I think they have an annual overlanding rally up in that area, don't they? Vermont Overland Rally or something like that? Never been to Vermont, but was born in Maine (bet you didn't know that!), but moved to San Diego when I was only 14 months old. 1950--Flew from Boston to San Diego on a DC-3. That must have been where I got my love of flying.

 

Okay, here's the plan for this morning. Last week I headed west to shoot some photos. This week I'm heading south. Not too far, but early at sunrise hit up a nearby area that usually has plenty of bird activity.

On the way in the road is a little muddy. Well, just had the Jeep washed by a local group of kids and didn't really want to get it dirty. So carefully tread over a few muddy spots, then come to this one. Well, the wise person who didn't want to get his Jeep dirty would turn around. But, "It's a Jeep!"

I foolishly head into this muddy terrain. And come to an abrupt stop. Try everything I can--rocking (not even an inch), lockers (nope), tire pressure (okay, that's a lie because I'm being foolish here and didn't do it to begin with and am not about to get into that mud to let air out of my tires!).

There's a small tree up ahead. Okay, 4" (which this little fellow is) is the minimum for Boy Scouts rappelling off a cliff face. So that should do for a small tug with the winch to help get my Jeep out. Except it didn't. Started pulling tree over, so stopped.

Hmm. Well, I do have a Pull-Pal. Dig it out of the Jeep (bear in mind I'm having to crawl in and out of that mud), and set it up. TaDaa! Free at last.

Okay, where were we? Oh yeah, headed to a paved road I know about that's a short way up a bypass about a quarter mile ahead. Get there--and the gate is closed! Run another short side road and it dead ends. I have to retrace my route.

Two more winch/Pull-Pal pulls later I'm past the muddy spot the other direction and headed back home. I had planned after shooting to go eat breakfast at a local truck stop, but I'm covered in mud. Thank goodness for rock rails that can be used as steps because otherwise I would probably still be trapped up to my thighs out there!

A few pictures, the rest can be seen on my public FB page (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=dd7f4cb8d2) ...





Repeat and rinse again, other direction ...



I am getting too old for this!



Couple thoughts: I was only about a ten minute walk from a regularly traveled road. Really didn't think I needed a buddy to go shoot some pictures at a place I frequent. But, arrogance trumped common sense and instead of turning around I pressed on. What's done is done. Anyway, glad I do carry my winch gear at all times (in the SoCal storage drawer mounted in the Jeep). Also glad I carry the Pull-Pal (part under the rear seat, and part stuffed between the aforementioned drawer and the Jeep tub wall). Add to "glad I" the shovel. There were three times I had to use the Pull-Pal and two were in soft sand and clay (the reason I was stuck). But that third one was filled with rocks (probably from a failed attempt to fix it from muddying up like this). It would have been very difficult to dig that out with just my hands. Finally, so very glad I have rock rails that poke out enough from the Jeep to serve as steps. If it hadn't been for being able to stand on those to get in and out of the Jeep, get the shovel off the hood and other gear out of Jeep, I would have been that much messier.

 

Thank you very much we are excited and hoping to get some great use out of it.

 

Kojack by the way my auto correct makes it LoJack lol where in FL you going. I live in swfl on the gulf. Blistering hot right now. Safe travels!

 

We own a house in Zephyrhills about 40 mins east of downtown tampa. We love the heat. The hotter the better. ha ha.

Mark, that's cool. I love flying as well. Anything with a motor really. I am a gearhead of the largest kind. Yeah, We were planning the trip.....The warm and sun trumped out and we are heading to FLA.

 

Very nice. I live in Ft Myers. About 2 hrs south of Tampa. Born and raised and this year it has been so damn hot I'm about ready to get me some cold on lol. I say that but then winter and spring come here and well the weather cannot be beat. Safe travels. It's been extremely hot and lots of storms as of late every afternoon but great beach mornings and early afternoons.

 

We are used to the late afternoon storms. ha ha. Like clockwork. Our audi A4 cabrio came from fort myers. been there a couple of times.

 

Pulled off the Currie Correctlync rod kit (tie rod and drag link). Really haven't been very happy with it. Ends wore, but are impossible to remove even with special tool Currie sells. One drag link end had about 1/4" up and down play (not rotational, which is normal). Installed Synergy. Not quite as beefy as the Currie, but I expect they will be suitable for overlanding.

 

That's on my to do list soon too mark, I am getting some clunking in my front end, my ball joints are all good, so I am going to swap out to the Teraflex tie rod and drag link.

Oh, I am going to pm you regarding my squeak in my rear end.

 

What tablet is that and how did you mount it?