4x4Wire

We were in a real jam. Two days into a 10-day trip in Monument Valley, mechanical problems forced two vehicles to head home. We hated to lose our the four-wheeling friends, but more importantly, we ran into a minor food crisis: How do we account for the meals those individuals were scheduled to prepare?

Each of us brought food for our designated meals, but we were counting on those individuals to contribute on their assigned days. Suddenly we were scrambling to account for their departure.

This incident, while not typical of a 4WD experience, does happen. A good Trail Master understands and accepts this, and factors it into trip planning. Of all the myriad decisions you make, one is how to handle meals.

May 3, 2016 - With an estimated 35,000 bears, California has a healthy and growing black bear population. In spring hibernating bears emerge from their winter slumber and begin an almost perpetual search for food. It is not uncommon for a black bear to consume up to 20,000 calories a day. Unfortunately, this search can sometimes lead bears into populated areas and conflicts with humans.

For those who were able to make this trip, we discovered one of the most extraordinary places in the USA. Our entire trip was spent in the Navajo Nation and we were fortunate to get a glimpse of the immensely rich cultural and historic character of this remarkable place.

As we have mentioned before, this type of trip is not just about seat time in the 4WD. It is an adventure to explore the land, it's history, it’s people and, of course, the scenery. To do this, it necessarily meant that we needed to get out of our vehicles and enjoy the adventure up close. Full appreciation was not possible without knowing some history of the area and without some "foot" exploration. We did just that and have the worn out boots to prove it.

The next time you're planning a camping trip, the states of Washington, Idaho, and Oregon want you to think about protecting your favorite outdoor haunts by not moving firewood. The Buy It Where You Burn It campaign encourages people to obtain their firewood in a place as close as possible to the place where it will be burned.