Grand Adventure

One of America's newest National Monuments, Bears Ears has been the subject of intense debate since it was first proposed. No matter your position, no one can argue that Bears Ears encompasses one of the largest collections of Ancient Puebloan, or Anasazi archaeological sites in the nation. It also entirely surrounds Natural Bridges, one of the nation's first National Monuments. So as we go camping in southeastern Utah, boondocking right within Bears Ears, we bring you along hiking to explore both:

Our big 100th episode of Grand Adventure was supposed to be about both Canyons of the Ancients AND Hovenweep National Monuments, but our RV had other ideas. While camping at Mancos State Park, and en route to another camp at Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, we visit the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum, tour the Lowry Pueblo ruins that date to the 10th Century, and hike to more ruins in the National Monument's Sand Canyon before our RV left us on the side of the road:

While camping in nearby Mancos State Park, we take a ride aboard this famed heritage coal-fired steam-powered railway that dates to 1882, and has been designated a National Historic Landmark and Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. This is one of the most sought-after attractions for travelers and RV'ers in all of Colorado.

Canyonlands encompasses over 337,000 acres of high Eastern Utah desert including colorful canyons, mesas, buttes, fins, arches, and spires. Water and gravity have been the primary architects of this land, sculpting layers of rock into the rugged landscape you see today.

While boondocking on state land for free camping along Dalton Wells Road, we explore Gemini Bridges, travel Island in the Sky, descend the precipitous Shafer Trail, visit Thelma & Louise Point, check out the climbers along Wall Street, grab a burger at Milt's Stop 'n Eat, and preview the BLM campgrounds along the Colorado Riverway Recreation Area:

Moab is home to two of Utah's "Mighty 5" National Parks, and in this video we explore Arches National Park while camping for free by boondocking on state lands along Dalton Wells Road, a place with its own very unique history from World War II. We hike to both Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch, share the quirky story behind the mis-naming of both, visit Park Avenue and Balanced Rock, and check out both the Devil's Garden Campground within the park and the nearby Utah desert town of Moab:

Southern Idaho is a virtual playground in summer, with a surprisingly diverse geology and climate. It's also not as crowded for camping or as well known as it is in some other Western states. In this video we share 5 of our favorite campgrounds in Southern Idaho, ranging from a glacially-fed mountain lake to hot springs, from a summer lakefront paradise to sand dunes and even rock monoliths along the historic California Trail:

2 hours ago, Tom_M said:

Another alternative that i picked up at Target a few days ago:

Java Concepts Pour Over

It can be used with a Keurig or heat water in a kettle.

No filters to mess with and makes coffee in about the same time as the AeroPress.

Nice!

1 minute ago, rm.w/aview said:

Just finished a cup of fine tasting coffee from our new AeroPress and now understand your reference to the acidic level & taste of perc coffee, & even auto drip coffee, compared to the AeroPress. Our taste test now reveals a new Light Weight Champion in the World of Camp Coffee, and I don't use any water for clean-up. The paper towel that I use to wipe the AeroPress clean is still available for another use after a quick shake-out, in reality 3-4 uses for that towel before tossing. Super happy with this new addition regarding taste, clean-up, and the amount of space it doesn't take up. Cheers!

I'm so glad it worked out for you as it did for us!

42 minutes ago, rm.w/aview said:

Thanks, I was unaware of this acidic reaction. My wife also has GERD that Jim mentioned earlier so my idea of getting a percolator was shot down, even with the egg shell addition (she doesn't care for them anyway). Thanks for putting the AeroPress back on the front burner for us as the French Press does make a mess. There's now a taste test looming in the RV. Also liked that coffee grinder in your video as a replacement for our larger aged one (the Amazon order is getting larger as I keep adding to the list). One final like is how you fade your scenes when editing, really makes for an easy to watch video. Cheers 

Appreciate it! I'm lazy and fades are easy.

33 minutes ago, rm.w/aview said:

Nice video... How does the percolator, non-electric, rate here among the coffee fans. 

Thank you! For some a percolator is fine. Not so for me, for it takes what is already coffee and re-brews it, making it rather acidic.

1 minute ago, noteven said:

 We have had the metric one available in Canada for 4 years now. My Aeropress coffee turns out best when I use a semi fine medium grind of tawny medium dark roast infused with fairy farts. It must be stirred with Asian grown chopsticks. The water must be exactly 199.5F at sea level. 

I made this ^ up...  

The real key is to make coffee strong enough to float a mule show and enjoy it black 

Great channel by the way Marc. Subbed for a while...

 

Appreciate it! I'm filming an episode right now about the weight benefits of filling RV tires with fairy farts.

26 minutes ago, dartmouth01 said:

Oh, and FYI if you are interested in trying different methods of the Aeropress:  http://nordiccoffeeculture.com/what-is-the-best-way-to-brew-aeropress-coffee/

I personally still use the upside down method with a stir and 2 scoops, but I may experiment with some of the other methods at some point.

I still have to try and be upside down method, especially as that will prevent some of the coffee from seeping through the filter while it steeps.

1 minute ago, jpcoll01 said:

Anyone tried one of these?

https://www.amazon.com/Manual-Coffee-Brewer-K-Cups-Anywhere/dp/B01GQE9MI4

Absolutely no clean-up, toss a K-cup and no need for electricity, just hot water.  

I have not seen that before. Pretty interesting, actually.

3 hours ago, markandkim said:

Marc,

Another great video. 

Thanks,

Mark

Thank you Mark!

50 minutes ago, Rich&Sylvia said:

The french press (no longer used by us) requires too much water to clean - but produces a great cup of coffee.

The Target store in Scottsdale had the Aeropress on the shelf in the coffee machine department.
Keurig and Aeropress - probably the best two in-home coffee machines.

Target still sells the AeroPress in store, at least it does here in Utah. It's a few bucks cheaper on Amazon, and Target didn't have the bundle with another 350 filters and a travel bag, which I wanted.

It's sounds like your thoughts on cleaning a French press are in line with mine. However, apparently not everyone agrees. LOL!

8 minutes ago, TheLongWayHome said:

I'm not a coffee drinker, but thought this was interesting, if you want your Espresso in the field. Also support of a veteran company.

 

Basically just repackaging stuff in an ammo can, but good solid products.

39 minutes ago, Kirk Wood said:

I never cared much for the French press coffee so I’ll have to check this one out.  

As far as I'm concerned there are several distinct advantages to the AeroPress over a French press:

1. You're truly using pressure to brew, much like an espresso machine - and not just physically squeezing the grounds like you do with a French press. The difference in the taste of the coffee is remarkable.

2. There's no wet sludge to clean up. A quick hit with a paper towel and you're good to go.

3. Brew time is only ~45 seconds.

25 minutes ago, oldjohnt said:

Here's what we use when dry camping, it requires NO electricity, NO Generator running, NO Battery and Inverter use, WORKS GREAT 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000015167-Camping-Coffeemaker/dp/B001K7IDVU/ref=sr_1_1/141-9155492-5732724?ie=UTF8&qid=1521643357&sr=8-1&keywords=coleman+camping+coffee+maker

Certainly a viable option.

14 minutes ago, Yarome said:

Exactly! I have my biggin, but also a single insulated mug press/travel mug. A nice pot of cowboy coffee is always a nice change-up, but it's really hard to beat freshly ground beans and a french press. The hand grinder I use does a fantastic job and not a drop of electricity used.

Side note: I didn't watch the video, but I assume it was probably something along those lines.

As a side bar... AGAIN... I, personally, don't appreciate folks using the forum to help drive traffic to their youtube channels or other off-site content. A "for additional information" link is fine, but share the base information you would like to present here, or not at all, IMHO.

A reasonably sized photo in a signature is also fine, but please remember that some folks are on metered or expensive satellite bandwidth.

The thing about this AeroPress is that cleanup is much easier using less water, and honestly it's a better cup than a French press. Over got like three French presses sitting in the cabinet. 😁

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend with the posting. I just wanted to share the solution without spoiling the suspense, but I agree I should've described it better. I was running to work and was therefore pressed for time.

As for the sig file photo, I've resized it down to like 480p but the forum software enlarges it for presentation. If anyone has a solution I'm all ears; otherwise I may just remove it.

4 minutes ago, Tom_M said:

I use a french press. Pretty much the same process, forcing hot water through the grounds. After breaking 2 glass ones, I opted for a stainless steel version.

I've done that. In my opinion it's more of a mess to clean up, and requires more water to do so. And honestly this makes much better coffee.

1 minute ago, Pieere said:

The best part of waking u;p is Folgers in your Cup in the old style stainless steel pot on an open wood fire!

Less convenient and more to clean up, but definitely romantic!

We've been searching high and low for the best method to brew a perfect cup of camping coffee while boondocking, without using any electricity whatsoever, and we've finally found it! No generator, no battery/inverter use, and cleanup is a breeze using little to no water: