Some Revenge and A Little Poison

Gopher Flats
Moab, UT
May 6, 2018

So it's been a little over a week since we last posted.  It's been busy around here.  

Last Wednesday, our sweet Sally had surgery to remove bladder stones.  She was very droopy the first three days, but seems to be feeling more like her old self.  She has always been a model patient and so appreciative.  

We have also been busy wheeling some of our favorite trails...ok, I know I say that about every trail we run, but we just love this place !  Hell's Revenge, Moab's iconic trail, is usually at the top of everyone's list when visiting Moab.  We have done it twice in the past week.  First we joined Rory, Dee, David and Erica, and Chris.  Rory entertained us by driving up Escalator, driving down Escalator, and for the grand finale he backed up Escalator.  Rory and his buggy are legendary !

David drives up Escalator as Rory follows backing up it.

David played going up and down and Rory spotted Chris on her first successful climb on Escalator.  Dee  hasn't been happy with her past several runs up but was quite pleased Blanche performed flawlessly on this day !  We took a pass and I don't mean the flirty kind... Joe trusted his inner voice that said today was not the day for our first attempt.    

Rory spots Chris up Escalator...a personal goal for her.  Chris has a well built 2-door Rubicon and never shies away from a challenge. 

 After Hells, we headed over to Potato Salad Hill...a first for us.  Rory spotted us all up this ledgy hill that is notorious for rollovers.  Thanks to Rory we all made successful climbs !

Dee makes Potato Salad Hill look easy as Rory stands at the top giving her a spot. 

David (on the right) drives up Potato Salad Hill while Rory backs down it. 

Next up was Poison Spider trail.  We joined Dee, Chris and Canadians Robert and Karen.  With just the four of us we made quick time enjoying the beautiful day and scenery.  

Trail Warriors

 

Chris begins her climb on The Waterfall.

Robert and Karen climb a ledgy section just past the chute.

 

Yucca lined the trail...

The Havasu 4 Wheelers were here for a week and we had the great pleasure to join them on Hells.
Glen led them through the trail. There were about 7 jeeps of all sizes in the Havasu group...all excited and eager and up for the challenge !  Every jeep in the group did Hell's Gate and Escalator.  And Chris' dad, Howard even tried Mickey's Hot Tub, it was so close, but in the end he needed a strap.  I am way excited to post that Joe drove Escalator and Mickey's Hot Tub for the first time with Glen's expert spotting !  We can now say we have driven everything Hells has to offer ! 

The drop into Hell's Gate is amazing.

Below Glen drives the line. 





 These obstacles force you to pay close attention to what you are doing no matter how many times you have done them before.  Below one of the Havasu wheelers gets a passenger wheel lift and on top of that he drives a manual and his jeep went dead.  He did an awesome job of managing the clutch, brake, and gas to drive himself out.  

Mickey's Hot Tub was up next.  After Glen and Joe drove it, Howard gave it a try.

Glen did a great job of describing The Escalator and telling everyone what to expect. 

What a great day with old and new friends !  Until next time...

  HAPPY TRAILS !

Up next...creek crossings, a pinch, ledge crawling acrobats, and nerves of steel ! 

October Fun...Part 1

Gopher Flats
Moab, UT
October 2016

After looking at the calendar,  I realized we have been busier than I realized wheeling with Dave and Lynn and MFFW.


First up was Fins and Things.  What a treat to follow The Perkins as we traversed steep slickrock climbs and descents with a few big ledges in between. 

Top of the World was on Dave's bucket list so we headed out Scenic Hwy 128 early one morning to check it off.  I love the 30+ miles (one way) we travel on 128 to get to the trailhead...such a beautiful drive along the Colorado past Castle Valley rock formations and Fisher Towers with the La Sals in the background.  

The highlight for me was my first time wheeling Pearl.  I had a great time on the easier lower section of TOTW as we drove out.  It's quite fun choosing the right line up, down and around small ledges.  It's not fun using the clutch and changing gears. Even so,  a few  "Wahoos !"  could be heard from the driver's side. 

The highlight for Dave's first time on TOTW was parking Rokelle on the ledge. Unfortunately, it was 12:00 noon and the lighting was horrible for pictures.  Note to self...dont arrive at the overlook at noon again !  
Heading home on 128... 



One of my favorite trails is Hell's Revenge.  Long, narrow and sometimes quite steep sections of trail on fins can't be bypassed and add to the scary fun of Hells.  There are four difficult ( well, to me they are extreme and thank goodness they have bypasses ) challenges on this twisty 7.8 mile  trail...three of which we have never driven Pearl on and most likely never will.  But its always fun watching others.  We have enjoyed this Moab classic twice so far this month...first  with Dave and Lynn and then with MFFW when we took out three vehicles that had never done Hells.

Did I mention the scenery on this iconic Moab trail?  Its amazing !  Everywhere you look there is beauty up close and as far as the eye can see.

 Here is Rokell carrying the Perkins and their puppy Daisy down the ledgy exit from Hells.

 On the Moab Friends For Wheeling run

Donavan and Stephanie rode behind us.  They have a 2015 stock, 2 door, manual Wrangler Sport...just like Pearl was a few years ago.  This was their first time wheeling..EVER!  Donavan is a natural with lots of motor cross experience.  I am pretty sure we will see them again in the spring with a "not quite so stock" jeep.

Its always a treat to head to the overlook with folks who have never been on Hells.  Its such a magnificent 360* view.  Parking with a group can be a little tricky !

Looking down on the Colorado and Hwy 128...

Following Donovan was Rick and Jody in a Nisan Xterra.  They did great on their first Hells outing.  

Glen dips into Mickey's Hot Tub.  Such a smooth driver that Glen is !   His Jeep YJ (which he stretched and built himself) is quite capable and fun to watch. 

This was Keith's first time in the hot tub in his new  Jeep buggy.  Glen spotted him in and out...

...a great show for sure !  

The thrill of the day was watching Keith (with a spot from Glen) climb The Escalator.  Its a two in one obstacle that gets you really tippy.  He did great and the second time up, he didn't need Glen at all.

October has certainly gotten off to a great start here in Moab. It's definitely our happy place and we are sure enjoying Gopher Flats !

 Our very good friends Jim and Barb Horne are right next door.

 The Tan Clan frequently can be seen watching under our motorhome for Lew (Jim and Barb's 12 year old Basset Hound) everyday with hopes of meeting up in the doggie park.  I think Sally is in love ! 

 The afternoons and nights are cool...just right for a visit by the fire pit !

 Look for part 2 in a few days...until then, let the good times roll !

Rokell leads the way on the north section of Fins and Things.