I tent camped there. I saw the most stars I had ever seen. It was a moonless and cloudless night. So beautiful. And I couldn't take my eyes off Fajada Butte. My favorite place so far.

20 years ago I thought the ultimate camping Dream was to travel around in some decked out 5th Wheel. Now I realize it’s just the opposite for me. Stress of towing, reservations and high cramped camping prices does not sound like fun. The RV industry is booming so add that into trying to find a quiet price worthy spot. The dream now is finding the best get away for the least money and let Mother Earth supply the rest. Love those off the grid places. Keep them coming.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

I think a lot of people are coming to the same realization. The ease and simplicity of just hopping in your car and driving somewhere can't be beat. Thanks for watching!

Agree wholeheartedly with your thoughts on camping near other people.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

It's not ideal, but I guess it's better than staying home and watching TV...

@markgibsons_SWpottery

Жыл бұрын

I don't like camping next to people who turn their radio up and read passively as if they were at home. If you are going to do the same thing as you do at home then stay home! LOL! Life is for the living!

I am still in shock that you actually paid for a campsite. And then when you said you didn't want to be there so you went for a hike, that was priceless! I love the Woodpecker rock formation. That was incredible. I would love to see that for myself. Thank you for keep inspiring us to travel.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

The memory of paying for that campsite still stings!

Hello friend, you come across (real). Not phony!, personally I admire that fact, I understand perimeters being set Tristan, ropes, signs, etc... Probably in times past there people have vandalized the area or the pictographs are or remains of the buildings, that's usually the reason for limitations like these mentioned. It only takes a few to ruin it for the majority! Vandalizing could it include markings on the pictograph or string garbage from here to Christmas or taking Stones down from the walls as souvenirs or just destroying them out right who knows?? Great film again sir, and presentation!!😃😎👍👍God bless you and yours!

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

I think they if you can't even see the rock art from the rope barrier, they shouldn't even advertise it. Just take down the little signs, remove the rope, and remove any mention of there being rock art there. Security through obscurity, as they say. The people who are really motivated will still be able to do the research to find it, and they'll be able to actually see the darned things! But it doesn't matter much either way. There's plenty of other rock art and ruins out there to see ☺️ Thanks Dave!

@davedeatherage4902

5 жыл бұрын

@@SUVRVing a suggestion friend to help you view that at 17:38 to 17:58, where you were viewing, grab a pair of miniature binoculars and you should be able to view what you showed in film, again there were reasons why the restrictions there but they should state you can't get only so many feet or meters to pictographs, so people won't get dissapointed, I always look for solutions,not focusing on the problem. I mean well for you Friend, 😊I pray for you and you're wife in my prayers, you're safety on you're journey's etc.. 👍😎

I like to hike National and small State parks. I always pay for a campsite. It helps the park cover costs. I always hike with trash bags and collect trash. You would not believe how many folks just toss water bottles into the brush. It pisses me off! Water bottles should be taxed like beer and soda, but I digress. Hike in, but take trash out, even if it's not yours. I also clean campgrounds when I'm there. I'm 59 and have been doing this since I was like 10.

"Well, this is it. This is what I paid $15 a night for." LOLOL Your delivery of that line, so flat and yet laced with subtle derision, just made me laugh and laugh. To be clear, I agree compleeeetely, that's awful for $15 a night. We do appreciate the sacrifices you make to entertain us. 8^) Also wanted to say, I really enjoy the bits where you share with us the info & history about whatever site you're visiting, show us the inscriptions (or whatever it happens to be). Chances are, I will never manage to visit all of the places you visit, and it's so fantastic to visit them virtually in this way...much much better than never seeing it at all or even knowing it exists. Thank you!

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Lol thanks! Yes, as you heard, I loathe established campgrounds. I'm still mad that I paid for this one. But I'm glad you enjoy the bits of info and history that I can share. I don't know much about a lot of things, but I sure can read a sign and repeat it back in my own words! Thanks as always for watching. I really appreciate it.

It was so cool to see the beautiful inscriptions. I make my living doing hand carved lettering in stone. In the style of 18th and 19th century letter carving. I’ve also always loved petroglyphs. Two of my great loves on one wall! Thanks for the videos Tristan.

I have been here many times, the first time was 35 years ago my "woman" cub scout leader took us there to help remove all of the carvings that were not old, and all of the peoples names that were from 1960s on. It was easy to tell which marks were new and which ones were old, because none of the old ones were the "F" word, and none of the old pictures were of genitals.... haha! I am the reason you don't see cuss words, and weeners on El Morro!!!

Thank you for the metric conversions. Often US people talk in feet and Fahrenheit all the time, but I think in metres and celsius as does most of the world.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

The large majority of my video views (77%) come from the US, but that still leaves nearly one in four people who watch my videos who wouldn't understand feet and Fahrenheit. So I do try to make the conversions when possible, though I forget to do it all the time in every video. Thanks for watching.

I visited Acoma pueblo 50 yrs ago and only 2 young kids came out. 15 yrs old. We asked if it was ok to look around. They said sure they would take us. But wanted us to look at grandmother's pottery. My wife bought a big bowl.. Having no idea how valuable it would be today. We were in our 20s then. We went into the mission church. 1600s style Adobe. As young as we were it was still mighty impressive.

@SUVRVing

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing, Ted

I really enjoy how you take us on your tour of things. You have an intelligent approach. I subscribed.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kathleen!

Excellent! I hope the next day of Chaco Canyon is more exciting. I wasn’t too far from there just last week as I was traveling back toward Dallas from Ouray, CO and then to the Rio Grande Gorge near Questa, NM for a few days ($7 a nite). I was thinking that you must really like the solitude. Although I camp with 3 dogs (dogs are people, btw), after a week or so I get a little crazy feeling...

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Yes, I love the solitude. I don't get lonely or feel crazy. And yes, the next day was great. Stay tuned for that video on Saturday. Lol my wife would absolutely agree with you that dogs are people, so I've learned to just agree! Thanks for watching.

Those ruins on El Moro - and then think about the Hopi mesas, and Acoma, where people are still happily living.

I completely agree with you on your assessment of the fact that with a groomed trail and ropes around the structures, something very important is lost. I suppose you and I were just born a century too late. Love your videos because so many of them are from places that my wife and I have visited before and hopefully will return to someday. I hope you continue to make great videos.

@SUVRVing

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks David! Yep, I plan on continuing to make videos 😁

I was at Chaco September 2019. While there it rained. Making the clay roads leading out almost impassable. Driving even at 2 mph, my SUV would slide completely sideways. Walking on the road was almost impossible. A Navaho man told me to drop two wheels into the ditch and drive. That got me to the highway. What an adventure!

Always enjoy your trips......thanks for shari g again....stay safe

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Betty, I will!

I thought both places had interesting things to see. I've not mentioned it before, but I really like the history that you include in the videos. Thanks for sharing another great day. See you in the next one. Davin

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Davin. I do try to include the history bits when I think it's interesting. I enjoy that too. Thanks for watching.

Another great video. Made me eager to return to NM. The terrain there is so different from where I live in BC, Canada.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Yep, I imagine the terrain is quite different from what you're used to! New Mexico is a great place. Thanks for watching, Sue!

Very cool. Hopefully I'll check this places out soon. I'd like to do camping but at my age I like comfort, so motels for me. Awesome video, thanks for sharing.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Camping certainly isn't for everyone, but I do think you'd enjoy these places. It's a great area. Thanks for watching.

Just got your book and the tape key chain my husband loves the key chain your book has so much helpful information

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Wonderful! Thanks for ordering, and let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for watching and commenting, Cheryl!

Thanks for sharing. Interesting., Safe travels. Hope your recovery is going well.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kris!

$15 at Gallo campground in Chaco Canyon is a great deal, considering the cost of access for your car, disposing of your feces, and drilling the water you needed. All tourists impose hidden costs on whatever community and ecosystems they visit, unless they are very careful and very generous.

I understand that the "sanitizing" of the site can detract from the experience, but I'm so glad you filmed this video. The Chacoan Great House is a sight to behold - the masonry is truly astounding! I had no idea this existed and am going to research Native American settlements. Thank you!

I was just at Wijiji on Saturday evening. It was the last thing I saw after being there for 5 and a half days. I have to admit that I stepped over the rope barrier to get a little closer to the pictographs. Even so, I didn’t see as much detail as you did....maybe it’ll show up in my pictures now that I know what to look for! Anyway, I thought about you as I climbed the “trail” to the Pueblo Alto and Pueblo Bonito overlook, etc....I was thinking that it looked somewhat flatter on video than in person 😃. I really enjoyed it.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

I'm glad you got to go there! It's a great place. I'd love to go back and explore more. Thanks for watching!

I like learning the history as well as visuals

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks HW, I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

And point very interesting on the petroglyphs information… Which are very beautiful surprisingly, I love that one that was so beautifully enscripted. I love the history! The ruins are just gorgeous, I can’t believe the great houses, hundreds of rooms? That is really cool! I cannot wait to check that out! I agree that something is taken away with all the restricting ropes, etc. But I of course understand that it’s for preservation. But that’s weird to about the preservation that they tried to do with the graphite pencil… So weird to think they would do that! Great video!Happy trails💜

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

I agree, the graphite pencil is just one of those "what were they thinking??" things. It makes me wonder what "conservation" are we doing today they future generations will look back on and shake their head about. Thanks for watching!

@Wanna.Wander

5 жыл бұрын

SUV RVing IKR!?!

Lol @ " ugh! Camping next to other people" then "rip off." Hahaha I was cracking up!

I’m with you... We aim to be as far from others while camping as possible!

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

It's the best way to camp! Thanks Nora.

Craftsmanship of those walls was amazing 👍

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Right? Really an incredible place. Thanks for watching.

Loved this video!

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching.

OMG, oh no! That's high for NM. But then again, I'm gathering they are charging so that money goes into upkeep and so on. I suppose. I got the idea of lots of rules there, but I know people can be really destructive too. Sad to say. My favorite part is that you paid for a site. :D The brick wall was rather amazing, but pretty sure I am going to Inscription Rock. I think I mentioned it to you on a different video, thought you would enjoy it. I have not been, just had a friend tell me about it in great detail, you did a good job of showing it as you usually do.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Inscription Rock is neat. Definitely a place worth visiting. I think you'd enjoy it. Thanks for watching!

You paid for a campsite!! Are you ok, I mean not ill or anything ;-) The buildings are amazing and not at all what I would have expected. The woodpecker rock should be vulture rock I think. Nice video again. Would have loved to have seen your reaction had a group of people pitched up at the camp table with a BBQ!!

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Luckily the campground was relatively quiet. If a big group of people had pulled up next to me, I think I would have seriously considered just getting up and leaving! And I agree, I think that vulture rock is a better name. Thanks for watching!

Interesting video. I visited, hike & camp at el morro for 14 days free. Met the native maint employees who told me about area being navajo checker board land. I never maded it 2 chaco canyon. I was a flea marketeer n windowrock 4a day. LOL

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Sounds like you had a great time there! I've never been to Window Rock, but I'd like to go there. Thanks for watching, Vel!

Really enjoyed this video....loved the ruins. Anything to do with Native Americans, I love. You always find the most interesting places to visit. Thanks!

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Carol! I appreciate you watching and commenting, as always.

watching it after almost 2 years over and done with, let me ask you to pay a visit to NM in the near future I think its about time you returned there. Soooo wild place. Just riddled with native art and culture. Old. Quiet.

My favorite part was that you payed for a campsite! Lol.....But seriously, I loved both places you visited.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Lol that was the worst part of the entire trip 🤣

Be careful about the paying for camping, you realize you have a reputation that we respect and love _ lol Hoping your healing well and in good spirits tell Cassie, Hi and we hope to see more her on your future adventures. P.S. I've visited Cassie's website and curious about her views on Guam, my wife and I spent several years there as well.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Yep, I'm healing well. Thanks! Cassie loved Guam. She spent a few months there with her parents and loved the people and the water. And yes, she'll definitely be in videos in the future. Thanks James!

Hey Tristan! The Puebloans and Chocoans (sp?) must have been phenomenal at water preservation. To have 800 rooms would mean to me that they would have at least that many people. That is a tremendous amount of water...anyway don't know why I am even mentioning it but I am so there ya go. Ha great video! thanks.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

That's something I hadn't thought of, but you're right. Water would have been a huge issue, for sure. And here I am with my indoor plumbing and complaining about how I have to walk into the next room to get a drink... Life is hard.

I think you missed a lot that is special about this place. Maybe you found out more on later visits. For one thing, several years ago they had a very interesting movie/video they played in the visitor center. I found it very interesting. My understanding is that they did not find evidence of people actually living here, but think it was a place of ceremony and contact, and trading perhaps, with people coming from long distances for these gatherings.

so interesting...Love your videos..

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Great, I'm glad you like them! Thanks for watching ☺️

I only found this video after having first viewed your primary Chaco video. Wijiji is definitely the least interesting trail and great house. I'm glad you didn't chuck it after that and take off. Apparently the road in had been recently graded or you would have probably featured the jarring access to the site. Given your origin point, I expect you came in from the south, past Crownpoint, which I have only driven once and found it to be a fairly reasonable access route, though less traveled. The more normal entrance is from the east, through Cuba. The road from the east is usually quite a washboard and "memorable".

El Morrow is a special place, particularly the pool. I loved it there. El Malpais is right next door. Did you visit? I ask, because the largest natural arc in New Mexico, Ventana Arc, is located there. I hiked right up to it and it is huge. Very impressive. I was so impressed by Chaco Culture. I hike to the top of the cliffs where I saw the entire complex: it is massive. Unbelievable folks built that place so long ago. I took a tour led by a ranger whose name is G.B. Cornucopia. He’s been there 30+ years and is so knowledgeable of the entire history of the place. It snowed the night before I left and barely made it out. The last 3 miles in are awful, deeply rutted. One does not want to be on that section if it has rained. Many cars have been stuck there.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Yes, my previous video before this one is all about El Malpais. I did visit the arch. It was great! (And I believe it's actually the second largest arch in New Mexico; Snake Bridge is the largest, though it's on Native American land and not accessible to the public). Chaco Canyon is a great place. I really enjoyed it too. Thanks for watching!

@cioccbike

5 жыл бұрын

SUV RVing Oooops! I missed that video. I should know better, you’ve seen just about everything!😊

I see that you had woken up really cold, and I know it was filmed in the Spring, but did it warm up much during the day? And how quickly? I have heard the desert is really cold at night.

As suspected, and verified by a web search, Chaco pueblos were abandoned due to extended drought. I wish I could envision life of those incredibly industrious people during the height of their success. Thanks for this interesting visit.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Yep, that seems to be the general consensus by people who know a lot more about it than I do. And I agree, it would be amazing to see what the area was like at its height. Thanks Glen!

Favorite part is when you said "rip off" hahaha. Carry on.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Lol will do! Thanks Donna.

I'm sure its been mentioned, but I'd look into using OnX maps on your phone. Its a subscription based service, but the ability for your to know exactly where you're at and where you can camp would be invaluable to your camps.

@SUVRVing

4 жыл бұрын

I use Gaia, and it's similar to onX. Thanks!

I see your point on the sanitization

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

It's still interesting, but it's not exactly the type of place I usually seek out. But as I said, still better than sitting in that campground! Thanks Jen.

Thanks for doing all these videos, and I have read your book as well. I wish I can do trip like yours someday. =) I just have a question about sleeping in the wild all by yourself, have you worry about wild animals (bears, mountain lions etc) in the night fall?

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

No, I don't worry about wild animals. As far as I can tell, there has never been an incident of a bear or mountain lion opening up a car and killing someone. So I just don't worry about it ☺️

@websterbarstone

5 жыл бұрын

In order for the bears to manipulate these car door handles, the doors have to have been left unlocked, right? So still no incident of a bear opening up a locked car and killing someone? I mostly travel the southwest, where there are bears in some areas, but I've never seen one in the wild. I want to visit areas much further north where they're far more likely to be encountered. I'll be first to admit they scare the hell out of me. A ranger at Yosemite, I've read, was well known for his advice on bears: the best way to approach a bear, he said, was don't.

@davedeatherage4902

5 жыл бұрын

@@websterbarstone up here, if a bear wants in you're vehicle, he won't use manners and manipulate a unlocked door always, if door doesn't work, bear will just break out the window, as far as people killed, or injured in an attack in a vehicle, I Don't know how many over time, or where? But am sure it has happened, one case is too much.

Looked in your gear store for the storage bags you have on your passenger seat. I didn't see the red one. Do you have a video of your set up (particularly interested in that use of space on the passenger side) Thanks!

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

The red bag is just a backpack that I've hung from the headrest. I didn't make it. And nope, I haven't really done a video about my passenger seat setup, but I will in the future. Thanks for the idea 🙂

I'm glad you liked El Morro. I was going to recommend it when I saw you were at El Malpais, but 1) I know how you like solitude and I was afraid it might be a little too well visited, and 2) I knew you'd find it in your research and make up your own mind about going. Glad you did both trails. Chaco is on my radar. I've heard there's two roads in and out,, and one of them is quite a bit worse than the other. So you don't go to national parks often enough to buy the $80 pass (that gets you 50% off camping)? I have the lifetime Senior pass.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

I took the bad road in, but it really wasn't bad at all. I think any car could make it and do just fine as long as it's not wet. I do have the regular national parks pass, but it doesn't give 50% off at campgrounds and, as far as I know, never has (at least. Not in the 10 years I've been getting the pass). Only the Senior and Access versions of that pass do. And I'm fine with visiting well visited places as long as I go in with the expectation that there will be a lot of people there. And I was at El Morro early enough that I was basically the only one there. Thanks for watching and commenting!

@websterbarstone

5 жыл бұрын

Oh, you're right about the regular parks pass, of course. I'd forgotten. When I visited Gila Cliff Dwellings last April, I'm sure I recall the ranger telling my group that the cliff dwellings there were 80% unreconstructed, which she said was the highest percentage of unreconstructed ruins open to visitation in the national park system. (Memory is, of course, fallible, but it was definitely words to that effect.) It's amazing to reflect on the fact that the stagnant pool of water at El Morro was profoundly important to so many for so many centuries. If those cliffs surrounding that immediate area could only talk. One might imagine that some of those who approached needing water were on less than friendly terms with others they encountered. The place sure made me appreciative of running water.

$15? Outrageous! Beautiful masonary

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

It's highway robbery! By the way, I don't think I ever said thank you for the $20 and the sticker you sent! I really appreciate it, and it will be put to good use, I promise.

It looks more like a sand box than a tent pad lol.

Did you go to that nearby place, south of Farmington, where there are rocks that look like birds or airplanes?

Cool place

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Yep, it's a really interesting area. Thanks for watching.

I'm curious if pretty much any library will allow you to charge a device or use their wifi? Would it be worth having a tablet for travelling? Something with a larger screen to view google earth blm campsites on etc? I suppose it would have to be linked to a cell phone which would use the phones data? Cheers.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Hi Dan. Yes, any library will let you charge your devices and use their wifi. I don't think a tablet would be any more helpful than a phone for that kind of thing, but I think that's more of a personal preference than anything else.

Cool!

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Karen!

Please show how you sleep in your van. My van is of same size and i plan to do some overnight campings but i have no idea how best to sleep in it.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

I have several videos about that. Search on KZread for "how to sleep in an SUV", and you'll find a couple of my videos there.

@cocogomez2278

5 жыл бұрын

I have a mustang coupe that I sleep in by folding down the rear seats, lining the backseat with sleeping bags, putting my pillows in-between the two front seats and feet in the trunk. There's so much room to move around. And even room for the dog!

Love the views its looks like it was worth it lol

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Yep, it was worth it. Sadly. Lol thanks for watching!

Funny video title. My family took the same approach when I was young, blm and usfs all the way!

How do you not pay for campsites? I assume this means you legally find somewhere to camp for free. Where do you usually camp?

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

I usually camp (yes, legally) on public lands like national forest or BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land. Dispersed camping (staying outside of campgrounds) is legal and free.

FYI, the only time you are allowed to pay for camping is if girl friend is with you. The "Boon-docking Police" will be after you now that you have shamed them. Hahaha.

Glad to see that I'm not the only one who thinks the National Parks/Monuments/Forests/Recreation Areas paid campsites are a rip off. At most, they should be no more than $5 to maybe $10 a night during peak season...unfortunately $15 for just a primitive campsite is actually on the low end of paid campsites on public lands. My favorite National Parks are Death Valley, Capitol Reef, and Badlands in part because they have free campsites in the parks with such beautiful views.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Yep, we're on the same page there, for sure. $10 a night max. But even then, they're just too crowded. The campsites are too close together. Yuck. Not a fan. Thanks for watching!

@adventuresolo4815

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing your adventures! I enjoy watching your channel when i'm not on the road because it seems we like to explore the same areas so your channel is a good source of information, I love hiking to and searching for rock art/petroglyphs as well as ruins in the southwest. Who knows, we might cross paths some day. I'm not much of a KZreadr though, I typically prefer to document my travel adventures with still pictures taken with either my phone or DSLR.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Nothing wrong with that! See you out there ☺️

He's ed abbey reincarnated completing his mission on earth

good. where is this park?

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Northwestern New Mexico

I don't mind someone next to me camping as long as they don't smoke cigarette's, vape, or use poor choice of words (the f-word)

爽歪歪🉐👍👍👍

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

👍😁

i really think those ""ruins""" have been restored..LOL

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Yep!

The barriers to the rock art and ruins were a bit disappointing and your paid site doesn't hold a candle to all your treasured blm's, but I did have a chuckle that you actually paid for a site that would've given you about 15 Del Tacos. LOL. Thanks for sharing Tristan. As always, great content.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Lol I should start converting all monetary amounts into Del Taco tacos. Thanks for watching, Deanna!

First time I've seen your channel. You're fun. Wouldn't you prefer being with a partner or dog?

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Nope.

The title shooked me.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Lol you and me both!

Inscriptions or ancient vandalism? 😆😂

I cant stand the fact that the natives were slaughtered and there land coveted it makes me so sick.

@SUVRVing

5 жыл бұрын

Yes, it is probably the darkest part of our history and really is tragic. Thanks for watching.

All the petroglyphs you visit seem to be poorly taken care of. Not surprising in racist America but it's a shame.