I was hanging out in my garage one day with good buddy Bruce. He had a project to work on and I, well, I just felt like hanging out. (It is my garage, after all!) At one point the conversation turned to this nasty malady that afflicts so many men… Continue reading
Four-wheeling isn’t inherently hazardous. But like all outdoors activity, some risks are always present. Now is a good time to review a few common issues encountered while outdoors. Included are steps to mitigate the situation and prevent it from happening altogether. As a wilderness first responder, I am familiar with… Continue reading
Summer has arrived. Among the myriad outdoors activities that come to mind is four-wheeling. Many four-wheelers go off-road during the winter months, of course, but summer is a particularly popular time. With weather conditions generally calm, it’s natural to assume that the trails and back roads are open and accessible…. Continue reading
“Begin with the end in mind” is based on the principle that all things are created twice. There’s a mental or first creation, and a physical or second creation to all things. Stephen R. Covey, “7 Habits Of Highly Effective People” That passage is from Habit 2 of Covey’s best-selling… Continue reading
Whew. Drove an exhilarating event recently. Boss wanted to hit Death Valley for the annual Death Valley Experience March 22-25. Hosted by the California Four Wheel Drive Association, this trip lived up to its name. What an experience it was! But ol’ Pickle came through with flying colors (well,… Continue reading
You pull up to the campsite after a long day on the trails. You’re tired and anxious for the evening to begin. A light drizzle has followed you along all afternoon, with no end in sight. So much for relaxing around the campfire. What to do? Get creative during inclement… Continue reading
The nation (and world) continues to bounce back from the from the pandemic. A sure sign of that can be found in the large crowds that visit our parks, national forests and other public lands. While it’s nice to see so many people enjoying the outdoors, there is greater potential… Continue reading
One December about five years ago, I took a group to Saline Valley to celebrate New Year’s Eve. While at the campsite I realized I didn’t have a tent. Completely forgot to pack it that day. As a seasoned four-wheeler, this basic blunder was especially difficult to swallow. On top… Continue reading
Tis the season for gift giving…whether for yourself or another four-wheeling aficionado. With that in mind, Santa Tom offers up these fine gifts and ideas sure to please any four-wheeler or other outdoors enthusiast. Continuous ratchet strap: Most ratchet straps have a hook on each end. A continuous ratchet strap,… Continue reading
Tires. Axles. Control arms. Body and frame. You name it. Just about anything that could get damaged while off-road will at some point. More than once, for those who drive frequently. And some of those issues can be serious. But a lug nut? Who would think that a humble lug… Continue reading
Every four-wheeling excursion involves some preparation. Even individual components of the trip can require careful planning to ensure a smooth drive. This is especially true when negotiating hills. Whether climbing or descending, knowing how to handle certain situations can mean the difference between continuing on and getting stuck. Before tackling… Continue reading
Four-wheeling entails constant alertness and decision-making. Even easier courses require the driver to be focused at all times. Any sort of obstacle increases the decision-making process exponentially. Certain situations require knowing when to throttle up and when to back off to try again. Every instance is unique and requires sound… Continue reading
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