Fathers and Sons

On May 1st and 2nd I had the privilege of taking Saul and Chanler on their ward's father and son outing. Other than the campsite being a stones throw away from the highway and the constant smell of death coming from the dead cow elk up the road, it turned out to be pretty fun. More fun for the boys and that's what's important! After we got our tents set up the boys went to play with their friends, mostly catching crawfish and I just sat in my chair by my jeep. Well 9:00 comes around and the boys said they were gona do skits. By this time I was a bout to fall asleep, so I told them to just come to bed after that. So I went to bed myself...til about 10:30. I was awaken by screaming, stampeding and people tripping over my tent. If you haven't guessed it yet then I'll tell you...Capture the Flag! I dealt with that til almost midnight and couldn't fall back asleep til I don't know when. But like I said...it turned out to be pretty fun...for the boys...and that's what matters. Breakfast!Here's Julian trying to catch a crawfish with a sausage link and the boys watching.And here's Julian still trying while Saul and Chanler look like they're posing.

JK Hitch

This is it...pretty simple. All the nuts are supposed to be fixed but I was half an inch off on the measurements on the outside holes, that's why those nuts and washers are unpainted. I had to oval the holes out and didn't have time to weld the nuts on because we needed to use it. No...not for the boat, for work.

Walnut Canyon

On April 11, 2009 I finally got to do a trail that I've been wanting to do for a while. Walnut Canyon! The head of the trail is about 10 miles south of Superior, AZ. It was a moderate trail so there wasn't really any challenges, just beautiful weather and scenic buttes. There was some rain and hail during the trip and even some rolling thunder...music to my ears. I really appreciate the beauty all around me each and every time I go on a trail, from the sights to the sounds. The Arizona desert is so beautiful, especially when it rains. Here's some pics of the trip. Not as many as I wanted but my camera's batteries died somewhere in the middle.

Off With The Plastic On With The Steel

Doesn't a vehicle always look better without the factory bumpers rather than with? Anyway...this ones getting a simple bumper made until I can figure out a couple different designs, one tube and the other plate. I've also started on a hitch that mounts where that tow hook is. You know...for the boat! I want it seperate from the bumper so it can be removed for better clearance on trails. It's easily removed with four half inch bolts.

Another Getaway From Reality!

It's should make for some good stories and fun!

Getting Caught Up

Well, since my last post a lot has happened. A bunch of quick night runs to Butcher Jones, one to Sycamore to find The Squeeze, Reggie's truck was lifted and I did a lot of maintenance and repairs on the Liberty. I don't have any pictures from any of the runs to Butcher Jones because they were mostly night so I didn't take my camera and likewise for the Squeeze. But we will be heading back to Sycamore during the day to fing an area called Rocker Panel something or other and hitting up some of the boulders on the way to The Squeeze. So stay tuned! I do have a picture of Reggie's truck post lift.

Woodpecker Mine

January 24, 2009

It was a beautiful overcast morning that turned in to a nice warm sunny day which was filled with lots of fun, a little body damage, some drive train carnage and delicious deer, bighorn sheep and buffalo burgers!

We started off on this rock at the head of the trail to get warmed up. the first bit of damage occurred here. Reggie lost his left front turn signal when his bumper slammed in to the rock. Sorry, no pic.This obstacle is a the very beginning of the trail to the left. The only ones to attempt this crack were Billy and Kyle. They both both squeezed through with minimal damage. Billy just had to try this or he would have regretted it this day. Oops...a little more damage!
Not today! Nique bypassing the Firehole. SASQUATCHOUCH!Somehow, and I don't know why but Vance always seems to get stuck on the weird stuff at Woodpecker.If you look real close you can see Nique's axle shaft yoke lost one of its ears. In the process of getting it off of the rock I think the ears on the stub shaft were also messed up. Tough break dude. You did do a good job of getting out of there in two high. Thank goodness for that locker in the rear! Here I am stuck on the obstacle that Nique trashed his axle on. I had to get yanked off of this one and go up the pink rock to the right. Just not enough clearance. Hopefully next time we go I'll have a locker and see if that makes a difference. My little bald street tires didn't help eitherHahaha...that's Kyle getting brave or just bored.He made it pretty far on his own but eventually had to be winched off of that obstacle. Not as much damage as everyone thought.Here I am, in mid back up after trying to attempt something I wanted to do last time I was there. I had to back up and in the process get out and look at my line. No one felt comfortable spotting me down the other side in fear that I might roll off of the edge.