Builds I bought a Whale, now I gotta build it and use it (22 Viewers)

[wngrog]

I wish I had more photos of the Sonoita area and the ranch but we lost daylight fast and I left before dawn on Monday. Johnny had given me some good tips to stay off road back to New Mexico and damned if I didn’t not mess it up just past Benson (where I found a great taqueria)

My route took me on the east side of Mt Lemon on gravel though the massive cactus.

I popped out into asphalt on HWy 77 way up in Mammoth only to find that I could not cut back west unless I went all the way to Globe.

Big out of the way but the drive was beautiful.

 

[wngrog]

Once I realized I could not cut across I found a hood off road track that would take me to the town where Dave runs 4Plus. When I got closer I saw that the mountains all around him that burned this summer have not gotten the trails reopened … at least not the way my maps show. Since most every person that tries to get work done during the day hates a drop in visitor I decided to the east at Globe and hammer down to get past all the Indian reservations

GaiaGPS - Globe

www.gaiagps.com

 

[wngrog]

That was the most asphalt I had been on since the trip started. I was a bit bummed I got so off track. The drive was great but I ended up going at least 100 miles off track but once I got turned back north things got great quick

There was so much to explore in this area. Tons of trails. Wish I had more time
This is a cool 1808 concrete bridge over the Gila river

Rolling into Morenci AZ I see all the copper mines. I had no idea the road goes right though it. I could have spent the entire day watching

 

[wngrog]

Mine pics. Amazing. Simply amazing at the scale

At the observation deck some dude that worked there was showing his nephew around so I got to hear all about it. Very impressive the tonnage they move.

 

[wngrog]

It’s afternoon and my goal is to find a good spot outside Alpine AZ. The Apache NF borders the mine. Beautiful winding 2 track pavement. Very remote. I think I passed one snow plow truck. As I drove north I found a nife
Loop though the forest off highway and turned in to drive it to dark

 

[wngrog]

I saw White Tail, wild horses, Mulies, elk, coyote and a bald Eagle. Still no people though. Not one off the asphalt.

Found a spot with some cell service and made a fire and was asleep by 7:30

 

[wngrog]

Add this to the round-about Globe adventure and it’s a 300 mile day. So much diversity along the way.

GaiaGPS - Morenci Mine

www.gaiagps.com

 

[wngrog]

Weather was calling for cold but no more snow. I woke up to snow pelting my tent at 5 and pulled up the weather and damn. I was at the edge of a big mass heading my way. Once again I found myself packing and driving in the dark. Not fun. I made it into Alpine, filled up and waited for daylight. I made some great tracks. Found one that was blocked and had to backtrack which I hate. Ended up being anoint 50/50
Dirt Alpine AZ to Reserve NM. Road was all epic canyon 2 lane.

I drove all morning with rain in the highlands but managed to hunt dirt all the way from reserve to Just south of Datil.

From there it was a mandatory stop in at the @FJ60Cam
Communication center

Cowboys like MILFS too

Gas in Magdalena then back on dirt

 

[wngrog]

From there I lucked up and found FS10 that worked around Indian Mesa south of the Alamo Navajo reservation. This turned to FS128a and gave me a bit of slow 4 low driving.

 

[wngrog]

I was about to give up at Alamo and just take 2 lane toward Albuquerque when I spied FS123 running east of the reservation almost all the way to I-40 so I took a chance with just 2 hours of daylight left. Turned out to be an epic desert run. I really hammered the Dobinsons MRR hard toward the end trying to beat lost light.

This road was rough. Every drain was washed away. I either had to slow and crawl or just hammered over a few

The only two people I saw for 50+ miles

FS123 dumped me onto Indian Hwy 54 which was strangely paved and then not paved but then dumped me on I-40 20 minutes from my hotel in Albuquerque

Truly epic route from Alpine to Albuquerque. I highly recommend this day. All of it except maybe make it over 2 days …..

 

[wngrog]

That’s a wrap. Last day was just over 300 miles. 75-80% off road. Again. Super diverse. Loved the desert run with river crossings at the end. Family flew out yesterday and we are exploring Santa Fe for a few days getting out eat on then I’ll start the 16 hour trek back home Saturday. The Whale is impressive. I don’t think I would I change a thing. MRRs are dialed in.

GaiaGPS - Alpine to Albuquerque

www.gaiagps.com

 

[residualboulders]

looks like a pretty fun adventure. This is what I need to do, explore on my own, fly the wife in. Ha Ha. She doesn't appreciate lengthy dirt roads as much as I do yet.

 

[Tex68w]

looks like a pretty fun adventure. This is what I need to do, explore on my own, fly the wife in. Ha Ha. She doesn't appreciate lengthy dirt roads as much as I do yet.

Same here, my wife is a tad neurotic in the car in general (bad accident in the past) so I'll have to have a work around for anything more than a long weekend. For the Arctic Circle trip I definitely intend to fly her in and out of Alaska to join me for the important part of the trip and skip dragging her along from Texas and back lol.

 

[wngrog]

This worked out great. It’s a bit on the long side but my leave date was fixed and the kids finished exams

Santa Fe (area) is great. Food is great. Family is happy. Nice to have the Whale to move about

 

[wngrog]

Great to have the Whale to haul us to fun places. Tomorrow I have to go back to flatlands and start building old Land Cruisers again. It was a good break.

 

[spazzyfry123]

I saw White Tail, wild horses, Mulies, elk, coyote and a bald Eagle. Still no people though. Not one off the asphalt.

Found a spot with some cell service and made a fire and was asleep by 7:30

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Just a man living the dream... Good on you.

 

[wngrog]

Superb moon

 

[wngrog]

Rolled in today. The whale is impressive. I started this thread and kinda maintained my love for the 100 for this type travel but the 200 won me over this trip. The suspension is just better. Not only the Dobinsons MRR over my Ironman Pro (which are great but not as great) but the front is just a better design for all situations versus the 100.

Gratuitous back to Mississippi photo at Vicksburg

Total miles traveled and average MPG…New Mexico gas is .30-60 more than every state east of it.

Got home. Unloaded. Back to a daily driver in a snap

Not sure how the hell I missed the chunk out of my bumper from the massive rodent strike but yeah, gonna need a new bumper and inner fender area.

Overall incredibly impressed with this thing. I’m estimating the dirt sections to be around 1200 miles. Hell of a trip.

 

[wngrog]

Back to work

 

[residualboulders]

have you put airbags on yet? been thinking about it for towing another cruiser or snowmobile trailer on occasion. I don't want to make my everyday ride worse by so doing. I did add them to my 55 and it still rides really nice so maybe i worry too much.

Maybe next road trip head out to WY and we'll put you on some gas powered sleds