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. 

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.