Builds My '78 FJ40 "44"

[handcannon]

Thank you Danny! Interesting info there. I guess what you have there are just baby trees. Or, maybe it's like i found out from a guy I used to work with. He grew up in the Lakeview area of eastern Oregon and northern California. He told me that the height of the sagebrush will tell you how deep and good the soil is. Maybe the Joshua trees are the same as sagebrush.

Anyway, keep taking the pics of 44 and your travels with Chester. A totally different kind of terrain than we have around here, and I enjoy the pics.

Don

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Thank you Danny! Interesting info there. I guess what you have there are just baby trees. Or, maybe it's like i found out from a guy I used to work with. He grew up in the Lakeview area of eastern Oregon and northern California. He told me that the height of the sagebrush will tell you how deep and good the soil is. Maybe the Joshua trees are the same as sagebrush.

Anyway, keep taking the pics of 44 and your travels with Chester. A totally different kind of terrain than we have around here, and I enjoy the pics.

Don

Thanks Don! Truth be told, the Joshua Trees, around here, are growing out of rock (talus or scree), from the bajadas that were previously mountains.

If there's soil there, I haven't found it.

Teddy's in training, but won't be able to accompany us until the spring.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

We’re living small in my “spring open” tent. It’s bloody cold in this wind. We may have to cuddle.

Chill factor is 34 in Indian Springs... must be at least 10 degrees cooler up here and the sun is dropping behind Mt Charleston... it’s fixin’ to get colder.

 

[65swb45]

And you're doing this because....

 

[Solace in Solitude]

And you're doing this because....

Because I can

 

[TheHardWay]

And he will continue... until he can't.

 

[gator25]

And you're doing this because....[/QUOTE
It builds character! Lol

 

[Solace in Solitude]

And he will continue... until he can't.

Exactly!!

Once a cancer survivor, it’s always with you, that today could very well be your last chance for that excellent adventure.

So, my buddy and I seek adventure at every opportunity.

Last night was bitterly cold, but comfy in our tent. Unfortunately, my back has been bothering me a bit, for the past month. I dozed off around 6 and had to pee at 12:30... my back hurt as soon as I moved and it was all I could do to get out of bed.

But, I did it, with Chester’s help. Rather than crawl back in, I moved our beds to 44 and slept til 6 in there.

I can still feel it, but not nearly as bad... I think it was the unevenness of the ground, as opposed to my perfectly flat sleep platform... with a slight rise at the head.

Anyway, I had made up my mind to go home when it warmed up... but, it’s such a beautiful day... and we have miles to hike before we sleep!

Besides, I brought 6 bundles of firewood and Chester has stories to tell!

For all who don’t know, FJ40 hood louvers make excellent hand warmers, with the engine running... that perfect gift for that Cruiser afficianado who has everything else.

We’re getting ready to go up there, to the fossil beds... but, I make no guarantees —>

It’s higher than it looks in the pucture, with a steep climb.

 

[tls3601]

Because I can........... Damn right brother!!! Good for you Danny. As a Chiropractor, yes back at it again since Nov. 6th! I will tell you this, we all dream of being out in the Mtns as often as you get up there! That said I am ordering a nice comfy Thermarest for my next outing in the Mtns. Some of the newer models have a decent R factor to help keep that COLD ground from freezing you.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Well, we made the hike, reached the top, took a few pics and came back down.

800’ higher and a hurricane blowing... the jet stream must have dropped.

It was bloody cold up there... even with panties on my face!!

Full disclosure... I can’t tell what these pictures look like... but, picture 3 has 44 above the crotch of that Joshua Tree... I think it was about even with the top of the right branch.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

@tls3601

Tom, as someone who finds chiropracty beneficial, congratulations!!

I have a Thermarest and 5” of memory foam. The thermarest is great, but I wouldn’t be able to get up from it, if I didn’t have the foam as well... that’s just the nature of my back.

5” of memory foam makes backpacking impossible, so I make day hikes as often as I can.

Now, if only I had room, in 44, for my SleepNumber!!

Still couldn’t backpack though...

 

[imyahucklbrry]

I swear those trees look like they were imported from another planet ... Always enjoy seeing what you’re up to and wish you many more years of back aching trips (maybe minus the ache)!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

View attachment 1586881
I swear those trees look like they were imported from another planet ... Always enjoy seeing what you’re up to and wish you many more years of back aching trips (maybe minus the ache)!

Thanks for the kind words!

Joshua Trees are definitely otherworldly... I posted these two pictures many moons ago... The resemblance is uncanny...

 

[Helipilot]

What kind of fossils are you seeing in the fossil beds Danny?

 

[Solace in Solitude]

What kind of fossils are you seeing in the fossil beds Danny?

I'm not a fossil kinda guy... I went up there for the exercise and the view... Chester went up there to keep an eye on me.

I actually dropped to my knees at the top, to catch my wind, and got a cramp in my hamstring... Couldn't get up and I yelled and Chester ran over so I could put one hand on him and the other on my trekking pole and raise myself up... He saved my life!!

Why one trekking pole and not two? I won't use one in my right hand after blowing out (avulsion) my tricep with a trekking pole a couple of years ago. "Too old for the surgery", so I don't want to chance it again.

Having digressed, here's what the fossil experts say, "There are many interesting fossils in the cliffs and in the rubble on the hillside. We found fossil corals, sponges, horn corals, and crinoids here.".

I saw a lot of crinoids and a couple of horn corals... But, not nearly the number I was led to believe.

But, we didn't stay long in that ice cold wind... 5500', cold and a lotta wind.

 

[tls3601]

@pngunme Many thanks Danny! Once again thanks for taking us all along on your treks, love the pics!

 

[handcannon]

I have to echo what tls3601 said. I appreciate your willingness to allow us to tag along and see the sights through your camera.

I love hiking, but my body complains. I love working on my 40, but my pocketbook complains.

Don

 

[Solace in Solitude]

@tls3601 & @handcannon

Thanks guys, I’m glad you enjoy my pics!!

 

[77HesterSue]

Wow. Just finished reading this 123 pages post and loved it. Great thread , build, and life. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Wow. Just finished reading this 123 pages post and loved it. Great thread , build, and life. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you!!