Backyard Expeditions

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Today while driving up a local dirt road in search of solitude to do some reading and thinking, I had was stuck by the beauty of the day: the autumn leaves are already starting to make their appearance here in Prescott and the afternoon sun whispered of cooler weather ahead.

I was also struck with the idea to document the joy of this moment, and that got me thinking...

Moments like this are possible for just about anybody anywhere. Granted if you live in downtown Chicago, it might be hard to find some "dirt time" (I know I lived there for a year). But most people, if they look, will be able to escape for even an hour or two on the "road-less-traveled". Whether it be goofing off and trying to get as cross-axled as possible in the ditch by the side of the road, hunting for new camp sites a few miles out of town, or shouting the elation of finally successfully troubleshooting that dang oil cooler leak in the garage, just about every "backyard" yields an everyday adventure.

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So post'em up!

Got busted by law enforcement for spinning broadies in the street on the first snow of the season? Finally beat your buddy on the after work single track hammer session? Capture the beauty of your kids chasing lizards on that family "overland picnic excursion"? If you made it out your front door, had fun, and think its a story worth telling, let us know.

Simple pleasures are there for those who look. You never know what you will find.

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So, today I thought I take one of our Jeeps out to stretch its legs, and get some dust in its knobbies. I needed some time to get away, get outside, and spend some time in reflection. I grabbed the camera, and headed off on a simple, easy dirt road, just West of downtown Prescott.

Heres what I found:

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Fall colors... begging for a photo...

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Scenic overlooks, and a Jeep to pose in them.

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This Jeep is so photogenic, its great for practicing photography...

And now for the unexpected part...

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Pretty girls on mountain bikes!

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Brook and Micki were out for a local ride, on a truly superb day. Brook (Specialized) is a friend of a friend with whom I'v ridden with before. Micki is a Pivot Cycles employee who frequents Prescott to escape Phoenix. It turns out, Micki and I were both at Interbike, but never ran into each other. It also turns out Micki is also very interested in "adventure bicycling" and has become a very willing and instant resource to aide in growing our bicycling content. There just may be a Pivot to test in our future...

www.pivotcycles.com

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It was truly and unexpected honor and pleasure to run into these gals, have a great conversation, make new friends, and fuel a case of bicycle fever.

While it is always a treat to hit the dirt (with truck, bike, moto, or feet) around Prescott, today was an unexpected everyday adventure in life.
 
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Dolomiti

Adventurer
Well...some are more blessed with scenic scenery than others, but your point is a good one. Even in Houston, an hour away or so can bring me to some decent dirt/sand.
 

Haggis

Appalachian Ridgerunner
Sometimes the quick getaways are more fun than a larger trip. No planning, no piles of gear to get ready and then clean up and stow away when your done. Throw some stuff in the cooler, grab the camera and your hiking boots and hit the woods. And now that fall is here, what better time of the year to get out for a day and see what awaits you around the next forest road bend?

Here's a couple of threads from the Eastern section started some time back with the same line of thinking as your thread Alpine. Mine for my area of Pennsylvania is Backyard Wanderings: Pennsylvania edition. And jim65wagon has one for his backyard in Virginia...Backyard Wanderings: Virginia Edition.
 

1leglance

2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
Very Very cool...
lately I have been posting fewer of my outing because they were either just a quick weekend romp or I didn't take "expo" level pics.
Actually sometimes I look at the pics here and think why do I even bother taking my camera, there are some amazing photographers and try as I might I just can't capture what they do.

Thanks for posting this, I hope to put up more outings to balance all the "non-overlanding" stuff that is on the forum lately.
 

Nathant78

Observer
Leaves are turning now too in TN. Finally a expo thread i can contribute to.
Im not setup for long hauls but i have some favorite places i can take the truck to that is beautiful.
 

Funrover

Expedition Leader
Very cool, I often get out myself... and mostly on the bicycle. It's hard to top random days that just make you smile!
 

GTABurnout

Explorer
It gets hot here in Tucson so the girl Friend and myself tend to take the Jeep (now the Tuyndra) with the dogs up to Mt. Lemmon. We find a nice place to set up a day camp and just hang out. Its great.

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fowldarr

Explorer
Even here in Nebraska, we have managed to find some great places close by. The Lake just north of town (5 or 6 miles) allows vehicles on the beach, we take off and go down there just to have fun, have a picnic, and get away from town. I'll post some pics in this thread, when I get the transferred to the computer.
 

wikid

Adventurer
Very good idea. I think this is what the spirit of expedition travel is all about. I will make sure and capture the little expedition attitude with my trips.
I agree with Lance on the subject matter lately.
Thanks for sharing, I love that area.
thanks
Don
 

jim65wagon

Well-known member
Excellent thread! I love seeing the local "backyards" of everyone. The ultimate trips some do to Africa and South America are cool to read about but there is a ton of stuff to see right here...in our backyards. Thanks for posting!
 

Haggis

Appalachian Ridgerunner
Very Very cool...
lately I have been posting fewer of my outing because they were either just a quick weekend romp or I didn't take "expo" level pics.
Actually sometimes I look at the pics here and think why do I even bother taking my camera, there are some amazing photographers and try as I might I just can't capture what they do.

Thanks for posting this, I hope to put up more outings to balance all the "non-overlanding" stuff that is on the forum lately.

We just had a discussion in the Eastern section on getting folks to post up more of their trips, big or small. The ExPo has been leaning to the gear heavy/yada-yada-yada side as of late and trip reports have not seemed to have grown with the increased population of the Portal. The good news is that there seems to be an increase in trip posts in the Eastern section after that thread so maybe it's working. Here is that discussion if your interested.
 
I dig it!

Here's a couple of threads from the Eastern section started some time back with the same line of thinking as your thread Alpine. Mine for my area of Pennsylvania is Backyard Wanderings: Pennsylvania edition. And jim65wagon has one for his backyard in Virginia...Backyard Wanderings: Virginia Edition.

Haggis and Jim Wagon (I hope you don't mind if I left the "65" part out :) - what great documentation of your Pennsylvania and Virginia "Backyard Wonderings". I have had very little opportunity to explore anything East of the Rockies, and your threads really reveal what Eastern backyards look like. I totally want to go see those places.

I once hung out with a girl in North Georgia, and got so see some of the rural spots up there and was really impressed. Our country is so diverse in it's landscapes, I love it! I don't understand how people get "bored" with their little home towns, when most of them just need to be explored.

Also, thanks all for posting, I'm stoked with the reception this idea is getting.

It would be cool if this turns into a chain reaction of motivation and excitment to get us all out "backyard wondering" a little more! :wings:

Just a random thought - I can't wait for snow season to go get my self buried in the white stuff. I make it a point to drive up a certain Prescott area road during every gnarly snow or rain storm go up and really "feel" the weather from up there. Hopefully I can get a winch this season, and just go with the purpose of getting stuck.
 

XXXpedition

Explorer
Scenic overlooks, and a Jeep to pose in them.
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not from my backyard but somebody elses :))))
my backyard trips are called 'city adventures' more than anything... man, i miss the open land and possibilities in the US....
(yes, yes, europe is great, but you have to drive a LOOOOOONG time to get 'out')

Our country is so diverse in it's landscapes, I love it!
i fully agree!!!
 
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red87

Adventurer
I'm jealous of you guys. I don't know anywhere close enough to my current house to make a nice day trip worthwhile.
 

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