Howdy folks,
To begin with, I'll just say that it's a heck of a lot of fun to be young, strong and stupid... Stupid enough to make mistakes, but not stupid enough to be unprepared for those mistakes... Let's just qualify that remark..
Had lunch with the grandparents and my uncle, which was a good time, of course. Family and food: it's always a good combination. Talk of the goings on of different people and whatnot, and then the afternoon came around.
The parents and grandparents went for a walk, while I had the itch to go offroading. I have a Toyota 4Runner that has been mentioned in past threads, and has gone with me about everywhere and brought me back safe each time. Anyway, I suggested to my uncle that we go offroading. He's about thirty years old, so I think of him more as a peer than an uncle, seeing as I'm 19... Maybe that's a little presumptuous, but that's how I view the relationship, and I think he would as well.
Anyway, we go to one of my favorite little offroad playgrounds, which is just a hop, skip, and jump away from here. I think I've posted pictures of some of the scenery there. If not, I'll put the link to some pictures at the end of the post. So, we get there and start drivin' around. We try to get up one hill, taking a few runs at it, but the mud is a little too slick, so we back down once more to try it out. The base of the hill is a large pool of semi-solid mud... Needless to say, we got stuck.
For the next hour, we dug the truck out. This is where the AK comes in. I always have it in my vehicle for times like this, and man, without it there, I don't think we would have gotten out. I was stuck up to the frame on one side of my vehicle, so we used the AK to chop logs up for levers and ramps to get the 4Runner out and back home. It was also used to dig and chop some of the harder earth that had encased both tires on the driver's side. Anyway, after about an hour, the truck finally was out, and we were back in business.
Some concluding remarks... First of all, I think a shovel is necessary in my truck from now on. It would have taken half the time if the proper tool was used for the job. Second, the AK once again showed me why I put so much trust in it. It's always there when I need it. Finally, I'm glad that I've got enough wits about me to be somewhat prepared (ie the AK, having a pair of boots in the back, and having chains) for times like these.. I've learned a lesson here today, and I had a great time bonding with my uncle as well.
This has been a memorable Christmas, and I feel blessed to be back home and not on that hill now, with the night closing in.
Travis
PS Some pictures here of the location, though not taken this afternoon: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/484680/3 The pictures after the snow driving are all taken at this playground.
To begin with, I'll just say that it's a heck of a lot of fun to be young, strong and stupid... Stupid enough to make mistakes, but not stupid enough to be unprepared for those mistakes... Let's just qualify that remark..
Had lunch with the grandparents and my uncle, which was a good time, of course. Family and food: it's always a good combination. Talk of the goings on of different people and whatnot, and then the afternoon came around.
The parents and grandparents went for a walk, while I had the itch to go offroading. I have a Toyota 4Runner that has been mentioned in past threads, and has gone with me about everywhere and brought me back safe each time. Anyway, I suggested to my uncle that we go offroading. He's about thirty years old, so I think of him more as a peer than an uncle, seeing as I'm 19... Maybe that's a little presumptuous, but that's how I view the relationship, and I think he would as well.
Anyway, we go to one of my favorite little offroad playgrounds, which is just a hop, skip, and jump away from here. I think I've posted pictures of some of the scenery there. If not, I'll put the link to some pictures at the end of the post. So, we get there and start drivin' around. We try to get up one hill, taking a few runs at it, but the mud is a little too slick, so we back down once more to try it out. The base of the hill is a large pool of semi-solid mud... Needless to say, we got stuck.
For the next hour, we dug the truck out. This is where the AK comes in. I always have it in my vehicle for times like this, and man, without it there, I don't think we would have gotten out. I was stuck up to the frame on one side of my vehicle, so we used the AK to chop logs up for levers and ramps to get the 4Runner out and back home. It was also used to dig and chop some of the harder earth that had encased both tires on the driver's side. Anyway, after about an hour, the truck finally was out, and we were back in business.
Some concluding remarks... First of all, I think a shovel is necessary in my truck from now on. It would have taken half the time if the proper tool was used for the job. Second, the AK once again showed me why I put so much trust in it. It's always there when I need it. Finally, I'm glad that I've got enough wits about me to be somewhat prepared (ie the AK, having a pair of boots in the back, and having chains) for times like these.. I've learned a lesson here today, and I had a great time bonding with my uncle as well.
This has been a memorable Christmas, and I feel blessed to be back home and not on that hill now, with the night closing in.
Travis
PS Some pictures here of the location, though not taken this afternoon: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/484680/3 The pictures after the snow driving are all taken at this playground.
