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Moab, Utah - 2nd Annual OKRovers Expedition Jim Royall '96 SI Discovery Randy Black '95 Defender 90 David Williams '99 SII Discovery Andrew Macris & Jason Blackburn '74 SIII Lightweight Paul & Jennifer Davis '97 SI Discovery Jim & Melissa Thompson '93 LWB Range Rover David & Julie O'Brien '95 LWB Range Rover David & Maria Summers '99 SII Discovery Mark Kiely & Michael Dunne '73 SIII Lightweight |
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...This is it! I remember vividly the first time I
peered over the edge of the Grand Canyon south rim in Arizona, or my first viewing of Uluru
(Ayer's Rock) in Australia. I even remember how I felt walking in Times Square, New York, or
Venice Beach, California for the first time. Driving into Moab after our 1,000+ 2 day trek, I
felt the very same..."Wow, we're in Moab...This is it!" The adventure begins...
Mark Kiely |
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LION'S BACK
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. | FINS 'N THINGS
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| . | "Moab - the awe-inspiring location for appreciating what the Wilkes brothers created when developing the Land Rover." | . |
| . | Jim Thompson | . |
KANE CREEK
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. | ROSE GARDEN
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. | NIGHT RUN
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. | METAL MASHER
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GPS maps courtesy of Randy Black - copyright Garmin Corporation |
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| What an amazing place! The high desert scenery along with
perfect weather provided the backdrop for an awesome OKRovers Expedition. Throw in that Bill
Burke was guiding the group plus it was being taped for prosperity by Jacob Bell just clinched
the deal for a very cool time. Some totally random thoughts: "You picked a fine time to leave me loose wheel" - Range
Rovers really are overly built
I-40 West - third gear, 3200rpm, maxing out at 63mph,
watching the gas gage going down like the RR is a yacht vs a vehicle while watching the
temperature gauge going up, all thanks to a headwind from Hades
What is this white fluffy stuff landing all over
everything in the campground?
Are you on the "Thompson plan"
The color of red - soil, rocks, dog's paws, dashboard,
clothes
Just how does that lady live in the cave on the Colorado
river?
Hitch has "hit" in it and the LWB liked that "feature"
Bill Burke - Renaissance man of the 21st Century
Which way do I go now Bill??
Road rally!
Inner feeling that we probably could successfully go
anywhere with Bill's spotting ability, driving technique, and mechanical knowledge
Melissa cruising up Metal Masher without realizing it
was Metal Masher
Melissa saying "we should have bought that D90" (we were
considering a '97 soft top)
Drive keeping in mind where that rear wheel is going to
be
"Don't dust the bikers"
How many Jacobs are there? he's here, there, and
everywhere
Incredible scenery
Slickrock is like fine grit sandpaper
Airing down really is better for driving on rock
Mark did a super job pulling this whole thing off
A favorite saying came to mind "...like Deadheads with
Aluminum"
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JUST DRIVE THROUGH IT... It doesn’t work every time but it’s a good place to start. This trip was by far my most memorable and enjoyable off road experience. The group was made up of like minded people who love the outdoors, are very enthusiastic and conscientious wheelers, and came to have themselves and their vehicles challenged. I don’t think anyone left without having a much better idea of what it was possible to accomplish with these amazing vehicles. The atmosphere created by the place and amount of time we would have to explore it just seemed to put a grin on your face. You knew a great video was being put together as you watched the work Jacob put into it. He was incredible, carrying two cameras and a tripod much of the time he circled the group going up and down hill seemingly with equal speed. I was really afraid he was going to put his eye out... or fall hundreds of feet he had just climbed to get 30 or 40 seconds of tape from a place no one else ever had. Our guide, what can you say about Bill? Boundless energy, in depth knowledge of the history of the area, the plant and animal life, and personally I think he might have had a clue about human nature. You could go on and on about his truck and his driving ability but I think everyone more or less expected excellence in those areas. Without a doubt the fastest driving point man we will ever follow, reinforcing my belief that the harder you drive these trucks the better they work. He went out of his way to guide me out to a point where I could find the highway on my own when my wheeling ended half way through our last day due to my turning the spider gears in my rear differential into loose change. He did that only after we had pulled the axles and determined the extent of damage right there on the trail when he could have been eating lunch. What he did after that was the thing that I found remarkable, giving me his home address and cell number, directions to his house in Fruita, Colorado as well as to his garage and the exact location of a good used differential. He told me to take it and gave me three or four names and phone numbers of people in the area that could make the necessary modifications for use with my axles. There was no mention of payment and he had nothing to gain from the gesture in any way. I think he just really wanted to do everything possible to give me the opportunity to get back on the trail. He is truly exceptional in many ways and I hope to get the opportunity to wheel with him again. We only just scratched the surface of the Moab experience and I would love to someday know it all well. There were a few people on the trip who had their first exposure to off roading in this incredible place, and they deserve a huge round of accolades...they kicked ass in a situation many would find very intimidating. A huge thank you to all who helped when "Trail Bitch" became crippled, you make this hobby what it is.
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What can I say about the Moab Journey, other than give
you a day by day blow of what happened, as I remember them. [DAY ONE ] [ DAY TWO ] [ DAY THREE] (More to come by the way)
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Moab Musings from David & Maria To say we had a great time in Moab would be cliche, but none the less true. It was a trip of firsts, or I should say, an adventure. Adventure, as opposed to travel, has been defined as journey in which the end is difficult or impossible to predict. From the beginning, I wondered how things would turn out. This would not be our first trip to Moab, but it would be the first time we attempted Difficult rated trails. This would be the first time we wheeled with a group, not to mention a group of our peers, other Land Rover owners. This would also be our first meeting with other members of OKRovers, the club that had accepted us without question or inspection. Last, but certainly not least, it would be our first time wheeling under the watchful eye of a true expert, Mr. Burke... (more to come)
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Moab Moab was more than I expected, there were so many trails of such a wide variety that a club could visit there several times a year and not get tired of the place. In our five days in Moab we only got a taste of what was available. Having Bill Burke as a trail guide was the greatest way to go, especially for the first time. We didn't wander around looking for the trails and he knew what we were capable of after the first day. I think we were all challenged but not to the point of getting in over our heads. I would like to go back next year or even sooner.
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Good Times in Moab Has anyone experienced a more 'together' group? Some of us had never even met before. All members of an Oklahoma-based group of Rover enthusiasts with many members outside Oklahoma (hence the never-met-before part). Quite obviously the common demoninator is that we are all die-hard Rover enthusaists, who came to Moab under great cost, and with a great respect that the other group participants should enjoy themselves as much as ourselves. Our singular focus had everything to do with lo-range, and low tire presssure. Hello slickrock! On Wednesday evening after 3 awesome days of fourwheeling under the casual yet expert guiding of Bill Burke, we cleaned up as best we could, and came together one last time for what was supposed to be a pot-luck dinner. We've all been to those right! What ensued however, was an evening of merriment and fun with super trail camaraderie continuing around the campfire, into the evening, and we already know...beyond. Melissa Thompson (Mirror Gulch vet) aided by Julie O'Brien, and Jennifer Davis put on a dinner buffet extravaganza of steak and various accompanying fare that was simply terrific. Kudos to the ladies, you're not just good drivers. A champagne toast courtesy of Jim Thompson gave all participants an opportunity to share with others the memories that they would take with them from their first Moab expedition. The evening was enjoyed by all. We hugged and said our Goodbyes. It was a fitting finale for a wonderful group event. I'm not sure I can wait 'til next year to go back.
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Check out JNB's website for more exciting Moab pics - click here. |
| Courtesy of JNB Video Productions here's a little preview of our trip captured on video by Jacob Bell, and his brother Jacob, and his other brother Jacob. or so it seemed because Jacob was everywhere - at the right place at the right time...More to come! | . |
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Rovering Moab Preview
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Format |
Broadband |
Dial-Up Modem |
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