Well, we’ve managed to put 13k miles on this thing since we got it earlier this year. She was christened with a camping trip to the north side of the Catalina mountains the weekend I got her. Did a few more camping trips then took her on a road trip with my dog out to the Salton Sea, Slab City, and San Diego over Spring break.
Went on a few more camping trips as well as some more visits to the Old Pueblo over the spring. Lots of good memories and food in Tucson, especially on the south side.
My wife then took the kids on a three week, 4k+ mile roadtrip up the coast to Washington, then back over and down through Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico. They camped or stayed with friends and family the whole way. I drove up in the Jeep with our pocket pit and met them in Montana. Found a remote spot to camp, read and meditate in the Roosevelt NF while they stayed with a friend in northern CO.
The truck took a road gator to the face, but otherwise has been great. Did the upper ball joints when I first picked her up, and just put a fresh set of tires on her. Went with a set of Mickey Thompson “Deegan 38s” in 265/70/17 . The tires look and ride great. I’m sure they’ll be fine for the offroading I do. Anything too gnarly and I’d rather walk.
Did a quick daytrip up to the Navajo reservation yesterday to help clear my head. Old Merle, a couple of mini cigars and this Toyota did the trick. I only have three more classes to take for my MS, and will be doing a research paper on a friend’s piece of land and water use after that. I feel a calking to be up in northeastern Arizona working on uranium mitigation up there. I’m starting to look at jobs with the Navajo Nation EPA so if anyone has any hookups I’d appreciate it. Some Diné art for your time. The artist is Daniel Josley and he has an Instagram. Check him out.
