Day 353. December 18. Countdown 13 Days.

 

Day Three Hundred Fifty Three. December 18. Countdown 13 Days. Picture # 353. "RCB". (Rolling Camera Bag). A year of my life will have passed by the conclusion of the 366 Project on December 31. Every day I have listed which camera was used and it's settings. Five cameras and four different editing software and apps were used. But I would be remiss in not devoting at least one day to my truck. In 2012 I put over 43,000 miles on the truck. A majority of the miles were chasing pictures. It is a 2001 Toyota Sequoia SUV, 4 X 4. There are many custom features that are designed for how I use the truck. To provide confidence in getting back to the hard road, it is equipped with a quick release 8000 lb winch that can be used on the front or rear hitch mounts. On the roof is a safari rack that I built with the dual purpose of a equipment rack and photography platform. I also use the rack for sleeping and have a tent that can be set up on the platform. B F Goodrich all terrain tires and powerful off road lights make navigating the back country easier. Rounding out the exterior is bed liner coating in the high abuse paint areas. The interior has side mounted dual gun racks for carrying tripods, fishing rods and various other gear. Two Hardigg brand hard cases are bolted to the floor and provide 16 cubic feet of weather/dust proof and lockable storage for camera/computer gear. Two large drawers with 200lb load capacities carry tools, repair parts, compressor and recovery gear are in the back with slide out cooler storage. Other gear includes fire extinguisher, multiple first aid kits, throw rope and 1,000,000 candle power magnetic mount spot light. Electrical improvements include dual battery system with quick release plug in 12 foot long jumper cables that can be used front or rear. Dual 400 watt inverters provide 120 volts AC power with USB ports in the cab area for running chargers and lap tops. Custom reading lights, iPhone speakers and Garmin GPS finish out the front. These are the specifications. The truck is a tool. But for me my truck has come to represent freedom. In a one week period of time I was driving through the sea spray at Padre Island National seashore with my sister; and six days later was alone on sandy back roads in Oklahoma. Freedom to visit the empty places. Priceless. Picture taken with iPhone, edited with Snapseed.