official 2009 Colorado invasion thread

[texastoy88]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Keith, I PMed you my number also.

 

[texastoy88]

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]

A Landcruiser would solve that problem.

 

[luvspatcher]

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]

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

 

[texastoy88]

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.

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

I like that little saying.

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]

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.

 

[texastoy88]

39 hours left!!!


Are we there yet?

 

[texastoy88]

I got new tires on the way tomorrow, but Here is a better view of what she will look like now..

 

[Panzer]

Awww. I like the mismatched version better.

 

[texastoy88]

LOL.. too funny.

Less than 24 hours!!

Are we there yet?