Part 7: Texas to New Mexico - solo 4Runner camping across the US with my dog

[@loriking3319]

I use instant potatoes in alot of things to thicken my soup. I am not a brothy person. I love gumbo snd jambalaya too. I buy frozen vegetables or the new single packs in two for my ramen soups. Thinking about an amish store for dried vegetables.

[@christieflesch3750]

I am so glad you Got to keep Gunther because you take so good care of him and you’re giving him a good life❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@loriking3319]

Lol yoir dog scooting the rug to fit where he wanted it

[@kriskabin]

*Powdered whole milk (the red bag in the baking isle) @ Walmart. Great flavor enhancer in coffee & when cooking! 😋

[@JonTanOsb]

I don't use Data on my iPhone. Before I leave home, I save the Google map of the area I'm travelling in. Then I don't need internet to find my way around. When I search for Home, it has no problem taking me there. Shaking the dog food is a sure way of getting a roaming pup back. :) Gunther is so darned cute. Jon in rural BC, Canada

[@ShoestringMartha]

That would definitely get Gunther back - he loves food so much! 😂 He was investigating that edge because I think someone had dumped some grease or something similar down there.

[@cillaloves2fish688]

I stopped at that pistachio place in Alamogordo on my way back to Mesa after spending Thanksgiving in Roswell! I drove by that place many times always thinking I'd stop there some day... I bought the bags of red and green chili pistachios! Good stuff!!

[@JimRoss-q81]

Video good 👍👍 Jim Ross ATL

[@Zeldagirl64]

Enjoyed, love Crazy Q. ❤❤

[@CW-hb1yi]

I live in New Mexico where cell service is often spotty so I use a fix that doesn't require the use of a cell phone as I'm traveling. Before I leave home or as I find free wifi, I download my route using Gmaps. Under my icon in the upper right corner of the phone screen, I choose "offline maps" and download hunks of route one section at a time about a quarter the size of New Mexico. It doesn't keep me updated about accidents, slow traffic, or road incidents. I've learned to be careful that Gmaps doesn't send me off on another road than what I chose.

[@ShoestringMartha]

I always forget about offline maps!

[@kmacfawn]

I love "fuzzy water"; I've been drinking it for years. My family calls it fuzzy water because when my daughter was 6 (she's now 28) she asked for a drink of my water (I didn't tell her it wasn't regular water) and she took a sip and said "Ewwwww, it's fuzzy"! 😂😂

[@ShoestringMartha]

lol - fuzzy water forever! 🤣

[@michaelamaestas4950]

We host people who travel, in Albuquerque , NM 87107 , at Mother Bosque Garden , Urban Permaculture .

[@victoriagoingforit6183]

When I get out on the road full time I'm going to plan on downloading maps for when there is no cell service. Supposedly you can still navigate even without they cell signal.

[@garetgardina9915]

I can attest that downloading for offline driving definitely works. The only think you won't get are updates for sudden road conditions until you're back online.

[@michellejohnson-ochoa3100]

Hooray for fizzy water! 😁Gunther's nesting habits are too adorable. Your cooking with science is interesting, and I'm learning the tips. I pack waaay too much food all the time. Truthfully, I pack way too much of everything. I'm going to have to fix this quick bc we just down sized from a 31' bus to a van with zero slides. 😬 The first trip will be for New Year's. 🤞🏾 👏🏾 Loved the video, amiga. ❤

[@ShoestringMartha]

Nice! Good luck and safe travels! (and don't bring too much 🙂)

[@MrEarname]

“The lack of flavor seltzer water.” Get a SodaStream. It’s small, light and doesn’t use electricity (just a CO2 canister that you can get refilled at places like Target). I add lime juice I buy at the grocery store and it’s great. No recyclables to deal with either. All you need to add is cold water.

[@barbarajeanne8351]

All state campgrounds in New England are no alcohol,but I sneak a cold beer or a cocktail in because they are not going to bother a single old lady😂

[@ShoestringMartha]

LOL I don't think we're the sort they're worried about! I am a have a drink and go to bed type, not get drunk and raise hell type. 😂

[@barbarajeanne8351]

@ShoestringMartha SAME!

[@msmurphybylaw]

I took the same route coming home to Portland from Dallas after visiting my mom a couple of weeks ago. If you ever travel that way again Cisco has an abandoned zoo from the turn of the century that is an interesting walk. There's free camping in Lamesa Tx that the city offers in Forest park but sadly the city is kind of suffering. Oliver Lee is a great campground outside of Alamogordo NM, near White Sands NP. It's only $14 to camp. Looks like New Mexico is going up on their prices after the 1st though. Looks like you and Gunther made it to White Sands. Isn't it cool? Thanks for sharing your adventures. Looking forward to more!

[@ShoestringMartha]

Thanks for the info - yes - White Sands is in the next episode! 😊

[@SLloyd-qb8kt]

Loving your content! Gunther is such a cutie!

[@ShoestringMartha]

Thanks! He's definitely my best travel buddy.

[@Mrs.T-nc5mq2yi1y]

Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year. Take care. 🐨

[@ShoestringMartha]

To you as well!

[@anitasimmons3599]

Thank you for another great video. I got a Dezin electric pot that has 2 settings instead of the pot you use, but I also have an electric kettle for coffee and oatmeal. I kept going back and forth on what I wanted for cooking inside the minivan, but ultimately high winds and a nearby Target caused me to get a kettle so I ordered the electric pot when I returned to my homebase. I have used the combination on a few trips now and am very pleased with this combination and clean up is easier with the pot. You have to be careful with the Toyota Nav... it is not always up to date and in my 2017 Sienna it has tried to get me to drive down some dirt roads... I carry Delorean or Benchmark atlas for the State's I am exploring anyway and I have the anniversary Rand McNaily USA atlas as well... I guess I am a little old school... At least Toyota Navigation lets you know that they take no responsibility if you follow their navigation 😂. Thank you again for taking us along on your adventure. Blessings.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Sounds like a nice cooking / drinking set up! I do have a new atlas on board, but I carry it more as backup-backup-backup -- if I get lost.

[@claridee0765]

How do you get a spot in the KOA without a RV or van? It didn’t look like a tent site, but maybe it was I’m curious because I have a Subaru outback.

[@ShoestringMartha]

If I remember, I booked it as a “pickup camper” - closest thing I could find on their equipment list. 🤔

[@ChristineD8093]

Packaged food as opposed to canned, makes sense. Gunny is funny, ❤️ that doggie! Not a fan of KOAs but for shower and other conveniences it is a possibility, better price than a hotel for sure. You are much more organized than me, I like to fly by the seat of my pants, I just try and get to a camp before sunset. No LaCroix in either state, Tex or NM? Gotta have my guava fizzy wadda at the ready, aka road sodeez. I will definitely stock up for my next road trip. How is the weather in Phoenix lately? Superstition Mountains, do you like it there? Any must see areas?

[@ShoestringMartha]

Maybe in the urban areas, but not along the roads I was traveling! I had stocked up in KY, but run out by the time I hit Texas. 😭 The weather here is perfect now! Sunny and warm during the day, chilly at night. 😎 I had only hiked around the Supes, but never stayed. Closest I've stayed has been McDowell Mountain Regional Park - which was nice. A drive on Apache Trail is always worthwhile, and now that they re-opened the damaged stretch, you can make the loop with a capable vehicle.

[@JennBX1]

👍👍👍😎

[@Prius.Adventures]

Oh not a KOA. You are out by my way then. Alamogordo is just over the hill and across the desert. I also go with dogs but I have 2 small ones and we have very similar hairdos going on. hahahahaha One good thing on the base in Alamogordo is Chicken Adobo. Oh the big pistachio. hahahaha

[@ShoestringMartha]

Bummer I missed out on the chicken adobo!

[@Prius.Adventures]

@@ShoestringMartha I will sometimes go over the hill just to grab some adobo. PS I used to live in Tempe.

[@carolinehannah3283]

What was the name of the campground in New Mexico? Thanks for sharing!!

[@ShoestringMartha]

Totally forgot to caption it 😬 Alamogordo / White Sands KOA Journey

[@carolinehannah3283]

@ oh okay thank you!!

[@jogoose1]

Google maps download when offline

[@loriking3319]

What id the boiler name thats electric. Neat

[@ShoestringMartha]

It is this! amzn.to/4g5RRo6

[@loriking3319]

@@ShoestringMartha thank you have a fun time

[@christieflesch3750]

Because I do Uber all day I understand you don’t wanna listen to her but I didn’t realize that the day on my car that I can mute it do you have a mute button so you could least look at your map when you needed it but it be on mute❤❤

[@ShoestringMartha]

Thanks for the tip! Sadly my near vision is so bad, I have to keep the audio on. The audio isn't too bad on long drives. It's the constant verbal instructions in urban areas that drive me batty. 😂

[@christieflesch3750]

Yeah, that’s the stuff that annoys me and like my Uber app she gets on a rant sometimes and I’m like shut up. If people could hear me in my car, they think I’m nuts.

[@ShoestringMartha]

🤣

[@SusanTiffany-j9m]

🚐🚐🚐