Pikes Peak from Garden of the Gods.

We did some hiking today at Garden of the Gods park. The rock formations are pretty amazing. After hiking we took the 4Runner up Rampart Range Road for a couple miles. It overlooks the entire area and has some really nice views.  The road is pretty rough when you have an off road vehicle with stiff suspension and off road tires. I was reading on the "internets" today that there is a lake up in the mountains and some other cool stuff. The drive is about 60 miles though so I'm glad we didn't go to far. Did I mention it was rough and fitted out?  Tomorrow is probably going to be Pikes Peak and some other off roading.

Colorado Springs Trip

We made it to Colorado Springs on Tuesday night. The trip was not bad but the hills were a little tough while pulling the popup camper. We didn't really much on Wednesday but Ashie came over to see us so that was good. I missed her since she's been gone in the Air Force.

Today I made a "mountain man" breakfast on the dutch oven along with homemade donuts. It was good eatin'. Today we're going to Pikes Peak and do some hiking and driving. I'm trying to find someplace to go offroading later in the week.

Sold the 1989 4Runner.

Today I sold the old 4Runner.  The head gasket went out on it and I just don't have the money to fix it.  I hated to sell it but I can't afford to put money into two 4Runners.  I'll just spend money on the new one.  Well, if I had money I would put it into the new one. 

It looks like I'll be going to Colorado in August to test out the 4WD in the new 4Runner.  I plan on going on the Gold Camp road near Colorado Springs.  It looks like a pretty awesome road but 4WD is not really necessary.  I'll find somewhere that requires 4WD.  I'll take plenty of pictures.

Possum Kingdom Lake

This is sunset from on top of the Morris Sheppard Dam on Possum Kingdom Lake in Texas.  This is where I work...

2001 Toyota 4Runner SR5

I bought a new/used Toyota 4Runner a couple of weeks ago.  I went to Houston to get it.  It has 4wd, automatic, sunroof, cd changer, center differential lock, traction control, and so forth like a stock SR5 model would have.  The great thing about it is the extras it came with thanks to the previous owner.  It has an ARB rear air locker with air compressor under the hood, BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires, Sway Away Race Runner coil-over shocks on front, 2.5" lift, quick disconnect sway bar, and rock sliders. 

The only bad thing I've found is the front right inner CV boot is cracked.  I replaced the entire CV axle this morning instead of just the boot.  I didn't want to have to do that job twice.  It really wasn't that difficult to change though.  I'm probably going to change the oil tomorrow since I don't know when it was changed last and they have a Fram oil filter on it.  Ugh!  I bought some Valvoline synthetic oil and a Wix filter to put on it. 

Future plans for it consist of making it an expedition/camping type vehicle like you could find on ExpeditionPortal.com.  I would like to get a new front bumper with off-road lights, new rear bumper, roof basket, snorkel, CB, and some Old Man Emu shocks on the back.  The interior mods would be a drawer type system on the floor in the back to store stuff along with a platform as part of the drawer system that fills in the back so I could sleep in the back with my dog Smiley.  There are lots of other small things that I'll add on here as I add them.