First 2020 Dirt Trip

We're well into February, and we're just hitting the dirt for 2020.  I took a well needed Mental Health Day from work, met up with friends who recently bought their first Jeep and we headed to Box Canyon at their request.

Mike and I have done Box Canyon several times both on four wheels and two.  Our first venture in the Jeep out there inspired the heavy steel skid plates it now wears.

We met up, headed down towards the canyon.  We aired down, shifted into 4x4 and pushed concentrated on nothing but the trail ahead.  We were a little surprised to see some water still gently flowing through the canyon from several days prior.

After exiting the canyon, our fellow Jeepers were wanting more trail, so we gave them that. A full 40+ mile day.  We pushed towards Martinez Canyon and eventually out at 177 southeast of Superior.

The trail doesn't disappoint.  You spend most of the day in 4 low, riding up and down technical ridges.  Most of the time Mike drives, but I got to expand my 4 low skills today a bit too.

By the time we were nearing pavement the shadows in the valleys were getting longer.

We aired up, said our goodbyes, and exhausted and happy, made our ways home.  Life is busy, complicated and sometimes messy, but these short and infrequent breaks on the trail ease the mind and soul.  

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Jeepin' in Butcher Jones

It's been entirely too long since we used the Jeep as it was intended.  Our bud Lance invited us out to Jeep, and after other plans fell through, we scrambled out of bed, made sandwiches to go, loaded up the girls, and headed north.

The plan, meet up with Lance and other random Jeepers at Butcher Jones in my beloved Tonto National Forest.  13 Jeeps (yes entirely too many), headed out on the trail that circled Saguaro Lake.

We took several breaks in between obstacles, which gave the girls a chance to stretch their legs.

We spent several hours, flexing, stretching and smacking the skid plates around.

By this point, there were two casualties.  One JK broke it's aftermarket sway bar, and another JK broke it's Dana 30.  OUCH!  He called a 4x4 tow.  The remainder of us split up and our group made our way back out.

We finished our day at pavement, aired up, had some good laughs, and said our goodbyes to old friends and new Jeep pals.  It felt damn good to get out today, get in 4 low and go.  

New Year's Eve Trails

We started the year with new friends on a trail, it seemed fitting to end the year with the same amazing people.

The end of year crew was smaller: Pete and Mandy in the FJ, Liz and dogs in the Tundra, Jeremy in SeanRubiconnery, and Dave and Charlie in the TRD 4Runner.  We met up at their campsite off Table Mesa Road and caught up after our extended disappearance from off roading.

Then onto trails!  SeanRubiconnery lead us around for the day.  While the start of the year was wet and cold, today proved to be sunny and dusty.  Couldn't have asked for better weather.

We made our way to an old fort and explored before lunch.  Hope wasn't much of a fan of climbing rocks.  Elly needs to teach her the ropes.  (We left Elly and Rommel at the house.  Old age sucks)

After a fort-side lunch, we made our way along a ravine towards an old mine site.  We explored and chatted for a while before turning back.

After meeting up one last time, we all said our goodbyes.  Half the crew was camping again, while our teardrop is trapped behind car parts.  On our way out, we met up with Brett who had to work today, but was on his way in for an afternoon of trails and camping.

This was an amazing way to end the year.  I very much needed a day on the trail.  The fresh air, great scenery and good friends is just the reset button my brain needed.

Happy New Year!!! May your 2018 be filled with adventures great and small!

Full photo gallery found on SmugMug

There are No April Showers

Spring has sprung.  The days are very warm, but the nights are still nice and cool.  I'll take it.  If it would only stay this way all year.  

April showers bring may flowers.  Unless you live in the desert.  We haven't had rain in forever.  I can't remember the last time it rained, actually.  But life goes on and the birds come back and plants still bloom.

My yard has been blooming for weeks.  The citrus trees have bloomed and dropped their flowers already.  Likewise with the creosote.  Right now, the cactus are sprouting pink flowers.  And the bees and hummingbirds are in heaven. 

This little dude loves my mesquite trees.  He and his buddies zoom around them all afternoon.  I think they offer safety and camouflage.  He sat for quite a while and preened. 

My pencil cactus has started to bloom vibrant pink flowers. 

My yard is very popular with a nearby hive of bees.  They stop for water daily at my koi ponds, and pollinate every plant.  They could case less about my presence.  I've cleaned the koi ponds while they drink and have trimmed bushes next to the orange tree they were fervently pollinating. 

They are always welcome in my yard.  I'm more than happy to have a healthy hive nearby, even if they photobomb my flower shots.