I now call it the Lower 48.
Coming back feels… strange.
After a summer in Alaska that felt so big, so alive… everything down here feels a little smaller. Not worse… just not Alaska . I carry a mix of gratitude and restlessness… part of me is still up north, somewhere under those endless summer skies.
But waiting for me is Odie… my little minivan camper and my way forward. Even if I don’t have all the answers, I’ve still got the road.
So I started driving.
First stop… Rapid City, South Dakota. I spent some time with my stepdaughter and her husband, Nate… hiking, catching up, and enjoying something simple and familiar after a season of constant motion.
I always love making my way out to Rapid City and exploring with Susan. She has a real knack for showing me the hidden gems scattered throughout the Black Hills, the kind of places you would never stumble on your own. It turns every visit into a bit of an adventure, where there’s always something new just around the bend.
Susan and Nate have also built something special of their own…a super cool hookah lounge that perfectly matches their vibe. It’s one of those spots where time seems to slow down a little. Whether you’re just passing through or settling in for the evening, it’s an easy place to relax and unwind.
If you ever find yourself in downtown Rapid City, be sure to stop by Sierra Night’s Hookah Lounge and treat yourself…you won’t regret it.
Then I turned south, with Ajo, Arizona on my mind. Warm winters, desert air, and a loose community of nomads… it already feels like the right direction.
Along the way, I stopped in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico… camped one night along the Rio Grande. Nothing fancy… just a quiet reset.
The living quarters.. Snug as a bug!
Next was Las Cruces, which caught me off guard in the best way. And just outside it… Mesilla. A small historic district full of old adobe charm and layered stories.
Including one tied to Billy the Kid… who was once held in the local jail.
It’s places like that… a little worn, a little unexpected… that remind me why I keep moving.
And I’m just getting started.
And just like that… I’ve arrived.
Me and Odie rolled into Tucson… a quick stop to grab supplies before the final push west. Ajo is close now… just about an hour down the road… close enough to feel it.
Whenever I pass through Tucson, I’ve got a spot.
A BLM dispersed camping area I’ve come to call affectionately… “the trash pit.” You’ve gotta say it with a little emphasis at the end… trash piiit. Makes me laugh every time. It’s nothing special… rough around the edges, a little trashy … but it’s familiar. And sometimes that’s all you really need.
So here I am… staged and ready.
Supplies topped off… road ahead calling… and Ajo waiting just over the horizon.
journeyvision 