BammStarr Outtie

BammStarr Outtie BammStarr & Outtie's 2026 gap year adventures

Stop 45 in Durango, Colorado was a delight for many reasons. Our stay at the Junction Creek Campground was incredible, m...
09/04/2026

Stop 45 in Durango, Colorado was a delight for many reasons. Our stay at the Junction Creek Campground was incredible, mostly due to the coolest temperatures we’ve experienced since the Outer Banks in North Carolina back in May. This stop was also made very memorable by the stunning beauty of the area. After settling into camp we made a quick trip to Pinkerton Hot Springs. The next day was a relaxing roundtrip train ride from Durango to the historic mountain town of Silverton. We got to spend a few hours in town checking out the many fun shops and taking in the beautiful mountain scenery, and Joe got to realize an ultra running dream of his by not only seeing but touching the Hard Rock 100 Mile Endurance Run finish line boulder. Thursday included a trip to Mesa Verde National Park to witness the areas stunning natural scenery and so many cliff dwellings where thousands of Ancestral Puebloan people lived hundreds of years ago. We did our best to capture the beauty of this place but it truly is an experience that requires one to see for themselves. Next stop Alamosa, Colorado!

09/01/2026

Joe trying to decide where in the four corners we will live.

Our 44th stop continued our journey through Ancestral Puebloan sites in the Farmington area. We visited the Aztec Ruins ...
09/01/2026

Our 44th stop continued our journey through Ancestral Puebloan sites in the Farmington area. We visited the Aztec Ruins National Monument, which is inappropriately named because it was not made by Aztecs nor are they ruins. The site was built in 1100’s by the Pueblos and looked very similar to Chacoan buildings. One difference was they had a reconstructed Great Kiva we were able to go into. It was amazing!

We also took a drive out to Shiprock, the town and monument. We replaced our p**p hose at the Shiprock Ace Hardware. I know you were very interested in the p**p hose saga, so now you know.

The evening brought monsoon storms and we found ourselves in a flash flood at the campground. Luckily Sarah was able to get pics of Joe saving our awning, which would’ve definitely blown away.

With storms still in the area the following day, it seemed appropriate to visit Mordor, aka Bisti Badlands. (Sorry for the Lord of the Rings references) We were completely unprepared without a map or rain jackets. Luckily a very nice gentlemen let us tag along. We made it to one spot before the rain picked up and thoughts of another flash flood in the wilderness had us running back to the truck.

The stop wasn’t complete until Joe did his best rendition of Skylar from Breaking Bad at the Four Corners monument. It looks like we haven’t decided yet on where we’re going to set down roots after all.

08/31/2026

This is just to say:

As I look back
On our last four months of travel

I’m struck
By the amount of food
We’ve ingested

It’s no wonder our asses are a bit larger these days

Me and Frodo following our new friend on our way to dump this damn ring.
08/31/2026

Me and Frodo following our new friend on our way to dump this damn ring.

Stop 43 was Chaco Canyon. It was recommended by a very friendly older gentlemen who we met at a bar in Albuquerque. I kn...
08/30/2026

Stop 43 was Chaco Canyon. It was recommended by a very friendly older gentlemen who we met at a bar in Albuquerque. I know, this is very out of character for us to talk to strangers, so it’s notable!

After a long 13 miles of chatter bumps to our remote campground “off the grid” in Chaco Canyon, we were amazed to find such a beautiful area where ancient Puebloans lived over 1,000 years ago. We attended a couple talks by the National Parks folks, which were very interesting.

We enjoyed quiet evenings with the stars, bats and other wildlife. We also enjoyed long siestas during the heat of the day and talked to the birds who were well versed at begging for food. We even got to see a lunar eclipse one night, which was unexpected!

We regained some respect for nature as we ventured on a long hike during the middle of the day with only enough water to get back.

Now, back to civilization…

We’re back on the Outtie Gap Year Tour and our first stop in Chaco Canyon National Park in the Four Corners Region was a...
08/28/2026

We’re back on the Outtie Gap Year Tour and our first stop in Chaco Canyon National Park in the Four Corners Region was a bit of a bumpy trip for Outtie. The chatter bumps on the way out rattled her insides and were enough to pop off the cap to our septic hose holder setting loose our crap evacuator. We retraced our steps and found her lying in the road wounded on one end by the trailer tire, but with a quick snip to remove the damaged blow hole she is now ready to continue her job of moving all the ones and twos we throw at her!

Bandelier National Monument was amazing! The climb up the ladders was freaky, especially on the way down, but no injurie...
08/23/2026

Bandelier National Monument was amazing! The climb up the ladders was freaky, especially on the way down, but no injuries to report.

The view of the Frijoles fires was pretty sobering. Hoping the rains put it out soon!

08/21/2026

In New Mexico it’s fake grasse or no grasse at all.

Enjoying our new homestead in Santa Fe County. More travel throughout the region to come but the land of enchantment has...
08/20/2026

Enjoying our new homestead in Santa Fe County. More travel throughout the region to come but the land of enchantment has us transfixed at the moment.

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