6x10 Cargo Mate Challenger

[dirtsailor2003]

Did some camp research over the thanksgiving weekend. Not our typical style of camping. But when part of the draw is a hot spring I can make the sacrifice for civilized camping. We didn't take the trailer as the roads this time of year are usually packed snow and with the RAV4 as tow vehicle I don't like to push it. Old mother nature didn't disappoint us. She dumped a 1' of snow the day before our departure. So half the drive was on packed snowy roads.

We spent the weekend at Crystal Crane Hot Springs which is located in Eastern Oregon. It is a resort where one can rent cabins, tepees, there are full hook ups RV spots and dry camp spots, and there is a small motel set up. The cabins and campground have a community bath house with showers, bathroom, changing facilities, etc. Also onsite there is a community hall and kitchen.We opted for the motel room this trip, which has a private bathroom and a private patio with soaking tub. With all the geothermal all of the paved surfaces were heated. Which was nice as the average temp was 20°f with the nighttime lows -2°f Yes negative. There was one brave (stupid?) soul who did tent camp one night. Pretty sure they slept in the bath house, lol!



We took our own food as the nearest real town Burns Oregon, is 25 miles away. The town of Crane is only 3 miles away but the services there are minimal and weren't open. We prepped everything before so we wouldn't have to cook. Which was a good plan as the small kitchen was being heavily used by other guests.

We plan on visiting again this spring and more than likely will tow the CT over and camp.



Motel Buffet







We did do some dirt road driving while we out there!





Sod House Watch tower - Malheur Wildlife refuge

[McDave]

What a great Thanksgiving!
That looks like my kind of place. The weather can be part of the adventure, if its not too bad. And I'm glad y'all didn't miss any meals, what you brought looks as good as anything you're likely to find on the road. Thanks for the pics., Dirtsailor.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and family.

McDave

[dirtsailor2003]

Sure is nice going out and sitting by the fire in the CT. Even when it is only parked in the driveway!

[Modstock]

Looks like fun and warm.

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[dirtsailor2003]

Cold crunmmy weather so sitting by the fire is nice but whats better is good ol comfort food. In our case last night it was pan seared halibut I caught last summer and homemade baked Mac n Cheese.





Look at that bubbly golden crust, Yum!

[hankaye]

Dusty Swabby, Howdy;

Really know how to make someone's mouth water from 1200 to 1600 miles away ... don't ya.



hank

[dirtsailor2003]

We bought this several years ago to use in a buffet line we had at a gathering. Decided to put it in the camper, you can never have too many cooking options. Thing burns great and has super good control of the flame. can be super low or max all out. Only down side is you have to use pressurized butane, so one more can to bring and one more non-refillable can to go to the dump. Some of the more spendy models have propane adapters. Another nice thing is that it doesn't give off a lot of heat downwards. So for short cooks or boiling water it is safe on wood surfaces. For longer cooks I'd put a piece of metal under it.

If some one was looking for an inexpensive great little cooker this thing will get you going. $18.99 here locally.




High Power


Low Power


Fuel canister - Anywhere from $2-$4 each depending on location and if on sale.

[John61CT]

Look for Asian food supply places, cans of butane cheap as ~$11 for a pack of 10.

Not worth paying for shipping.

Can convert the stoves to run off your propane bottles for when portability is not critical, much cheaper.

But I love tossing my high-BTU Iwatani in to take along for a picnic / BBQ, beach expedition, etc.

[dirtsailor2003]

Look for Asian food supply places, cans of butane cheap as ~$11 for a pack of 10.

Not worth paying for shipping.

Can convert the stoves to run off your propane bottles for when portability is not critical, much cheaper.

But I love tossing my high-BTU Iwatani in to take along for a picnic / BBQ, beach expedition, etc.

Nearest Asian market for me is 180 miles away! I just watch for sales locally.


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[McDave]

Not many Asians in these parts either, but I picked up a very similar Coleman unit at Walmart for $20 ish. The fuel cans are about 3.00 for 8.8 oz. I haven't used it a bunch but it will make a pot of coffee in no time. I 'm still on the first can of fuel so seems like a pretty good deal. Came with a case and it is small and easy to store and set up. Worth the price I'd say.

McDave

[dirtsailor2003]

Not many Asians in these parts either, but I picked up a very similar Coleman unit at Walmart for $20 ish. The fuel cans are about 3.00 for 8.8 oz. I haven't used it a bunch but it will make a pot of coffee in no time. I 'm still on the first can of fuel so seems like a pretty good deal. Came with a case and it is small and easy to store and set up. Worth the price I'd say.

McDave

Yeahnthis one came with a case too. I haven’t used one can yet. But I also haven’t used it much. I know when we had it set up for our buffet it ran on low for several hours. Since then I’ve used it several times.


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[dirtsailor2003]

We've planned a winter camp trip, the 17th. Assuming the roads aren't all buggered up with snow. Fingers crossed. We'll be desert camping again. Lots of fire wood will be burnt and we'll be popping off new muzzle loaders and other black powder guns.


Pietta New army 1858 - 45cal. 30 grain loads

We added the SoloStove Ranger into our lineup. Mainly for day trips and canoe camping. We will test it out more on this upcoming trip!


SoloStove Ranger

[Modstock]

That looks fun.
When I was a kid my step mom took us to a mountain man festival.
Good times.

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[hankaye]

modstock, Howdy;

Think they might still have one in Mt. Pleasant, late Summer I think???
They combine it with a carnival and some called it a carneyvous.

hank

[dirtsailor2003]

modstock, Howdy;

Think they might still have one in Mt. Pleasant, late Summer I think???
They combine it with a carnival and some called it a carneyvous.

hank

We still have a Mountain man rendezvous in my neck of the woods. It used to be fun to go to. Now though its become to commercialized with more vendors pushing non-rendezvous crap. Not as much competitions as there used to be. So we quit going.