Lexus ES 300h

I am hoping to do some extensive traveling this summer and although the Jeep would do the miles, it is not known for its long distance comfort or fuel economy. After doing my due diligence, I chose to purchase a Lexus ES 300h. It is a non-plugin hybrid that combines an electric motor with a four cylinder gasoline engine to achieve 44 miles/gallon overall.

My first impressions are 1) this is one of the quietest and most comfortable vehicles I have driven and 2) it is a computer on wheels that will require a while to learn how to navigate all of the electronics (click here to see an in-depth tutorial). Surprisingly, the ES 300h was around $5,000 cheaper than a new Jeep Rubicon Unlimited. Who would have thought you could buy a Lexus for less money than a Jeep!

PS - keeping the Jeep for future off-road adventures 😎

Fuel Efficient Vehicle

Yesterday, when I filled up the Jeep, gas was $4.29/gallon. Gas Buddy predicts it may go over $5.00/gallon now that Biden has banned the importation of Russian oil. It's beginning to look like this may be the vehicle of the future...

Yabba-Dabba-Doo

Drill, Baby, Drill

In my opinion, we need to drill for more oil and gas here in the USA in order to make our country energy independent again. It solves so many of our problems. Until China, India and Russia quit building new coal fired power plants, our current administration's war on fossil fuels in the name of "climate change" is simply a futile effort that hurts our country's economy and position of power in the world. An abundant, affordable source of energy is the basis for a modern economy to grow and prosper. Even Elon Musk, perhaps, the smartest man on the planet and a proponent of electric vehicles, believes we should increase domestic production.

King of the Hammers

If you have ever wondered what it is like to run King of the Hammers in Johnson Valley, California, here is a video of a young couple I follow on YouTube...

Badge of Honor

Jeep has a "Badge of Honor" app that allows you to earn badges by running select trails across the nation. It has maps, information, highlights, difficulty ratings and user photos of the trails so you know what to expect before you head out. Over the last year or so, I collected badges in Colorado and Utah but just recently got around to mounting them on my Jeep...

It's a fun way to explore some of the best trails in the country

Life Is Good

I had a lunch with Terry & Gail (my favorite Alpine, UT couple) at Joe's Real BBQ in Gilbert, AZ. Gilbert is a quintessential yuppie town in that they converted a lot of the old buildings into unique restaurants and shops. After lunch we went for a walk and got our first hint that Gail wanted some ice cream...

So, we turned on the siren and flashing lights and headed to the nearest yogurt shop...

After a couple weeks of cool weather, we are back in the 70s with blue, cloudless skies that makes for great days to be outside.

COVID-19 Test Kit

I just received my at home COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test kit and am pleased to report that I tested negative for the virus. I find it ironic that the kit was "Made in China", the same country that developed the virus with the help of funding by Fauci and NIH and then let it loose on the world. I wonder if "the big guy is still getting his cut".

COVID Testing

Old Mines

Today's ride consisted of a number of unnamed trails south of the Florence-Kelvin Highway where we explored old, abandoned mine sites/sights...

Click on photos to enlarge

Oak Flat Trails

When you think of the desert in southern Arizona, you probably do not envision mud. Yet, we spent the better part of the day getting dirty in the mountains east of Superior, Arizona. We even came across a vehicle stuck up to its axle in a very nasty quagmire...

Fortunately, Jerry was able to winch it out without any problems
(another reason for not traveling alone in the middle of nowhere)

The other highlight of the day was watching modified Jeeps climb over some challenging obstacles...

They call this "Chevrolet Hill" due to the abandoned vehicle in the bottom left of photo

Baby Boomer T-Shirt

Angel Wings

Today's version of "It's a Wonderful Life"...

Cherry Creek

Cherry Creek to Young starts out as a maintained dirt road...

Then slowly turns into a unmaintained, rough shelf road that winds its way up through the mountains...

It has a little bit of everything including some challenging washouts...

Arizonian Christmas Parade

Here are some highlights of the annual Arizonian Christmas parade...

Santa's elves making hot chocolate before the parade

Santa and his helpers

Mr. & Mrs. Claus leading the parade in their golf cart sleigh

Even the Grinch made an appearance

 

Mall Rated Jeep

Anyone can own a "Trail Rated" Jeep, but only a special few own a "Mall Rated" Jeep...

Devil's Canyon

Group ride to Devil's Canyon east of Superior, Arizona...

Click on photos to enlarge

Weird Age

The Fort

I joined five other Jeep owners here in the park for a drive to what everyone calls "The Fort" in the mountains north of Globe, Arizona. Although no one in the group knew the exact history of the site, the consensus was it probably was not an army fort but an early native or settler dwelling. Today, only a partial stone wall exists...

It was a long day of off-roading that had us airing up at sunset and me not getting home till 8:00 p.m. My neighbors are so used to seeing me turn-in early that I got a text from Keith during dinner wanting to know if I was okay and did I need bail money. 

Thanksgiving Dinner

My neighbors invited me over for Thanksgiving dinner. Between the delicious home cooking and pleasant company, it was a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving.

This is only a portion of what was being served. I could have made a meal out of the desserts alone.

Jayco Seneca Sold

Over the last year I have become increasingly disenchanted with RVing. The difficulty in finding available campsites along with significant increases in the cost of fuel, campsites, maintenance and insurance are some of the reasons for selling the Jayco. All in all, it simply is not as much fun as when I started out ten years ago. I am not sure what my future travel plans will be, but I figure I can stay in a lot of motels and Airbnbs by selling the RV and eliminating the cost of owning/maintaining a large motorhome.

Queen Valley Lunch

Keith took Terry, Gail and me to Queen Valley in his Kawasaki SxS...

Where we enjoyed lunch outside in ideal weather...

Misplaced Priorities

5 Deadly Terms Used By A Woman

Big Horn Sheep

Although Ken and Faye (the party animals from Colorado) have traveled extensively, they had never been in the desert, so we followed Ralph and Jerry in the RZR to Box Canyon in my Jeep. On the way out of the canyon, we came across one of the largest herds of Big Horn Sheep I have seen. There are people in the park, who have lived here for years, that have never seen Big Horns in the wild and Ken and Faye got to see them their first time out. With that kind of luck, I think I should take them to one of the local casinos. Photos are courtesy of Ralph as I misplaced/lost my small camera.

Click on photos to enlarge

Here are the real desert animals

Real Reason For Border Crisis