whole truth but not quite a lie

[@zeesoutdoorsadventures]

I just found your channel new subscriber here I really enjoy your style of camping .Safe travels.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Hiya and thanks for joining! 😊

[@MakazHome]

New subbie here. Have been binge watching all your videos to catch up to current. lol. I am very much inspired by you and your camping adventures. I live here in AZ in Mesa close to the river. I have an Xterra and would love to build it out a little to go solo camping. Going back to add watch hours for your channel. tfs

[@ShoestringMartha]

Welcome aboard! You have great access to lots of awesome outdoor spaces over that way. I’m a lil jelly! 😄

[@MakazHome]

Ikr!!! I need to take advantage more. We go camping a lot with friends mostly at developed campgrounds. But a solo trip in between trips would be good.

[@laurencasapulla5135]

Super video. We’ll get over there at some point. Thanks Shoestring Martha & Gunther!

[@ShoestringMartha]

C'mon then! 😄

[@dancesinmoonbeams]

Crumble a gingersnap on top of the peach and OH YUM!

[@ShoestringMartha]

Now you're talkin'!

[@MaddBaggins]

You should have seen Mint Spring trail before the big fire in 2003. It was amazing, so different than now. That first wet spot was not the spring.

[@ShoestringMartha]

I vaguely recall the guide saying it was a several yards off the trail 🤔 but it's funnier the other way. On the same guide, I saw pics from "before." Devastating to see the damage. I can only imagine comparing the two, in person. 😢 I was surprised that I saw no evidence of Molino 3. No road closures, no fire crews, no smoke. If you hadn't told me about it, I never would have known.

[@MaddBaggins]

@@ShoestringMartha Mint Spring is a good mile from the trail head. You would have come to the top of a ridge then steeply descended into a treeless area. The spring is down there. That treeless area used to be covered by some of the biggest ponderosas on the mountain. It was nearly completely shaded. Before social media and the internet hiking influence, Mint Spring was a little used trail. I started hiking it in the early 90’s to avoid the people on Marshal Gulch trail. They both end up at Marshal Saddle.

[@nancyclark8503]

Really enjoy your videos since I have a 2014 Trail 4wd 4 runner that I absolutely love. I watching camping videos bc I am interested, but as a semi retired pharmacist with a heart condition, not sure I’ll ever get to go camping. Gunther is so cute. My 4 runner is silver with black wheels and tires and a black bumper guard, looks a lot like yours. You and Gunther seem to have a great time, good for y’all!

[@ShoestringMartha]

Thanks! You might have the “Pro” package on your 4Runner🤔 Gunther has a grade 4 heart murmur and recommends only low key, relaxing camping 😉

[@roxanes43]

The people! And the rules! 😂 Glad you got a great spot. This was helpful bc meditative and mushroomy Mt. Lemmon is on my list. Yep, mica in quartz very common at higher elevation there. Pop tarts aren't my thing but you may have just converted me with the homemade version 😋That Gunther is a trooper! Thanks for sharing.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Do recommend site 41, if you don't mind the probing questions 😂 It's so silly. It's not even as if there were electrical hookups, and there were plenty of sites available.

[@roxanes43]

@@ShoestringMartha Lol good to know! It looked lovely. Thanks!

[@nosleeplisa]

I love your vids. I stopped camping after my husband suddenly died last year and I am starting to miss it. We had a scary run in with a nut job who came into our camp thinking we were gone,probably making the rounds stealing whatever he could get. My 150 pound Akita was tethered but wanting to tear him apart, that stopped him in his tracks-and my husband yelled for him to get out. I’m not sure what I’d have done if alone. This was a regular campsite with neighbors and all…I’m too anxious now to try on my own. So I live vicariously through you. What do you do with Gunther when you have to leave to go to the bathroom? Gosh my dogs would be two states away by the time I came back two minutes later 😂

[@ShoestringMartha]

Oh geez, sorry to hear about your husband, and that absolute nutter. In the past 3(?) years of doing this, I've only run into one, and that is why I sleep inside my vehicle. As far as bathroom trips go, it depends on the campground. Most I go to have a very rustic single room pit toilets, in which case, Gunther goes with me. The ones at the state parks tend to be really nice multi-stall situations, often with showers, and very clear "no dogs allowed" signage. In those cases, I leave him in the 4Runner, windows down. As an anxious dog, he actually prefers to be in his safe space.

[@barbarajeanne8351]

I love what a nerd you are! And I mean that in a I'm a nerd, too way

[@ShoestringMartha]

From one proud nerd to another, that is a total compliment! 🤓

[@kelliecorum5427]

❤ TFS

[@-abheda]

bear box, gah! 😮

[@wendywitzig119]

Sausage party 🤣

[@dougjohnston156]

Thank you for the beautiful camping trip. Question what happened to the rest of the scrambled egg, did the Junco or Gunther get it ? Peach ice cream sounds great.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Gunther did, of course!

[@kris.creates]

I love all your videos.. I was wondering if you do anything regarding bear safety while camping? I am going on my first van camp in Northern Georgia and I havent heard any topics on this.

[@ShoestringMartha]

The places I camp don't tend to have much bear activity, but if a bear locker is available, I will use it -- just in case. I put my food, trash, and used dishes in there. The most common critters I encounter are skunks and raccoons, which will rummage through the site at night. So I latch the camp kitchen, wash my dishes, tie up my trash and stash it in the 4Runner. Try and keep as much as I can in the fridge, as it has a pretty tight seal that keeps smells in. All pretty useless, when it comes to bears, I think. 😬

[@laurencasapulla5135]

Tell us about your lightweight hiking boots please. Thanks! Hugs to Mr. Doggo Gunther.

[@ShoestringMartha]

They are Merrell women's Capra mid sport GTX hiking boots, in Dragonfly. They're pretty old though, so unfortunately, I don't think they sell them anymore. 😔 (Gunther says thanks for the hugs!)

[@laurencasapulla5135]

Thanks-I’m asking Merrell what replaced the Capra line. They are more flexible than the Moab line.

[@tjfm59]

i know what you need to add to the vehicle gear. 2 rv leveling blocks. the ones you can park on. i only get after rain toad stools at the house. morels should be coming in soon. for decades have hated fungus. my only experience with them has been campbells fungus soup. one of my local grocers had some baby buttons on sale. got a couple. found they are not bad raw. while brussel sprouts are very bitter cabbages raw. now broccilli is on the list. i keep getting those 2 mixed up. it is due to sprout in the name of one. you think sprout, you think the little yellow flowers. lol oooh, i did what you did for breakfast. puff pastry shell- butterflied open. filling was 1 square lindt excellence intense orange dark chocolate. ooppps i forgot the powder!!! now i am with gunther both of us droolling over desert. would it work with an apple? a sorbey?? decades ago, did up a apple one. 6 granny smiths - diced. cinnamon & sugar to taste. about a quart of apple juice / cider. put a;; in a 13 x 9 pan put in freezer. about every half you pull out an mix the fixings around. ready after about 4 hours or overnight. an should cover so it does not pick freezer orders. dinner time this way. just thought up another one. chocolate covered covered raisins, milk or dark as the filling in some puff pastry.🤔🤔🤔

[@ShoestringMartha]

I think it would work with plums and pears (anything soft). I don’t know about apples 🤔

[@nursebabs]

Ok the sausage party was comical. Btw my chiweenie is 10 did ur pup adjust to the backpack well? Which one do u have?

[@ShoestringMartha]

Gunther had no problem with his backpack. He actually looks forward to getting in -- but he's a pretty mellow dude. He has a K9 Sport Sack, Plus 2 model, size small. amzn.to/3Zw7lLd Before that, he had the Trainer model ( amzn.to/464jh9i ), which worked fine, but I found I needed some place to put his leash, emergency stuff, and a water bottle, so I upgraded to the Plus 2. Sometimes you can find closeouts for less on their site: www.k9sportsack.com/collections/klearance

[@wendyjo9267]

Can you tell me that backpack you used for Gunther and how much does he weigh? Thank you so much. My old guy weighs about 13lbs and can’t walk a long ways

[@ShoestringMartha]

Gunther weighs 12lbs, and he has a K9 Sport Sack, Plus 2 model, size small. amzn.to/3Zw7lLd Before that, he had the Trainer model ( amzn.to/464jh9i ), which worked fine, but I found I needed some place to put his leash, emergency stuff, and a water bottle, so I upgraded to the Plus 2. Sometimes you can find closeouts for less on their site: www.k9sportsack.com/collections/klearance

[@wendyjo9267]

@@ShoestringMartha thank you so much!!! I appreciate it

[@michaelbruchas6663]

Do folks use ThermaCels out there to keep skeeters at bay?

[@ShoestringMartha]

I've seen them at the hardware store, but haven't tried one out yet. Turns out, the skeeters weren't much of a bother after all. A couple buzzed by my head as I was getting ready to relax by the fire, but after that, they disappeared!

[@laurencasapulla5135]

My partner and I love our small Thermocell. Kind of expensive but worth it. We’re in Ventura, CA with few bugs so like to chase ’em off when in buggier areas.

[@herdingdog1]

Love your videos! I see you have some great legs on that little table. Where can you get those legs? Thanks!

[@ShoestringMartha]

They were the cheapest ones I could find 😄 amzn.to/3ES7xLl

[@herdingdog1]

Perfect, thank you!! Much cheaper than what I was finding! @@ShoestringMartha

[@tracker5849]

Zipper and tent wont keep bear out

[@ShoestringMartha]

Nope! That’s why all the food is in the locker

[@tracker5849]

@@ShoestringMartha lol...but your not!!!

[@ShoestringMartha]

lol true true 😵

[@southerngirlyall6497]

Do you have a link to that torch?

[@ShoestringMartha]

certainly! amzn.to/46E9yXg

[@A-K_Rambler]

34.88098° N, 111.91179° W Try this one, pretty quite, a few folks in the area, note look a the Apple Maps aerial there are many van lifers, perhaps reason why to rules change…. I have the Joolca and water for 4 showers!, and solar which I can use the microwave I have the goal zero 1500, love it. Domestic and a transit midroof, A few dollars for research…….

[@ShoestringMartha]

Thank you so much ❤️ Your setup sounds like it has absolutely everything that one could wish for! I was up on FR 25 back in December, and they had just buttoned it up. All the side shoots and pull-off are blocked by boulders. You can now only stay in specific, group areas, and fires are banned. I guess that's what happens when humans get a hold of something beautiful. 😑