JohnTheLuck's Adventures Thread

[Martyb]

Amazing there is that much snow in RMNP now. My wife and I were there with our 4runner Sept 9-11 and did Old Fall River Rd and Trail Ridge. The aspens were just starting to turn and only a bit of snow up near the Alpine Visitor Centre. How fast it changes.

Safe travels home. We just got back this past Sunday from our 2 week trip to Colorado and Utah. Now I can start my next trip planning with your extensive trip report and amazing pic's. Thanks John!

 

[Ray Dunakin]

Wow, someone sure put a lot of work into those hiking trails!

 

[graciedad04]

Day 44:

Start point: Omaha NE
End point: Mentor OH

Distance driven: 1327 km

We had a great day under the sun, but very long since it was only on the road. We drove for more than 13 hours. We are in Mentor, Ohio for the night. Tomorrow in the afternoon, we will be finally home.
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I would have suggested that you wait until Council Bluffs, IA to spend the night.

 

[Ron4RNevada]

Day 44:

Start point: Omaha NE
End point: Mentor OH

Distance driven: 1327 km

We had a great day under the sun, but very long since it was only on the road. We drove for more than 13 hours. We are in Mentor, Ohio for the night. Tomorrow in the afternoon, we will be finally home.
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I have really enjoyed your well documented trek. :nicethread:

 

[JohnTheLuck]

Day 45:

Start point: Mentor OH
End point: Montreal QC

Distance driven: 862 km

We finally arrived at the house in the late afternoon, a little tired of the ride. We had a fairly cloudy sky considering the proximity to the great lakes, but that made way for the sun as we approached our destination. As soon as we arrived, we were already thinking about our next destination. To be continued!

Special thanks to all of you who contributed for the preparation or during the trip. This community is fabulous. Thanks also for all your kind words and compliments. It was a pleasure to post everyday!

I will update this post in a few days with relevant trip info. Now, normal life is calling me...!!!
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[JohnTheLuck]

Wow, someone sure put a lot of work into those hiking trails!

Yes, it is amazing the work done on them. And most of the work is done by volunteers. Thumbs up to them. Your national park system are your gems. Take care of them, they well deserve it.

 

[JohnTheLuck]

Northwest Trip Recap

After a few days back home, it is now time for a short recap of this great trip in United-States north west states. It was a really good. I saw my first solar eclipse (thanks mom...), we hiked in awesome places, saw great scenery, and took a lot of pictures. But we also had to deal with huge traffic congestion after the eclipse, heavy smoke from forest fires, and some rain.

We didn't see or hiked to all the places we had planned, but we keep these points for future trips.

Duration: 45 days

States visited: Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Washington, Utah, Colorado

Distance driven (real):
23589 km / 14657 miles

Fuel used:
2905 litres / 767 US gallons

Consumption (displayed):
12.7 l/100 km / 18.5 mi/US gal

Consumption (real):
12.3 l/100 km / 19.1 mi/US gal

Pictures taken (with 3 shots exposure bracketing):
16067 / 56.6 GB (!!!...)

Trails driven:
Inspiration Point, Salt Lake City, Utah
Transcontinental Railway Trail, Utah
Pony Express Trail, Utah
North Fork Area, Glacier NP, Montana
Missouri River Breaks Back Country Byway, Montana
Black Butte Crater Lava Field Road, Idaho
Rainbow and Island Park Road, Utah
Brown's Park / Crousse Canyon Road
Echo Park - Yampa Bench Road, Utah-Colorado
Rollins Pass West Road, Colorado

Scenic Byways:
Silver Island Mountain National Back Country Byway, Utah
Bear Lake SB, Utah
Medicine Wheel Passage SB
Salmon River SB, Idaho
Pend Oreille SB, Idaho
Lake Koocanusa SB, Montana
Sherman Pass SB, Washington
Coulee Corridor NSB, Washington
Lake Koocanusa SB, Montana
Mt Baker State SB, Washington
Thousand Springs SD, Idaho
Sawtooth SB, Idaho
Dinosaur Diamond SB, Utah-Colorado
McKay Peaks to Craters SB, Idaho
City of Rocks Back Country Byway, Idaho
Logan Canyon SB, Utah
Colorado River Headwaters SB, Colorado

Parks / Monuments:
Wyoming Territorial Prison SHS, Wyoming
Fort Laramie NHS, Wyoming
Golden Spike NHS, Utah
Buffalo Dam NRA, Wyoming
Little Bighorn Battlefield NM, Montana
Bighorn Canyon NRA, Montana
Nevada City, Montana
Virginia City, Montana
Big Hole National Battlefield, Montana
Upper Missouri River Breaks NM, Montana
Glacier NP, Montana
Lake Roosevelt NRA, Washington
North Cascade NP, Washington
Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF, Washington
Sun Lakes-Dry Falls SP, Washington
Minidoka NHS, Idaho
Craters of the Moon NM, Idaho
City of Rocks NR, Idaho
Dinosaur NM, Utah-Colorado
McInnis Canyon NRA, Colorado
Arapaho & Roosevelt NF, Colorado
Rocky Mountains NP, Colorado

I am sure I forgot a few of them since we saw so many great places. I want to go back, NOW!!! I still have some pictures cleanup to do before...
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[JohnTheLuck]

Bye Bye PhotoBucket

After many hours spent, I am proudly announcing this thread is now PhotoBucket Free !!! I moved all pictures to Flickr for now. In the next few days, I will delete my PhotoBucket account after their stupid 3rd-party sharing fiasco.

If by any luck you find an incorrect link, please advise me and I will fix it. Thanks.
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[RAD4Runner]

After many hours spent, I am proudly announcing this thread is now PhotoBucket Free !!!
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Good job! Slowly updating mine, too.
Deleted PB account already
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Etck6GSktbE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


https://youtu.be/Etck6GSktbE

 

[JohnTheLuck]

The good, then the bad...

First the good. Thinks have been quite silent for me here but I am glad to announce that everything is set for my upcoming trip from Montreal to Idaho and Northern California in late August to early October. The itinerary is fixed and all hotels reserved. Wheeling trails and hiking trails are selected, and camera memory cards are emptied.

I got a lot of help and hints from many T4R members and I must thanks you very much for your support. This forum is a blast!

Special thanks to:
[MENTION=16]Darren[/MENTION] for the Idaho portion (have a safe trip there)
[MENTION=164260]MaddoxPics[/MENTION] for the California portion
[MENTION=124470]tay4R[/MENTION] for the High Sierra portion
[MENTION=155899]HighDesertPro[/MENTION] for the High Sierra portion
[MENTION=137107]Ray Dunakin[/MENTION] for the Nevada portion (can't wait to see where you went this time!!!)

Now the bad. I have second though about traveling in the US because of recent headlines concerning security reason. You know, traveling with a non US license plate could inspire some radicals to do bad things. I never felt this way before my previous trips but this time it is different. It is now five weeks before the planned departure and I might pull the plug on that Idaho-California trip and instead execute plan B that I am working on. Than would be a shame but this is how I feel now.
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[c10bonanza]

Now the bad. I have second though about traveling in the US because of recent headlines concerning security reason. You know, traveling with a non US license plate could inspire some radicals to do bad things. I never felt this way before my previous trips but this time it is different. It is now five weeks before the planned departure and I might pull the plug on that Idaho-California trip and instead execute plan B that I am working on. Than would be a shame but this is how I feel now.
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Security reasons? Headlines? Are you talking about the US/Canada tariff dispute? I’m not sure what security threats you are referencing. And, don’t believe everything you see in the media.

Look, every country has some wackos, but the US isn’t some third-world crime-ridden hell-hole. Come visit, enjoy the scenery, and I think you’ll find the people welcoming, friendly, and down-to-earth.

I’m not in the states you are visiting, otherwise I’d buy you a beer!

 

[tay4R]

Jean, also not sure the security reasons you are referring to but you will have no problems as before. Don't think anyone cares about a 4Runner from Canada exploring some epic sights. I've felt the same way as you when travelling down to Mexico with the 4Runner. No issues, everyone just loves that you are out exploring and have a sweet rig to talk about. So come down and enjoy your trip!

 

[MaddoxPics]

The good, then the bad...

First the good. Thinks have been quite silent for me here but I am glad to announce that everything is set for my upcoming trip from Montreal to Idaho and Northern California in late August to early October. The itinerary is fixed and all hotels reserved. Wheeling trails and hiking trails are selected, and camera memory cards are emptied.

I got a lot of help and hints from many T4R members and I must thanks you very much for your support. This forum is a blast!

Special thanks to:

[MENTION=16]Darren[/MENTION] for the Idaho portion (have a safe trip there)
[MENTION=164260]MaddoxPics[/MENTION] for the California portion
[MENTION=124470]tay4R[/MENTION] for the High Sierra portion
[MENTION=155899]HighDesertPro[/MENTION] for the High Sierra portion
[MENTION=137107]Ray Dunakin[/MENTION] for the Nevada portion (can't wait to see where you went this time!!!)

Now the bad. I have second though about traveling in the US because of recent headlines concerning security reason. You know, traveling with a non US license plate could inspire some radicals to do bad things. I never felt this way before my previous trips but this time it is different. It is now five weeks before the planned departure and I might pull the plug on that Idaho-California trip and instead execute plan B that I am working on. Than would be a shame but this is how I feel now.
.

What kind of fearmongering have you been listening to man lol? Nobody is going to attack you for having different plates on your vehicle. Honestly most of the states you'll be in will be packed with people who threatened to move to Canada a few months ago. You'll probably make more friends than you thought.

Not to mention the areas you'll be off-roading in, you probably won't have many people to deal with except when stopping in town for food and supplies, but again, nobody will bother you with your plates. Maybe if you were in Boston after they lost to the Canadiens you'd get some teasing, but not out here.

Obviously always be aware of your surroundings just in case someone decides today is the day they are planning on robbing someone and you're the target, but I've been in many of the places you plan on going to and I have never had issues, seen issues, or heard of issues.

 

[JohnTheLuck]

Security reasons? Headlines? Are you talking about the US/Canada tariff dispute? I’m not sure what security threats you are referencing. And, don’t believe everything you see in the media.

Look, every country has some wackos, but the US isn’t some third-world crime-ridden hell-hole. Come visit, enjoy the scenery, and I think you’ll find the people welcoming, friendly, and down-to-earth.

I’m not in the states you are visiting, otherwise I’d buy you a beer!

I don't want to discuss politics here since it is not the goal of this forum and I fully agree with this rule. But the US/Canada tariff dispute is of course one of my concerns. The agression on the woman wearing a shirt from Porto Rico is another. There is also some comments from americans visiting Canada telling on the media they feel safer here than home. Maybe that was just for the show, who knows.

For the beer, I will keep this for a future trip !!! If everything goes as planned, I should be in Oklahoma in February 2019.

Jean, also not sure the security reasons you are referring to but you will have no problems as before. Don't think anyone cares about a 4Runner from Canada exploring some epic sights. I've felt the same way as you when travelling down to Mexico with the 4Runner. No issues, everyone just loves that you are out exploring and have a sweet rig to talk about. So come down and enjoy your trip!

Hopefully you are right. Mexico is a really different place, not compatible with me as you probably figured out yourself !!!

What kind of fearmongering have you been listening to man lol? Nobody is going to attack you for having different plates on your vehicle. Honestly most of the states you'll be in will be packed with people who threatened to move to Canada a few months ago. You'll probably make more friends than you thought.

Not to mention the areas you'll be off-roading in, you probably won't have many people to deal with except when stopping in town for food and supplies, but again, nobody will bother you with your plates. Maybe if you were in Boston after they lost to the Canadiens you'd get some teasing, but not out here.

Obviously always be aware of your surroundings just in case someone decides today is the day they are planning on robbing someone and you're the target, but I've been in many of the places you plan on going to and I have never had issues, seen issues, or heard of issues.

I am pretty sure I would not (no, I didn't forget the "n't ... " have any problems on the trails with the 4Runner. My concerns are more during my time in the cities since we will be stopping every nights in hotels because my wife doesn't like camping.

From my past experience during trips in the US, I met very kind people that were anything from hostile. They were effectively very friendly and helpful. People working in the tourism sector are so nice since they rely on relationship with their customers. I have only good memories from those past trips.

Maybe I have to stop watching Fox and CNN altogether. Everyday I switch the TV off feeling sad, mad, confused and everything between...
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[c10bonanza]

I don't want to discuss politics here since it is not the goal of this forum and I fully agree with this rule. But the US/Canada tariff dispute is of course one of my concerns. The agression on the woman wearing a shirt from Porto Rico is another. There is also some comments from americans visiting Canada telling on the media they feel safer here than home. Maybe that was just for the show, who knows.

For the beer, I will keep this for a future trip !!! If everything goes as planned, I should be in Oklahoma in February 2019.

I missed any story on the Puerto Rico gal. Like I said, there's a minority wacko contingent wherever you go, no matter what side of the political aisle you favor. I rarely watch the news anymore; the reporting always focuses on the bad and wrong things with our world.

Hit me up in February 2019! :beer:

 

[Ray Dunakin]

John, no need to worry. As others have said, there are a very, very, tiny percentage of idiot lunatics here just as there are elsewhere, but your chances of running into anyone dumb/deranged enough to care about Canadian plates is virtually nil.

The media ALWAYS focuses on the rare exceptions, which is what makes such incidents seem more common than they really are.

 

[ElectroBoy]

The good, then the bad...

First the good...

Now the bad. I have second though about traveling in the US because of recent headlines concerning security reason. You know, traveling with a non US license plate could inspire some radicals to do bad things. I never felt this way before my previous trips but this time it is different. It is now five weeks before the planned departure and I might pull the plug on that Idaho-California trip and instead execute plan B that I am working on. Than would be a shame but this is how I feel now.
.

Jean,
I just found your adventure thread; it’s giving me a lot of inspiration to head out there myself.


Never mind the politics in Washington DC; it’s nuts right now. You should remember that most Americans LOVE Canadians!

 

[Louise]

We love Canadians here in the South! I visit Ottawa and Montreal frequently as I have family there and I can assure you the people are equally hospitable and kind.

 

[JohnTheLuck]

Alright guys, if everything goes well, me and my wife will be leaving in one little week for a six week trip in Idaho, Nevada, Northern California, and Utah. Thanks for all the kind words I received in the last few weeks, these cleared some of my worries. And lastly, the forest fire in the area I will be visiting are coming under control.

Stay tuned!
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[JohnTheLuck]

Things has been so quiet lately...

As followers of this thread has probably already guessed, the trip planned for late August to early October has been cancelled. In short, my wife had a serious enough health issue that we had to stay home. Recovery is well underway and we are looking for our next adventure early next year. Hopefully!
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