Colorado Off Grid Camping Setup & Fishing

[music] >> Danglers, welcome to the Colorado Rockies. Be in the family [music] or out here for probably 4 or 5 days and I'm going to be [music] doing some some fishing, trying to catch some trout on a river that I've never fished before here. We're fairly close to where we like to camp. A little different mountain area, but historically, this has been a good area to fish. We just found a prime spot on this little creek back here. We've got the Opus rig. We've got the overlanding truck topper rig. We've got tackle. We got food for days. We got s'more materials. It's going to be dang good time. I've never been up here in the summer and it is packed with campers. We got lucky coming in this area right here cuz I thought this would be packed with people. This is a popular fishing area. Saw some people fishing the river, but it looks like there's no one camping in this particular spot. So, pulled in here, got a spot, looking good. So, we're going to brace everything down, get it all set up. And over the course of the next few days, um I'll unhook from the truck. We're going to be going on some hikes, getting in some good fishy areas, but I wanted to give you guys a tour of the of the setup, the dual setup that we got rocking here. So, let's get camp set up. Let's start it with the stabilizing braces on the Opus. Gotten smarter over the years, of course. Added things to help. Impact wrench is definitely helpful. It's a little better than that. This thing goes out, we're screwed. Roads are terrible up here. Wash board roads, dirt, lot of sharp rocks, too. So, chances are high that you might be changing a tire. That's why I also like to carry the impact wrench and a tire saving kit, like a tire repair kit, while I'm up here. Cuz if it ain't you that's having a problem, you're probably going to have to help somebody else. I'll have to give you guys a tour of the spot here in a second, but having a stream right behind us where you can hear it. Oh, woof. That does something right here. Does something for the soul, baby. So, we got some beautiful Mountain Dews. Woof. Mountain Dew, Mountain Dews. That tells you what's on my mind my mind. Mountain views and we got hiking trails. I'm excited cuz this is a perfect blend >> Look at this. Stuff to find. >> Kids can go play in the creek, sand, rocks, explore, treasure hunting, all that kind of stuff. And then dad can hike around. And we got some radios where I can keep in touch with them. So, it's looking excellent right now. >> And >> I can keep in touch with one of my buddies who is down the road. I just let him know about this camping spot. They might be joining us. I got Starlink rigged up. I had that at the other camp spot we were just at with our friends. And I was like, "Screw it. I'll just let it ride on the road with that little brace. It's good to go. Had service all the way through here so I could see exactly where I needed to go on the map. Looking at satellite imagery. I got the awning, the kitchen facing north. This isn't quite as high as I normally like to go. Around, you know, 9,000, 10,000 ft. This is around 8-ish, maybe a little less. So, it's going to be hotter. That's what we got the creek for so we can cool down. What kind of snake? >> I don't know. >> Water snake? What is she seeing? A snake? Huh? >> It's real skinny. >> Okay, well, you're fine. I think we're a enough altitude where they're not poisonous, right? Let us know in the comments. I'm at least going to tell my wife that so she feels better. Don't see many snakes up here. >> [music] [music] >> King-size bed and we got two bunks for the kids. Works out great for family of four. No water hookups, no electric hookups. We are pure off-grid. So, we have three Pro Guide lithium batteries. We got a Victron solar controller with three 100 W solar panels on the roof bringing in 66 W right now with solar with the capacity of 300, which never get unless it's like dead noon sitting over. >> [music] >> And then on our Blue Eddie, I've got another 200 amp hours. Been running Starlink and doing some work on the laptop, recharging batteries. I keep a lot of that stuff on the Blue Eddie and I have a separate >> [music] >> um solar panel to charge with that. This is crazy. Like you can just look at all this stuff on your phone, Bluetooth, hooked up to the internet right now. Our water capacity with all these toilet flushers, long shower takers, basically filled up the gray tank in 48 hours with full-blown everybody taking showers and poops. We got to We got to cut down on that a little bit. I love this spot. I'm so pumped. Get that turtle box cranking. We're going to do some What are we doing tonight, huh? We doing chicken chili? Two 30-gallon tanks of propane. Wabam. And then I've got an extra um 5 gallons right here of drinking water. We have been going through it. I didn't even film the first [music] day cuz Emmy was so sick. We got up here, she got altitude sickness and she threw up all day. We were worried that we might have to just go back to civilization, get her some some medical attention, but fed her favorite food, which is hamburgers, and she recovered nicely and is off to being a the explorer exploratory gal that she normally is, finding everything and enjoying nature. So, another thing that I got on this trip, guys, that has been absolutely crucial and I will never own another truck without this again is I got an air ride system put in. So, there's a Schrader valve at the back. It runs to two uh air springs, air bags, if you will, on the back and I can level out the truck depending on the load. So, my problem that I was having to begin with was putting this truck camper on here and all the stuff I have. It's already like 500 lb. Then you add this hefty trailer and then you're really sagging and uh it's just less efficient. Um you're you're going to bottom out on a lot of stuff. So, I've been playing around with the controls, but having about 20-30 PSI in there just levels it out really really easily and the truck rides at its, you know, stock stance, basically. So, that's been a great addition to this and I also got a portable air pump. The lessons you learn over the years, and the technology has evolved a little bit. Uh Um got this off Amazon. It's overheated on me once, but um I aired down all the tires. Uh and of course I can control um the air ride system with this as well. So, I'm running about half of what my, you know, max cold PSI would be in these tires. And that way when you're going over these sharp rocks and everything, um you're less likely to get a blowout, and it is dang near I it will rattle your teeth out on these washboard roads. Um there there's a fine balance. So, I got everything dialed with the ride where we were going, you know, 40 mph on some of these roads, and it was just felt smooth. So, we've had some upgrades for this year's camping experience. Oh, wow, you found that? >> Yeah. >> No way, you broke that open? >> No, I just found it on the ground. >> Found it on the ground? >> Yeah. >> I bet you if you find some other rocks like that and you break them open, you're going to find some things like that. That's really cool. >> That's what I'm doing, too. How can it go like that, too? How can it camp on the tractor like that, too? >> How can it do that? This is This is like a transformer. >> No. >> In the kitchen with OSG. >> That's the sound that it's ready. >> Wait, wait, wait, you you going to you going to raw dog it? No butter? >> Put that butter in it, babe. >> All right. >> No. Oh, no, no. >> White chicken chili going in. White chicken chili >> on the on the skillet. >> Steph has been prepping, cooking for the last couple weeks um so that we can enjoy these kinds of meals back sealed, ready to go. So, she made this chili back at the the kitchen at home. Now, we're in the outdoor kitchen. >> I think it's so cute though. >> yeah. Normally, I take over a lot of the outdoor cooking responsibilities, but >> I really enjoy that. >> for this Yeah, for this tonight, I was like, "You're cooking." >> You normally do the cooking and you do the dishes and it's like >> I don't know what >> Who is this? >> I I think it's just I don't know. The elements. Maybe it's use to Maybe it's cuz I'm used to doing it by myself when I'm in the woods by myself. >> I think the one OCD trait that you ever have is like when we're in the woods and you're like, "Nope, got to keep it clean." Cuz you're not like that at home. >> I don't know. I don't know. This is camping right here, guys. Off-grid. Whole reason I got this dagum thing that has been a money pit. >> We've enjoyed the money pit. >> She's in She's living her best life. That That girl right there is why this thing has not been sold. Cuz she tells me She just brings it up. She brings up memories. Camping in the mountains. Kids love digging in the dirt, going down to the water, just sniffing the fresh pine air, just being out here. Daddy has not been able to sell it, but this This is um shop upgrades. Once I sell. White chicken chili. Cornbread. Cornbread. We picked up some uh some dagum peach butter. Put some peach butter on that cornbread over there in in Bowie Bowie, Texas. So, this is our uh our refrigerator. There's some bottles in here for some reason. I don't know what's going on with that. There's our butter. There it is. So, one side I've got a refrigerator, the other side is a freezer. This is where all of our vacuum meals have gone. They're going to fill up the black tank in 24 hours, I'm sure. >> [laughter] >> I'll be I'll be peeing and pooping in the woods. Unbelievable this crew on the water usage. But, uh you know, we're going to tighten up ship. >> Hey, you know what? You got I'm getting older. >> Getting older? [laughter] >> I'm going to need a little bit more a little more bouginess. >> [laughter] >> Really the first time we went >> I think we need to backtrack. Cuz [laughter] I started you out in a in a tiny tent, like a micro tent, and it was actually kind of rough conditions. >> rough. It was fine cuz it was just you and I. It wasn't with the kids. >> And then, yeah, we had kids and and you were like, "We need toilets and showers." So, that's why we have this thing. One day though, I think me and you are going to roll in this rig right here. Cuz this would be awesome. If I had a a fishing rod an external fly fishing rod mount on the outside, that thing would be the perfect rig for up here for bouncing around fishing. Now, we feast. White chicken chili with >> [clears throat] >> a staple at my house right here. This And I've got that peach butter in the center with some cornbread. What are you doing? You carrying our son like a >> I'm carrying >> He's crippled. >> I hope it doesn't spill. I think that's why my back hurt this morning. >> You kids got it too good. Mama just bringing you down here for the mountain view, making your food. They stole our chairs. They stole our Ah, man. Feel that, The hot flame of desire. >> Woo! More like, can you smell that? >> It's not it, though. It's It's not the smell. It's not what you want. >> But, you know what? It's better than nothing. >> It's better than nothing, but this is We're under burn bands up here. So, last minute we got a little propane rock burner. And it's It's sad. But, better than nothing. >> Can you roast a marshmallow over a propane fire? >> about to say, Ed. Technically, yes, but you're not getting those hot coals like get the the roast, and you might get a little propane flavor. You know how like propane just straight propane on a burger, you taste it a little bit. It's kind of like that. Maybe more intense with a marshmallow, but I mean, yeah, you could put a grate on top of that. Cook something if you really wanted to. I can hear it sucking out of there. So, I got these two 30-lb tanks. I'm going to dedicate one to keeping the campfire around. And I think I'm going to get tackle ready in the morning. I'm going to do some stomping. It's going to be another video. >> I want to go with you with Dad. He said, "Oh, you don't have waders yet." >> Yeah, you're ready. I just now, as a full adult 40-year-old man, got a set of like nice waders. I went to Simms, got a set. >> Well, I'm not saying you give up. >> My crotch has been wetter I've been I've had so many wet waders. I finally just broke down and did it. The last time I got cold, I went home that day, and I was like, "I don't care what this shopping cart is, but it's happening." You got a sticker. >> I got a sticker to add to our collection. We've actually lost a few stickers on our journey. >> We lost the one that said, "I like to poop in the woods." >> Yeah, that's okay. >> about that. >> [laughter] >> I think we're okay with that. Uh but, I got us a Pagosa Springs, you know, >> Join in the club. >> Yeah, you join in the club. You know, we're close enough that when we were at a shop, I was like, "You know what? Yeah." >> Make it official. >> make it make it official. >> Should we put it right there? This thing might have a for sale sign on it. Sign on it. >> I know, but you know what? And you know, our Big Bend, that was when I was pregnant with Ben. Here, I'll put it right above. There we go. >> Colorado proud. >> Yep. >> It's all Texans here anyway. You come to Southern Colorado in the summer, 75% Texans. Howdy. How you doing? Yep. It's all it is. >> [music] [music] >> Good morning, campers. First night in our spot we got set up here. This is why you come up here, y'all. This is why you try to find that little that spot that's just off the path a little bit. Had some rain last night. Sound of the rain, little bit of distant thunder, put me right to sleep. Sound of the babbling brook as well. Wake up. We just had this this mist in the pines. Now, we're going to head over to the outdoor kitchen and make some eggs and bacon. Get some coffee. Waking up right here in the mountains. >> So that one's done. >> Mhm. The bacon rack. >> Mhm. Very good. >> Fresh homemade bagels and cream cheese. It's breakfast time in the woods with OSG. Put a little extra zing on that. >> go. >> See that? >> I still think people at home probably start singing along. >> [laughter] >> I don't know. We got to have fun out here. Do we? You go crazy in the woods too long. This right here is not orange juice, folks. Don't ever make that mistake. Pick this up in the morning drink. This is eggs. These are farm fresh eggs from home. Look how Look at that beautiful color of that. When it looks really orange orange yolks, that's when you know you got some good eggs. We We pre-cracked the eggs, obviously. Saves a ton of room. Plus, when you're riding up here, it rides terrible. Drawers are falling out. You know, it you're lucky to have your tire still on going down these roads when you finally get here and having all those eggs, you We usually get some broken eggs. That's just the way it goes. >> Well, that's a good sourdough. Good sourdough bagel. >> Show you. Show the folks at home. Do you Yeah, she made these. I don't know what you did >> Mhm. >> in that whole process, but you did something really good. >> Really good. Something really good happened. >> Little bit of bacon grease, put it in that hot skillet, let's put in some eggs. Who else wants some eggs? Just me, huh? Look at that, y'all. No stick on the cast iron. With the bacon, hot skillet meals. What style do you want your eggs? Egg blob, please. And some cheddar. Probably going to put some salsa. And look at the pan. Just fell right out. I'm going to have a nice, healthy 2-hour breakfast before I go on my fisherman's hike. A proper one. Homemade sourdough everything bagel. >> Yeah. >> So, what that is? Egg blob with salsa. >> Egg blob. >> And See? We're just going to walk down here with our Euro pole, see if we can pop one to start the day. I have had a couple bites. It's just ba- >> Which one did you get? >> It's a three the three. Yeah. >> Three weight? >> Yeah. We're on, baby. We're on. Woo! Look at this bad boy go. He's going upstream. >> So this one to the vamp. >> A trout. A trout. A trout. OH MY GOD. >> OH. IT'S CATCHING THE CURRENT. >> OOH, that's it's a rainbow salmon. >> A rainbow trout, yeah. >> Or trout. Rainbow trout. >> It's a rainbow trout. >> It is bloody. >> So before we hold these trout, we have to get our hands wet cuz they got really sensitive skin. It's real slippery. Okay, you ready? Look at mama. >> Ready one. >> Okay, do you want to let him go with me? >> Yeah. >> Let him go real gentle in the water. >> Okay. >> Set him in the water. >> I want to do it. >> Okay, you get to watch him swim away. >> Wee. Bye-bye. >> See what you still right there? You see him? >> Yeah, he's swimming upstream. >> Yep, he's swimming upstream. >> He's strong fishy. >> There he goes. >> He's strong fishy. >> Got him. We're on. You want to try to reel this one in, man? >> Yeah. >> Okay, keep tension on him. Okay, that's good right there. Just hold the rod tip up. Bring it towards me. Little bit more. Yeah, you got him, dude. >> Yeah. >> Good job. >> It's another one. >> Another rainbow. Good job, buddy. Attaboy. >> We need to catch another one. Can I reel it in? >> I think that's I think that's your first rainbow trout. Definitely your first fly rod fish. >> Yeah, you can let it go. Oh, wait. He's putting them in the current. I like it. Make sure he can get out of the net. >> He might not be able to get out of the net. He's looking for a way out. Get him out. There you go. >> There you go. >> I see him. >> Yeah, he's right there. There he goes. High five. The only thing better than feeling that tug at the end of my line is watching the ones I love experience that same exciting feeling. Ben is a natural when it comes to fishing, but I'm even more proud of the fact that even when we're a thousand miles away and in the middle of the forest, we feel right at home. And with our base camp established and the kids fully occupied by nature's surroundings, it's time for me to put on those hiking boots and go find some fish. So, come along next with me when we go explore some amazing creeks and rivers holding lots of hungry mountain [music] trout.