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
I was scouting a new trail in the Parashant National Monument, located in the Grand Canyon. At one point I wanted to take a shortcut, but didn’t know if the road ahead was open. A recent storm had me concerned about a washout. If the road were passable and interesting… Continue reading
Anyone old enough to remember the Apollo space program may recall hearing the term redundancy. Back then, NASA was referring to extra electronics or other systems in the space capsule and lunar module. Today’s commercial aircraft also employ a certain amount of redundancy. In either case, the principle is the… Continue reading
Coming back from the Independence Day outing, I took some time to reflect on this amazing hobby. Over the years I’ve enjoyed countless hours admiring many fascinating places in the western US. There are so many possibilities open to four-wheeling that at times it’s easy to take this all for… Continue reading
Four-wheeling is truly a family affair. Participants are highly encouraged to bring spouses, children, grandchildren, even grandparents along for the ride. And while driving off-road requires certain skills, there are no age limits. As long as the person can competently maneuver a vehicle over the chosen course, he or she… Continue reading
You’ve been four-wheeling for some time now. Probably drove a few challenging trails and endured a weekend in ugly weather. Perhaps you participated in one of my excursions (or someone else’s) and thought, I’d like to be a Trail Guide. That’s great. While the position entails a fair amount of… Continue reading
I was well into my second day of a four-day trip through Death Valley. Suddenly, after bumping over a rut, the left front spring broke in half. I looked at it in disbelief — the rut wasn’t that deep. (The spring may have been cracked prior to hitting the rut.)… Continue reading
There is a long tradition in this country of applying names to inanimate objects. Tin Lizzie, you may recall, was the nickname given to Ford’s Model T. Some people still use the term when referring to their car. During World War II, pilots and troops would regularly give a name… Continue reading
Mt. Patterson was our destination that beautiful autumn day. Part of the Sweetwater Range and located on the western edge of the Great Basin, Mt. Patterson’s summit offers a commanding view of that area. The drive entails a slow climb on a one-lane shelf road. I was leading a group… Continue reading
Four-wheeling is best enjoyed in groups. (Indeed, I stress group outings for safety reasons.) At times you will be a participant. Others times you will want to be the Trail Leader. You’re proud of your skills and want to showcase the trails you enjoy exploring. Being a Trail Leader isn’t… Continue reading
If you’re a regular reader, you’ll recall that I often stress the virtues of proper packing for your 4WD trip. Having the right gear and supplies can make or break a four-wheeling experience. At the same time, taking the wrong stuff can be bad for you, your vehicle and the… Continue reading
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