It’s been quite some time since I’ve been able to make the blubs annual “Blow Off Work and Go Wheeling Run”, run. This year my pal Matt informed me that the run was on a Friday, and now having my 4runner in the parking garage across the street from my Apartment downtown, I just had to make the run.

With a total of 12 rigs, we meet at the trial head and aired down. It’s been ages since I ran Slaughterhouse Gulch but still just as fun as I remember with some great drives through the forest. Nothing to challenging but enough to have fun with. The cloud cover made for a perfect mountain afternoon and friends from the club even better. After, some of us made a short drive into Conifer and stopped at the Snow Pack Taproom and Pizzeria for some refreshments and Pizza. I left before the food arrived, but enjoyed the company. A short drive down the hill and I was puling into my fancy parking spot downtown. Not to long after, hanging out with more friends at the local watering hole before finally calling it a night. Sublime days of Summer indeed.

At the trailhead for Slaughterhouse Gulch. Typical hangout and catch up after airing down:).

Nicely built 80 series Land Cruiser.

Matt giving a short pre trail meeting.

Always a beautiful drive.

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Late June I had the good fortune of having the club up to the pond in the Upper Meadows. Step Mom asked why “I wasn’t doing it on the Solstice”. Well my pal Time took that spot with the summer campout on Argentine the weekend before (it was the same weekend for our Adopt-A-Trail). But the next weekend was set for a summer campout with the club. A handful of friends joined me for an evening at the ranch. We got to finally use the fire pit the fire department built for us and a cousin stopped by for a beer and gave some good history of the ranch.

The next morning, spent some time relaxing, then drove back down to Downtown. Parked the 4runner and walked home.

Mt. Blue Sky.

Summer flowers:)

A fine afternoon at the pond.

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Another successful train trip for 2025.

Schedule changes kept things interesting this year. Yet still was a blast hanging out with friends from the club. Camp was fantastic as ever, the days filled with Steam Trains, vistas and Toyotas. The mornings and evenings, I found myself at my favorite perch above camp gazing over Antonito, the San Luis Valley and the Sangre de Christos. The day I rode the train, I found myself alone- A fellow club member got called into work that day. Yet most of the morning I chatted with one of the conductors. Guess I’ve been riding the train enough to become a regular. The train ride was beautiful as ever and everything seemed so green with all the recent rain. Back at camp, I hung out with my pal Dave for the evening.

The next morning, I was up early. Packed the 4runner then made my way. A stop at Las Masitas, then made my way to Masita. Stopping at the old Iron Bridge to take in the morning light. The last few times I took that route, I was rushing to get to camp. It was nice to actually spend some time and check out the Old Bridge, the Rio Grande and take in the morning views. After, It was a sort morning drive home back to Downtown.

Ahh, Spanish Peak Country.

Some moody Spanish Peaks! Starting the drive up La Veta Pass, I had to stop ad take in the view. While doing so, my flashers on, a fellow driver stopped to make sure I was ok:).

Even the drive down after La Veta was fantastic.

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Just a few quick photos from last Friday mornings visit to the cabin. After a rainy week of work, It felt great to be up there soaking in the sun. Made a stop at the pond in the Upper Meadows where I quickly dozed off- no frogs yet. Then a drive to say hello to my favorite tree. I do want to spend a night there once this summer… On the way out, stopped at the cabin and said hello to Dad who was working around the cabin. A short drive down and I was back parking the 4runner in it’s spot downtown. Oh how I love summer:).

Some always fine views of Mt. Blue Sky.

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Though it was a quick trip, the other weekend I headed up to Georgetown for a morning ride on the Georgetown Loop. This would be my first train ride of the season and couldn’t ask for a more perfect morning!

Still getting used to this concept of walking over to the 4runner and heading out somewhere for an outing instead of a 50 minute trek just to get it. Looking forward to summer!

On the train and waiting to depart Devils Gate station. A beautiful morning!

Underway.

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After two years of rocking a rental from work, it felt great to have the 4runner out in the desert- and actually wheel it! Back in 2002, Gemini Bridges was the first trail I ever ran in Moab. So it felt fitting to do it this year. Matt, the leader for Gemini Bridges on Thursday welcomed me as the gunner for the day. Vendor night was awesome and can’t thank everyone enough for the support of the posters. Later, Daniel buzzed us up and down Main Street in Long Cruiser. Friday I hoped in with Gary and for the 40’s only run that Tim set up. With some 20 rigs, we had an impressive line up. That night at the raffle, it seemed everyone around me one something. Saturday would find us back at the car show- something I’ve missed the past few years. Saturday night we found a spot on main street and set up the lawn chairs and watch the cars go by. Anytown USA:).

Back in Moab with some extra parts, Lee gets the 200 LC back into action just in time for Cruise Moab. After this pic, I set the camera down and lent a hand.

Ok, not before snapping this pic of Chase watching on.

My first trail ride for Cruise Moab in quite a few years. My first ever trail was Gemini Bridges. Since I actualy was going to be driving my 4runner to Moab this trip, felt it fitting to run Gemini Bridges again. Upon showing up to the trail meet up spot Matt, the leader for the day was like “oh your my gunner”. So much for an easy day on the trail (it still was).

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A little behind in posting this years Cruise Moab poster, but pretty excited with how it turned out! Dad and I started working on the design back in the fall. A few months before Cruise Moab, we managed to get this years poster printed- 8 color runs total.

It sure felt good to be back at Cruise Moab this year showing off another poster (and wheeling my 4runner). Out of an eddition of 32, I came home with only three posters.

1st color run

2nd color

More progress printing

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Last weekend, I ended up taking a PTO day on Sunday (my Monday). With a three day weekend, I headed up to the cabin on Saturday to finally enjoy a night up there. After picking up the 4runner from storage and loading up a few things, I made my way up the hill. Crossing into the property, it sure felt great to be up there with the 4runner. The weather was a bit moody, but after getting settled at the cabin made my way to the pond in the upper meadows. Always love stopping there and just soaking in the view.

Back at the cabin, I got the fire going in the winter quarters and settled in for the night. Later that evening a friend from the club would join me for the rest of the night. Always good to catch up. Woke up early the next morning and enjoyed the morning light on Mt. Blue Sky before heading back to downtown. Definitely a needed visit!

A fine morning at the apartment before heading up to the cabin.

A mood afternoon coming into the property.

Mt. Blue Sky is in there somewhere.

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Last Thursday I was able to take a PTO day and join a friend for this years Stock Show Parade (119th annual). Though the cold temps kept the Steers away, it was a fun time watching the parade go up 17th Street from Union Station. After, we headed over to the local watering hole to warm up a bit. Some pics I got from the parade.

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