Tires are generally your number one problem driving off-road. Tires, by their nature, take a lot of abuse while off road. Trails are anything but smooth. Stuff happens! A stick jams into the sidewall; a rock that is ideal to skip across a lake slices the sidewall like butter; or… Continue reading
Some food groups are a natural fit for certain activities. Think chicken wings while watching football games on the TV (or any sporting event, if you’re in a bar). Or hot dogs at the ball park. Chips and salsa while playing cards. I’ll add one to the mix: homemade beef… Continue reading
In 2009, I needed to renew my permit to guide trips on the Mojave Road starting on the Colorado River and traveling about 140 miles into California. The Mojave Road was established by the Indians living near the Colorado river to trade with the Indians near the Pacific Ocean. During… Continue reading
I speak a lot about being fully prepared for the 4WD experience. Knowing where you’re going, what you’ll need along the way, and when you’ll be back. That’s all well and good. But sometimes a little adventure is called for. You yearn to try something new. To go out exploring (overlanding,… Continue reading
One constant in four-wheeling is the need to pack properly. Because we’re off on our own – away from the conveniences of city life – we have to be self-sufficient. Not only do we prepare for the expected (camping, cookouts, and such), we must try to prepare for the unexpected.… Continue reading
Bob said he had to get back. We were two days into a 3 trip through the Mojave Desert. He assured me that he knew the way back. At one-point Bob arrived at a river crossing. He had crossed it several times in the past. Normally it was only 8… Continue reading
Have you ever wondered about being a Trail Leader? Ever imagined yourself guiding a group of four-wheelers down historic trails and through scenic landscapes? What has stopped you? Most likely a lack of confidence. Understandable. Leading a group of four-wheelers is quite a bit different from being just another participant.… Continue reading
It was the second day of a three-day excursion to the Sweetwater Mountains, just north of Bridgeport, California. We stopped for some sightseeing high on the peak of Mt. Patterson. At 11,674 feet, we marveled at the incredible views. East looking into Nevada are the Bodie Hills and Corey Peak… Continue reading
Summer is almost here. In southern California, that means fire restrictions take effect soon. While these restrictions seem to put a crimp on your camping, it’s really just a minor inconvenience. You still get to enjoy the outdoors. It’s just a different style of camping. During these periods, campfires and… Continue reading
Hey, buddy. Did you hear the one about the ‘gator that strolled into a leather store? He was looking for a long-lost cousin. Oh, come on. It wasn’t that bad. (Was it?) Chances are you’ve heard tons of jokes like this one. (And others I couldn’t print here). While most… Continue reading
Something just didn’t seem right. We were westbound on the Red Rock Randsburg highway late one Sunday afternoon in July. Another hot day in the Mojave Desert – about 100 degrees. Just as I crested the top of a hill, I could see a disabled vehicle on the right shoulder about a… Continue reading
Even after decades and thousands of miles of four wheeling in the western US, I’m still amazed to find neat stretches of trail scattered about. That was the case last year when I stumbled upon a portion of the Pony Express trail. One late winter day, I was traveling on… Continue reading
