This Isn't Iceland: Utah

 Just like everyone else, 2020 royally ruined loads of plans for us.  One of those was to spend our 10 year anniversary in Iceland.  We had tickets purchased, a 4x4 camper truck rented and were ready to go when the pandemic hit hardest in early May.  With everything refunded, we held out hope that maybe the world would "normalize" later in the year.  With that not happening, and in desperate need of a vacation, we opted to go camping.

We left mid-morning on a Friday to miss the weekend-escape-the-heat traffic and landed in Mexican Hat, Utah just before dinner.  We scored a sweet camp spot along the banks of the San Juan River, just behind the famous Hat.  With rafting campers flanking us, we all settled in to listen to the river and watch the bats hunt after the sun set.  

The next morning, we sipped coffee while the sun crept into the gorge.  Packed up, waved at the rafters on the opposite bank and slogged our way towards Valley of the Gods.  We do not miss an opportunity to drive through the Valley if we're up here.  It is my favorite place on the planet.  Since we purchased a DJI Mavic drone specifically for Iceland, we got it up and going to hone our piloting and post-editing skills.  

After a leisurely drive through the Valley, we hit slab and pushed north.  While the desert temperatures are icy compared to southern Arizona this time of year, we had better plans: cool fall temps of Colorado.  

Day Trip | Workman's Camp Road

We originally planned an overnight camping trip, but after looking into battery charging issues we were having with the teardrop, we realized one of the two batteries had spilled its guts in the aluminum box.  Cleaning that up killed half a day so instead we worked on our project truck with plans for a day trip the following day.

A buddy had ventured into Tonto National Forest a few weeks back and told us to explore Workman's Camp Road.  We have driven by this road too many times to count on our way to other camp spots, never giving it a second glance.  What a shame, because in addition to a small (well right now in summer it is small) waterfall, it boasts amazing views of the surrounding valley's and peaks.

We started the day, dipping our toes in the clear stream.

Afterwards we ventured up towards the waterfall.  It was just a trickle this time of year.  In the mountains it was in the mid 80s whereas at home in the flats we saw 107.  And it's only mid June.

Further up the mountain, we veered left and went up to the surprisingly empty fire watch tower.  The views were incredible.  Mike fought the big winds and launched the drone for some incredible footage of our favorite national forest.

It was a quick day out, but much welcomed.  We've been working relentlessly in the shop, trying to finish two project trucks that can't help but find one problem after another.  We didn't get out overnight in, but we did get to stop at the top of the world.

Anniversary On Dirt

10 years ago, we were on our honeymoon, zooming around the desert on a KTM990.  This year, we had booked a 4x4 camper to circle Iceland - our first international trip.  After all, 10 years warrants something special.  But like many others, our plans were halted, cancelled and reworked.  We decided to celebrate the only other way we know how - by camping in our favorite National Forest.

Tonto National Forest - The Land of Many Uses

Between Globe and Young lies pines.  Seems silly to bypass the pines for the junipers, but we were on a mission to find a camp spot from 8 years ago.  Before leaving the pines, we stopped at Reynolds Creek - one of our favorite haunts.

We left Reynolds Creek and started towards Young, AZ.  We spent our first evening alone among the junipers and scrub pines.  We felt like we had the whole horizon to ourselves.

Stir crazy as we are, we left Young for the pines.  Tonto really lives by its name - it begins in the desert, among the high saguaros, blooming palo verdes and desolate spaces.  Tonto transitions into juniper and scrub pines before ending in the cool, towering pine forests.  And we love every inch of this national forest.

The pines, as expected were much busier.  But after ample exploring, we found a quiet secluded spot, set up camp and spent the evening listening to the wind in the needles.

Our two days were up and we packed up and headed back south.  Someday we'll head to the ice cold northern island to explore, but at least we spent our anniversary with the girls, among the trees.  Just us.

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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Railway Memories

Visiting a little slice of my childhood while visiting family for Christmas.