Cruise Moab 2025. Act 1: “And you send me back to where I roam, but I cursed and I cried and now I know”

What a week!

We averaged 200 miles a day and at one point had 14 vehicles. It’s good to know that at after exploring the desert for 20 + years, there’s still places unknow.

After joining up with most of the gang outside Idaho Springs, we caravanned west to camp. Stopping first just bellow Vail Pass for an unexpected delay- Sean almost brought out the grill to make some lunch.

Lee shows off his new supercharger.

Tim hit’s a makeshift slope.

Camp at Fish Ford along the Colorado River.

Always a fine camp at Fish Ford

A stellar crew and some of my best buds. At one point we were up to 14 rigs.

Before Green River, we turned off for Horseshoe Canyon. At a quarter tank, my anxiety was a bit high, but friends made sure I got to the next fuel stop.

Tim was like “hey, take a picture of me”. So I did.

An old cabin.

After fueling up in Green River ( and topping off external fuel cans), we headed into the San Rafael Swell.

All smiles for this pal:).

Swazey’s cabin. A quick enough stop to take advantage of the restroom before moving on.

Some fine views.

After Swayze’s Cabin, we headed south vie Reds Canyon. Finding camp that afternoon on Family Butte.

Dann had the best spot.

Good to be back in Canyon Country.

The gang:).

Evening sets in. Sure felt good to be out with the 4runner- and not a rental…

Evening vistas.

First time for Cuban Cigars!:)

Up in time to catch the sunrise.

Rod’s Valley.

They go over, we go under. Eagle Canyon.

A tight fit for most of us!

Wild Horses outside Copper Globe Mine.

Some fantastic drives.

Until it wasn’t. Matt got a flat.

Lee got a flat as well but also found out his steering rack was broken. To get off the trail, Andy looped the high pressure lines so the pumped wouldn’t get damaged. Chase meanwhile was sourcing new parts from our Wasatch pals with a credit card in hand.

Probably one of the most dusty drives ever. South of a Outlaw camp from 2017, at one point I slowed waaaaaay down with flashers on. Unable to see anything.

By this time of the day, some 200 miles of dirt in, we were ready for camp. The drive offered us a sampling of things to come.

An average scene from the day.

Ige and Bruce checking out an old monument.

“Make sure to turn left at the top of the hill” came on the radio.

Yeah…

‘

Chef Sean at it again.

Evening sets in. This place was magical.

Daniel.

Views from the campfire. Spent most of the night playing with rc cars and lots of BS,

Chase.

A damn fine camp.

Morning’s warmth.

My goodness.

Coffee ( gross by the way).

Chase is up.

Ready for the day:).

My beloved Henry’s.

Daniel Linn is down there…

Capital Reef Country.

Bentonite Hills. Think Mars.

The only pic I got from this stretch of road. That afternoon found us deep in the junipers. A road that probably haven’t been driven in a few years. The scratches to the paint show the wounds. I was behind my pal Chris the whole time, cringing as his 200 series Land Cruiser made an opening for me.