official 2009 Colorado invasion thread - Page 4

texastoy88 · 07-24-09, 12:15 AM

We are all good for leaving earlier too. Remember that we are the one's without the A/C

. Depends on what time you guys what to try to meet. Might I suggest meeting at Jolly. There is a large Vallero truck stop there. Plenty of parking and gas for anyone who needs it. Just a thought.

I am showing 127 miles for us. We should be able to make that in a little over two hours I would think. I think we can average around 55 - 60 with no problem.

Granted, I would rather not have to get up at 3 am to drive for 15 hours.

texastoy88 · 07-24-09, 03:04 PM

I got to thinking about the first night.

Getting to the GSDs is going to be a feat in itself. The area that can be camped in up on the primitive road puts us past the dunes area going up toward the pass. I am sure this route will take a little time (like our trip down the beach). I am wondering if it might make any sense to stop somewhere before we get into the NP area. I found a really nice area that might be a good camping spot but am still looking into it. It is aroudn Zapata Falls (seen below). Thought it might be cool to set up next to somehting like this for the evening.

I am continuing to look for a place for the first night. I am looking into something along the Blanca Peak 4x4 trail also.

texastoy88 · 07-24-09, 04:07 PM

yea, yea... I know.. I think too much.

I found a nice little area on the east side of Blanca Peak about 5 miles off Hwy 160 jsut on the West side of North LaVeta Pass (9413ft). There are two locations that I have pinpointed that are around 9300 ft and one around 10,800 ft.

I thought since it is on the East side of Blanca Peak, We might get some really nice sunrise photos.

TEXASLAWMAN · 07-24-09, 05:51 PM

I forgot about traffic we will proably have to leave no later than 5 to beat it.

texastoy88 · 07-24-09, 06:23 PM

Only real draw back to leaving on Friday morning. Luckily for us, the worst traffic we will have would be the local farmer moving his plow from one field to another.

So realistically what time do you think we should meet? 6 am, 7 am? For most of you guys in the dallas area, will have to leave out minimum of 5 am to be at Henrietta/Jolly area by 7 - 7:30 or so.

Since we are the slowest of the group, I had thought that if we got to Jolly and topped the tanks off early, (depending on how much behind us you guys were) we might continue on at our snail's pace till you guys caught us. I know most of you guys will be able to run 65 or so and will catch us really quickly. More than likely we will just hang out and take a nap, but I don't know about the rest of ya... I am ready to be there!!

TEXASLAWMAN · 07-24-09, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texastoy88

Since we are the slowest of the group we might continue on at our snail's pace till you guys caught us. I know most of you guys will be able to run 65 or so and will catch us really quickly. More than likely we will just hang out and take a nap, but I don't know about the rest of ya... I am ready to be there!!

I think yall should leave thursday.

TEXASLAWMAN · 07-27-09, 11:37 AM

Chris are you still around???? Do you want to meet somewhere on I20 or just meet in Jolly??? We will be going I20 from I45 to 287. Friday morning.

LawmansGrl · 07-27-09, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEXASLAWMAN

I think yall should leave thursday.

LOL... is it any wonder why I love you? You're such a smart ass!

LawmansGrl · 07-27-09, 01:10 PM

I mixed up some margarita's last night but I ran out of tequila so I have to go get more and ADD to what I mixed up... I like Angie's method of "guessing", my measuring method didn't work out too well, you can't even taste it. lol. I'll fix that! Angie get ready, between your mix and what I'm bringing and all the hot damn, we should have a fuuuuun trip!

LawmansGrl · 07-27-09, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texastoy88

I got to thinking about the first night.

Getting to the GSDs is going to be a feat in itself. The area that can be camped in up on the primitive road puts us past the dunes area going up toward the pass. I am sure this route will take a little time (like our trip down the beach). I am wondering if it might make any sense to stop somewhere before we get into the NP area. I found a really nice area that might be a good camping spot but am still looking into it. It is aroudn Zapata Falls (seen below). Thought it might be cool to set up next to somehting like this for the evening.

I am continuing to look for a place for the first night. I am looking into something along the Blanca Peak 4x4 trail also.

LOVE this idea... and this location. This would be awesome.

texastoy88 · 07-27-09, 01:15 PM

LOL!! I am ready for a fun trip! Less than 4 days..

3 days, 12 hours and 45 mintues..

We have all the bags backed, 4runner loaded, trailer loaded.. Are we there yet?

All we have to do is pack in the ice chest with all the drinks and ice and hit the road.

texastoy88 · 07-27-09, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LawmansGrl

LOVE this idea... and this location. This would be awesome.

punch into Googleearth these coordinates...

37 deg 37' 29.27"n, 105 deg 20' 52.08"w

This is located on the east side of Blanca Peak. It appears to be in the National Forest and does not appear to be local to any homes. This particular location is in sort of an open area on a ridge that will give us gorgeous panorana views to the NE, SE and SW. Directly to the SW will be Blanca Peak. Should be a heck of a spot to see sunrise.

Sadly unless it is something we want to put on the list to do first thing in the morning before entering GSDNP the Zapata Falls area is a 1/2 mile hike one way to get to the falls. There is a parking area there, and all my gear is lockable, so I would be up for hiking, but that would be up to everyone else.

TEXASLAWMAN · 07-27-09, 01:53 PM

[QUOTE=texastoy88;4638209] and all my gear is lockable, QUOTE]

Enough of mine isnt that Im not comfortable leaving it on the side of a major road for an extended period of time especially the first day!!! This is one of the major drawbacks to the trailer.

LawmansGrl · 07-27-09, 02:12 PM

[QUOTE=TEXASLAWMAN;4638282]

Quote:

Originally Posted by texastoy88

and all my gear is lockable, QUOTE]

Enough of mine isnt that Im not comfortable leaving it on the side of a major road for an extended period of time especially the first day!!! This is one of the major drawbacks to the trailer.

Well THAT bites.

On another note... my kids are stir crazy and are driving me batty... so much so I'm tempted to drive them to their dad's a couple of days early, lol so I can wait out this last few days in peace. OMG... "are we there yet?"

texastoy88 · 07-27-09, 02:37 PM

The Falls area is not directly off the road. It is about 3 1/2 miles from the road with a small parking area.

IF you want, we can let a group go hiking and we can hang behind with the gear. We can certainly play it by ear on this. I am up for hiking but we shall see after that first long day of driving. I amight say the heck with hiking and then playing in the sand too.

Panzer · 07-27-09, 04:13 PM

Ok, I am back in town now. I am all for the hike to the falls. after that much butt time a hike would be good. Also a good energy burn for the kids.
I am going to get in touch with Keith so that he can link up with ya'll on 287, I have to pick up my clan in Oklahoma so I will be coming in via southern Kansas and meeting ya'll in Walsenburg.
My trailer is in shop until tomorrow PM so I am doing shocks and maybe tie rod ends on the 80 tomorrow. Wednesday is yakrack and tent install onto the trailer. As usuall too much crap to do and not enough time.

texastoy88 · 07-27-09, 04:46 PM

Good to have you back sir.

Since you are going to be coming across Kansas and we will be coming up I-25, Walsenburg is a natural meeting point.

As a fall back to the camping area off in the canyon/mountain area, if someone gets put way behind, I think the Lathrop State Park would be a good known point to set up camp.

If all goes as planned, we could meet in Walsenburg at the Carls Jr. (sorry the only recognizable eating establishment I could find) and head off into the hills from there.

I would rather not stay in a state park, but if someone is going to be coming in at 11pm or something, I would rather them not be trying to find us in the dark on some unmarked road.

Just talked to Josh. They are having Cruizer troubles and are waiting on parts to get moving again. They are still planning on meeting up with us the first night, so I will be keeping in touch with them to keep them informed of any changes in plans.

luvspatcher · 07-28-09, 08:34 AM

Hey guys..just let me know if you want to meet in Jolly or Henrietta or whatever...and what time and I'll be there.

Keith

TEXASLAWMAN · 07-28-09, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvspatcher

Hey guys..just let me know if you want to meet in Jolly or Henrietta or whatever...and what time and I'll be there.

Keith

I think the last I heard was to meet at the Valero truck stop in Jolly at 7am whew.... But that will get us there before dark. Im PMing you my #

texastoy88 · 07-28-09, 10:21 AM

Keith, I PMed you my number also.

texastoy88 · 07-28-09, 11:32 AM

We are packed and ready to roll… Are we there yet?

Yeah, Yeah.. I know it looks a little odd… but not too bad for me to feel embarassed to drive 800 miles to and from and have power to make it up the passes at more than 30 mph.

Getting passed by the 20k lbs RVs going up a hill would be more embarassing.

Alright, after lots of consideration (and Lack of time and options

) I decided to play with the tires on the 4runner to make it capable of pulling the load up the inclines in Colorado better. Since and engine swap in the next 2 days is not even humanly possible, I have moved the 32x11.5 tires from the trailer to the rear of the 4runner to try to gain some climbing power on the hwy back. After a quick test run, it definately gives me some gain back.

If all goes good on the trip a set of 32x11.5 MT on 15x8 steel for long expedition runs like this will be a must. Butch??

TEXASLAWMAN · 07-28-09, 12:41 PM

A Landcruiser would solve that problem.

luvspatcher · 07-28-09, 12:45 PM

Thanks guys..got your PM's and sent you my cell too... John, I don't know what to say about those tires...

Keith

Panzer · 07-28-09, 03:57 PM

This reminds me of an old military axiom....
"If it's stupid and it works, it's not stupid."

texastoy88 · 07-28-09, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEXASLAWMAN

A Landcruiser would solve that problem.

hey Todd....

I have heard this from so many people it isn't funny. And you don't know how tempting it would be, but the time, effort, $$, and not to mention this rig ISN'T MINE.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panzer

This reminds me of an old military axiom....
"If it's stupid and it works, it's not stupid."

I like that little saying.

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvspatcher

John, I don't know what to say about those tires...

You can tell me thay look stupid.. I won't hold it against you.

For long.

I have solved the issue (I think). I called Butch to get a set of 32x11.50x15 Wild Country A/Ts. I will be moving the 32x11.5 tires back to the trailer so I have matching tire size on rig and trailer.

Of course this set up will be for long distance trips with steep grades only. The 35s will remain the main tires for everyday driving and the short distance trip to Gilmer.

The reduction in tire size gives me a 10mph difference. SO Speedo says 75, I am actually doing 65. I figure this will help alot when going up hills.

texastoy88 · 07-29-09, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEXASLAWMAN

A Landcruiser would solve that problem.

With that in mind..... A thought of getting my truck back together and set back up, then selling is a possible option to help buy an 80.

At that point We can use MSPANE for the more rugged stuff and the 80 for this type wheeling. That way, Angie can't say anything about me selling since that is MY truck.