Pyeatte Draw

Well, it was a beautiful trip. A bunch of us went on a trip planned by the Baker brothers, on the 8th and 9th of May 09 to one of our favorite trails. We had a nice little camp site with a bunch of little kids, a little dog, a rope swing and even the kitchen sink. We decided to hit the trail early that morning, well...not "early" just earlier than the club with about fifteen rigs in it, so we wouldn't have to wait behind them. Well during our lunch they passed us up and decided that they were gona take lunch so we all decided to go to a place on the upper Verde River that Billy and Hannah found the day before. It turned out to be a real good decision because everyone enjoyed the cool water. Everyone but Vance, he's "not a water guy". After that we all parted ways. Jess and his family packed up camp and went to visit family in Vernon, Billy and his family went home along with Jaron and his family and Vance, Jessica and I went to his dad's place in Tonto Villiage to air up and visit for a while before heading back to Mesa. It really was a good weekend and I'm thankful I was able to go.

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.