Author Topic: Yet another "What I did on my summer vacation" thread from 811952, 2009 style..  (Read 252 times)

811952

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After having a most excellent time at the Chicago Gathering, Tracy and I hauled the kids out West for some excitement in the new Jeep...
 
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28546
 
If you have the fortitude to make it through the entire thing, I hope you at least get some enjoyment out of it.  If not, I certainly do understand..  ;)
 
I am living a charmed life..  
 
John

john_judge

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It has been years since I have been out that way, are you out by any chance on the 191 Hwy I think it was called years ago Bull Canyon road, the views and the pictures are breath taking, wish I was there, it has been many moons since I have been out that deep west and are the gas stations timed still just about right when your needle says just about empty you can barly see one in the distance. oh yeah for the record I seen things at night out there under the stars but I do not know for sure if it was Albino spiders or even if they exist. I was told this by A Navaho Indian, but if you got a telescope you can see some great star gazing and if not it's worth the night trip one time to see the sky and take some photo's
 
Use to scare the crap out of me, thinking I was going to run out of gas all the time!  I don't know if they are in those parts but there was an Albino Tarantula in Utah that use to make this weird peeping noise at night and you can barely see there eye's glow from under the rocks at night. Watch for Scorpions! under rocks, even moving or picking up a small one use caution as my friend who came with me got stung by one. Take care John and enjoy your trip. I just got back from Vancouver, B.C. and it was beautiful walking on the 166 ft. suspension Bridge .
 
(Message edited by john judge on July 05, 2009)

811952

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We're back already, and had an excellent time!  The Jeep will go 400+ miles on a tank of gas, so we didn't have any issues and always fueled-up before heading out for the day..  Also packed LOTS of water and refilled at every opportunity..  Didn't see many critters though, and weren't out at night.  
 
John

lbpesq

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John:
 
WOW!!! Gorgeous pics.  Looks like you had an amazing experience.  Road trips are my favorite method of travel.  Last year we drove Oakland to Seattle.  Went up the coast and came back more inland, hitting Crater Lake and Weed, CA on the way.
 
Bill, tgo

glocke

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John,
 
Nice pics.  Two years ago I did a similar trip, flew into SLC, than explored southern Utah (Bryce, Escalante, etc), and than drove up and spent a week in Missoula MT where I lived for a bit in the 90's.
 
Im envious, I cant wait to get back out there.

David Houck

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Just finished reading and viewing.  Great trip, great pics!

mike1762

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Thanks for the tour!!!  Is it possible to do the Moab portion of the trip without an ATV?

811952

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There were more people than I would have expected doing Moab trails on mountain bikes.  You can also rent Jeeps and ATVs from several places in Moab.  Of course, there is a lot of exceptional climbing, hiking and rafting as well.
 
In a perfect world, I would have taken the KLR motorcycle as well, and just camped the entire time.  There were some amazing vacant campsites scattered about the area, since this was considered their off-season to some degree..
 
As for environmental concerns (which ARE a concern for me), there is plenty to do without ever leaving a trail.  Vehicles that stray from the trails are fined heavily, and there is signage everywhere extolling the virtues of leaving no trace.  It was reassuring to my inner-treehugger.
 
John

olieoliver

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Awesome pictures John. Looks like a great trip. I happen to love road trips. We have a short one coming up next month on our MC's.  Won't be anything like your trip but it'll have to do for now.  
 
OO

LMiwa

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Great pictures - love the optimism pic!  
 
Did a week in the Grand Canyon/Flagstaff/Sedona area on a mountain bike a while back. Your pictures made me realize how much I miss that kind of stuff...
 
Loch

olieoliver

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Here's one from our trip to S Dakota. We rode almost 4000 miles in 8 days.
Th Badlands are awesoem, couldn'y you just imagine crossing this in a covered wagon.  

olieoliver

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oops dbl post  
 
 
(Message edited by olieoliver on July 05, 2009)

tbrannon

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I always enjoy these... thanks for posting the link.  I've mountain biked Moab several times- it's breathtakingly beautiful isn't it?

811952

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The West is stunning indeed.  I can't imagine how tedious crossing any of it in a covered wagon must have been..  Motorcycle is definitely much better!
 
I can't wait to go back..
 
John

olieoliver

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John it doesn't hurt that we have a 7-11 every 10 miles or so either. LOL
 
OO