The Arizona Model Aviators held their 27th Annual Arizona Jet Rally at the Superstition Airpark this weekend. High winds limited the number of flyers but it was still a fun event to attend.
We were told this plane cost $15,000-$20,000
I used my Nikon D7100 for the following video. Unfortunately, between having to look through the LCD and the strong winds, the end result was not quite what I was hoping for but it will give you some idea of what it is like to watch these models in action...
I suspect most people here in the park thought of John as just another "pretty face". But to almost everyone's amazement, he has real skills. Using a computerized sewing machine (that cost as much as my RZR), he created a "Desert Rats" flag for the whip antennas that our intrepid group of riders use when riding in the desert...
While surfin' the Net I came across an app called GooseChase that allows you to design digital scavenger hunts. As a test I created a "mission" here in the RV park where the highest number of points would be awarded for a photo of the ladies in the contest wearing a string bikini. Of course, I thought no one would submit such a photo but as usual I was wrong...
Don, Cathy and I took the jeeps Behind The Rocks south of Moab. It was a fun trip but the trail was rough as a corn cob so everyone was pretty well beat-up by the end of the day. Here's my first "jeep video"...
Don and I took his jeep up to Dome Plateau northeast of Moab. Although most of the trail is relatively easy, there are a few spots where a 4wd vehicle is highly desirable. What makes the trip worthwhile are the interesting sights/sites along the way.
It pays to go with a professional
Unknown arch
"La Boca" arch
"Fisher Towers"
(photo does not do the view justice)
For the past couple of days, I have had the pleasure of showing two Australian families the off-road side of Moab. You could not ask for better company and the kids were an absolute delight to be around as they are bright, well-mannered and each with their own distinctive personality.
I drove the jeep back up into the La Sal Mountains to explore some new trails and photograph the aspens. Most of the trails were either dead ends or got so rough I chose not to continue by myself. Fortunately, the aspens at the higher elevations were beginning to reach their full color...
Today, we rode the RZRs up into the La Sal Mountains and around Mount Peale via Geyser and La Sal Passes. It's a great way to escape the summer heat and see a completely different side of the Moab area.
Hopefully, the following photos will convey the beauty and variety of the mountains (click on photos to enlarge)...
Mount Peale
The leaves are just beginning to change
I never tire of riding through an aspen forest
Picture perfect mountain lake
One rough, rocky road
I even got to be "King of the Mountain" for a while...
On Saturday while the rest of the group was laying on the couch, eating chocolate bon-bons and watching Oprah, I was hard at work finding a way to drive our RZRs off-road to BFE and Behind The Rocks. Today, we used my super-secret route to ride both (almost).
Here's Mell thinking about running Black Flag on BFE...
Fortunately, "reason" prevailed over "valor" which considering the following description of the trail was probably a good idea:
Trail Rating: Expert trail. No Exceptions
Description: Do not attempt without a day to spend and at least three vehicles. NOTE: Nobody has completed this trail!
Requirements: Min. 40″ tires, Lockers, Winch, spare parts, SPOTTERS and 3 Vehicles – Do not attempt alone!
However, here's a video of the "big dogs" conquering the first obstacle on Behind The Rocks...
In the process of exploring a new area Behind The Rocks, we discovered another arch...
On the way back from the arch, Gene's machine snapped a ball joint, which considering we were in the middle of nowhere and it's Sunday and the Labor Day weekend, was not good...
Fortunately, a local business that rents RZRs had a replacement part so that we were able to repair the vehicle on the trail and get everyone back home before dinner (clean living pays off once again).
Mell, Rosa and I started out on the La Sal Loop south of Moab with the intent of riding to Onion Creek via an unexplored trail...
About half way there, Mell gets a call from Moab Powersports indicating that the parts to fix his coolant leak had arrived and they could begin repair this afternoon. So, we split up and I continued on in my jeep.
It took about three hours to go ~30 miles and I did not see another vehicle the entire time (I was not worried as I knew Mell would send Rosa to find me if there was a problem). As always, the scenery here is spectacular wherever you go...
