ArkansasDon
Observer
been away for some time (several years), the wife & I are still getting out exploring, still driving the same vehicle & pulling the same squaredrop camper. The truck went through some modifications; front suspension & stirring upgrades is all Kryponite Products, transmission is performance built, Eaton Detroit Truetrac Differential ( I love it), both front & rear differential gear ratio changed from 3.42 to 4.10, performance tune from factory stock 285 hp to 308 hp with 318 ft lbs of torque & rear suspension upgrades; Air Lift air bags with Daystar airbag cradles, ditch lights Morimoto One Banger HXB Wide Beams, BestTop Super Top with Deck Bed Slide.
February of 2025 we decided to "follow the Ouachita Recreational Trail" (non motorized) all by National Forest Roads guided by our GPS & paper forestry maps, jumping across Hwy's from each sections along the way. This trail ends in the state of SE Oklahoma, 2\3rd's of the adventure was lots of icy, muddy forestry roads, some challenging areas weather (storm) damage with partial snow. We had one detour where one of the sections was completely washed out by the serve storms in our home state o Arkansas, so we rerouted to reconnect to our route still in the National Forest to keep in line with Ouachita Recreation Trail. Went through several WMA's "wildlife management areas", we seen lots of scenic views, old historical sights, great dispersed camp sites (I made way-points to them). The entire trip offroad trek was 238 miles including the detour (re-routing) & was an awesome experience for Sally & I will to remember.
My truck done very well pulling the camper through out the different types of terrain. Our average speed was 15 to 27 mph pulling the camper through mud, icy snow wasn't an issue.
The trip started at the Ouachita Mountains in Central Arkansas & goes into SE Oklahoma into the Wing Stair Mountains. The last two photo's were of camp spots on our last trek.
We tried 3 different times this year to do Eastern Section of the Pony Express Trail starting from St. Joesph MO. to Salt Lake City UT. but the serve storms in the spring & early summer reeked havoc on that area ( Kansas, Nebraska & parts of lower eastern Wyoming) as well as our state of Arkansas. Next month were leaving to do another section of the Trans America Trail or another OKBDR "Oklahoma Backcountry Discovery Route.
February of 2025 we decided to "follow the Ouachita Recreational Trail" (non motorized) all by National Forest Roads guided by our GPS & paper forestry maps, jumping across Hwy's from each sections along the way. This trail ends in the state of SE Oklahoma, 2\3rd's of the adventure was lots of icy, muddy forestry roads, some challenging areas weather (storm) damage with partial snow. We had one detour where one of the sections was completely washed out by the serve storms in our home state o Arkansas, so we rerouted to reconnect to our route still in the National Forest to keep in line with Ouachita Recreation Trail. Went through several WMA's "wildlife management areas", we seen lots of scenic views, old historical sights, great dispersed camp sites (I made way-points to them). The entire trip offroad trek was 238 miles including the detour (re-routing) & was an awesome experience for Sally & I will to remember.
My truck done very well pulling the camper through out the different types of terrain. Our average speed was 15 to 27 mph pulling the camper through mud, icy snow wasn't an issue.
The trip started at the Ouachita Mountains in Central Arkansas & goes into SE Oklahoma into the Wing Stair Mountains. The last two photo's were of camp spots on our last trek.
We tried 3 different times this year to do Eastern Section of the Pony Express Trail starting from St. Joesph MO. to Salt Lake City UT. but the serve storms in the spring & early summer reeked havoc on that area ( Kansas, Nebraska & parts of lower eastern Wyoming) as well as our state of Arkansas. Next month were leaving to do another section of the Trans America Trail or another OKBDR "Oklahoma Backcountry Discovery Route.
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