x2 Looks like a great time

 

in the Rocky Mountain (high altitude) states, 85 AKI is the minimum octane, and 91 AKI is the maximum octane available in fuel. The reason for this is that in higher-altitude areas, a typical naturally-aspirated engine draws in less air mass per cycle due to the reduced density of the atmosphere. This directly translates to less fuel and reduced absolute compression in the cylinder, therefore deterring knock. It is safe to fill up a carbureted car that normally takes 87 AKI fuel at sea level with 85 AKI fuel in the mountains, but at sea level the fuel may cause damage to the engine. A disadvantage to this strategy is that most turbocharged vehicles are unable to produce full power, even when using the "premium" 91 AKI fuel. In some east coast states, up to 94 AKI is available [1]. In parts of the Midwest (primarily Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri) ethanol based E-85 fuel with 105 AKI is available [2]. Often, filling stations near US racing tracks will offer higher octane levels such as 100 AKI. California fuel stations will offer 87, 89, and 91 AKI octane fuels, and at some stations, 100 AKI or higher octane, sold as racing fuel. Until summer 2001 before the phase-out of methyl tert-butyl ether aka MTBE as an octane enhancer additive, 92 AKI was offered in lieu of 91.

this is per wikipedia...they explained it better then i was trying to do lol

 

Thanks guys! I really wish we had a lot more time to spend there (a good month or two would've been superfantabulous, but I would've definitely settled for a full 2 weeks like we originally planned). It's amazing how time flies when you're having fun - it felt like 10 days passed in 24 - 48 hours. And I must add - KOA Kampgrounds the whole time definitely helped make it more relaxing for the family with kids playground, swimming pools, movies at night, etc. Definitely a memorable vacation!

Hahaha... I was about to say - Mannnnnnnnnnnnn he sure had an awesome technical explanation till I got to the last sentence

 

We have been in Buena Vista, CO, for about a month now and still running great trails and seeing beautiful sceinery.

We are still only scratching the surface of what is here to see and do.

I have posted pictures on photobucket site if you would like to view them.

http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/b...Summer%20Trip/

 

Those are some awesome pictures Rick... if you dont mind my asking, what kind of camera are you using? That's next on the list is to get a good nice camera with a way to charge it in the jeep.

 

Great set of pics....

 

ok.... I'm moving now

 

I'll jump in here and just say that DSLR cameras in general do quite a bit better on battery life. Something to do with the way they work, and with the battery packs they come with. Check the specs when it's time to buy and find out how many shutter releases one charge is worth. I have an extra battery pack for my nikon DSLR and each one lasts for weeks, literally, and I can do over 600 shots easily before I even consider putting the battery on the charger. A modern DSLR with two charged battery packs should really do well for your next vacation, especially if you have a couple of nights spent in a hotel or KOA during your two weeks where you can plug in and top the batteries off.

 

Thanks for sharing those pics! Looks like a great vacation. We did our second annual Ouray 4th of July camping trip at beginning of month. Ouray is my favorite area to wheel thus far. Nothing hard, but the scenery is just amazing. I feel so lucky to live within 6 hours of this place.
Next time you go to Ouray make sure you do Poughkeepsie Gulch off of Engineer's Pass. It has some fun wheeling obstacles and spectacular view of Lake Como.

A couple of shots:

Climbing up Poughkeepsie Gulch wall ...



View of Lake Como from above along the trail...

 

Thanks Hopefully, the next time will be better with a real DSLR and not shots taken through the bug-ridden windshield driving 55mph down the road with a cell phone

Wait for meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! Trust me, if I could, I would in a hurry. Granted I've not been to all 50 states, but of the ones I've been to, Colorado tops the list - would love to live somewhere within a few hours drive of Ouray. Heck, I'd settle for a cabin we saw on Picayne Gulch trail

It definitely was. And yes, I know - I need to go back and edit my post to fix the deer/elk thing . Hope you and your wife get to go - not sure how the weather is in September, but it's definitely a well worth trip that'll leave you wanting to go back.

Agreed. Ever since we got back, a good chunk of time has been spent researching DSLR cameras; and I started off with the Canon Rebel T1i, Nikon D5000, Pentax K-x and a Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 and the more I read, the more I'm leaning towards the Nikon D5000. I figured an extended life 2nd battery will be definitely on the list, as would some sort of a car charger in case of an emergency. Part of the battery save on DSLRs have to do with getting more manual controls (zoom, focus, etc.) which reduces power spent on motor movements, plus the option to add a separate flash that uses AA/AAA batteries will also help on the flash using up a lot of charge. So, that's definitely in the works for down the line - may make for a nice self christmas gift . Thanks for the input though.