Leighton’s Blog

I wonder what housekeeping thinks when they come in my room? Had to empty my whole Jeep into my hotel room last night so I could put all the blankets & hygiene kits in. Took quite a few trips. Meeting with a Jeeper in the area do outreach this morning. Please keep me in prayer. My accommodations are about the same as last weekend. This afternoon I’ll be bolting a new box to my spare wheel basket. 😊 🙏 🚙 #missionforhope #jeeps #jeepers #givingback #helpingthehomeless #nv #lasvegas 

Because of some birthday generosity & Facebook fundraisers created by some great friends, I ordered 600 more hygiene kits today. By the end of December we will have given out over 2,000 hygiene kits. That’s 800 more than I originally planned on giving out plus we are now putting a breakfast bar in each kit. Thank you! #missionforhope #takesavillage #thankyou 

Despite the way my day started we had a very blessed day in San Diego. We were a small but mighty group! Tana & Wendy really stepped up to the plate last night and today. Last night they made up 75 hygiene kits & 20 kids care packages. They picked up 75 Egg McMuffins and had a cooler full of Gatorade. We also gave out 48 Beantown Blankets, water, oranges, breakfast bars, muffins, pastries, hugs, Bibles & prayers. 

Today was inspirational Friday. Doris Starling manages a 400 bed shelter in downtown Santa Ana. She has has a heart of gold and has been helping homeless folks for over 30 years. Second photo is of Joseph & Elizabeth who are outreach directors at Village of Hope. Village of Hope is one of Orange County Rescue Mission’s seven transitional housing campuses for men, woman, children and families. I have never seen anything like this campus or organization before. They provide housing, schooling, healthcare, counseling, job training and job placement.  They have a huge donation warehouse, church, cafeteria, mobile healthcare unit and food truck. They gave me toiletries so I could make up more of my own hygiene kits which I handed out in Santa Ana today.  People and organizations like this truly inspire me and encourage me to try to do more. 

My TOP 20 TIPS for a 200 day roadtrip in a 2DR Jeep (82 days so far):  1. Fill gas tank when you are at a 1/4 of tank. If you are in the Yukon, BC, Northwest Territory or Alaska, fill up a half  2. Take out those after market grill inserts. 3. Recalibrate your speedometer for bigger tires.  4. Worry about that cracked windshield when you get back in the States. 5. Keep phones, laptops, InReach, GoPros and other devices charged all the time. 6. Download maps when you have good WiFi. Plan ahead.  7. Practice good hygiene every morning. Duke Cannon Cold Shower Cooling Towels are good.  Brush your teeth! Change your clothes at least every 3 days. Baby wipes are your friend. Use deodorant daily! (Thank you!) 8. Take your time getting on the road in the morning. Allow time for scripture, prayer & breakfast. 9. Use water bottles & travel mugs for coffee. Less money, less trash & you are being a good human. I refill my coffee mug at gas stations or make my own.  10. But

TOP 10 things I couldn’t live without when I’m overlanding, camping, roadtripping or whatever you want to call it...  1) BFGoodrich T/A K02 Tires 2) Garvin Expedition Rack 3) Gaia GPS  4) 12V Tea Kettle 5) USB Rechargeable Visor Fan 6) 12V HotLogic Oven 7) Hizpo Android 9.0 Car Stereo CD DVD Player 8 ) Dual Optima Yellow Top Batteries  9) ARB Refrigerator  10) Sunpie Magnetic Screens/Shades