From Studio to the Wild: Episode 04 – Living and Working Out of My Truck Camper in Colorado
Why This Post is Late
If you’ve been following along, you know Episode 04 should have been wrapped and posted weeks ago. But life on the road doesn’t always run on a production schedule. Somewhere between chasing trout, crossing mountain passes, and keeping the camper systems alive, things broke — solar cables melted, parts were wrong, the awning tore apart in the wind. Editing had to take a backseat to simply keeping the rig (and myself) operational.
Maybe that’s part of the point. This journey isn’t just about pretty views and smooth roads. It’s about adapting when things don’t go as planned… and they rarely do.
Recap: Episode 03
Episode 03 slowed everything down. I lingered in Stanley, Idaho, wandered Craters of the Moon, and wound through Utah’s Valley of the Gods before returning to Arizona. It was about learning to be still — a lesson I thought I’d carry with me into this next leg of the trip.
The Heat Break
The Arizona summer isn’t kind. When the forecast starts pushing triple digits before lunch, you either hide inside or head for higher ground. After wrapping a commercial shoot at Course Restaurant with Chef Corey Leopold (yes, the guy who made a goat cheese “peach pit” that looked so real it fooled everyone at the table), I chose the latter.
The Moonlander shifted from “home” to “studio” mode — mattress stashed up front, bed platform cleared, camera gear loaded tight. With everything secure, I pointed the truck toward Colorado.
Lizard Head Pass & the Turnaround
The drive from Dolores to Lizard Head Pass is one of those routes you wish you could bottle. Cool air, building storms, and that feeling that you’ve stepped into a bigger, wilder world. I knew there was national forest land along the river. Drove past it. Thought better of it. Circled back. That’s how I found my first camp — tucked into the trees with the river running close enough to hear all night.
Ophir Pass — Respect the Drop
The next morning I wanted something different. A little challenge. From the tiny town of Ophir, I headed up Ophir Pass — a one-lane shelf road carved into the side of the mountain. West side up, sheer drop on the passenger side, no guardrail in sight.
Off-roading is one thing. Off-roading with your entire home is another. I worried about the suspension, the frame, every ounce of extra weight. I let lifted rock crawlers pass, inching my way forward until the summit finally came into view. On the east side, the road felt calmer, more forgiving. But my mind was still replaying the climb.
Silverton & the Need for Quiet
Silverton was alive — maybe too alive. Side-by-sides roared through town. Campsites were packed. I wasn’t here for crowds. Living out of the camper is about finding solitude, and when a place feels that full, it means the hunt for camping will be harder.
By sundown, I’d found a spot near Molas Pass. The view was spectacular, but the real stillness — the kind I’d been looking for — would have to wait for another day.
Toward What’s Next
From Silverton, I pushed deeper into the state, eventually camping along Cebolla Creek outside Lake City before ending this stretch at Taylor Park Reservoir — where Episode 05 picks up in the middle of a storm and a broken awning.
The road isn’t always smooth. Sometimes the story takes longer to tell because you’re still living it.
Essentials & Links
Gear & Tools from This Episode
Moonlander Truck Camper – Radica Products
Tembo Tusk Skottle Grill – Tembo Tusk
Dyson Cordless Vacuum – Dyson
Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent – Sawyer
Sea to Summit Pocket Shower – Sea to Summit
Featured Locations
Course Restaurant, Scottsdale AZ – Course
Lizard Head Pass – San Juan Mountains, CO
Ophir Pass – Between Ophir and Silverton, CO
Molas Pass – Near Silverton, CO
Cebolla Creek – Outside Lake City, CO
Taylor Park Reservoir – Gunnison County, CO
Key Takeaways
Delays can be part of the story — sometimes they make it better.
Your rig is capable of more than you think. Respect it and yourself.
The best camps often come from turning around.
Closing
The truth is, living out here isn’t just about the freedom to go anywhere — it’s about the willingness to face whatever the road throws at you. Episode 04 was proof that even the most carefully laid plans can change in an instant, and sometimes the best moments come from those unplanned turns. From white-knuckle climbs to unexpected camps, Colorado reminded me why I chose this life in the first place. And as I rolled out toward Cebolla Creek and Taylor Park Reservoir, I knew the next chapter would bring even more challenges — and even more reasons to keep going.