Jhalko's 2011 Limited build/travel thread

[Jhalko]

Breakfast at Blue Moon bakery in Dillon CO after one night in Summit County...
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We stopped in Glenwood Springs to see the caves, they were cool, we didn't do the rides as the kids are a bit small and we had fun stuff for them in San Diego. When I saw the clouds in the distance I worried that would be a precursor for the trip...
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Tried to camp in Rabbit Valley near Fruita, winds were crazy, this truly was the precursor to the trip. WIND IS MY NEMESIS! I learned that the RTT does not like wind so much. We pushed on and camped north of Moab, it was HOT.
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This pic may actually be closer to Capital reef, the mtns look too big in the background.

 

[Jhalko]

The flies were bad outside of Moab, it was a quick breakfast then off to Capital Reef.

We explored a 4wd road before heading in as we were considering camping closer to Capital Reef, in the end we just went into the park, drove around, the kids got their first Junior Ranger badge and we pushed on.
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I didn't understand why there were free range cows in Capital Reef, this one looks like it would make some nice burgers though... yum.
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[Jhalko]

We pushed out of Capital Reef as there just wasn't as much for the kids to do and it was like 101 I think. Based on a recommendation from [MENTION=78273]Jeremy556[/MENTION] we looked for a nice dispersed spot of Hwy 12, we got some good elevation and found a great private spot. Temps were great, other than a quick rain shower it was awesome, my son used the portable potty for the first time, they made for great entertainment for both kids.

Before camp we found an offshoot road that I explored, it required 4 low and Atrac as there were steep spots.
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At camp, this was my favorite of the trip! My wife even made pancakes for breakfast and they were perfect!
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Another shot, the kids liked this spot as well!
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[Jhalko]

Next day we were off to Bryce, this was my favorite of the 5 NP's we visited, I want to go back and do some real hiking. We drove through Grand Staircase Escalante, it was cool, I'll have to go back (when it's cooler).

One shot at the overlook on the way over the mtn to Bryce
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My wife has learned to snap 4runner pics here and there...
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Bryce... the kids hiked the Hoodoo's and they REALLY liked saying the word, A LOT.
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Down in them
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One more...
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Needed a camp and couldn't find any dispersed close by so we camped in King Creek campground, rolled in just before dark. At this point we were learning that the fast setup of the RTT was going to be invaluable on this trip. In the time my wife and kids walked up and back to pay for the camp spot I had the tent set up!

A few minutes later this pulled into the spot next to us
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My son was amazed by this, after chatting with them a lot in the morning my wife decided that she wouldn't mind traveling like this well. They were super nice and gave the kids our new traveling companion after their daughter helped the kids with their Bryce Junior Ranger booklet. They had family in a Tacoma traveling with them and he wanted to check out my RTT and learn how to wire and run a fridge, it was a relaxing morning.

Our new travel mascot
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[smallfry]

Four corners is kind of lame, that's why you have to take the back route to make it more entertaining.

 

[Cymon]

Looks Like an awesome experience, and super cool your kids got to experience it as well (something they'll remember for the rest of their lives!).

Bryce is definitely one of my favorites as well, perfect time of year for the parks!

 

[Jeremy556]

Agreed, 4 corners sucks.

 

[Cymon]

Legoland (9 hrs... 9 HOURS... father of the year here!)

Went a couple of weeks ago to the one in Florida! Lasted 6 hours!

:hail::first:

 

[Jhalko]

Four corners is kind of lame, that's why you have to take the back route to make it more entertaining.

Agreed, 4 corners sucks.

For sure...

For anyone wondering why what should be something cool to stop and see is so frustrating, basically it's a marker in cement with the four states written on each side. The problem is that it is apparently on Navajo land, they charge $5 per person, the line is long and you basically get about 30 seconds to get your pictures. The lady at the fee booth was super cranky and tried to charge me for my 5 year old even though 6 and under are free. The bathrooms are gross pit toilets and otherwise it's just a tourist trap. While in line complaining to my wife about the cost to park in a field and take a picture on a gov't marker I did notice numerous people pulling out and turning around, they were smarter than me.

End rant.

 

[Jhalko]

After Bryce NP we were off to Zion NP, that is a nice drive and we bought an annual NP park pass at Capital Reef so were covered there. We got a hotel in Springdale, the Majestic view lodge I think, the views were really nice.

At check in my wife asked the guy at the counter if we could use our camp stove to grill on the balcony, he initially said no but another guy said it would be fine as long as we kept it on the down low. We had chicken sausages and rice with some cut up bell peppers, it was yummy and out of our own fridge!

We were up early as we knew Zion is extremely crowded, we had a plan and with the kids it did not include hiking the Narrows, maybe down the road.
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Hiked to the upper Emerald Falls, the kids liked the upper and middle, we all were disappointed with the lower, maybe water flows were the issue.

A beggar at the top
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Very scenic through the whole park
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After Zion we zipped down to Vegas, stayed well away from the strip, the valet at the hotel liked the 4runner, turned out he had one, something in the 80's I think. Nice guy and we chatted for a bit. Did laundry before heading on...

 

[Jhalko]

After a really comfy night and a couple hours at the pool we packed up, stopped at the grocery store to refill the fridge then headed southwest. Originally we were going to camp just north of Barstow, mostly desert, but with the heat and wind we decided to make a push towards Big Bear Lake to get some elevation. We committed to going up Grapevine Canyon from the north side. Wells rates it blue and in his book has it going from south to north. It wasn't hard a bit sandy and a few wash out to be careful, had to get slightly tippy but there was no danger, my wife was not happy. The biggest issue was losing daylight, it got dark just past halfway up, I was very happy to have the off road lights I have and really regretting not having installed the 40" Rigid Radiance before leaving.

Starting up, route finding at the bottom is rough when you are trying to rush
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Getting dark on us, my daughter was asleep and my son was nervous so he just played on the iPad, my wife was NOT happy to get out to spot me once. Nice sunset though!
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We got to the top and it was really dark, camped at Horse Springs, 11 spots and no one there. Some very long eared rabbits so I didn't worry about critters. Quick tent set up, energy bars for dinner and off to bed.

 

[Jhalko]

Woke up the next morning to find ourselves in a great spot
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We did get some crazy winds an hour or two after going to bed, that sucked and I think we got a small tear in the RTT during it.

After finishing breakfast a guy and his kid on motorcycles rolled in and stopped, they were scouting camp for hunting in the fall. As they were about to leave a rattlesnake had coiled up next to their bikes, the dad pulled out a gun, loaded it and shot the snake less than 20 yards from us.
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After that we packed up and headed down to Big Bear Lake, fog in the distance I assume
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My wife made me stop for a few flower pics
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She does have a good eye for flower pics

 

[Jhalko]

We camped at the Serrano campground right next to the lake, 100-150 spots and tons of RV's, it was ok, much quieter over night than I expected. Nice walk along the lake and kids love throwing rocks into water so it was good.

My son caught up on his journal
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I made sure to pack the RTT tight since it would be down for almost a week while in San Diego
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More fog on the way down the mtn to San Diego
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My impression of Big Bear Lake was that it was a bit overcrowded and I much more enjoyed camping in the mtns above versus near the lake with everyone else.

 

[Jhalko]

As mentioned, we hit the Zoo, Sea world, and Legoland, we stayed on the beach while there and it was nice.

I'll post these just because we got a GREAT shot of the panda, and had some great sunsets on the beach.
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[jstim]

A few last minute essentials for camping... [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION]

I see you finally got on the Deathwish coffee train, that stuff is addictive though. My skills with a percolator still haven't improved much from the cove. It's still just as awful as that stuff I gave you and [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION].

It's great to see you have the build thread going, and I am looking forward to seeing what else you do.

 

[Jhalko]

I see you finally got on the Deathwish coffee train, that stuff is addictive though. My skills with a percolator still haven't improved much from the cove. It's still just as awful as that stuff I gave you and [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION].

It's great to see you have the build thread going, and I am looking forward to seeing what else you do.

I now buy the Death wish whole bean coffee and grind myself, even have a hand grinder for camping. I have a travel "pour over" system I use to avoid grit like you can get from a French press. I often wonder if I should just quit drinking coffee, much easier.

My hope is to install the light bar and ARB compressor sitting in my garage this month, then just drive it more this year!

 

[jstim]

I now buy the Death wish whole bean coffee and grind myself, even have a hand grinder for camping. I have a travel "pour over" system I use to avoid grit like you can get from a French press. I often wonder if I should just quit drinking coffee, much easier.

My hope is to install the light bar and ARB compressor sitting in my garage this month, then just drive it more this year!

I am a bit jealous you are in Colorado, it's got to be so much nicer than this awful place. I think we're still going to try get up there in late August. I'll let you know, we can run some trails, drink some deathwish. Plus it will give you an excuse to add some adventures.

 

[Jhalko]

I'll update the bulk of the return trip next week... headed out of town with my wife tonight (flying out). A taste of how the return trip started though, notice temp readout

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[Jhalko]

Saw this 4Runner today, something seemed a little off...

 

[smallfry]

Prado.