This was taken from my new blog there are more pictures on the blog which can be found here.
My friend Derek after much persuasion agreed to make the Journey to Tooele UT, from Eugene OR in order to attend the 2013 Cruiserfest. The hitch in the plan was that I had hoped to have an 80 series by the time the event took place, but alas I was unable to even sell my current vehicle in time. So we return to Derek and his reluctance to attend for what some may considerable a valid reason. We would be forced to come in his Jeep. Now, as far as jeeps go his is one of the least offensive in my opinion. An at this time bland 2005 Jeep Liberty, but with a kick, it is equipped the 2.8L VM CRD engine. This compact, powerful and efficient engine made it an excellent choice for the long journey down, it was the potential for hazing at the other end that worried Derek.
Loaded up and ready to go we fired up the GoPro to create a timelapse of the journey before leaving Eugene. We departed at about 6PM and headed for the Willamette Pass. We made it up and over with only a brief stop at the Salt Creek Tunnel due to an ongoing construction project, and hit highway 97. As we hit highway 97 the moon which had been barely visible in the tall trees coming up the pass came out to play and was quite the delight for our nighttime drive. We continued onwards on highway 30 cutting south east across Oregon headed for Lakeview. At some point near Christmas Valley we took a quick break to grab some Gatorade from the cooler and make some turkey sandwiches, sans mayo as we discovered we had forgotten this vital ingredient We hit Lakeview sometime after 11PM and where dismayed to find no fuel stations open at the late hour. We however where fortunate to find a self serve (commercial only in OR) diesel pump intended for Semi-trucks and able to with some care take on fuel. We continued onward into NV and drove until about 12:30 at which point we stopped to make camp in the cold NV desert.
We both woke up around 6AM when the sun started to come up and where greeted with a spectacular view of the sunrise as well as some wild horses grazing right off the highway. After stopping to take a few pictures of the scenery and the horses we set off for Winnemucca and breakfast. As we neared Winnemucca I was tasked with finding a place to grab some chow, which proved more difficult than I had expected as google was providing precious few options. After some panicked searching I found a place that sounded at least OK.
It was called ‘The Griddle' and turned out to be one of if not the best service experience I have ever had. The staff was incredibly polite and the food came out unbelievably fast and was exceptionally good. After our breakfast we hit the road for the final stint of our journey.
http://www.amanda-alex.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/4-Salt-Flats-5.jpg
The trip across NV was pretty uneventful until we crested what I assume was the Sierra Nevadas on the way into Utah and where greeted with a stunning view of the salt flats which I regrettably did not get a photo of from that vantage point. Once winding down the pass we stopped at the historic Bonneville Salt Flats to get some pictures and make lunch.
The remainder of the trip was pretty much flat and high speed driving with no real surprises other than the time zone changing unexpectedly. This meant that we where going to be arriving right at 4 when the event started rather than a little early with some breathing room.
We arrived on time and registered which proved to be a humorous event. The very kind woman doing registrations got our names and handed us a grab bag with some goodies in it, than asked if we wanted to participate in the Rock Crawl, or Show ‘N Shine. We politely declined, and inquired about camping. This is where things got interesting.
“What kind of cruiser did you bring?”
“Ummm you don't want to know.”
“What is it?”
“Uh, a Jeep.”
“Really, that's funny.”
She then proceeded to track down the guy parking people and we had another round of explaining.
“What are you guys in?”
“A Jeep.”
“No, seriously what kind of cruiser?”
“Seriously its a Jeep.”
“Ooohhhh…”
He then proceeded to hide us at the back of the camping area, I assume to hide us from any impressionable youth that may be attending. We immediately started setting up camp and met some of our great neighbors. Before we could put our feet up it was time ti head to the Land Cruiser Museum for dinner and the evening presentation. After getting a considerable volume of saliva on some very nice Cruisers we went through the dinner line and waited for the presentation to start.
The presentation was nothing short of fantastic. Greg Miller who put on cruiserfest, went through his monumental expedition covering 7 continents in Land Cruisers. Throughout the presentation he kept apologizing for the presentation going long and all I could think was nonono please take your time. Greg and his fellow adventurers (which included Expedition Journal's Scott Brady) have set out and chronicled a truly epic adventure which I look forward to hearing the rest of at next years cruiserfest. You can find more info about the trip at http://www.expeditions7.com/ which is something you should definitely do. After the presentation Greg stuck around for Q & A during which time we got to chat with him including asking why his museum is missing an 80 series (he is holding out for that perfect anniversary edition.) He is a great guy, I had alot of fun talking with him and listening to his stories, and can't thank him enough for putting this event on.
After dinner and the presentation we spend a few minutes around the campfire where people where talking about everything you can imagine and making S'More's, before going to bed.
The next morning we awoke to find that many more people had arrived. We took a moment to walk around and peruse the new arrivals before heading to grab some breakfast at the registration tent.
During breakfast someone mentioned that there was a “Least Toyota” category in the Show ‘N Shine. At this point we knew we not only had to enter, but also had to camouflage the Jeep as we had been joking about with our neighbors since the evening we had arrived. After signing up for the competition we made a quick run to the store to get some note pads for the skills class and the supplies necessary to disguise the Jeep.
The resulting disguise drew a laugh from nearly everyone who walked past and was implemented barely in time for the start of the Show ‘N Shine. As soon as the guise was in place we rushed to cast our ballots and make it to the cooking class.
At this point I quit taking pictures as there was a lot of sand in the air due to high winds.
The cooking class was great put on by a very nice couple that run http://www.livingoverland.com/ where you can find great expedition friendly recipes and product reviews. They made a very tasty chorizo fruttata with only common camping supplies as well as demoing some great products they have found useful. One thing they mentioned, is that it is very easy to just grab easy junk food, but that taking a little time to make good food can really enhance the trip, which is something that Greg came to mention about his experience on Expedition 7.
After the cooking class we had planned to attend the Trail Repairs class but skipped it to watch the part of the Rock Crawling competition. The competition was fun and featured some spectacular antics from a crazy guy in an FJ40 who won the normal class. We went and grabbed some lunch than headed back to the cruiser museum for Expedition Planning with Scott Brady.
The class with Scott was great, he even took the time before the class started to walk around and talk to many of the people about what they drove. He covered many aspects of preparing a vehicle for an expedition focusing primarily on the vehicle itself. I had hoped they would cover more on what to bring but the time alloted was somewhat limited and Scott offered to stay and ask questions and even to go look at peoples vehicles and give them more specific advice if they like.
After the class we had some time to relax and watch people play on the rock course which was open to anyone at this point. Once the rock crawl play was over we headed to grab dinner, during which they where going to present awards and do a raffle. Dinner was good and while we ate they started handing out awards. When it came to the “Least Toyota” award Derek's Jeep won and he collected a lovely engraved Land Cruiser hubcap. After the Show ‘N Shine awards they started the raffle which was provided by the vendors who attended the event. There where some great prizes everything from a set of MaxxTraxx from outback proven, some sweet toyota shift knobs from Low Range offroad (one of which Derek won,) a very nice LED lightbar from Iron Moose Offroad which are of as good a quality as vision X at a fraction of the price, as well as several items from Cruiser Outfitters. Derek also managed to snag a kinetic pull strap from Iron Moose offroad to which someone cowed “You'll be needing that in what you drive,” as he made his way up to collect.
After the raffle we decided to head home that evening as it was so windy our tents would barely stand. We drove straight home through the night stopping only for a short nap, fuel, and breakfast.
The trip was well worth while and I hope to make it again next year and hopefully in a cruiser and with my Amanda as well. I can't thank the people who put the event on enough it was a great deal of fun and all the people there where extremely kind, and I look forward to seeing them next year!
My friend Derek after much persuasion agreed to make the Journey to Tooele UT, from Eugene OR in order to attend the 2013 Cruiserfest. The hitch in the plan was that I had hoped to have an 80 series by the time the event took place, but alas I was unable to even sell my current vehicle in time. So we return to Derek and his reluctance to attend for what some may considerable a valid reason. We would be forced to come in his Jeep. Now, as far as jeeps go his is one of the least offensive in my opinion. An at this time bland 2005 Jeep Liberty, but with a kick, it is equipped the 2.8L VM CRD engine. This compact, powerful and efficient engine made it an excellent choice for the long journey down, it was the potential for hazing at the other end that worried Derek.
Loaded up and ready to go we fired up the GoPro to create a timelapse of the journey before leaving Eugene. We departed at about 6PM and headed for the Willamette Pass. We made it up and over with only a brief stop at the Salt Creek Tunnel due to an ongoing construction project, and hit highway 97. As we hit highway 97 the moon which had been barely visible in the tall trees coming up the pass came out to play and was quite the delight for our nighttime drive. We continued onwards on highway 30 cutting south east across Oregon headed for Lakeview. At some point near Christmas Valley we took a quick break to grab some Gatorade from the cooler and make some turkey sandwiches, sans mayo as we discovered we had forgotten this vital ingredient We hit Lakeview sometime after 11PM and where dismayed to find no fuel stations open at the late hour. We however where fortunate to find a self serve (commercial only in OR) diesel pump intended for Semi-trucks and able to with some care take on fuel. We continued onward into NV and drove until about 12:30 at which point we stopped to make camp in the cold NV desert.
We both woke up around 6AM when the sun started to come up and where greeted with a spectacular view of the sunrise as well as some wild horses grazing right off the highway. After stopping to take a few pictures of the scenery and the horses we set off for Winnemucca and breakfast. As we neared Winnemucca I was tasked with finding a place to grab some chow, which proved more difficult than I had expected as google was providing precious few options. After some panicked searching I found a place that sounded at least OK.
It was called ‘The Griddle' and turned out to be one of if not the best service experience I have ever had. The staff was incredibly polite and the food came out unbelievably fast and was exceptionally good. After our breakfast we hit the road for the final stint of our journey.
http://www.amanda-alex.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/4-Salt-Flats-5.jpg
The trip across NV was pretty uneventful until we crested what I assume was the Sierra Nevadas on the way into Utah and where greeted with a stunning view of the salt flats which I regrettably did not get a photo of from that vantage point. Once winding down the pass we stopped at the historic Bonneville Salt Flats to get some pictures and make lunch.
The remainder of the trip was pretty much flat and high speed driving with no real surprises other than the time zone changing unexpectedly. This meant that we where going to be arriving right at 4 when the event started rather than a little early with some breathing room.
We arrived on time and registered which proved to be a humorous event. The very kind woman doing registrations got our names and handed us a grab bag with some goodies in it, than asked if we wanted to participate in the Rock Crawl, or Show ‘N Shine. We politely declined, and inquired about camping. This is where things got interesting.
“What kind of cruiser did you bring?”
“Ummm you don't want to know.”
“What is it?”
“Uh, a Jeep.”
“Really, that's funny.”
She then proceeded to track down the guy parking people and we had another round of explaining.
“What are you guys in?”
“A Jeep.”
“No, seriously what kind of cruiser?”
“Seriously its a Jeep.”
“Ooohhhh…”
He then proceeded to hide us at the back of the camping area, I assume to hide us from any impressionable youth that may be attending. We immediately started setting up camp and met some of our great neighbors. Before we could put our feet up it was time ti head to the Land Cruiser Museum for dinner and the evening presentation. After getting a considerable volume of saliva on some very nice Cruisers we went through the dinner line and waited for the presentation to start.
The presentation was nothing short of fantastic. Greg Miller who put on cruiserfest, went through his monumental expedition covering 7 continents in Land Cruisers. Throughout the presentation he kept apologizing for the presentation going long and all I could think was nonono please take your time. Greg and his fellow adventurers (which included Expedition Journal's Scott Brady) have set out and chronicled a truly epic adventure which I look forward to hearing the rest of at next years cruiserfest. You can find more info about the trip at http://www.expeditions7.com/ which is something you should definitely do. After the presentation Greg stuck around for Q & A during which time we got to chat with him including asking why his museum is missing an 80 series (he is holding out for that perfect anniversary edition.) He is a great guy, I had alot of fun talking with him and listening to his stories, and can't thank him enough for putting this event on.
After dinner and the presentation we spend a few minutes around the campfire where people where talking about everything you can imagine and making S'More's, before going to bed.
The next morning we awoke to find that many more people had arrived. We took a moment to walk around and peruse the new arrivals before heading to grab some breakfast at the registration tent.
During breakfast someone mentioned that there was a “Least Toyota” category in the Show ‘N Shine. At this point we knew we not only had to enter, but also had to camouflage the Jeep as we had been joking about with our neighbors since the evening we had arrived. After signing up for the competition we made a quick run to the store to get some note pads for the skills class and the supplies necessary to disguise the Jeep.
The resulting disguise drew a laugh from nearly everyone who walked past and was implemented barely in time for the start of the Show ‘N Shine. As soon as the guise was in place we rushed to cast our ballots and make it to the cooking class.
At this point I quit taking pictures as there was a lot of sand in the air due to high winds.
The cooking class was great put on by a very nice couple that run http://www.livingoverland.com/ where you can find great expedition friendly recipes and product reviews. They made a very tasty chorizo fruttata with only common camping supplies as well as demoing some great products they have found useful. One thing they mentioned, is that it is very easy to just grab easy junk food, but that taking a little time to make good food can really enhance the trip, which is something that Greg came to mention about his experience on Expedition 7.
After the cooking class we had planned to attend the Trail Repairs class but skipped it to watch the part of the Rock Crawling competition. The competition was fun and featured some spectacular antics from a crazy guy in an FJ40 who won the normal class. We went and grabbed some lunch than headed back to the cruiser museum for Expedition Planning with Scott Brady.
The class with Scott was great, he even took the time before the class started to walk around and talk to many of the people about what they drove. He covered many aspects of preparing a vehicle for an expedition focusing primarily on the vehicle itself. I had hoped they would cover more on what to bring but the time alloted was somewhat limited and Scott offered to stay and ask questions and even to go look at peoples vehicles and give them more specific advice if they like.
After the class we had some time to relax and watch people play on the rock course which was open to anyone at this point. Once the rock crawl play was over we headed to grab dinner, during which they where going to present awards and do a raffle. Dinner was good and while we ate they started handing out awards. When it came to the “Least Toyota” award Derek's Jeep won and he collected a lovely engraved Land Cruiser hubcap. After the Show ‘N Shine awards they started the raffle which was provided by the vendors who attended the event. There where some great prizes everything from a set of MaxxTraxx from outback proven, some sweet toyota shift knobs from Low Range offroad (one of which Derek won,) a very nice LED lightbar from Iron Moose Offroad which are of as good a quality as vision X at a fraction of the price, as well as several items from Cruiser Outfitters. Derek also managed to snag a kinetic pull strap from Iron Moose offroad to which someone cowed “You'll be needing that in what you drive,” as he made his way up to collect.
After the raffle we decided to head home that evening as it was so windy our tents would barely stand. We drove straight home through the night stopping only for a short nap, fuel, and breakfast.
The trip was well worth while and I hope to make it again next year and hopefully in a cruiser and with my Amanda as well. I can't thank the people who put the event on enough it was a great deal of fun and all the people there where extremely kind, and I look forward to seeing them next year!
