07BlackSpecV
Adventurer
Well tiny pic has problems with pictures I take sometimes. So...until I find another host I like and doesn't flip my cell phone pics upside down I'm stuck on photobucket. If my pics are only working for me please let me know.
Well my adventures for 2017 have finally come to an end I believe. They encompassed, surprise surprise, two more trips to Northern Michigan. The first was a friend and mine's yearly pilgrimage to the Keweenaw Peninsula for the last race in the Rally America series. It gave us the opportunity for relaxing, soft overlanding, and doing some recon for a trip we are planning next fall in the UP of Michigan.
IMG_2797 by Jordan Schutt, on Flickr
Getting in and out of stage you use a lot of fire roads and seasonal roads. It was a lot of fun to bomb down the roads and leave the subie guys in a giant cloud of dust, hitting mud holes that would splash over the roof of the Xterra.
IMG_2759 by Jordan Schutt, on Flickr
IMG_2764 by Jordan Schutt, on Flickr
IMG_2809 by Jordan Schutt, on Flickr
Baja'ing down those roads did take there toll though. The front wheel bearings finally gave up after 3+ years of hard use and wheel spacers.
As usual we tried to tie in a little of the overland lifestyle. exploring the Redridge Steel Dam again, 4 years after first finding it. Getting in behind the scenes at a couple locations. Talking to a woodworker that has his on shop behind the Ford Lumber Mill in Alberta. Continuing to experience local cuisine. The Xterra received a massive amount of praise from passersby as we sat parked along fireroads waiting to hike into viewing areas.
After returning home we took a couple weeks to rest and regroup for our next trip. The Xterra was repaired, I took the time to install my ARB air compressor and finished piecing together a full compliment of ARB air tools and BROG Air Tool Bag.
IMG_2822 by Jordan Schutt, on Flickr
EA2EF93B-3353-4AA8-A280-1F01EFCF3898 by Jordan Schutt, on Flickr
We then headed north again to the Traverse City area to spend time with family. First we visited Pyramid Point and the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes. Always traveled a couple of small seasonal roads to make us feel like we were out on adventure.
IMG_2833 by Jordan Schutt, on Flickr
IMG_2830 by Jordan Schutt, on Flickr
IMG_2837 by Jordan Schutt, on Flickr
The rest of the weekend consisted of hiking in to try some more duck hunting, running some shots through my new Benelli Super Nova, Grouse Hunting, and having a fantastic lunch at Short's Brewery in Bellaire, Michigan.
IMG_2859 by Jordan Schutt, on Flickr
IMG_2852 by Jordan Schutt, on Flickr
IMG_2851 by Jordan Schutt, on Flickr
IMG_2853 by Jordan Schutt, on Flickr
Of course we treaded lighting and recovered all our plastic, sans the wadding...
So, this year is complete. Countless trips to Michigan, an excursion of the state of Colorado, AEV's public open house, and Overland Expo East. What a busy year.
The Xterra needs a refresh. I am more focused on what makes sense for this rig after really putting it to use this year. It needs suspension work, I have decided the best fit is the OME HD setup with some odds and ends from PRG like shackles and maybe a U Bolt flip kit. I believe the OME kit will give me 2.5" lift, a bump over my current 2" lift, while also expanding my carrying capacity and at a cost I cannot deny when compared to Radflo and Alcan options. Also, I'd still love to get my hands on an M226 to build up. At this point I'd like to still do 4.10's and a factory e locker or ARB rear locker and ARB diff cover. Another must do item would be changing out my Falken AT2's to the current generation Falken AT3 all around. We also want to start working on our JKU Rubicon so time will tell what will happen for sure.
Well my adventures for 2017 have finally come to an end I believe. They encompassed, surprise surprise, two more trips to Northern Michigan. The first was a friend and mine's yearly pilgrimage to the Keweenaw Peninsula for the last race in the Rally America series. It gave us the opportunity for relaxing, soft overlanding, and doing some recon for a trip we are planning next fall in the UP of Michigan.
IMG_2797 by Jordan Schutt, on FlickrGetting in and out of stage you use a lot of fire roads and seasonal roads. It was a lot of fun to bomb down the roads and leave the subie guys in a giant cloud of dust, hitting mud holes that would splash over the roof of the Xterra.
IMG_2759 by Jordan Schutt, on Flickr
IMG_2764 by Jordan Schutt, on Flickr
IMG_2809 by Jordan Schutt, on FlickrBaja'ing down those roads did take there toll though. The front wheel bearings finally gave up after 3+ years of hard use and wheel spacers.
As usual we tried to tie in a little of the overland lifestyle. exploring the Redridge Steel Dam again, 4 years after first finding it. Getting in behind the scenes at a couple locations. Talking to a woodworker that has his on shop behind the Ford Lumber Mill in Alberta. Continuing to experience local cuisine. The Xterra received a massive amount of praise from passersby as we sat parked along fireroads waiting to hike into viewing areas.
After returning home we took a couple weeks to rest and regroup for our next trip. The Xterra was repaired, I took the time to install my ARB air compressor and finished piecing together a full compliment of ARB air tools and BROG Air Tool Bag.
IMG_2822 by Jordan Schutt, on Flickr
EA2EF93B-3353-4AA8-A280-1F01EFCF3898 by Jordan Schutt, on FlickrWe then headed north again to the Traverse City area to spend time with family. First we visited Pyramid Point and the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes. Always traveled a couple of small seasonal roads to make us feel like we were out on adventure.
IMG_2833 by Jordan Schutt, on Flickr
IMG_2830 by Jordan Schutt, on Flickr
IMG_2837 by Jordan Schutt, on FlickrThe rest of the weekend consisted of hiking in to try some more duck hunting, running some shots through my new Benelli Super Nova, Grouse Hunting, and having a fantastic lunch at Short's Brewery in Bellaire, Michigan.
IMG_2859 by Jordan Schutt, on Flickr
IMG_2852 by Jordan Schutt, on Flickr
IMG_2851 by Jordan Schutt, on Flickr
IMG_2853 by Jordan Schutt, on FlickrOf course we treaded lighting and recovered all our plastic, sans the wadding...
So, this year is complete. Countless trips to Michigan, an excursion of the state of Colorado, AEV's public open house, and Overland Expo East. What a busy year.
The Xterra needs a refresh. I am more focused on what makes sense for this rig after really putting it to use this year. It needs suspension work, I have decided the best fit is the OME HD setup with some odds and ends from PRG like shackles and maybe a U Bolt flip kit. I believe the OME kit will give me 2.5" lift, a bump over my current 2" lift, while also expanding my carrying capacity and at a cost I cannot deny when compared to Radflo and Alcan options. Also, I'd still love to get my hands on an M226 to build up. At this point I'd like to still do 4.10's and a factory e locker or ARB rear locker and ARB diff cover. Another must do item would be changing out my Falken AT2's to the current generation Falken AT3 all around. We also want to start working on our JKU Rubicon so time will tell what will happen for sure.
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