I had a plan. I wanted to test the moto-camping gear I’d used in the Wyoming backcountry in 2024 (and test myself with the lighter, less comfortable situation). I’d strap the small-ish, light-ish, gear on my large carrying capacity Honda PC800 motorcycle and I’d stash my bulky CPAP in the bike’s excellent bedonkadonk (the PC800’s unique “saddlebags”). I’m now a CPAP person (ugh!) but I don’t have a light battery pack or a “travel CPAP”. To address this, I’d bring an extension cord, reserve a campsite with AC to power the CPAP, and Bob’s your uncle.
Ideally I’d verify the gear from 2024 is in good shape (I suspect it is). I’d learn if my body has recovered enough to approach my 2024 baseline or at least sleep on a mat instead of my Teton XXL cot (I suspect I’m still not “leveled up” again but I’m getting there). If the extension cord worked I’d prove I could ditch my huge battery and survive with a cheap extension cord. That last bit had me worried. It’s the sort of thing that sounds foolproof until you find out some detail you didn’t know. Things that “look good on paper” often fail in reality. (I’m paranoid about the CPAP which I view as more like life support than a minor thing.) If a plug won’t fit or circuits are unreliable I’d like to find out in a controlled situation.
All this sounds reasonable. So, of course, it didn’t happen.
A heat wave delayed me for a couple weeks. Then a plume of forest fire smoke curbstomped me.
I had a plan, the gear, a bike, and a destination picked to get me out of the pollution (or at least most of it). On my departure day the smoke plume shifted. I’d be riding deeper into pollution instead of evading it. Smoke’s a “no go”.
Heeding the pollution map, I picked another direction. Within range there were no campsites with AC power. The whole “experiment” hinged on a site with AC!
Angrily, I considered saying “fuck it” and just going nuts with distance. I’d get on the highway and blast hundreds and hundreds of miles. I don’t really have the fuel budget but clean air is a big deal. Also, I’m retired and not yet adapted to the idea. Why would a retired guy not use that freedom to flee pollution?
A text interrupted my scheming. I had a doctor appointment the following afternoon. (I’d forgotten about it.) A crazy multi-state anti-pollution stampede was officially impossible. My sole option was a one night, no-AC power, excursion… or just bag it and stay home.
Camping is a big deal. Unwilling to give up, I booked one of the last two (!) tent spots I could find. It was at a place I hadn’t planned. It was close enough and comported OK with smoke plume conditions. There was no power (which saved me $10!). I’d take my truck. When I drive my truck, my heavy battery pack is not an issue. I could power the CPAP. It was good enough. Never let “perfect” be the enemy of “good enough”.
I rolled out ridiculously late (which seems a pattern for me) but I wasn’t worried. This was going to be a drama free, single overnight, where nothing interesting happened.
In case you’re wondering, that last sentence was foreshadowing. (Though it still was a fun campout.)
More in the next post.