The Adventures of Gary

TwoBobsKJ said:

You're a very good photographer, Gary! Thanks for the pics and stories :waytogo:

Bob

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I agree and ive been around the Photo trade all my life :waytogo: what Camera are you using Sony ? Maybe

UKKJLEE said:

I agree and ive been around the Photo trade all my life :waytogo: what Camera are you using Sony ? Maybe

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5year old Canon T1i and a couple lenses. Nothing fancy at all.

I was invited to tag along with a few new friends on Sunday for a leisurely ride around the GSL. I think Rob, Dave and Dave (IM1RU, Maxterra and Blind_Io) just wanted a poor, non-Xterra rig to pick on. :rofl:

Started the day meeting at the Flying J in Lake Point, then headed out west and north, hoping to avoid any Live Fire activities along the way. We made it to the causeway, and off we went to the Newfies...braving the light rain and snot-like mud out there!


Good time to air down a bit...save the tires and the spinal column!


Quick stop at the pump building. Wish I could have been around to see it in action! Impressive to say the least!


...and off we go...into the gooey desert! (NOT gooey dessert!!)


Heading south toward the Newfies...the area had a little rain, but not too much, just enough to make the top layer nice and slick.




We ventured up several roads as we explored the range. Lots of terrific scenery and great views all around.




We were amazed at the color still out there. Due to all the rain this summer, it's not nearly as brown as usual. The juniper trees were full of berries, and the smell of the desert sage was quite noticeable. It was really nice to see!


...and you never know what you'll find to climb around on out there!


As we headed back to head around the north of the lake, the clouds rolled in a little lower...a little thicker...a little more full of water.




Ok...so here's where I think the Xterra guys wanted to have some fun. They knew it would be sloppy out there not too far from the tracks on the way back. I think they had it all planned. "Let's go stir up the goop in the wash for the new guy in the little Jeep and see what happens." I don't have action pics or video (I was a little busy) of the Liberty coming through the mud, but I got a standing ovation on the other side! The liberty decided to show the Nissan guys how to cross a mud puddle...by taking the hardest way imaginable. Of course I wasn't involved in that part of the planning, but that's what we ended up doing. The only thing I was in charge of was the go-pedal. The trajectory was decided by the Liberty and the Mud Gods. Half way through, I saw the bigs ruts headed off to the left. I steered a bit to the right to miss them. The Liberty said NOPE, and went for the ruts. I disagreed, but lost the argument. Not just one rut, but both of them. Pedal to the metal! I was either going to get through there or bury the Liberty trying! We made it through and welcomed the cheers from the crowd!

I think I gained two tire sizes and 500 lbs in the process...




The clouds followed us most of the rest of the trip, but only light rain caught up to us.




Dave took us up the side of a mountain telling us what a great view it was at the top. We all gave him a bit of grief when we got to the top because we were in the middle of a cloud and couldn't see a dang thing! :rofl:

But it soon began to clear, and the view opened up for us. Spectacular! My pics don't do it justice.








Then off we went, back down the mountain, to head around the north end of the lake.


Lots of road to explore...many more places to go see!




We made a quick stop at the Golden Spike Museum to air up the tires and head on home. It was a fun trip with some new friends. I wish my back would have held up a little better, but between this trip and the 150 miles I drove Saturday on my expedition around Soapstone Basin, I think it had had enough of the Jeep seat for awhile!

Thanks to Rob for inviting me (and feeding me lunch!), and to Dave and Dave for allowing me to tag along! It really was a great time! It also motivates me a little to get that 2.5" lift installed! Soooo...whenever you guys are ready to help me...

Oh...and I thought I'd share this with you guys too...




Can't wait to run around some more with the Xterra guys!

CobraNutt said:

5year old Canon T1i and a couple lenses. Nothing fancy at all.

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that has surprised me !

UKKJLEE said:

that has surprised me !

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Why?

wow 19.9 mpg???!

uss2defiant said:

wow 19.9 mpg???!

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Yep! Much of this trip was on nice, well-maintained dirt road with several miles of pavement on each end. About 1/3 of it or less was on 4-wheel drive trails and rocks. I was at 24.5 for the first part of the run until we hit the rough stuff and aired the tires down.

Looks like a great trip!

Nice stuff, Gary!

Finally!! I got to go out on another adventure! Every year, one of our local groups (Expedition Utah) heads out to the NW part of the state to an "Art" display called the Utah Sun Tunnels. We do it every December over the weekend of the winter solstice hoping to catch the sunrise as it comes up through the tunnels. This year was number 6. Some years are better than others...this year we had rain and mud...no sunrise...but it was still fun.

I didn't take many pics, but got a few I'll toss up. Most of these are from my phone, so not great...others are whole bouncing down the road... I didn't get any of the mud slogging cuz I was too busy trying to keep from getting buried!

Meeting place: Golden Spike monument




Pretty good sign of things to come:


Lined up, ready to roll!


First stop for some history lessons from Steven




To the Tunnels!!




Out along the old grade...


Terrace Cemetary






We have arrived!!




...and we had FIRE!


LOTS of fire!!


...and overnight, we had rain...and woke up to mud...


Heading out toward Wendover


Yes...I drive and shoot...




I now call this area the Car Wash...I lost most of my mud and gunk along the 90 mile ride home on I-80 in the rain from the Salt Flats.


Good food...good peeps...makes it all worth going...even in rain and mud!

Were you the only Liberty there?

I'm ALWAYS the only Liberty around here! Lol!

Sent from my mystical handheld gizmo.

No sun but the scenery is till gorgeous. It looks like a great trip.

I'm looking forward to heading back out to this area when it's dry. The "grade" I mentioned is the original Transcontinental Railroad grade which has remnants of several ghost towns, like Terrace, along the way. Tons of history out there!

Sent from my mystical handheld gizmo.

Dude, you're in Utah. Isn't it pretty much dry everywhere there? Seriously, have they even repealed prohibition yet? :happy175:

I just finished perusing this thread, And a great thread it is! Thanks for sharing, Gary. It's always nice and heart-warming when the kids take initiative and plan something out on their own.Great Pictures and adventures, I'll be on the lookout for your next shots!

Bert

CobraNutt said:

...which is also where I found this:

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Anyone have information on these triangulation markers?!

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I have also come across something similar here in Canada!Not quite as clear and defined as yours! I guess Canada went overseas to purchase their medallions :emotions34:

boboborino said:

I have also come across something similar here in Canada!Not quite as clear and defined as yours! I guess Canada went overseas to purchase their medallions :emotions34:

You must be registered for see images attach

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Very cool! All part of the same type of project (mapping, elevation, etc.) as here in the States. When I first ran across this marker, I had no idea what it was. I've since learned that there are thousands of them scattered all over the place! I just happened to run across one of them in my wanderings. There's another marker not far from this one...I might go searching for them as I wander around the wilderness next year just to see how many I can find!

New Years Eve...Drove the KJ about 75 milesw round trip for a 10 minute firework display up at The Canyons Resort in Park City. Just needed to get out and enjoy the -12 evening.

Great fireworks pictures!

Really nice, Gary! :favorites13: