There are some roads that will just kick your butt. Highway 139 from Rangely to Fruita was that road for me. The road surface was just brutal with the short wheelbase of the willys. I came very close to airing down for a better ride. The pass was tight, steep, and had a lot of interesting features. This included a rock that probably weighed more than my old Jeep RIGHT in the middle of the road. I am glad I wasn't under it when it caved off the hillside...
I have been trying to slow down and see the sights today. I made a stop at the dinosaur national monument for an hour or so. Neat stuff. The willys needed a jet change. Well half a jet change. I am.sending this from dinosaur Colorado. I need some more water. It has to be in the middle 70s now. The little old willys could use some more cooling capacity. I am not pushing it and the temp is in the 190 range. It is nothing to worry about, but it will need more margin since the outside temp is still maybe only 80f on the road. I am headed toward grand junction via rangely.
No dam tours at the damn dam till tomorrow! Oh well. The info and old pictures in the visitors center where pretty good for the flaming gorge dam. I'm in vernal for lunch and the sun is out. Its warm and sunny outside. I stopped in at the local Napa parts house to give the willys a once over. Everything checked out OK. A few little leaks after doing something like 500-600 miles yesterday. Today is going to be a lot more mellow. I didn't drive just long enough. There is lots of camping just south of Manila,Utah but finding those would have been tough in the dark. The drive over to Vernal was pretty amazing. I will have to come back to this area for sure.
The lady at the Exxon says there is nowhere to eat in town except three miles down the road in the flaming gorge park....need a park pass too. Not three blocks away is The Villa cafe. This place is full of locals and the food looks great. I told them the story about the Exxon lady....Haha
When you really get into areas that are out of the way I have noticed a shortage of services. Its not overpriced hotels, or fuel, or cell phone coverage. Its things like a place to camp or a place to get breakfast. I need breakfast! Anyways. Off I go on a hunt.
In kemmerer, Wyoming for dinner. Saw a bunch of derailed railroad cars pm the way down the west edge of the state.
Got rained out once. Laundrymats make great places to dry gear while you eat lunch.
I am hanging out at my parents ranch for the day. I got to take a much needed shower and got to sleep in a real bed and everything. The drive from missoula was a bit wet but not bad. I did have to stop in Bob Wards in Hamilton for some better rain pants. There is a HUGE difference between water resistant and water proof. All is well. I will be back on the road south tomorrow. I think I am going to go down through western Wyoming.
I am back in the modern world! We covered over 300 miles in the back country. I have spent a lot of time in the woods but this trip will rate very high on my list of greatest adventures ever in my life. The first day was a little overwhelming. It has been a long time since I have driven in deep deep snow and the first time I have had this little willys out in terrian like this. My friends have progressed to a level beyond mine in both driving skill and vehicle capability. 2psi was not the magic tire pressure...it ended up being just about 1psi with the stiff sidewalls of the bfg krawlers and my total vehicle weight of 3600lbs. Once I got the courage up to run at that low of a tire pressure things started working much better the second day. There was also a pretty steep curve with trying to catch up to my friends skill level. They have both progressed far beyond me since my college years.
The rest of the days where pretty epic. I actually got to a point where I got to break trail over one pass. Everyone had to use there winch at least once. I used mine a lot the first day but then started to get the hang of things. Sometimes it is just faster to winch out of an issue rather than work it till you get into a bad situation. One of the thing I really like about my friends is the lack of too much pressure when you are near your limits. Thanks guys!
I am back on the road now dodging some brainstorms but all is well. I will be updating from the road when possible....
In the not currently sunny state of Montana. I hope the Willy's gods watch out for me. The skies look scarry but only a few drops on the windshield so far. I'm up in the mountains for the three to four days. If I can get a signal I will get something up. Great trip so far! Knock on wood and all that...
I had to stop and repack the drivers front wheel bearings. Fun fun. The tools came in handy...
I am all tucked in for the night at Crystal hot springs located at the north end of Utah. $20 for a soak, spot, shower, bathroom, and tree's to set up my hammock. I got stopped soon enough I could give the willys a good look over in the daylight. The rear axle flange bolts needed snuggled. I think all the on off throttle in traffic is hard on them. Heck, I almost had a screw loose after all that traffic. I was in a bit of a traffic daze at one point, or a carbon monoxide partial comma, when I looked to my right to see a guy plastered to the window in his yj with a camera. All I could think of was to give a thumbs up and smile. At least I hope it looked like a smile not from someone escaped from the nearest looney bin.
Anyways. The transmission has developed a leak at the front adapter near as I can tell. It only does it when its really hot. Some of those outer 55mph roads I took where like ovens with a 20 foot concrete wall on each side and four to six lanes of traffic. I don't think I will be running guided tours on how to cross salt lake at 50mph in a flat fender any time soon!
And yes. I had to carve some tent stakes out of a scavenged piece of firewood. I knew that axe would come in handy...
...of the endless expance of the Salt Lake metro area. Dinner at Maddox steak house with Wjeeper from the pirate forum at a place called Maddox.
A decent night with wild dreams. I was up with the sun and on the road north. I am sending this just south of Price, Utah. Over the mountain I go after a fuel stop and a re-jet on the Carb. I feel like I am in the movie Two Lane Blacktop with half the engine and no mechanic....
Im in moab. Im tempted to just stay here and wheel for like ten days. I love this place. The need for dinner is great.....must find tacos. The willys did well. The most happy road speed seems to be about 52mph. No real issues so far. I will give it a good look over in the morning......every morning.
Food. Fuel. Sleep.
Next state! All is well. Demo's suck headed toward you or passing you. Go little flat fender go.
