| Author | Message | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1708 Registered: 10-2003 |
After having a most excellent time at the Chicago Gathering, Tracy and I hauled the kids out West for some excitement in the new Jeep... http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28546 If you have the fortitude to make it through the entire thing, I hope you at least get some enjoyment out of it. If not, I certainly do understand.. ;) I am living a charmed life..  John | ||
| john_judge
Intermediate Member Username: john_judge Post Number: 109 Registered: 4-2009 |
It has been years since I have been out that way, are you out by any chance on the 191 Hwy I think it was called years ago Bull Canyon road, the views and the pictures are breath taking, wish I was there, it has been many moons since I have been out that deep west and are the gas stations timed still just about right when your needle says just about empty you can barly see one in the distance. oh yeah for the record I seen things at night out there under the stars but I do not know for sure if it was Albino spiders or even if they exist. I was told this by A Navaho Indian, but if you got a telescope you can see some great star gazing and if not it's worth the night trip one time to see the sky and take some photo's Use to scare the crap out of me, thinking I was going to run out of gas all the time! I don't know if they are in those parts but there was an Albino Tarantula in Utah that use to make this weird peeping noise at night and you can barely see there eye's glow from under the rocks at night. Watch for Scorpions! under rocks, even moving or picking up a small one use caution as my friend who came with me got stung by one. Take care John and enjoy your trip. I just got back from Vancouver, B.C. and it was beautiful walking on the 166 ft. suspension Bridge . (Message edited by john judge on July 05, 2009) | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1710 Registered: 10-2003 |
We're back already, and had an excellent time! The Jeep will go 400+ miles on a tank of gas, so we didn't have any issues and always fueled-up before heading out for the day.. Also packed LOTS of water and refilled at every opportunity.. Didn't see many critters though, and weren't out at night.  John | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3981 Registered: 7-2004 |
John: WOW!!! Gorgeous pics. Looks like you had an amazing experience. Road trips are my favorite method of travel. Last year we drove Oakland to Seattle. Went up the coast and came back more inland, hitting Crater Lake and Weed, CA on the way. Bill, tgo | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 600 Registered: 9-2002 |
John, Nice pics. Two years ago I did a similar trip, flew into SLC, than explored southern Utah (Bryce, Escalante, etc), and than drove up and spent a week in Missoula MT where I lived for a bit in the 90's. Im envious, I cant wait to get back out there. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8326 Registered: 5-2002 |
Just finished reading and viewing. Great trip, great pics! | ||
| mike1762
Advanced Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 336 Registered: 1-2008 |
Thanks for the tour!!! Is it possible to "do" the Moab portion of the trip without an ATV? | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1711 Registered: 10-2003 |
There were more people than I would have expected doing Moab trails on mountain bikes. You can also rent Jeeps and ATVs from several places in Moab. Of course, there is a lot of exceptional climbing, hiking and rafting as well. In a perfect world, I would have taken the KLR motorcycle as well, and just camped the entire time. There were some amazing vacant campsites scattered about the area, since this was considered their off-season to some degree.. As for environmental concerns (which ARE a concern for me), there is plenty to do without ever leaving a trail. Vehicles that stray from the trails are fined heavily, and there is signage everywhere extolling the virtues of leaving no trace. It was reassuring to my inner-treehugger. John | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2587 Registered: 2-2006 |
Awesome pictures John. Looks like a great trip. I happen to love road trips. We have a short one coming up next month on our MC's. Won't be anything like your trip but it'll have to do for now. OO | ||
| lmiwa
Advanced Member Username: lmiwa Post Number: 208 Registered: 2-2008 |
Great pictures - love the "optimism" pic! Did a week in the Grand Canyon/Flagstaff/Sedona area on a mountain bike a while back. Your pictures made me realize how much I miss that kind of stuff... Loch | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2590 Registered: 2-2006 |
Here's one from our trip to S Dakota. We rode almost 4000 miles in 8 days. Th Badlands are awesoem, couldn'y you just imagine crossing this in a covered wagon.  | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2591 Registered: 2-2006 |
oops dbl post (Message edited by olieoliver on July 05, 2009) | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1051 Registered: 11-2004 |
I always enjoy these... thanks for posting the link. I've mountain biked Moab several times- it's breathtakingly beautiful isn't it? | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1712 Registered: 10-2003 |
The West is stunning indeed. I can't imagine how tedious crossing any of it in a covered wagon must have been.. Motorcycle is definitely much better! I can't wait to go back.. John | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2593 Registered: 2-2006 |
John it doesn't hurt that we have a 7-11 every 10 miles or so either. LOL OO | ||
| goop
Member Username: goop Post Number: 67 Registered: 7-2008 |
I too love the road trip and camping. There is no better way to connect to the earth. We have toured Canada this way and are about to embark on a Newfoundland adventure. Thanks John for inspiring my post. | ||
| richbass939
Senior Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 1055 Registered: 11-2004 |
One beautiful thing about Moab is that there are several major scenic areas nearby that can be enjoyed from/near the car. If you have young/old/disabled people with you you can still see a lot from a turnout that any car (not just a Jeep) can get to. Arches and Canyonlands Natl Parks are easy day trips from Moab. If a person can walk 1/4 - 1 mile, there are many more sites to be enjoyed. If you like that kind of trip, Moab is well worth the time. Rich P.S. It can be very hot there. Spring break is the perfect time to visit. | ||
| pauldo
Intermediate Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 181 Registered: 6-2006 |
John - I didn't know you had a J10 also... Looks like a beautiful road trip - great pics. I wish to make the pilgramage to Moab someday also. It's a jeep thing - I do understand. 93 YJ 2.5" Old Man Emu lift with 33 x 9.5 BFG's - more to come. Just Empty Every | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 1205 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi John, I just finished reading thru your excursion thread. What a fabulous experience you've given your children, and I'm sure your wife loved it as well. Take care, my friend, and keep enjoying life. Mike | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 836 Registered: 8-2005 |
If you enjoy all that....as I assume you do!! Have a look at the "West Highland Way" in Scotland!! Man You can even walk this over days,,but just Heavenly!! If anyone wants any pics of my beautiful country.................just E mail me!! I've got loads! G (Message edited by georgie_boy on July 07, 2009) |
