I took a summertime road trip, and it was awesome. I have a Sprinter van and I’ve been preparing it for camping, with DIY projects for sleeping, climatic comfort and camping gear, with a place for everything and everything in its place.

Just as I was finishing up the DIY projects, two reasons came up for embarking on a road trip. Now that is timing!

A remote stretch of the Colorado River above Lake Mohave was my first destination. There had been a boating accident and my boating safety consultant expertise was needed to help figure out what had happened.

I loved this part of my road trip because it took me far off the usual super-highways that crisscross the desert. I was on pavement for most of the time, but they were lonesome little roads with one lane each way.

A noticeable amount of time would go by without seeing another vehicle going either direction, and I loved the solitude because it reminded me of being at sea. This was a sea of sand, and my Sprinter van is a well-crafted road sailor.

I boarded a boat, cruised the serene Colorado River doing my research and analysis work, reported my findings to my client and then headed out for the second leg of my road trip. I have a sister in Colorado who is having some health issues, and I felt the need to go visit her.

After rejoining the major interstate highway system, I headed east on the I-15. I spent the night in the quaint Nevada gambling town of Mesquite, which is just shy of the border with Utah. Rooms were cheap, and the casinos were more friendly than the ones in the big Nevada towns. Besides, by then I needed a shower and shave.

I transitioned to the I-70 after a nice brunch in the town of Beaver, Utah, where I was fortunate enough to find a homey spot called the El Bambi Café (my compliments to the staff).

From there through Utah and part of Colorado I was amazed at the amount of water in all waterways and the standing water in depressions because the water table is so high this year.

The upper stretch of the Colorado River in the western approach of the Rocky Mountains was at or over flood stage, and the high basins held standing water.

With some snow still in the high country, springs and streams flowing strong and water draining out of the wet ground, there remains a surprising amount of water flowing down toward the lower river reservoirs like Powell, Mead, Mohave and Havasu. That was good to see.

I visited with my sister and her family, north of Denver, Colorado, then continued northward to come back a different route.

At Cheyenne, Wyoming, I caught the I-80 westward and came across the high plains where water was also abundant. I saw deer herds and many other critters, though I was surprised not to see any buffalo.

Before entering Salt Lake City, Utah, I caught a smaller highway to get over to the I-15 without having to go through a big city. I found a gorgeous lake spot near Provo, Utah, called Deer Creek Reservoir where I snapped a pic.

The rest of the way back home was enjoyable thanks to the growing number of roadway and off-road amenities available to van lifers. I’ll be doing more of the van life myself.