A little planning can go a long ways (and save a bunch of money). I have been gone for as long as four weeks and I spent almost nothing on the trip except for gas. Cook you meals in advance and dehydrate them, then seal up with a vacuum sealer in individual portions for the dinners. Breakfast is dry cereal or hot cereal. Lunch is whatever you feel like carrying. Tortillas, etc., with something to go on it. Keep it simple. No motels, no meals in resturants, and a few showers in RV parks, etc, plus washing the clothes a couple of times, and you have a low cost trip. Camp where it is free and backpack the same places; NF & BLM lands. It is suprising what you can get by on (or without), if you put your mind to it. I have been to BB many times, and coming from Northern NM I will always spend a minimum of two weeks. Have never camped in a pay campground there and only bought a meal at the Lodge 1 time. I am not cheap, just can't see spending the money when not necessary.
