FR 41: Dec, 2009

We had Jacki's 6 month check up coming up in a few days, and we were afraid the doctor would tell us that she shouldn't do off-road trips anymore. So we decided to call some friends and set up a trail run before it was officially to late to do any runs. We met up with our friend Bryan and Wil from Sierra Expeditions. Once we were aired down we headed for the Verde River. This trail offers only a couple of challenging sections, but it is good for a day trip and some spectacular scenery. It took a little longer than anticipated due to stops for photo ops and a little goofing off on the great rock formations. A nice lunch under the cottonwoods and then trying to find a way across the river. It was a great day spent with good friends and even got to see a Toyota swim. Lots of fun in deed.



Some of the very interesting rock formations scattered along the trail.


Jacki sitting on top of the world at 6 months pregnant.


Jacki conquering the small hill.


Wil tackling a slightly more challenging hill.


Wil checking the river crossing for us. It's a bit deep for the Montero and Jeep.


Jacki finding a shallow crossing.

And we were right, the doctor told us that we should not be doing any more off-road trips. This was our last trip for a little while.

Remember to always tread lightly and leave no trace.

Aaron

Turkey Creek: Oct, 2009

We had just installed a new suspension on the Montero and wanted a chance to try it out a bit. We called our good friends, Rex, in Prescott and our friend, Bryan to see if they wanted to join us for another relaxing weekend of camping. They were happy to come along. We set up the meet at the bar in the town of Cleator. From there we followed the trail back to the edges of Turkey Creek. In the past, the creek was always flowing and full of water due to the large number of natural springs in the area. This time we found it dry, but didn't let it bother us. On Saturday we lounged around a bit and then decided to go hike up to a mine site not too far from camp. It was quite a climb to get up to the mine, but the views from the top were outstanding. Again, we did not have Ellesha for this trip so it was just the grown ups. We wanted to get as much outdoor time as we could before Jacki could no longer go on these trips. It was a good call to do this trip as it turned out to be a great weekend.


We had to stop to let this little guy cross the trail safely.



Getting to the campsite was an adventure all in its self. The new suspension did great.


Nice spot with a lot of greenery around. It was a little sandy though as we were on the bank of the creek.


The mine shaft.


View from the mine. That is the trail to our campsite.


Cool artifacts were to be found. This is an insolator from when there used to be a telegraph line to the mine. We only inspect and put it back for the next person to enjoy.

Remember to tread lightly and leave no trace.

Aaron

Apache Maid: Sept, 2009

We found out a couple weeks ago that Jacki is pregnant. We were very excited about the news of our growing family but had a trip planned to go camping over Labor Day weekend. This news did not stop our adventure as Ellesha was also very excited to go. She loves camping as much as we do and likes to help out around the campsite. As she is still a little young to help set up, we send her out to police the campground and pick up any garbage that she sees laying around. This trip was not meant so much for exploration, but more for relaxation. We did take a quick run up to the Apache Maid lookout, and the ranger that was manning the station was kind enough to invite us up, talk about about the area, and instruct Ellesha on what it is that she does up in the lookout. Needless to say, the views from the lookout were amazing, we could see all the way to Sedona.


View to the red rocks of Sedona.


Cool dead tree haunting our campsite.


Camping with a full moon. Way cool.


Our campsite. It used to be secluded and quiet, but during the holiday weekend we had noisy neighbors about a 1/4 mile away.

Remember to tread lightly and leave no trace.

Aaron

Alamo Lake: May 2009

Sometimes parents need a break too. Our friend sets up camp every spring on Alamo Lake to do some fishing for about 6 weeks or so. He invited Jacki and I to come out and join him, and we took this as an opportunity to get away with out our daughter. After work on Friday we headed out to Alamo Lake to join him with some relaxation. We chose not to fish, as we both find it one of the most boring things a person can do (no offense to all those that love to fish). Instead, we decided to take the back roads to the ghost town of Swansea on Saturday. We got off to an early start and really enjoyed the drive; it was a pretty well graded, though very soft dirt, road until we decided to take the back way out of the town site. We stopped at the town of Bouse and the general store to pick up a few provisions and then off to Swansea. We made it back in time for the fish fry that night, and breaded and fried fresh trout is absolutely delicious. Many thanks to our friend for sharing his catch with us.


Sunsets and water, is there anything more spectacular? Perhaps if my photography skills were better.


On the way to Swansea, it seems that there is nothing around for many miles.



There are many structures still standing in the town, and it even looks like an attempt at renovation occured not too many years ago.


The back way out of the town presents a slightly more challenging route.


Joshua Trees abound on the back way back to Wickenburg.

Remember to tread lightly and leave no trace.

Aaron

Mingus Mountain: April, 2009

We went to Prescott for the Overland Expo in April of 2009. After checking out all the cool rigs and gear available, we met up with some frinds for a night of camping, camaraderie, and a trail run the next morning. The trail chosen was Smiley Rock off of Mingus Mountain. We knew the trail would be a challenge for us as the Montero was still stock aside from tires, but we decided to give it a try anyway. We did have to turn around as the rock section of the trail proved too much for the low hanging parts on Montero. But it was a good time anyway. We need to give it another try now that the Montero has a bit more stuff on it to help with its off-road capabilities.


Why the trail is called Smiley Rock.


Jacki getting a little too frindly with the rock. What is the saying? "You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose."


The desert is still in bloom.



This is as far as we made it. The rocks got just a bit too big for the stock truck. Better luck next time.

Remember, tread lightly and leave no trace.

Aaron

Bradshaw Mountains, AZ 4/2009

We had just purchased the Montero as our next adventure rig after getting rid of the aging Trooper. We thought a nice easy shake down run was appropriate. So our friend Bryan and his girlfriend Kasey joined us for a day run to the ghost town of Tip Top. I had to say, the Montero impressed me and I decided that it was a good platform to build off of. Spring in the desert is always a great time to get out and do some exploring and hiking.




The views are always amazing.


Always fans of the desert in bloom, the flowers are colorful and add a beauty to the desert like no other place in the world.



Even a little water running across the trail.


A reminder of times gone by.


The desert slowly taking back the land where the town sits. The town was once home to 1200 people

Remember to tread lightly and leave no trace.

Aaron