A September Pilgrimage in Our EarthRoamer
So far in September, we’ve spent 25% of our nights in the EarthRoamer factory parking lot. Not necessarily the kind of off-grid adventure the truck is built for, but trips to the factory are its own kind of pilgrimage. We rolled in with a list a mile long, and like always, the team delivered.
Most of it was routine maintenance: a heater service, a repaired BBQ, tire rotations. Our big fix was a leak in the door that—after a few tries—is finally water free! They loosened the fridge screws so the door would open easier, only for us to discover the downside when it flew open mid-drive and dumped ranch all over the rug. (Ranchgate 2025. May it never happen again.) We also had a brand-new lightbar installed to accommodate the motorcycle. And maybe most important of all, the mystery smell turned out not to be us losing our minds, but a mouse living in the headliner from its days in storage. The EarthRoamer team handled the eviction.
But the real reason we came to Denver wasn’t for screws or smells—it was for our first EarthRoamer Owner’s Rally. Community was one of the biggest reasons we bought this rig in the first place, and the rally made it clear why. A long weekend of swapping stories, trading tips, and chatting around the fire. We left with the sense that this won’t be a one-time trip—coming back to Denver each year for the rally feels like it’s going to become tradition.
After the rally, fall in Colorado was calling, so we pointed toward the San Juan Mountains in search of foliage. We were probably two or three weeks too early for the peak, but even the first hints of gold on the trees, the gray skies rolling in, and those chilly mornings made it worth the trip. Plus, we finally put the rig out on the beginning of some real trails now that it’s secured with a Pakmule rack we can trust. Owl Creek Pass was a stunner, and Animas Forks might have been the most beautiful campsite we’ve ever had.
Picture this: a valley surrounded by snow-capped peaks, crisp air, and a sky so clear you could trace the Milky Way like a map. We only lasted about five minutes outside in the cold before diving back under blankets, but it was long enough to see the stars at their brightest.
The San Juans deserved a whole month, not just a few days. But a trip home for a dog exchange is calling us back to Central Oregon (Onyx, if you’re reading this: we love you, but three dogs in an EarthRoamer is probably pushing it long-term.)
Watch the adventure in this week’s vlog!