Sunday, April 23, 2017

Easter Jeep Safari and a Happy Jack !

Gopher Flats
Moab, UT
April, 2017




In the past few years it has been impossible to get   reservations in Moab for Easter Jeep Safari. Thanks to Dee, we were good to go this year and experience our first EJS.  Joe and I didn't sign up for any safari trails.  With all levels of skills and equipment it can be a very long day when 25 to 30 jeeps are participating.  In fact, some folks didn't get off trail until 10:30 pm.  Thats a long day ! 

I did however have have an awesome day riding along with Dee on the first of four Pritchett Trail runs the first Sunday of the safari.  Jeff, a friend and past MFFW president was our leader with Dee, Melissa (our current president), Gary, and Larry as gunners.  What a great team.  It was amazing to watch them in action as they maneuvered everyone up the most difficult obstacles I have seen.  No one broke and only 2 vehicles...an army hummer and a well built Dodge pick-up had to get strapped.  We were even off the trail and home by 4:30 !



Jeff spots a jeep up Chewy which is one of the first obstacles.  The picture doesn't do this obstacle justice ...it is very ledgy and tippy.





Rocker Knocker is the scariest to me. I like tippy, but this is way tippy as you move along sideways on the ledge before you actually climb it.



If that's not enough, there are lots more challenges on this 4.2 mile extreme trail...Brickyard, Rock Pile with the only bypass on the trail called Son of Rock Pile, Axel Hill, and Yellow Hill all with huge tippy ledges.  Charles Wells and his crew chose to ride along with MFFW for the photo shoot which is in his Guide To Moab, UT Backroads and 4-Wheel-Drive Trails. 

The vendors come out in full force during EJS.  The inside and outside areas at the Old Spanish Trail Arena are packed with all sorts of jeep stuff from parts and accessories, t-shirts, clubs from all over the country, hard-core jeeps, and I even saw a doggie booth full of doggie jeep gear.  Names I recognized were Fox, Currie, PSC, Poison Spyder, EVO, Torque, Hercules, and Nitto. 


And look who we ran into...our friends Jedd and Camilla from Hercules Tires.  Joe likes their new 37" trail tire and when its time to replace the Nittos on Pearl, we will likely buy Hercules. 



We made one purchase...a pair of 4" flood lights for Wile E's front bumper for sunset and night rides...from Quake Led.
There was also a display of new jeep concept vehicles "down on Main Street".  This Wrangler gives passengers a better view with translucent doors and roof.  




My favorite, Jeep Quicksand, looks more like a hot-rod.  It has 32" tires in front and 37" tires in the back.









Joe takes a few minutes to "study" the 3.6-Liter Pentastar Engine that we have in Pearl.
It wasn't nearly as congested as I thought it would be in Moab.  I heard about 900 jeeps participated in this years trails.  We usually stopped by the City Market early right after the gym and even managed a Lionsback  breakfast at the Diner one morning.

Another highlight around Gopher Flats is a beautiful green doggie run.  Yep, our puppies are in heaven romping around on a carpet of plush green fescue sod. 


 Even Sally has done a sprint or two.
Dover on the other hand, loves to just lay in the cool grass and watch the world go by...so peaceful !  







 Jack is one happy pup !
















Good catch little buddy !








That's it for now.  Until next time...








  HAPPY TRAILS !  Go, Jack, go...

12 comments:

  1. What a fun experience y'all had, thanks for sharing the great pictures.

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    1. You are very welcome George and Susie! It was so cool seeing all the modified jeeps.

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  2. So many vendors and rigs, a great place for ideas and stories. Kinda like the 'Q' for 4x4 enthusiasts. You're right Quicksilver is a massively build Jeep. I'd like to see it in action with what must be a Hemi dropped into it.

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    1. Me too Jeff. I saw pictures of a couple of the other jeeps on trail, but not the hot-rod. Would love to see it on trail in action!

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  3. It is nice that you have a special spot so you could finally take in the Jeep Week Festivities. Glad to hear it wasn't too bad in town. I imagine the evenings were pretty crowded. The new dog park at Dee's look so lush. Good to see all of the Tan Clan enjoying their new playground. They looks so happy:)

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    1. The pups are quite happy AND spoiled Pam! We are so at peace here at Dee's. Life is good!

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  4. I think I'd like to be there just to watch you partially tip those Jeeps. I wouldn't want to be in the Jeep but just a watcher.

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    1. We can fix you up Jeri...lots of jeeps, lots of trails!

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  5. Absolutely love your doggy photos! We've watched jeeps crawl some of those rocks in Moab--WOW! Our ATV leader Geri always tells us--"just because Charles Wells tells you it is a "jeep trail" don't assume your ATV can do what a jeep can do!"

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    1. Thank you guys! Good advise from Geri. There are some really tough trails here. And so many easier, beautiful trails...enough to keep us all wheeling!

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  6. Tippy is my least favorite type of trail - those were some crazy trails! Love those happy pups. A big lawn for running is second only to the beach for Tessa :-)

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    1. Same for our pups Jodee! Beachtime is the best ever!

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