Part 6: Arkansas to Texas - solo 4Runner camping across the US with my dog

[@comfortableshoesstudio]

To make the foil liners work, put half to a full cup of water into the joule pot. The hot water will transfer the heat to the foil and the steam will reach up the sides. Better than cleaning if you have the water available.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Pro-tip! I think that is the way. Without it, the air is acting as an insulator, whereas water would be a conductor. I’ll give it a whirl!

[@ChristineD8093]

Came here to say this

[@mnmikeoutdoors8595]

By far my favorite of the series. I have had a few similar hip camp places. Always unique, never really disappointed.

[@54bonkers]

I love watching your videos. They are always so calming! Plus I love seeing Gunther!! Thanks for the ride along. ☮️❤️☀️Smooches for Gunther!

[@ShoestringMartha]

Thanks for joining!

[@jettrenning1651]

You always find the coolest places. And your food experiments made me so hungry! Gunther is the cutest 🥰. Thanks for another fine video.

[@pupcamper58]

Interesting campsite may be a little bit spooky. Safe travels back to Arizona.❤

[@koysaeteurn5329]

I thought so too. It looks cool during the day but comes nightfall I would start to think about the souls from that time period walking around. I wouldn't get much sleep lol

[@tg1cent765]

Enjoying this travel series. Thank you for sharing. FYI Buckee's isn't a gas station or truck stop, it's travel stop ;)

[@koysaeteurn5329]

I always look forward to the weekends watching your episodes with a cup of coffee before I start my day. Thank you for uploading.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Aw glad we can be part of it!

[@benf.2402]

I recently discovered your channel. I very much enjoy your content. Thank you!

[@ShoestringMartha]

Welcome aboard! 🫡

[@vickilucas4620]

My first time watching you. Love how you show what you do from stay to finish for a day on the road. I'm thinking about traveling soon alone. You just flow. No big deal. Love how relaxed you are. You stay safe. Be blessed. Thank you for your videos. Love them.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Welcome! Solo travel can certainly have its challenges, but totally worthwhile. Ease comes with practice. 😌 My first trip was an absolute mess! 😆

[@judyshorrock7368]

I too am a product of WV coal miners. My grandfather worked in the mines, contracted lung problems and eventually moved the family to Phoenix, AZ. Can’t substantiate the Moon Pie sustenance for miners but they certainly did a lot of business at the company owned stores. I really enjoyed this video and watching Gunther taking it all in. He’s a cutie!

[@ShoestringMartha]

Interesting! My grandpa avoided that hard (and often short) life by lying about his age and enlisting. His alternative was the Korean War, so I'm not sure which was worse.

[@sally-annejolliffe9447]

Great video thank you. I am so enjoying this series. Greetings from The Isle of Wight. England x

[@ShoestringMartha]

Hullo! 👋👋👋

[@sherryhicks4156]

I am from Texas! I never knew about this place. Lots of history here. Welcome to Texas! We love our Beaver Nuggets!

[@ShoestringMartha]

They were mighty tasty! I brought the of the bag home and Ames finished them off 😂

[@claridee0765]

He-Brews😂😂😂😂❤❤❤❤ that’s awesome. Thanks for sharing that gave me a chuckle

[@ShoestringMartha]

I love a good punny business name! 😂

[@JennBX1]

Ok, when Gunther stopped and stared at the one shack, I was creeped out!!! Animals can see things we don't 😲😳😬. Another great video you two travelers👍👍👍

[@ShoestringMartha]

True! The cabins didn't spook me too much, but the country club did a little. Glad it was on the other side of the wash. 😳

[@helendrennanbaxter1643]

Another great video. I get excited when i see that a new video is uploaded. That's my cue to make a cup of coffee and put my feet up for a little break. Your videos are very relaxing and Gunther is absolutely adorable. Thank you for sharing.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Honored to be part of the ritual ☕😊

[@cinnamongmc5430]

You're a brave soul. I don't have internal GPS. 😊Even with compass in my suv, I'd get lost driving into that hip-camp location. Did you say, "no cell service"? That would be a non-negotiable for me. So deep in Texas and no snakes or hobos seen, that's good. Loving your travel adventures.

[@ShoestringMartha]

I don’t either! If I know I’m going to a spotty area, I screencap the google maps and/or directions. I also put the addresses of all my campgrounds in my notes, so I could punch them into the GPS.

[@jboren5552]

Interesting place. Did you ever find the lake? Gunther is too cute with his rug! To have protein with your Moon Pie snack, dump a package of salted peanuts into that RC. Can’t get better than that! 😂

[@ShoestringMartha]

I didn’t. I re-read the host’s directions later and found you have to go through the old zoo to a road, and it takes you there. Maybe peanuts would improve the flavor too. 😂

[@rhondaroyster5595]

I’ve been loving your videos. I came across them just as you started posting the trip to KY. I’m a KY girl. Anyway, the foil liners do seem great. What if you put water in the kettle and then added the foil liners- like a double boiler? It would keep the pot clean, heat your meal and give you some hot water for tea or cocoa for desert.

[@ShoestringMartha]

I think you’re on to something there! I like the bonus hot water idea too.

[@ramonapuckett3059]

Thank you for taking us along on your trip home. Love Buccee’s, it’s just fun to walk around, stretch your legs and smell all the food! Gunther was sure being silly rearranging his blanket then not lying on it. Pretty scenery 🩷

[@ShoestringMartha]

His denning rituals always crack me up 😂

[@stphns1737]

I want that dessert! Thanks for sharing.

[@thefarsifal]

LOL 17:51 my dog does that too and then half the time gets distracted and instead of lying down goes and does something else.😅 Really enjoying this trip BTW. (I mean I enjoy all of your little trips, but this roadtrip is extra fun.)

[@marilynpodoll3278]

Enjoying your trip.

[@mnmikeoutdoors8595]

That table at the campsite was helpful. I love the Buccees brisket.

[@ShoestringMartha]

I liked that it was standing height!

[@corysmith9975]

This was such a fun video. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us! I'm getting ready to start my very first adventure in my 4runner in a few weeks and your videos always help me feel excited about it!

[@ShoestringMartha]

Exciiitiiiiiinggggg!!!

[@HTC9184]

I’ve enjoyed this trip so much! And what a deep *sigh* I made when y’all ran into people on the trail! Whew! Place was cool and sketch at the same time! 😅

[@ShoestringMartha]

Apparently it’s a pretty popular trail! Also I think it was a Saturday 🤔

[@giggygoes5451]

Camped at Lake Cisco several times as a child in the 60s-early 70s. Lots of great memories!

[@BeckyLL]

“RC soda cola, moon pie, loni sandwich…..and a pice of balooooooow gum”! Fav saying from the south 😊

[@ervinslens]

Lovely episode my friend, soothing and enjoyable experience as always!

[@havegrillwilltravel3043]

I'm actually curious about where you got those foil liners. Another commenter mentioned putting water in the joule first (basically creating a double boiler). I got sick of scorching food when using my Joule, so I have been putting a nesting camp mug inside with water underneath. It has worked very well for cooking rice (regular medium grain, not instant). It mimics how a Japanese rice cooker works. Perfect for one or two people.

[@ShoestringMartha]

They are these: amzn.to/3ZDluGN You can often find them for less at Home Depot or Lowes - and I’m totally adding water next time.

[@DreamingOfAK]

Gunther is so cute n waddly.

[@edmalts]

Hi Martha my wife and enjoying your video and traveling 🎉. We love you doggie. He soooo cute 🥰 and you too lol 😂. Be safe and keep doing your thing girl.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Thank you so much and glad to have you both along!

[@justvisiting-ts6xm]

The foil liners. what if you put water under the liner

[@Mrs.T-nc5mq2yi1y]

Nice video. Take care.🐨

[@renadraper8103]

The foil liners would probably work if you put some water in the bottom of the heating pot and put the foil liners in there like a double boiler.

[@deborahlewis9128]

Do you, or would you, sell the plans for your window shelves? And those cabins are cool, not creepy! I love abandoned places. I find them so interesting.

[@ShoestringMartha]

I have them on my Patreon page: www.patreon.com/c/shoestringmartha/shop It's just for the shape and the brackets. How you modify the panels is totally up to you!

[@deborahlewis9128]

@@ShoestringMartha Thank you so much!!

[@michellejohnson-ochoa3100]

That was a very entertaining video. Bucky's Beaver Nugget Crispy, followed by ... deep in the heart of Texas. Hillarious. Cool Hipcamp spot. Looked interesting. BTW, a very nice Hipcamp is in Patagonia AZ called Sanctuary at Sonoita Creek. It's in the tiny but cool town. If you're ever in that area. We head there from Tucson periodically. Anyway, I really enjoyed this video. 🙂Thanks amiga. ❤

[@ShoestringMartha]

I have a friend down that way. Thanks for the lead on where to stay when I visit 😊

[@triflegrl]

My daughter and sil hit Hot Sp🎉rings last Christmas driving from Chino Valley to Nashville. They really enjoyed touring.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Very cool! Wish I’d had more time for exploration.

[@christieflesch3750]

I’m so happy to see your videos❤❤❤

[@TheArtisanbard]

Welcome to TX and Lubbock! Skeeters… you better believe it.

[@ShoestringMartha]

The first place the whole trip that I encountered them! 😄

[@caver6292]

Moon Pie and RC Cola!!! OMG, it's been a spell! Used to have that in AL (Army Flight School) All out of a vending machine....I eat healthier these days...LOL, great video!

[@wilsonryan2011]

Another awesome video. Loving your channel. I’ve got to ask, what Apple Watch case are you wearing? The OD green one? I really like it. Keep up the great content.

[@ShoestringMartha]

It’s this one. Fits and protects grear but you have to really mash on it for your touch to register. amzn.to/4fi6Ydd

[@Moonblossom62]

Love their brisket sandwiches, wish they had a Bucc-ee's in Washington.

[@ShoestringMartha]

They’re rapidly expanding- I’m sure it’s only a matter of time!

[@kriskabin]

Rudy's BBQ, too. 😋

[@christieflesch3750]

Love the long video

[@barbarajeanne8351]

So interesting! Loved this

[@Abnormally_Resilient]

Ahhh, moon pies! Love those little plastic chemical discs! ☠️I treat myself to a double decker every time I travel. 😈 Very popular combo in Mississippi, where I spent my summers. Other thing they/we did is pour a small bag of peanuts into a small Coke…in the bottle! If you haven’t tried it, you must. Wind chimes, nuttin more relaxing and beautiful, imo. Your Hipcamp looked like a murder stage, and a hard no for me!!! But thank you for sharing! I mean, but seriously…I was waiting for Jason or Michael Myers to show up. AND no cell service to boot!! Happy trails to you and your little man!

[@ShoestringMartha]

I find abandoned places intriguing. It makes me wonder what the world will look like when we're all gone and Nature reclaims it. 🤔 My grandpa used to put peanuts in his beer, but I've never seen anyone put them in a Coke!

[@keithbrookshire]

RC Cola and Moon Pie is a classic! The Beaver Nugget / marsh mellow treat looked great. I have a Buc-ee's in my town so I may have to try that. When you were driving through the campground I thought "How in the world did she find that place?" It looked like an overgrown abandoned piece of property. I Googled it and their web-site said the sites started at $40 per night. Is that correct? What did you think of it?

[@ShoestringMartha]

I found it on Hipcamp. Initially they had different rates according to whether or not you needed water and power. But when I was ready to book, it was a flat rate, regardless. So yeah, while the area was cool, overpriced for a site with pretty much no amenities.

[@msmurphybylaw]

Oops! I watched part 7 before this one. I didn't know you could camp at the old zoo. You're braver than I am. That place is cool but pretty creepy. Bummer about the foil liners. I was going to ask where you found them. It would have been a great idea.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Others have suggested adding water beneath the liner. So I haven’t entirely given up on the idea yet! They are mini grease bucket liners for a Traeger.

[@tracker5849]

That brisket would have never made it into that pot....love brisket

[@tracker5849]

Wow popular old zoo place....do they make like a silicone liner for that pot like for an airfryer?

[@ShoestringMartha]

Not I know of 😐

[@ezcamping8887]

Need to buy a folding saw I have several of them. They are awesome.

[@ShoestringMartha]

I have one - also a Fiskars. I just didn’t bring it. I didn’t expect to be breaking down oak branches 😂 But the thing takes up very little space. Totally should have brought it anyway. 😣

[@ezcamping8887]

@ I have that problem too

[@tjfm59]

@@ShoestringMartha have one also & added to each vehicle bag the hand pull chainsaw blade type.

[@fcastle4]

Hey! Is that your rig on the State 48 t-shirt? Nice!

[@ShoestringMartha]

Not mine specifically but it is a 5th gen 4Runner! It was a collab with AZ 4Runner Outsiders 😊

[@28maganda]

I love your videos what type/ brand tires do have on the truck ? I have 2003 4 runner

[@ShoestringMartha]

BF Goodrich KO2s 😊

[@28maganda]

@ thank you I kinda thought so 😊time for me to switch out my destination LE’s lol I’ll keep one for a spare 😁

[@ChristineD8093]

Never been to Buckees I thought it was a restaurant. Wiener tax and those little eyeballs watching your ever move lol. I have been feeling rather melancholy lately, don’t know if it is the combination of the P storm that is about to hit our country or the fact that I just turned 65 and my future is uncertain, either case your videos always make me feel better……Thank You

[@ShoestringMartha]

❤️❤️❤️

[@juliecastagnaro2868]

Your dog is adorable. What is he?

[@ShoestringMartha]

He is a soft-coated wirehaired dachshund 😊

[@juliecastagnaro2868]

@ShoestringMartha He looks like my dog, Oliver

[@billpliske]

How often did you have to charge your power bank during your trip?

[@ShoestringMartha]

I didn’t have to, but I charged it every day, just to keep it topped off. I might have been able to go every other day, depending on usage.

[@tjfm59]

how do you like the justins peanut butter?? have found it to be grainy, like your eating sand. i see your moonpie & raise you a slice of cold pizza on a 40F kind day with a cold pepsi. did that on monday morning for my mid morning snack in 1981. winging it is where the fun is. try some fresh made pasta. RANA. about 3 servings per package.

[@ShoestringMartha]

I don’t mind it! I just have to mash it up really well. I typically eat the all natural stuff, so I’m used to a gritty texture.

[@jaccourt9531]

But they may have a couch in there.😂😂😂

[@Robert_alea]

Look at outdoor gear review he'll show you how to hang a tarp on your 4 runner for shade and rain

[@ShoestringMartha]

I have one and know how. Just didn’t seem worth the effort for an hour or two of shade. 😄

[@cillaloves2fish688]

Hi!

[@ShoestringMartha]

🏆

[@JennBX1]

👍👍👍🥷

[@renee2802]

Please tell me that’s not true! Coal miners had an RC and a moon pie for lunch!! That is so so sad….. my father was born during the depression and he had a biscuit and if he was lucky some ham for lunch. Leftover breakfast. Most people now don’t know how it is to have very little food. They throw away more than they eat.

[@ShoestringMartha]

While the combo was *marketed* as a working man's meal, who can say how many actually purchased it (or who could afford it). Also you reminded me of some of the things my grandma used to eat, I'm sure originating from those times -- cornbread and buttermilk with black pepper, onion and mayo sandwiches -- simple and inexpensive.

[@renee2802]

@ that sounds yummy!

[@tracker5849]

Nice SNACK but please you need to eat better!!! Dont need you sick...even an awful dreaded McD burger would be better..not ideal but better😢