Builds My '78 FJ40 "44"

[Solace in Solitude]

Ditto... a thousand times.

We have our 40's in common and that brings us all here together. But in these deeper conversations I find myself thinking "Screw the 40's, these are quality guys I could share a beverage with anytime!"

Danny, your thread in particular has the perfect mix of tech, trail photos, and real life. Thanks for that!

Hmmm... maybe I was being a bit uncouth with my "Screw the 40's" phrase, but I hope you all get the point.

Thanks for your kind words!! I spent years dreaming of this... now spending my life living the dream!!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

"Screw the 40's" is that the slogan to get of our addiction ? Who is makimg the windowsticker ?

That's your job, Eric!!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

I'm still waiting for the "It's not a Jeep" sticker

Most people wouldn't notice it...

 

[65swb45]

I'm still waiting for the "It's not a Jeep" sticker

I thought it was supposed to be "Watch your language! J**p is a four letter word"

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

Jeep is just too easy

 

[handcannon]

I thought it was supposed to be "Watch your language! J**p is a four letter word"

Hey Mark! I like that idea for a sticker. When do we get to see a sticker? Yes, I know, that's not your line of work, but I can dream can't I?

Don

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Well... apparently global worming bypassed the Las Vegas area this week... I thought we were through with our Nevada camping trips until fall... but, I accidentally discovered a cool front, when I walked out side Saturday morning!!

So, we threw everything we needed into 44 and mounted up and headed back to the DNWR... I had noticed an attractive, primitive campsite last time we drove Morman Well... it was in a grove of pine and cedar, at about 6300'... we headed that way... it's about 30 miles into the DNWR...

Chester rides, much of the time, with his chin on my shoulder... Gunner watches the scenery go by...

Disclaimer: These pics are from my iphone... I should have some better pics wen I get the energy to transfer them from my camera.

We got there and pitched our tent, made our beds and fixed tortilla soup for lunch... sans tortilla chips (not eating them) and salsa (forgot it)... it was good, but let's just call it chicken and rice soup...

I got a little lovin' from Gunner

After we rested for a couple of hours, we geared up (boots on daBoise, backpack on Chester (with their water); backpack on me (with all the accouterments), SPOT, GPS, gun); single trek pole (I don't chance a trek pole in my right hand after what happened last spring) and hit the nearest drainage... we hiked up the drainage, crossing Morman Well Road several times and eventually worked our way up to a ridge... We traversed the ridge a ways, before turning around and working our way back to camp... There weren't any vistas this time... but it was a fun hike nonetheless.

The next morning it was 31 degrees... I awoke to daBoise still in their blankets:

We drove a ways and geared up (same way) and hiked up a mountain... we got about 3/4 of the way up and I realized Chester had thrown a shoe... so, we backtracked until we found it... turned out it was almost at the bottom of the mountain... that was the end of that hike...

The wind came up and I ached so much that we agreed to pack it in and head for home...

I'll post more/better pics, if I find any on my camera, later.

 

[handcannon]

Hey Danny, thanks for the continued pics! The first one has a cleaner, and fancier version of my rain hat. When I wear my hat it's supposed to stop raining (hah!!).

I love the third pic of you and Gunner, mutual love. And, of course, the last two pics of some pampered pooches.

The big thing is that I'm living vicariously through your adventures out into the DNWR with 44 and the pampered pooches. That's one of the reasons why I really enjoy the descriptions of your trips, and the pics. A very limited income is the pits, so please keep the trips and pics posted.

I'm procrastinating at the moment, waiting for the temps outside to come up. It's 68* outside now, and about time to take the puppies outside for the first time in several days. Like you, we've been experiencing cooler weather. It's finally warming up enough to let the babies spend some time outside. Five Boxer babies that are 6 weeks old now. Jasper and Rhaine, in my avatar, are grandpa and grandma to them.

Don

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Hey Danny, thanks for the continued pics! The first one has a cleaner, and fancier version of my rain hat. When I wear my hat it's supposed to stop raining (hah!!).

I love the third pic of you and Gunner, mutual love. And, of course, the last two pics of some pampered pooches.

The big thing is that I'm living vicariously through your adventures out into the DNWR with 44 and the pampered pooches. That's one of the reasons why I really enjoy the descriptions of your trips, and the pics. A very limited income is the pits, so please keep the trips and pics posted.

I'm procrastinating at the moment, waiting for the temps outside to come up. It's 68* outside now, and about time to take the puppies outside for the first time in several days. Like you, we've been experiencing cooler weather. It's finally warming up enough to let the babies spend some time outside. Five Boxer babies that are 6 weeks old now. Jasper and Rhaine, in my avatar, are grandpa and grandma to them.

Don

Thanks Don!!

Get those pups outside and blow the stink off of them!!

Glad to share our adventures!!

Here are some pics from my camera... I hope none are repeats of previous pictures I snapped.

Here's daBoise in one of the drainages we hiked... they weren't nearly as brushy at 6300'... not sure which direction we were hiking though...

We climbed this mountain... to the point indicated by the yellow arrow

Then, I noticed Chester had thrown a shoe... I didn't realized until just now, that I actually had an earlier picture of Shoeless Chester

On the way down, we had to stop and smell the roses

 

[CarDude]

Hey Danny, thanks for the continued pics! The first one has a cleaner, and fancier version of my rain hat. When I wear my hat it's supposed to stop raining (hah!!).

I love the third pic of you and Gunner, mutual love. And, of course, the last two pics of some pampered pooches.

The big thing is that I'm living vicariously through your adventures out into the DNWR with 44 and the pampered pooches. That's one of the reasons why I really enjoy the descriptions of your trips, and the pics. A very limited income is the pits, so please keep the trips and pics posted.

I'm procrastinating at the moment, waiting for the temps outside to come up. It's 68* outside now, and about time to take the puppies outside for the first time in several days. Like you, we've been experiencing cooler weather. It's finally warming up enough to let the babies spend some time outside. Five Boxer babies that are 6 weeks old now. Jasper and Rhaine, in my avatar, are grandpa and grandma to them.

Don

Same here I enjoy your post.liveing in swamp land makes for some boring landscape unless your In a boat. Danny what critters do you have to watch out for?

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Mainly snakes when it stays consistently above 50 degrees.

I know there are mountain lions about. Hope to never see one!!

Coyotes and wild horses all around.

Some bad assed looking lizards!!

Some ignorant people.

That's about it.

I worry more about rattlesnakes than anything else.

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

I always thought the 2 legged critters were the worst ones to deal with.

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

Danny, how many nights do you actually stay onder the roof of your house? Seems you would be a good candidate for living straight out of a camper!

 

[DSB345]

The weather is still cool on the coast. Looks like you may a another weekend or two before the heat kicks in. Love the pics and so does my wife.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

I always thought the 2 legged critters were the worst ones to deal with.

Yeah... I've never had a problem here... but, have certainly met/seen some that I want nothing to do with.

I've always subscribed to the "prepare for the worst" philosophy and have always felt that you are less likely to be a target, if you, at least, look like you are aware of what's around you... and look like you know how to take care of yourself.

It doesn't hurt that I always have, at least, one large dog with me... albeit a Golden Retriever... Gunner is very protective... Chester is even better... he's always alerting me, with a low growl... and I always have quick access to protection.

National Forests have a propensity to be used as 'grow ops' for drug gangs and cartels... I've never yet seen any sign of that in the DNWR, or anywhere else I've been, here in Nevada... of course, any green would be obvious... especially since there are so many overflights of jets, props, choppers and UFOs...

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Danny, how many nights do you actually stay onder the roof of your house? Seems you would be a good candidate for living straight out of a camper!

If I weren't married... I may be homeless, Ryan...

I haven't spent nearly the number of nights under the stars that I intended... generally, after a couple of nights away, I need my heating pad, hot tub and split-king, fully adjustable, Sleep Number bed... but, I'm definitely better than I was last year... I'm finally able to use my spin bike again... I'm up to 10 miles a day and going to stay at 10 until I can up my speed... then, I'll go higher/longer.

I think I've averaged 4 nights/wk at home this spring... of course, part of the problem is also all the Dr appts I need to hang around for...

Sure sorry we going to miss each other in Colorado... maybe next year...

 

[Solace in Solitude]

The weather is still cool on the coast. Looks like you may a another weekend or two before the heat kicks in. Love the pics and so does my wife.

Thanks Dave!!

I don't plan to make another camping trip... I gained .6 lbs this week and really want to lose another 10 lbs... to put me 5 lbs below my Weight Watchers goal weight of 165.

But, we will be taking drives... just returning home at night... so, I'll continue taking pictures... I've noticed a couple of roads that aren't part of the DNWR... but, are convenient to home.

And, I'll share Conejos River, CO pics when we return home the end of July.

 

[DSB345]

How's your back?

 

[Solace in Solitude]

How's your back?

It's there... some days more noticeable than others... it was bad yesterday, when we came home... but is minimal today. I had a new MRI last week... waiting for a spine surgeon to schedule a consultation... we'll see... I know the L5 and S1 discs are almost completely gone.

It actually is most painful in one hip or the other, or both... and subsequently on the outside of one knee and ankle or the other, or both... seldom actually hurts in my back.

Thanks for asking, Dave!!

 

[DSB345]

Sorry to hear about your back. I would avoid surgery until you have no other options. Good days/ bad days means your not there yet.