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In my younger days my friends and I used to do a lot of camping by motorcycles (party central). Then my wife and I would camp when we rode because we didn't have much money. This morphed into staying in hotels ever night when more money came along.
Since I turned 50 I started doing what we call Hobo Trips, sometimes alone, sometimes with my wife. The rule is we can only buy gas and water after we leave the house. Food, shelter and cooking supplies are brought from home.
These were always done on three day weekends, here in the southwest where there's plenty of BLM land to camp for free.
Tomorrow I'm leaving from Arizona to Iowa (1400 miles)on a Hobo Trip to surprise my Mom for Mother's Day by myself. I'm going to stay on back roads, I'm hoping to find roadside parks at night. I'm planning about 350 miles per day. Cook breakfast, pull up camp and be on the road around 8 and shut down by 5 or 6 to set up camp and cook dinner.
This isn't something I do due to finances. I just don't like the idea of getting soft as I get older I gotta test myself every now and then.
I've had a motto for over 30 years. "It's not an adventure unless there's a chance for failure".
I made it from Phoenix to about 30 miles east of Socorro, New Mexico. Going through the mountains hit some colder weather and some rain.
I made some Mac and cheese with a bagel.
Light rain now. I have an air mattress and an old Army mummy sleeping bag. About time for lights out.
Nice! I plan on getting back into moto-camping also. I've been getting a little soft in my "old age" as finances now allow for better accommodation! 😂 I used to love camping. Maybe I'll test myself with a "Hobo Trip" in the summer.
I'd like to see a breakdown on some of the kit you use, eg: cooking and camping gear, stuff you really recommend, etc...
In my younger days my friends and I used to do a lot of camping by motorcycles (party central). Then my wife and I would camp when we rode because we didn't have much money. This morphed into staying in hotels ever night when more money came along.
Since I turned 50 I started doing what we call Hobo Trips, sometimes alone, sometimes with my wife. The rule is we can only buy gas and water after we leave the house. Food, shelter and cooking supplies are brought from home.
These were always done on three day weekends, here in the southwest where there's plenty of BLM land to camp for free.
Tomorrow I'm leaving from Arizona to Iowa (1400 miles)on a Hobo Trip to surprise my Mom for Mother's Day by myself. I'm going to stay on back roads, I'm hoping to find roadside parks at night. I'm planning about 350 miles per day. Cook breakfast, pull up camp and be on the road around 8 and shut down by 5 or 6 to set up camp and cook dinner.
This isn't something I do due to finances. I just don't like the idea of getting soft as I get older I gotta test myself every now and then.
I've had a motto for over 30 years. "It's not an adventure unless there's a chance for failure".
Sounds like this is going to be a great experience - and tons of fun.
I do miss motorcycle camping - but now wonder if it was really camping (lol). We started with tents before kids. Moved to two room tents when the kids came along. Then, moved to a TimeOut camper with the add-a-room and air conditioner.
It has been years. I never called them hobo trips. In the 60’s and 70’s on my sporty, the world was a friendlier place to find secluded spots. Farmers land, federal land, and I slept in so many old barns everywhere. Field barns, abandoned barns, little used remote barns and work sheds. It was easy then and safe, except in Mississippi when I got spotted by some good old drunk boys looking for a fight. Beach camping, especially along the gulf was expected. The west offered logging roads, little used then outside of hunting season.
I had a mountain backpack tent, a sleeping bag, a SVEA stove and slept on the ground. I’m in my late 70’s now, no more sleeping on the ground. 3” pad minimum. Then again?
I don’t know if the world has changed more or if I have changed more. I just don’t know if I would feel safe finding a safe spot today. Too much development, too many Karen’s, to many crazy people. Used to be crazy people were fun, interesting to meet, now you’d be robbed or worse.
One thing that changed America for me was seedy marts, gas station convenience stores every 50 miles. In the 60’s and 70’s, I frequently got gas at a farm or ranch. Most farmers and ranchers served in WWII and had a different attitude that made my travels easy.
Thanks for posting this. It brought back wonderful memories and many of my stops came back to me with a clarity that they are not forgotten. Somehow, those wet, cold sleepless nights have all disappeared! Hobo camping, not campsite camping. My wife no longer rides….this calls for an adventure.
I'm guessing that you're on your way already. It sounds great, good luck. I hope you're staying south at first, we're having a cold snap right now, only 40* in Albuquerque right now.
At 66 yo I still love "hobo trips" on the bike. Unfortunately, most of the people that I like to motorcycle trip with don't like it any more. Fortunately I also like to travel solo.
Only hotels with bars for me now. I went across country to Cal. during the hippie days. That was fun slept any place from the side of the road to communes. Yep don't remember too much LOL. When I got home my draft notice was waiting for me. At motor cycle rally's got drunk and slept beside my bike. Like I said hotels with bars now.
I am pulling out my 30 year old tent that has seen many campsites and fields. May be time to update with a modern tent. I do also have the TimeOut camper as the wife cannot sleep in a tent any more. I use a tent and a good thick self inflating air mattress now.
I am not fond of towing my TimeOut for fast trips over 300 miles one way. So I will retain my tenting camping ability for a few more years. Perhaps one more new quality tent shortly.
We're planning one now for Memorial wkend. Looking at maps of Northern Mn. (remember maps?).
My wife had a hip replacement last summer, she's back on her bike now.
I refuse to sleep on picnic tables-too old.
I am pulling out my 30 year old tent that has seen many campsites and fields. May be time to update with a modern tent. I do also have the TimeOut camper as the wife cannot sleep in a tent any more. I use a tent and a good thick self inflating air mattress now.
I am not fond of towing my TimeOut for fast trips over 300 miles one way. So I will retain my tenting camping ability for a few more years. Perhaps one more new quality tent shortly.
How old is your TimeOut - man, we really enjoyed using ours.
We got rid of outs back in 2004 when I purchased my first Ultra. Wife actually pulled the TimeOut with her trike. If you are going to use it, look around - you might find a nice add-a-room for almost nothing. I got mine for about $100 years ago.
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Hobo Trip
Time to hit the road.
