{"id":38878,"date":"2026-11-10T10:15:14","date_gmt":"2026-11-10T18:15:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.4x4training.com\/w\/?p=38878"},"modified":"2026-11-10T16:40:00","modified_gmt":"2026-11-11T00:40:00","slug":"what-i-am-thankful-about-four-wheeling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.4x4training.com\/w\/what-i-am-thankful-about-four-wheeling\/","title":{"rendered":"What I am Thankful About Four-Wheeling"},"content":{"rendered":"

November is the Thanksgiving month. In that vein, this article shall act as a \u2018thank you\u2019 for all that four-wheeling has meant to me. I hope I can do justice in this humble piece.<\/p>\n

Thankful for all the friendships I have made<\/strong><\/p>\n

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It all starts with relationships. Numerous individuals started as acquaintances or clients and became close friends. Friendship and camaraderie make such a big difference. We bond during long drives and short trips. During fantastic weather and crummy weather. Behind the wheel and around the campsite. You just can\u2019t beat good friends.<\/p>\n

Great friends show up on time, and are stocked up on gas, wood and all the appropriate gear so we can leave on time.<\/p>\n

Many companions bring important skills, too. They can fix vehicles, cook great meals, know first aid, and can spin a yarn like the best of them. A good storyteller is always in demand off road.<\/p>\n

The real standout is the person who takes the initiative. This person offers to cook or clean up. Spot lines. Help with repairs\u2026those folks are gold. I\u2019ve had the distinct pleasure of meeting many over the years.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m thankful for friends who bring spare parts to me on the trail, sometimes involving a significant effort on their part.<\/p>\n

We can\u2019t ignore spouses and significant others who like to go four-wheeling and camping. The time outdoors is much more enjoyable when experienced with a loved one.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s man\u2019s best friend. Our four-legged buddies are a joy to have around. Dogs are tailor-made for an off-road trip. In fact, they crave the outdoors. That wagging tail, darting nose, and excited eyes tell you just how much they are enjoying themselves.<\/p>\n

Thankful for being outdoors<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Where do I begin? Incredible scenery, majestic mountains and wide-open skies. Toss in the amazing, star-filled skies we witness at night. Those awe-inspiring scenes just aren\u2019t found in the city. And I\u2019m thankful for the comfortable weather in the desert throughout the winter months. Without that, we would not be able to experience that unique landscape.<\/p>\n

I am thankful for landmarks I see, and the rich history to experience. Four-wheeling allows us to see parts of this nation that few people can. We take a step back in time while visiting ghost towns, closed mines and old railroad beds.<\/p>\n

I am thankful that the Rubicon Trail stays rugged. The folks in El Dorado and Placer counties don\u2019t try to maintain or smooth out this fabled trail. (Or, worse, pave it over!) The Rubicon offers a four-wheeling experience like no other. In addition, no permit is needed to drive the Rubicon. I am really thankful for that.<\/p>\n

Speaking of trails, the perfect trail provides a certain amount of challenge but is still doable. It offers anticipation of the unknown challenges ahead. Ideally, the trail is not too far away, so we don\u2019t waste valuable time getting there. Once on the trail, we relish in the majestic scenery, historic features (old mines and ghost towns are favorites) and lots of fresh air.<\/p>\n

A significant part of any campout is the campfire. I am thankful for the soft flames and perfect amount of heat. The smoke that climbs straight upward, so our clothing doesn\u2019t smell like a furnace. On top of that, the wood is properly seasoned; the fire is just right.<\/p>\n

And when we aren\u2019t allowed to burn wood, we light up a propane-fired campfire. We can enjoy a relaxing campfire even when fire restrictions are in place.<\/p>\n

What I\u2019m thankful for in a campsite<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Tent<\/p>\n

Regardless of which part of the country we explore, we often have to spend at least one night at a campsite. I am always grateful when I see these qualities in a campsite:<\/p>\n