first time offroad

[Mikep.]

I have done some atving before, but never have I taken a car off-road. Besides a little bit of fun in the snow I guess. I live about 40 miles north of Chicago. My wife and I made our 3rd trip in a year to the great smoky mountains national park in east Tennessee. We hope to move in the Knoxville area in the near future. The objective of the trip was to check out the area to get a feel were would like to live. The original plan was to stay in the national park, but the government shut down but a stop to that. In March, we rented a side by side and checked out Windrock and had a blast. We chose to camp there this time. The fact that we had a ~600 mile drive home, I was a little nervous taking my 4runner off road. It performed beautifully and had an absolute blast. No hiccups, no problems whatsoever.
anyways,

 

[Mikep.]

few more

 

[satanos6668280]

My wife and I are also thinking of moving to Tennessee but we flew into Knoxville and rented a car and flew out of Nashville a week later beautiful state will prob go back next year to check out some more

 

[Mikep.]

We stopped at Nashville on the way home and spent a night downtown. By far the cleanest city I have ever been to. The bar scene is a lot of fun.

 

[satanos6668280]

The entire as state was clean we couldn't believe it we're used to the jersey stench and filth (jeez I hate it here) and there was no garbage anywhere in site down there. But we didnt get to see Nashville on our last day there was a bad storm and they had all the highways closed off into and out of the city but we had a great time checking out the eastern side of the state throughout the mts. The housing is so much cheaper than here its unbelievable. Here costs you twice as much for half as much.

 

[nevada]

dude NO! that big ass spider?!

next time with a warning man, shit!

NO WAY id be camping there with that big bastard lurking around...

 

[Mikep.]

dude NO! that big ass spider?!

next time with a warning man, shit!

NO WAY id be camping there with that big bastard lurking around...

My wife found that about a foot from the tent the first night there. She took it really well, she didnt scream or anything.

 

[CXS]

What iinf of spider is that? It looks really big...

 

[HokieRunner]

4Runner looks great and glad to hear it did well for you. It's amazing how capable they are. And if my coffee didn't wake me up, scrolling down to that giant spider sure as hell did.

I second the 'what type of spider ?'...I hope you were zoomed in like 30x for that pic.

Random question but I'm looking to upsize my current tent and the model you have was one I am considering. How do you like it?...enough room for 2 people and 2 dogs?

Sorry for the sidetracking!

 

[Mikep.]

I have no idea of what kind of spider that was. It was zoomed in a good amount. I'd say it was about 4 inches across. Not crazy big, just nasty looking. I have more pictures of it too.
The tent is awesome. We have been out with our 90 lb. lab and had plenty of space. It's like a bedroom. We have a queen size inflatable and even with that and all the other gear in there, plenty of space to spare.

 

[SI2IS2T4R]

Oh, no biggie... Just 4 INCHES BIG! Lol. If my lady saw that by our tent, we'd be packed up within minutes and OUT! Actually, she'd probably say just leave the tent!

But, seriously tho... Hey, that's a nice tent btw. Great job with the truck... Looks great! Looks like you're really making your WeatherTech's work!

 

[S p a r k y]

Knoxville

Hey guys, holler at a brother next time anyone is down. I live about 30 minutes from Windrock. I would be happy to show anyone around the knoxville area. Lots of cools places to go. I live basically on the out skirts on Knox.

I used to ATV at Windrock in the late 90's. Use to just be Coal Creek, myself and a rather large group of guys sort of help start the trail systems there before it became a business. High school friend of mine used to own the mines around there and sold them. ok enough rambling.

That is a wolf spider. See them some here and there. We also have some scorpions around as well.

There are a few other good spots to wheel besides windrock in the area.

 

[jwyshrek]

4in!?!?...holy sheet!

Nothing like that here in Tennessee...that I know of...

Just copperheads, stink bugs, lady bug swams, ticks, skeeters and 4 seasons in a week...

 

[S p a r k y]

4in!?!?...holy sheet!

Nothing like that here in Tennessee...that I know of...

Just copperheads, stink bugs, lady bug swams, ticks, skeeters and 4 seasons in a week...

haha 4 seasons a week if funny, thanks

The freaking stink bugs around here are absolutely re-dangdiculous!!!!

 

[Mikep.]

The stink bugs were pretty bad. Was nervous about being some home on accident. Had to thoroughly check all the gear when we got home. They love to find little nooks.

 

[Metalmantr]

Looks like you had an awesome time and yes, that is one freaking huge spider! Tarantula? I just bought 4runner two months ago and hope to take it off-road very soon. Can't wait in fact!

 

[jwyshrek]

A little off topic...but if you find a bunch of stink bugs...dead in a corner of your house somewhere...for the love of God, don't use the vacuum.

Stink bugs still stink even when they are dead...ask me how I know...

 

[Mikep.]

Thanks for the compliments guys. Sparky, might have to take you up on the offer next time we are out there.
We actually saw stink bugs on the show "infested" a week before the trip. When we got in, we were like, "wait a minute, these things look familiar, and, what is that smell?" When watching the show, I was wondering what it would smell like... Now I know.

 

[S p a r k y]

Thanks for the compliments guys. Sparky, might have to take you up on the offer next time we are out there.
We actually saw stink bugs on the show "infested" a week before the trip. When we got in, we were like, "wait a minute, these things look familiar, and, what is that smell?" When watching the show, I was wondering what it would smell like... Now I know.

Just shoot a PM next time, have a few 4runner guys that would come out. Royal Blue is another good riding spot, actually connects to Windrock.

Luckily now it has been cold enough I think they are gone for the winter. Gosh i hope!!

 

[Mikep.]

stink bug