Jeeps New Stance

As you may remember we were looking at having the Jeep lifted for a little more ground clearance while off roading. Well yesterday the Jeep went in for it's new lift at Custom Off Road Equipment here in OKC. We weren't looking for a massive monster truck look, just a mild lift which will allow for better off road performance and a taller tire size in the future. The lift installed is made by BDS Suspension and included new springs and shocks for an overall increase of almost 3". The ride is also much better since the factory springs on the Liberty's are know to be weak and sage easily.
Overall, we are very happy with the improved ride, handling and of course looks. Now of course I'm looking forward to getting back out west and hitting the trails. Once again, thanks for following along and we'll see back here next time!!!

Recall Complete

Last year there was a big recall (one of many for the auto industry) on the Jeep Liberty for possible gas tank explosion/fire if rear ended. The reason was lack of protection and the gas tank location (remember the Pinto). Early this year Jeep contacted us and advised our Jeep was part of the recall, however there was not enough parts on hand to fix the problem. A couple of months ago, we received another letter letting us know the parts were now on hand. I contacted the local Jeep dealer here in OKC and scheduled an appointment for today. Jeep's fix for the problem was to install a trailer hitch which basically surrounds the gas tank with a steel cage.
I had the hitch installed today, the Jeep dealer was great about it even though we didn't buy the vehicle form them. Having this done has a three prong affect for us, first and foremost, peace of mind for the safety it provides. Second, we can use a hitch style bike rack instead of the one we now use (strapped to the spare tire) which I never really liked. And third, it now gives the Jeep a rear recovery point (place to hook a tow rope/winch line) incase we get stuck while our off roading.
So that was the big excitement for today, other than that we've just been riding out the cold weather and siting tight in the rig since returning from our Thanksgiving trip. That's all the news that's fit to print, thanks for following along and we'll see you back here next time.............................

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

 Ok, I know, but better late than never. Happy Thanksgiving from our family to you and yours. This Thanksgiving we spent in Dallas Texas with my daughter Kayla, her husband Chris and our little grandson Easton. We had an amazing meal, stuffed ourselves to the gills and of course watched football!!!

 We also did a little photo shoot with the kids. Here is Chris, Kayla, Easton and Soon to be Denver.

 Easton having a ball while daddy throws leaves on him.

 Chris and Kayla

 Easton and his buddy David

 Presenting mommy with a flower.

 Father and Son

 Just love this one.

And of course yours truly with Kayla and Easton. I don't get in the shots very often, but couldn't pass up the chance with these two.
We had a great time and spent almost a week with them, it was great to visit and catch up. We are back up in OKC now and until after Christmas.
Thanks for following along and we'll se you next time!!!

Face Lift for the Jeep

Today I made an appointment with the Jeep Doctor for a little selective surgery. After spending the Summer out west, it was decided by both Sheryl and I that the Jeep could us a little more ground clearance. Now we didn't have any issues with bottoming out on the trails we took, however, there were some close calls. We found a place here in town (OKC) that came recommended to lift the Jeep, so after talking to the owner, a 2-3 inch lift was decided on and ordered. Our appointment is set for Dec 5th, we didn't want anything to crazy high, just a mild lift for more ground clearance and larger tires later on. So stay tuned to see how it turns out..................see ya next time.

Fixed!!!

Good News, we found an RV Shop to fix our slide out issues, and it's just down from the RV Park. We dropped the rig off at around 10:30 yesterday, and they called at 1:30 saying it was all set and good to go. Got to love a quick easy fix, turned out to be a broken pin which connects the slide out motor to a shaft which drives the gearing at the other end. Thank goodness that's all it was, it's nice to have our home back and in working order. Now it's just a matter of waiting around for a couple more follow up appointments and we can be off and running again to warmer parts to ride out the rest of winter!!! That's it for now and we'll see you next time from a sunny but brisk OKC.

RV Doctor Appointment

It's been a few days and not a whole lot to post about. Mainly we have been holed up in the Motorhome due to the weather, seems it's been below freezing ever since we got here. Our main priority has been to make sure the water pipes inside the RV don't freeze and break, we've taken several measures and so far so good.
The primary issue we are having right now is still our main living room slide. We have contacted a couple of Mobile RV Services, but they don't seem to interested in our business as we haven't heard back from them. Even our regular RV guy seems to have quit answering his phone and hasn't returned many of his regular customers calls either.  However with a little help from the Camp Host, put us in contact with a RV Repair facility, who folks in the park have had good luck with, and we have an appointment tomorrow to have it looked at. We were hoping to have a mobile service come out an look at it, but we need to go out and get propane anyway, so we'll just kill to birds with one stone and hope for a quick fix.
Looks like the weather is supposed to get a bit warmer, so maybe we can get out and shake this cabin fever. That's it for now, thanks for following along and we'll let you know what happens with the slide on our next post.

Back in OKC

Sheryl and I were finally well enough to travel, so after a layover in Amarillo TX, we made it into OKC. Oh, and seems we brought a couple of weeks of arctic weather with us. Tonight's low 10 w/wind chill. Your welcome OKC!!!
Looks like we'll be here for just a bit longer than anticipated, a couple of follow up doctors appointments before we can take off for warmer weather. We have been thinking Key West again, but that maybe up in the air, so a "Plan B" is in the works (Southern Texas Maybe?). As always, we'll let you know what happens, so until then, from sunny but frigid OKC........................ 

Colds in Albuquerque, NM

Wow, we did leave Nevada in our rearview mirror and made it into Albuquerque, NM. We had planned on staying two nights here just to take a break from two days of constant driving (good to have that option). We both notice while spending the night in Williams, AZ that we were not feeling our best. Once we got into Albuquerque, we both realized we had full blown head and chest colds, yuck!!! We have extend our stay here at the Kirkland AFB FamCamp until Sunday, we should be feeling better and more up to travelling by then. This will put us in OKC on Monday, just in time for Scrappey Doo's hair cut appointment on Tuesday. We have a great dog groomer in OKC that we use when ever we can. We have found it hard to find good ones on the road, the last two ended up burning Scrappey's little nose with the clippers. So I'll give a shout out to Shelley's Grooming Garage in OKC, she does great work with more than reasonable prices. So if you happen thru OKC and you pup needs a cut, give her a call!!!
That's all for now, thanks for following along even when we're felling yucky, but don't get to close as we don't want to share the wealth...........see ya next time.

Leaving Nevada

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are leaving Nevada and heading back to OKC. Good news is, we should only be there for a short time and then off to Key West!!! We were not quite able to do everything we wanted here in the Las Vegas area, but hey, that will leave plenty of sights to see next time we pass through. One issue we are hoping to get fixed is our living room slide. While leaving Monument Valley, when we attempted to put it in, the rear of the slide didn't want to go in on it's own, now I have to push it into place while Sheryl operates the switch. We are hoping our RV Guy in OKC can fix it for us.
We'll be taking our time to get back, so next time, we'll see you from the road.

Nellis AFB FamCamp

 It's hard to believe we've been here a week already. I've been so busy playing catch up, I haven't posted much about our stay here yet. Now, I'm not one to post about every campground we stay at, as for the most part a campground is a campground is a campground, all basically the same.

 However, if we run across someplace extra nice or unique, then we like to share our find with others. The Desert Eagle RV Park here at Nellis AFB is one of those places.

 What makes this place different than your average military campground you ask? Well for us it's the size of the sites, these are by far the largest sites we have ever been in.

Then along with the size of the sites, the park itself is very well kept up and clean. The facilities are well kept and the staff is very friendly and accommodating. The park is actually the old mobile home park, which accounts for the size of the lots. I know this park is not available to all, but if you have access to military campgrounds and are passing through the Las Vegas area, this is the one to stay at. They do take reservations and fill up pretty quickly during the winter months, as you could imagine.
Other than that, we've just been relaxing and getting some of those, oh so fun domestic chores done. That's it for now, just wanted to tell you about this little slice of heaven outside of Sin City. See Ya Next Time.

Lucky Strike Mine Trail, Mt Charleston, NV

 In the desert foothills of Mt Charleston, just outside Las Vegas, NV lies the Lucky Strike Mine Trail. This 4x4 trail heads north off Hwy and deep into the desert. The trail lets you know right from the git go, this is a 4x4 trail with a steep loose rocky ascent.

 Once you make the short climb from the hwy, the vastness and desolation becomes reality.

 The trail takes you over several hills and deep into many valleys along with few miles of dry wash just for good measure.

 Decent into a dry river wash.

 Decisions, Decisions? Being out alone, I took the better trail to the right.

After several miles, the trail began to get a little to dicey. Being out alone I chose to head back out, not that the Liberty couldn't handle it, but better with more than one vehicle. Better safe than sorry, and the day was getting on. Sheryl wanted to stay in today, so it was my opportunity to venture off for a while as I needed my backcountry fix. With any luck I'll head back out to finish the trail, just have to find another adventurous soul here in the park.
That was todays adventure, be it a short one so, stay tuned for more and get out off the beaten path, it's amazing what you mite find.

Monument Valley, UT.

 Our first day in Monument Valley, we entered from the south along Hwy 163 out of Arizona and entered San Juan County UT.

 Even the views outside the Tribal Park are stunning.

 We got ourselves checked into Goulding's RV Park just a few miles away from the Tribal park itself. We arrived without reservations, so were put in a 4 spot area just outside the main RV area. We still had full hook ups and an even better view out our front window.

 A few days later and it was off to Monument Valley and the sights we had come here to see.

 Once inside the park ($20.00 entrance fee) you are greeted with this amazing and iconic view. We checked out the visitor center and museum and then were off on the 17 mile self guided backcountry loop. The road is pretty rough in places but any high clearance vehicle would have no problem. Matter of fact we saw several small cars on the loop, we hoped they were rentals, again glad we have a Jeep.

 Ok, enough talking, I'll leave you with a few shots of our trip around the park.

Another great day out. The entire southern Utah area is just amazing. Yes I know, it's just another desert to some, but if you can make your way out there, the landscapes can be magical.

Ok, finally caught up with the blog from our time in the Monument Valley area. We are now (as I may have said before) at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas. We'll be here until the 3rd and there's lots to explore out here (besides the strip) not our cup of tea. So stay tuned for "Las Vegas" off the beaten path. We'll see you then.

A Drive Amonst the Gods

 Valley of the Gods, UT that is. Another one of those amazing places that we didn't realize was so close to Monument Valley. Valley of the Gods is similar (although not as impressive) as Monument Valley, the main difference is VoG is on BLM land (as opposed to Tribal land) and therefor not as restrictive. You are required to stay on the marked trails, but can hike and camp most anywhere and of course no entrance fees.

 The roadway starts out mundane enough, just your average drive through the desert from either direction.

 But the farther in you go, the more scenic it becomes.

 Then the next thing you know, your right in the middle of some of the most beautiful landscapes you have ever seen.

 The road (trail) is 17 miles of dirt and rock connecting UT 261 and US 163, approximately 30 miles north of Monument Valley.

Monument Valley in the distance.

What a great day out and definitely a must see/do if you are in the area. Like most off the beaten path areas, a high clearance vehicle is recommended and depending on the recent weather, 4 wheel drive may be needed.  But if you can make it, do it, you won't be sorry.
Ok, another check mark on the bucket list and a lifetime memory. Thanks for coming along and we'll see you back here next time for our trip through Monument Valley.

Couple of New Items added to the Blog

I spent today working on a couple of new Items for the Blog. The first is a link to our previous Blog, you can see it in the upper right corner above the about us section. The previous Blog takes you back to the beginnings of our fulltime adventure and then some.
Next, I went back an applied labels or tags to each blog entry since the beginning of this current one. This will make it easy to just click on a item or location that interest you and see all the related posts (such as Florida, and see all we did in Florida). You will find all the links located below our Facebook link. I hope this helps in some way to everyone who visits our page. Again, thanks to all that visit and follow along on our Fulltime RV journey.

The Moki Dugway along Utah Hwy 261

 While exploring southern Utah and checking the maps for places to go, I ran across this squiggly little line in the road, but didn't think much of it. The map cautions of a steep grade but that was about it. I had also heard of this area from some reading I had done, but it really wasn't on my radar of someplace to check out.

 That was until I left Goosenecks State Park in search of the Valley of the Gods road and ran across this sign which immediately peaked my interest. My first thought was, now that's my kind of road, so I just had to check it out.

 All the signs were right, this road is steep, narrow and one lane in many places as it switch backs up the cliff face gaining 1100 feet in just 3 miles.

However, once you start up you are rewarded with amazing views and they just keep getting better the higher you go. There is a turn out near the top from which you can see what seems like forever.
The Moki Dugway is on State Hwy 261 just north of Mexican Hat and connects with Hwy 93 to the north. So if you happen to be out this way and think what a great short cut to Hwy 93, think again if your towing or driving a large vehicle (Motorhome).
In the second to the last shot you can see a dirt road heading off into what looks like nowhere, however that is the site of our next adventure, but you'll have to stay tuned for that one. So until then, we'll see you next time right back here for more adventures in Southern Utah.