(underwritten by David)
Travel with plenty of water. I usually travel with five two-quart canteens. These are the bladder canteens that can be picked up at almost any Army-Navy store in the US.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Desert Survival (underwritten by David) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Although the southwest is indeed a very beautiful environment it can also be unforgiving. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In all probability you will be traveling in a conventional vehicle or on foot, so we will focus on these two possibilities. First, remember the rule of prevention when traveling. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| With your vehicle (car, SUV, or whatever), other than usual maintenance, make sure your radiator and heater hoses are in good shape. Have them checked by a reliable professional. If you have ignored your cooling system for several years (not uncommon), have it serviced. There is no more helpless feeling than to have a blown radiator hose with your temperature gauge maxing on H at mile marker 361 in nowhere USA, with temperatures at 110 degrees. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Next are the common sense basics. Travel with plenty of water. I usually travel with five two-quart canteens. These are the bladder canteens that can be picked up at almost any Army-Navy store in the US. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Here is one link to an Armee/Navy store that sells Camping-gear online. Click on this text or picture. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I like to carry my water this way so I can give a canteen to a needy person traveling on foot or on a bicycle. I had this happen on Interstate 25 in a rest area in southern Colorado. I met a friendly hitchhiker who was only carrying a small plastic soda bottle for water. I was more than happy to give him a sturdy canteen with a strap he could throw over his shoulder on this hot afternoon. He gave me a metal cup as a way of saying thanks. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Make sure you always travel with a coat, hat, sunscreen and a cell phone, if a cell phone is your style. I have an older cell phone that is good for 911 only, and that is good enough for me. I carry two coats in my truck year round. Don’t forget it can get cold and wet in the desert, too. For a coat I would recommend one with Gore-Tex and Thinsulate lining. It is warm on those cold desert nights, and you also have a built in raincoat. Also make sure you have a reliable flashlight along. Try changing a tire at night without one. I would recommend an aluminum three cell such as the Mag-Lite. A basic first aid kit is also something I would not be without. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Check out the links to LLBean for coats and the Mag-Lite webpage for the flashlights. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Page 2 of Desert Survival - on wheels | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back to Miscellaneous | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| to Index | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||