Scott Brady
Founder
Part One: Holbrook to Springerville
Exploding tires, Big Pig BBQ and Flaming Airplanes
Every good trip should start with a great meal, although a great meal proved difficult to find in Holbrook Arizona. Actually, anything of consequence is difficult to find in Holbrook, the place being a shell of its former motorway glory. The Route 66 signs and concrete teepees fading in the endless sun, the glare only increasing slightly from the legs of passing Minnesotans.
Charlie and I drove up and down Main Street searching for any restaurant that looked acceptable, with even a quick check on Urbanspoon provided some scary reviews of what would await us at the final choice. However, there was one lone beacon of hope - Bubba's Big Pig BBQ. Parked outside was several big Fords, all clearly locals and a stroll through the 1960's era glass door greeted us with the smell of cow. Sliding into the wide, mostly cracking vinyl bench rewarded us with a hello from the waitress and stares from the locals. Of course our attention was well deserved, as Charlie and I broke out maps, laptops, iPhones and Ipads. The only thing that would have made it worse would be ordering a Mocha Latte, extra whip. :coffeedrink:
Charlie and I sat waiting for Dave and Mike (trailsurfer) to arrive in the EarthRoamer XV-LT and Sportsmobile, and we waited - and waited. I went out to the Jeep to attempt a 2M call and heard chatter on the channel. It was Mike's voice saying "yeah, it is shredded" then "pull a little further out of traffic, but not too close to the edge". Within a minute, I received a call from Dave - one of the rear Continentals had blown, most likely from low pressure/heat (he had over 20,000 miles on the set, including a trip to Panama). A quick call to AAA, and the problem was solved. We all tore into some Brisket and then hit the trail.
One of the goals of this trip was to explore some new territory in my favorite state. Other than Canyon de Chelly, I had not ventured into much of northeastern Arizona. Just south of Holbrook is a serious chunk of nothingness, interrupted only by the Little Colorado River. With our secondary goal being some fly fishing, I thought we had a plan.
Just south of town, 180 heads SE and within a few miles there is a dirt turnoff towards Woodruff Butte. All easy and graded, with wide-open views of the high desert plains. For our first Little Colorado bridge crossing, we encountered a little problem-
I told Dave to think "lite" thoughts. . . He was regretting the extra serving of BBQ
After the bridge, we turned onto some ranching two-tracks I had checked out on Google earth. We gained elevation and had the pleasure of watching two cow elk sprint ahead of us, hug clumps of sagebrush turned up behind them.
The trail also increased in difficulty slightly, with several washouts and climbs. It is always impressive to watch the ER on the trail. You would think the vehicle should struggle, but the 41" Continentals and Dave's good driving always keeps the drama low.
We also encountered a washout, right at a ranchers gate. The trail was already cambered, but the two-foot deep hole and narrow line made it all the more interesting - with the big trucks.
The Sportsmobile is impressive in 4wd trim.
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When things get a little cambered, Dave just hits the "auto-level" button - seriously.
Along the Little Colorado, much of the terrain reminded my of the Grand Staircase in Utah. Here a few switchbacks and a loose, rocky climb kept the interest up.
It is hard to get the sense of scale of things with a 10,000lb. and 16,000lb. vehicle in the image.
Sure, a little rock crawling in the LT. You can always stop and take a nap in the back, then a hot shower if the going gets too difficult.
Nearing our campsite, we had to cross a dry lake bed. The original road (on the earthen dam) had washed out. This allowed for some pretty dramatic images.
What a great looking truck
I love this Jeep - for so many reasons.
Exploding tires, Big Pig BBQ and Flaming Airplanes
Every good trip should start with a great meal, although a great meal proved difficult to find in Holbrook Arizona. Actually, anything of consequence is difficult to find in Holbrook, the place being a shell of its former motorway glory. The Route 66 signs and concrete teepees fading in the endless sun, the glare only increasing slightly from the legs of passing Minnesotans.
Charlie and I drove up and down Main Street searching for any restaurant that looked acceptable, with even a quick check on Urbanspoon provided some scary reviews of what would await us at the final choice. However, there was one lone beacon of hope - Bubba's Big Pig BBQ. Parked outside was several big Fords, all clearly locals and a stroll through the 1960's era glass door greeted us with the smell of cow. Sliding into the wide, mostly cracking vinyl bench rewarded us with a hello from the waitress and stares from the locals. Of course our attention was well deserved, as Charlie and I broke out maps, laptops, iPhones and Ipads. The only thing that would have made it worse would be ordering a Mocha Latte, extra whip. :coffeedrink:
Charlie and I sat waiting for Dave and Mike (trailsurfer) to arrive in the EarthRoamer XV-LT and Sportsmobile, and we waited - and waited. I went out to the Jeep to attempt a 2M call and heard chatter on the channel. It was Mike's voice saying "yeah, it is shredded" then "pull a little further out of traffic, but not too close to the edge". Within a minute, I received a call from Dave - one of the rear Continentals had blown, most likely from low pressure/heat (he had over 20,000 miles on the set, including a trip to Panama). A quick call to AAA, and the problem was solved. We all tore into some Brisket and then hit the trail.
One of the goals of this trip was to explore some new territory in my favorite state. Other than Canyon de Chelly, I had not ventured into much of northeastern Arizona. Just south of Holbrook is a serious chunk of nothingness, interrupted only by the Little Colorado River. With our secondary goal being some fly fishing, I thought we had a plan.
Just south of town, 180 heads SE and within a few miles there is a dirt turnoff towards Woodruff Butte. All easy and graded, with wide-open views of the high desert plains. For our first Little Colorado bridge crossing, we encountered a little problem-
I told Dave to think "lite" thoughts. . . He was regretting the extra serving of BBQ
After the bridge, we turned onto some ranching two-tracks I had checked out on Google earth. We gained elevation and had the pleasure of watching two cow elk sprint ahead of us, hug clumps of sagebrush turned up behind them.
The trail also increased in difficulty slightly, with several washouts and climbs. It is always impressive to watch the ER on the trail. You would think the vehicle should struggle, but the 41" Continentals and Dave's good driving always keeps the drama low.
We also encountered a washout, right at a ranchers gate. The trail was already cambered, but the two-foot deep hole and narrow line made it all the more interesting - with the big trucks.
The Sportsmobile is impressive in 4wd trim.
When things get a little cambered, Dave just hits the "auto-level" button - seriously.
Along the Little Colorado, much of the terrain reminded my of the Grand Staircase in Utah. Here a few switchbacks and a loose, rocky climb kept the interest up.
It is hard to get the sense of scale of things with a 10,000lb. and 16,000lb. vehicle in the image.
Sure, a little rock crawling in the LT. You can always stop and take a nap in the back, then a hot shower if the going gets too difficult.
Nearing our campsite, we had to cross a dry lake bed. The original road (on the earthen dam) had washed out. This allowed for some pretty dramatic images.
What a great looking truck
I love this Jeep - for so many reasons.
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great photos...
