In the beginning! Day -2 to day 1
The Ol’ Farts are they as Old as the Hills” they visited?
The adventure leading to the adventure as seen through our different eyes. From Frenchie’s eyes this may be distorted and as wrinkled as his eyes.
Pictures, I know “Pictures” just another story. Did you know pictures can lie!
The departure on April 26th. Was early as the winds were coming in as strong head winds later in the day. I got as far as Grants, NM where the battle began. The fight started as equal forces, coming together. It was not long before the winds called in reinforcements. The Jeep was not to be out done, as it had Frenchie on it’s side and he is full of hot air. With the Jeep’s reinforcements the battle raged on into the night as we arrived in St. George, Utah. I do not know if I won or lost the battle, but I made it.
By arriving a day early was to make sure if any troubles happened in route, I would be ready. Sunday morning I got to Walmart for the last minute supplies, fuel and some time to explore. I had not been to Little Black Mt. pictograph site in a number of years so I made a trip out for some quiet time exploring.
Getting back to the campsite I got some calls from the group as they were settling into lodging for the night. I had some Ol’ Farts stop by my campsite for a visit and get acquainted session. The excitement was setting in as the next morning we would get underway with our first Ol’ Farts Adventure. You will get to know the group as this story unfolds.
The Adventure!
Day 1
Blow me down and shiver my timbers!
Morning comes before noon, so I get up at the crack of noon (it was noon somewhere). In my hast to get to the restaurant (our meeting location) I end up with my tent crank left hanging in the tent.
I got ready to meet everyone. I have only met one person (Dick, Toy Man) in our group many years before. They arrived on time with smiles on their faces except one (Dave did really have a smile on). Dave had a problem with his fuel pump the day before and was waiting for parts. Dave joined us at breakfast, and got our planned itinerary, with hopes of meeting us later. As we departed town and headed for the dirt route the tent crank departed company at the sight of the dirt road. We did not loose the other crank as I was still in the drivers seat. When the tent crank fell out the others saw in the road, but the leader did not stop so the chain gang kept on going, thinking it belonged to someone else.
Our first planned route was to explore the remote Arizona strip within the Grand Canyon. Our first stop of any importance was at the fire hydrant and phone box connection. The story of PJ and fire hydrant with a phone box was unraveled. A fire hydrant in this very dry location, water or ?. We moved along to the historic Mt. Trumbull school house. From here we left the graded road and went to a (let me say a Charming Route) 2 track route.
As we crossed the fence lines and gates and many turns, I missed a turn, only to be corrected. Did I mention I am also known as “wrong way”. When we got to the top of trail canyon, we stopped for a look at the route down the canyon. We wanted to see if we could get by the washout. From the top it looked passable..... maybe! We dropped into low range and started down the trails sharp corners. As I reached the washout and saw it close up, I got on the radio to the group and asked for them to look and decide if they wanted to try the narrow section of the somewhat repaired trail. They thought that we could make it so I got across the washout. Following me was Troy with his Jeep and teardrop trailer. The jeep did just fine (pause - you are expecting the worst aren’t you). The trailer with the sharp turn took a different route. Myself spotting the Jeep and the rear trailer spotter “Weed” watching the wheels slide sideways and not up to the bank, we took a break. Why a break now as the suspension is building? Well with the use of a Hi-Lift jack at a angle “Weeds” was able to get the trailer on solid footing. We inched them both across as a Utah juniper attacked the trailer. Weeds now took his Jeep and smaller trailer across. Confidence was building (for myself) as this has been the stopper in other years, but each years rain can do interesting things.
Continuing down the trail we were making good time. Upon reaching Parashant Canyon the outlook began to change. The washouts became more challenging and deeper as we continued. We discussed about the planned campsite and the goals we had been aiming towards. The decision was to continue onward, until the switchback of all switchbacks, the vehicles could not make the turns as well as some of our group on foot. This forced a return back to a level location for the evening at the bottom of Trail Canyon. The secret of the goal and location will be protected again.
The evening is cool with winds whipping through the canyon as our meals were prepared. The coolness of the evening would be great for a campfire if I had not grabbed a empty 20# propane bottle from home for the propane campfire. Ol Fart, brain fart is my only excuse. The good thing is the empty bottle is lighter to carry.
Time to crank up the tent (without the crank). With the help and parts from the group we devised as crank system that worked. Thank you everyone!
Good night everyone! I will see you in the morning.
The Ol’ Farts are they as Old as the Hills” they visited?
The adventure leading to the adventure as seen through our different eyes. From Frenchie’s eyes this may be distorted and as wrinkled as his eyes.
Pictures, I know “Pictures” just another story. Did you know pictures can lie!
The departure on April 26th. Was early as the winds were coming in as strong head winds later in the day. I got as far as Grants, NM where the battle began. The fight started as equal forces, coming together. It was not long before the winds called in reinforcements. The Jeep was not to be out done, as it had Frenchie on it’s side and he is full of hot air. With the Jeep’s reinforcements the battle raged on into the night as we arrived in St. George, Utah. I do not know if I won or lost the battle, but I made it.
By arriving a day early was to make sure if any troubles happened in route, I would be ready. Sunday morning I got to Walmart for the last minute supplies, fuel and some time to explore. I had not been to Little Black Mt. pictograph site in a number of years so I made a trip out for some quiet time exploring.
Getting back to the campsite I got some calls from the group as they were settling into lodging for the night. I had some Ol’ Farts stop by my campsite for a visit and get acquainted session. The excitement was setting in as the next morning we would get underway with our first Ol’ Farts Adventure. You will get to know the group as this story unfolds.
The Adventure!
Day 1
Blow me down and shiver my timbers!
Morning comes before noon, so I get up at the crack of noon (it was noon somewhere). In my hast to get to the restaurant (our meeting location) I end up with my tent crank left hanging in the tent.
I got ready to meet everyone. I have only met one person (Dick, Toy Man) in our group many years before. They arrived on time with smiles on their faces except one (Dave did really have a smile on). Dave had a problem with his fuel pump the day before and was waiting for parts. Dave joined us at breakfast, and got our planned itinerary, with hopes of meeting us later. As we departed town and headed for the dirt route the tent crank departed company at the sight of the dirt road. We did not loose the other crank as I was still in the drivers seat. When the tent crank fell out the others saw in the road, but the leader did not stop so the chain gang kept on going, thinking it belonged to someone else.
Our first planned route was to explore the remote Arizona strip within the Grand Canyon. Our first stop of any importance was at the fire hydrant and phone box connection. The story of PJ and fire hydrant with a phone box was unraveled. A fire hydrant in this very dry location, water or ?. We moved along to the historic Mt. Trumbull school house. From here we left the graded road and went to a (let me say a Charming Route) 2 track route.
As we crossed the fence lines and gates and many turns, I missed a turn, only to be corrected. Did I mention I am also known as “wrong way”. When we got to the top of trail canyon, we stopped for a look at the route down the canyon. We wanted to see if we could get by the washout. From the top it looked passable..... maybe! We dropped into low range and started down the trails sharp corners. As I reached the washout and saw it close up, I got on the radio to the group and asked for them to look and decide if they wanted to try the narrow section of the somewhat repaired trail. They thought that we could make it so I got across the washout. Following me was Troy with his Jeep and teardrop trailer. The jeep did just fine (pause - you are expecting the worst aren’t you). The trailer with the sharp turn took a different route. Myself spotting the Jeep and the rear trailer spotter “Weed” watching the wheels slide sideways and not up to the bank, we took a break. Why a break now as the suspension is building? Well with the use of a Hi-Lift jack at a angle “Weeds” was able to get the trailer on solid footing. We inched them both across as a Utah juniper attacked the trailer. Weeds now took his Jeep and smaller trailer across. Confidence was building (for myself) as this has been the stopper in other years, but each years rain can do interesting things.
Continuing down the trail we were making good time. Upon reaching Parashant Canyon the outlook began to change. The washouts became more challenging and deeper as we continued. We discussed about the planned campsite and the goals we had been aiming towards. The decision was to continue onward, until the switchback of all switchbacks, the vehicles could not make the turns as well as some of our group on foot. This forced a return back to a level location for the evening at the bottom of Trail Canyon. The secret of the goal and location will be protected again.
The evening is cool with winds whipping through the canyon as our meals were prepared. The coolness of the evening would be great for a campfire if I had not grabbed a empty 20# propane bottle from home for the propane campfire. Ol Fart, brain fart is my only excuse. The good thing is the empty bottle is lighter to carry.
Time to crank up the tent (without the crank). With the help and parts from the group we devised as crank system that worked. Thank you everyone!
Good night everyone! I will see you in the morning.
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