Moab Day 6 and Final Day on the trail: MOAB RIM

Well, today started off BIG SATURDAY for the Jeep Safari. We lined up at 8:00 and were the sixth jeep in line. It promised to be a great great great day on the trail. Justin and I got there so early we decided to walk over to McDonald's for a hot chocolate and McGriddle. We were back in plenty of time to to get back in our jeep and leave at 9:00. Although it was a gorgeous day, it was breezy cold. Our trail was Moab Rim the 2nd hardest trail in Moab. Justin had never driven this trail before so he was really looking forward to it. Last year he missed it because he was sick the day they had signed up to run it. We made it to the air down at the trail head. Everything is just perfect. The first obstacle approaches Justin is ahead of Gerry, his dad, and I am taking the pictures for this obstacle known as Devil's Crack.

The trail leader is spotting everyone through it beautifully. Justin makes it no problem. Gerry has his turn, and he is struggling just a bit.

 He his last try to get over the crack there is a loud snap of metal. Gerry has broken his axle. Justin is willing to pull out of the line and take Gerry back to town, but Gerry insists that Justin continue with the trail. Gerry backs down the Rim to the trail head and Justin jumps back into the line.

 The end of the line I might add. So much for being in the front. At least there were only 22 jeeps signed up for the trail. The day was a fun trail ride. There was a spot on the trail that was a bit tippy and I thought we were going to roll, but Justin is an amazing driver and made it through.

As traditional on Big Saturday, we had dinner at the beautiful Sunset Grill that is up on the mountain side. I look forward to that every year. Nothing like Fillet Mignon. It is a bitter sweet night. Good food, a fun trail, but tomorrow we have to leave Riverside Oasis and go home to the real world.

Well finally I got to run the Moab Rim trail.  I have been looking forward to driving this one since I first rode it with my Dad way back in 1989.  Back then it ripped up the guts to the rear differential of my dad's Jeep and we had to leave the trail early.  My dad has since been back and conquered the trail a few years ago, but I always wanted to take it on myself.  This trail is tough!  But it was fun too.  The best part about being in Moab is being with my family as we have a good time.  We will be back next year and I cannot wait!

Moab Days 4 & 5

 We got to sleep in on Thursday. Finally, the first day in my Spring Break and I got to sleep in. Justin and his Dad volunteered at the Trade Show for the Jeep Safari. They are both associate members of the Red Rock Four Wheelers Club. Next year if they are good they get to help with trail runs. We went on a trail ride in the afternoon. We went on my favorite trail Fins & Things. I only took a few pictures because we went through the trail in about 2 hours. It was really fun though. I have several pictures of this trail, but there was this one spot on the trail where we were behind a Toyota pickup that was only equipped with open faced differentials. It was embarrassing to watch this guy struggle up the obstacle. When I hiked up to the top of the obstacle, those in the Toyota group waited around to watch Justin climb up

 It wasn't super exciting. He just walked right up with no problems at all. He really showed up the group ahead of us.









Friday, today, we were going on a trail with Gerry's, Justin's father, jeep club. We were headed out to Klondike Bluffs, but Justin's jeep started chirping at us so we decided to head back to camp to check out what was wrong with the jeep. Luckily it was only the drive line and it only needed some grease. Justin, took off the drive line and greased it up really well and then took it out for a test drive. It did the trick. We went down to the Kane Creek Trail entrance and had our picnic lunch. It was super windy, but the view was gorgeous. I didn't take pictures of it. Trust me though, Moab is a beautiful area. The pictures I have already posted can attest to that.

Tonight is the Red Rock 4 Wheelers' raffle and we, Marsha, Justin's step-mom, and I, went out to dinner and wandered about Moab's City Center and checked out the shops and such. Meanwhile, Justin and his dad are at the raffle. They ate the noxious fume producing BBQ provided by the local Boy Scout Troupe. We are still awaiting the results of the raffle. We should be hearing from them soon. I am expecting a thrilling win of a Jeep. We will see.

Moab Steelbender Trail: Day three

Today was the most beautiful day. It started out sunny with a cool breeze and was a day for shorts. I even got a bit of sun on my arms. ( I am starting my Farmer's Tan early). The obstacles were fun with a little bit of heart attack. Justin's dad decided to take a hard line down one of the obstacles and he almost tipped. I did get a lovely picture of it. Of course I refused to talk to him for about 3 minutes. Justin took the smart line. He knows that he still has more trails to run and he wants to keep his jeep running.

Smart Move Justin!

Man sometimes parents just don't listen to their children. I told my Dad to take the right line down the obstacle, but well you know how those senior citizens are...they just go and do whatever they want! Actually my dad has a firm grasp on the capabilities of his jeep, he knew what he was doing, it just looked scarier than it really was. Best day of the week so far! The sun was out and I was on the Steelbender trail. It does not get any better than this.

As we drove out of the trail there was some beautiful scenes.

We got off the trail early and stopped by the Jeep Vendor Show. I won a T-shirt. I want a jeep just to drive around town. I am not brave enough to drive off road. I don't have the nerve for it. I completely trust Justin's skills.


I took some pictures of the camp ground where we stay during the Jeep Safari.
We are sad because they are not going to be here after next year. It is the most beautiful camp ground in Moab. I wanted to make sure that I took pictures of it to remember our favorite place to stay in Moab.

Moab: Day Two Backwards Bill Trail

Beautiful day for a trail ride. We rode Backwards Bill today. There wasn't any s snow thank heavens. We had a relaxing ride. I got out and took photos, but there was only one major obstacle. Wipe Out Hill.

Justin always makes the driving look so easy.

All the jeeps on our trail. There were 26 Jeeps. No breaks and no injuries

Justin and I standing in front of Uranium Arch.

Today was such a vast difference on the trail from what we experienced yesterday. The sun was shining and I even had short sleeves on sometimes. I got out of the jeep and played with my camera. The trail was scenic rather than challenging. We had one cool obstacle but the pictures weren't very exciting.

Easter Jeep Safari: Moab Day One

We got here yesterday. Our drive down was a bit crazy. The winds were out of control, and we even met with snow as we crossed Soldier Summit. We got to Moab safely, and we settled into our cabin. We love this campground. We are sad because this year will be our last to stay because it will be turning into a hotel. I will be posting pictures of this amazing place. You will understand why it is such a sad turn of events.

Today started out a big rainy and cold. When we got to the trail head is was cold and muddy, but we were going to head out and love it. From behind the jeep it looked clear. Then the front of the jeep where the drivers' meeting was taking place it looked ominous. The snow started coming down. I knew that hydrating during the trail would be a bad idea. It was just too cold for such delicate activities. Eventually it stopped snowing, but it was still cold. I was not getting out of the jeep for ANY reason. I wanted so badly to play with my new camera so I still took pictures through muddy windows and open doors. Maybe tomorrow I will get out and take more interesting pictures.

Mountains, where are you?

Foggy windows!

Nope! I am not getting out of the jeep. Too cold and snowy.

It's not what is on the other side. It's the climb!

Man for the second year in a row I am at Moab and sick!  At least this year it appears to only be a head cold and not the flu like I had last year.  The weather was nice...OK not that nice, it snowed all morning and then was sloppy and muddy the rest of the day.  In one word the weather was...PERFECT for driving off road.  Unfortunately the little green jeep is now showing its wear and tear.  The rear passenger door would not close after we ran the rocker panel against a rock.  I know, I know, your thinking to yourself, geez Justin you should have had rocker protection.  You are right I should have, but it is too late now.  Fixing it was easy, nothing a tap of the hammer could not fix.   Hopefully I can get the Jeep replacement project finished sooner, with room for another passenger to ride with Becky and myself of course.