Has it been three months

We have been busy, not much in the way of wheeling lately. Have done some work on the frog, put the hard top on, got the stereo installed drove it back to Newark. I need to throw an alternator in it this weekend but other than that its been all quiet on the Wheeling front. The house is set for Mr. Winter. Its been cold, but not much rain, what I call snuggle weather. The boys and Wife are excited for Chritmas, the house decorated and all.

It was really cool two weeks ago we saw a bob cat near the house. He was walking accross the road and stopped to look back at us. Really cool. Now that its getting colder the preditor animals will start to come out and search for a tasty morsal of food. Should start to see more aggressive critters.

I will post some picts of the frog by the end of the week.

PP

Seasons are a changing.

Wow its been almost two months since I wrote. I have been busy getting ready for winter, hunting and just enjoying the outdoors. We have cut over 3 and ½ chords of wood. Put in a new storage shed and the guest bed room is getting a bathroom added. The house is about 90% winterized just a few small things left.

Hunting was wonderful not many deer, but the fishing was fun. The company of Sheldon and Pete was great I enjoy hunting with them. We spent more time looking for deer than actually seeing any. Just don’t understand where the deer are this year. I even took Paul, and Raylene out this weekend and we did not see anything. I did get to shoot the 357 this weekend and was actually hitting the clay at about 50 yards using 38 ammo. Most impressive!!!!!!

I plan on tearing out the interior of the Jeep this winter, but would like to get one last run in before that. I think the club has a adopt a trail clean up in a weekend or tw0, I hope to attend that.

The best thing about this time of the year is the autumn colors in the forest. Raylene and I sat on the deck in our wicker chairs just looking at the trees, sky and leaves enjoying the colors the nice brisk air and spending time chatting about nothing. I really love the browns, green colors of autumn, and the sounds of the squirrels and other animals foraging for food and making their winter homes. I feel this gives one the tranquility of nature and the feeling of the forest. If you can take somebody you love out and just sit and listen to the seasons change, if you are not able to do that then just stop and look at a tree or simply take a deep breath and enjoy the fall.

Paul

Growing up and brother wheeling

Buster is gone, but will never be forgotten. I will miss the red Bronco. With that said I am looking forward to building the Frog this weakened.

This weekend my boy Paul II had his 4th birthday party, he was such a big boy wanting to play, and running free. My wife through him a nice party with his friends, and family he really seemed to enjoy himself. Paul is getting so big so fast, he asks me to go wheeling, hunting all the things that Daddies should do. I really enjoy the boy he is so much fun. I hope to get the seat belts in the rear of the Bronco this weekend so we can go out wheeling before the snow comes.

Due to family stuff, I have not got out much this year to wheel, but my brother on the other hand has wheeled a bunch. Here is some video of him wheeling on Fordyce trail and a few others. http://wheelingpiazzas.com/ST2005/video/ST22005.wmv http://wheelingpiazzas.com/ST2005/video/ST22005.wmv

I hope to get out soon and go wheeling. Stay tuned.

Paul Sr.

Just a Thought.

Today a person who was very dear to me passed on. I learned many lessons from this woman. Most of which are summed up in few thoughts.

First is Family: Take the good with the bad, just love them for who they are and always keep your door open. Sometimes you may want them, sometimes you may not. Just keep your door open. No matter how you feel keep the door open to them. The ones that love you will always be there with a smile on their face; all others will have envy on theirs.

Second is the Power of Family and Friends: When there is a bump in the road just smile aim at it and wheel through it. You may get stuck, but there will always be a friend to pull you out. Just follow the line and do your best, know that if you have good intentions in your heart you will make it through the trial of life.

Last but not least. Grandmas always know that cookies are the food of the soul. If you ever asked to give guidance just remember that a cookie and a ear is all a person needs to find the right path.

I will miss you Grandma.

One Last Voyage

8/6/2005
I had to drive Buster home to the Bay Area two weekends ago. Its sad to say good bye to a vehicle you had dreams about. But like the circle of life you let go of old dreams and start new ones. Buster was a good rig; I only really had the chance to have two off-road trips with him. He did well and performed well and did not let me down. My 3 hour drive home seemed like eternity. Buster was smooth and had power to spare. I will miss the 351 Windsor in Buster the Frogs 289 just seems to lack the grunt of Buster. Today Buster sits in front of my house waiting for his next owner to take him for a ride. I hope that he goes to a home where people love him and use him for what he was built for.

8/13/2005
My lovely wife and I got to celebrate our 5th anniversary early this year. No kids, no interruptions and just a very nice weekend together. I got to drive the Frog into town and for a 30 mile cruise. The Frog turns heads he sounds nice and runs and looks nicer. It was a great feeling to have people look at us as we strolled through town. The Frog is here to stay.

My hopes are to get the Jeep fixed the weekend of the 20th and have a new wheeling trip in Sept or October. Maybe even get to the legendary Rubicon this year. More pictures to follow.

My Rigs

I drove the Frog up to Arnold this past weekend and it was really nice, lots of power rides really nice. Needless to say I am really happy with the new rig.

On Saturday I followed my wife and two sons over to the coin operated car was, we washed the Jeep (need to think of a name for her) and the Frog. I was like a proud father watching my Jeep and cruising around in the Frog. Love the feeling of having my family and my rigs. Specially love seeing them all together. See picture below.

I stated to to transfer parts over from Buster (the old bronco) to the frog. The bumpers moved, then I started on the speakers. I also found out that Buster has a bad ball join and I have to repair it this weekend. Next will be the stereo and a few other items that need to be repaired. Can’t wait to get it done and get buster to a new home.

A funny thing happened on the way home, it was one of the moments that makes you proud to be a father. It also shows the influence that a parent has on his children. When I wheel I usual listen to tunes. Often is a mixture, one of my favorites is by Lenard Skynard when ever Free Bird come on I often yes FREEEEBIRD. Even at home working around the yard if the song comes on I say FREEEBIRD mimicking the concerts crowds who appreciate a good song when they hear it. We yesterday while driving down the road in a quiet car says FREEEEBIRD. I busted out laughing. He did is again but louder. Louder this time he yells FREEEBIRD dad. I say Paul you are my boy.



Well I must start my work week with this I say until next time. And remember to say FREEEEBIRD every time you feel the need.

Paul

Out with the Old in with the new.

Well the title says it all. Its been a long while since I last posted. Lets see what have we been up to. Not much wheeling but that’s ok Took Paul II camping for the first time and he really enjoyed it. I realize though we are not prepared to camp not enough sleeping bags or ground cover. The rock solid ground has paid havoc on my back. I am much to young to feel this damn old.

Well back to the title!!!! After much debate several strained arm muscles and much pleading by my wife we are selling our 74 It was just too darn hard to climb in the 8inch lifted beast. Bronco….:( Its Going to be sad to say good bye to Buster. “But wait there More!!!!” Say hello to my little friend, my new 68 Bronco (THE FROG) the picture above. We are excited about the Frog and I am looking forward to driving him and enjoying it. The Frog will take many parts off of Buster to get up to snuff but its going to be fun to build him.

Well I have to make more of a diligent effort to update my site more often. For those who read it (does anybody??) I hope you enjoy.

PP

Slick Rock Fever

All I have to say is I have a new found appreciation for Big steering wheels and PS. Thank god for 2 low..


I did accomplish three things this weekend.

Broke the Rig
Relaxed.
Had fun with Good Friends


Boards: was fun, No snow, Dry and the river is RAGING. To the point that you have a hard time hearing eachother talk because its way loud.

Slick rock: WATER EVERY WHERE!! you drive down the main road to get to the trial head and there is water where you thought water couldnt get to. Snow on the road going in and snow on our typical camp spot. (thats as far as we made it before the second center pin broke)

Flowers are in bloom, Lots of Purples and Blues(for the women)

Weather was Perfect, sun was up, Light jacket if not at all during the night. Bring bug spray, Lots of little flying Bastards.

My Boy has a social life

Wow what a weekend, my boy has a social life that kept us busy this weekend. We went to Bonfante Gardens http://www.bonfantegardens.com/ this weekend and it was great. He had a blast on the little cars drove all over the place as I screamed watch out for the tree or what ever he was aiming at. Paul II was laughing and laughing. This was one of those times it reminds you how great it is to be a parent. The main part of the going to any park is to see the world through a Childs eyes. Pauls eyes are so full of life that is was wonderful to watch him enjoy these things and live life through him.

On Sunday Paul II had a birthday party for one of the kids in his class. The kids seemed to be nice well mannered and they had fun. I am hopeful that Paul will have good friends and grow up in a positive environment; I just hope that my wants and needs don’t get in his way.

My highlight of the weekend came twice I think each of these will be equaled in my memory, first was the excitement in Paul’s eyes when he was driving and laughing at my funny comments. That was on of those father son-bonding moments. The second was this morning when he was sitting in the chair watching TV with his stuffed critters. He bent over and kissed his baby (a stuffed elephant) on the head and said I love you baby, and hugged it. This warmed my heart, a three year old with a kind heat and loving soul. Yes that is my boy!!!!!!

What a weekend, I did miss the mountains, and I missed the forest, today I feel the unsteadiness of not getting a chance to go play, but my boy has a social life and it is great to see him grow so the tradeoff is well worth the restlessness I feel.

I will post some pictures this week as soon as I download them.

Paul

What A Wonderful Life

What a wonderful weekend. I spent the day working on the Bronco and Jeep went on a trip down to the River and had a wonderful time. Paul II did not want to come to the river with me, so I hopped into the Bronco and took a little scenic tour.

What a wonderful spot, there is nothing like the river and the smell of the damp mountains to bring peace to my soul. Drive down sat besides the river and realized I am the luckiest man on earth. I spent 15 minutes at the river and knew if I was going to get back in time for supper I had better split.

The Bronco drove awesome I crawled up the hillside in 2 low about 1500 rpm’s and just let the big V8 do its job. Got home in time, wife was pleased with that and the boys were excited about chowing down.

I had one of the best things happen to me this weekend, it is something that will last with me forever. My Son Paul II was working with me in my shop. He tells me “You My Best Friend Daddy”

Can you believe that MY Three Year Old thinks I am his Best Friend? The words of
“You My Best Friend Daddy” Will be with me the rest of my life. What a Wonderful Life!!!!!!

Weekend of April 16

Not much went on this weekend, worked on the house mostly. The weather was wonderful. Cleaned the garage and worked around the house. Here is a picture I found today, This is my family.

Wheeling

Deep Thoughts

Three years ago we bought a place in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. My first place was a nice house but had neighbors and not much land. We go luck last year and found the place of my dreams. It has more land and a nice stream going through it. This past weekend I was sitting on the porch (taking a break from working on the Bronco) looking at the 100 + foot trees with my boys. When the oldest one says to me. “Dad why do you find this relaxing?” “I don’t find it relaxing at all”. I just told him to sit back and enjoy the trees the wind the sound of the stream. Listen to the earth speak. Sad thing is he still did not get it.

You know when I am there for extended periods of time I really don’t miss the Internet well other than this list, and the lattes and the ability to get a slurpee at any time. But when I am away from my real home I do miss the sound of the wind through the trees, the sound of the stream by my house, and the feeling of peace I get from this place.

Spring Fever

Took Paul II out behind the house this weekend. We have about 4 inches of snow on the ground and got to play a bit. It was not really wheeling since we never needed to lock the hubs. We followed the trails over the hill and down toward the river. About 2 miles in total. Paul saw a squirrel and a big old bird looked like it could have been a hawk. My boy is so special he was all excited when we saw the critter. I think next time I will take him out of the Bronco and go explore the forest.

I thank go each day for my family and my heal and the luck to have such a great home away from it all.

Some Pics of the Wentworth Springs run & This weekend

Here some pictures of the Wentworth Springs Run. I had a blast on this trail http://www.gettinoff4x4.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=139

This weekend was very productive, I got my steering box in the Bronco, and the jeep axle shaft fixed. The box went pretty easy the hardest part was lifting that heavy thing out of the Bronco. Now the jeep was going well until I needed to get a 36 mm socket. After getting that it went ok had a stripped bolt (my fault to much muscle on the bolt). After getting that on I finally finished about 10 p.m. just in time for my lovely wife to arrive.
PP

Monday March 28.

Easter weekend was great, wife cooked like mad and I ate like a piggy. Damn the food was good. No wheeling, but my son Paul got a Johnny lightning Brono. He loves it and played with it all day. He is my boy. Cant wait to get the rigs running so I can wheel again. May take some pics of doing the box this weekend.

Have a good week.

PP

Good Friday & Happy Easter

No wheeling this weekend just a lot of wheeling. I will be working on the rigs over the next two weeks. First is the jeep and putting in the new axle that was busted in last week’s excursion, and then I have to put the new steering box on the Bronco. I also have a few projects that need to get done around the house. You know a happy wife is a wheeling wife.
Got news that the club wants to run Wentworth again in two weeks, I don’t thing I can make this trip. With all the work I have to do I will be limited on trails this month. In June there is two runs 1. The annual Wheeling Piazzas father’s day trip. 2. Gettinoffs Rubicon trip. Trying to do both but its hard to get out more than once a month let alone two weekends in a row. We shall see.

Wintworth Spring Snow Run

Happy Birthday to me!!!!!!!

Well it was a hell of a weekend wheeling, one of those weekends that is long frustrating but really fun. My family got up and got going smoothly for a 5:30 a.m. start. We loaded the Jeep the night before so all we had to do is get the Lumpkin (Paul II) out of bed and get going. It was a nice start for a long day.

We got up and got going raindrops falling hard and the sky was grey, an omen for the day to come. We stopped at Star Bucks got coffee and headed down highway 49. The drive was nice the foothills were alive with the Sound of Music, well AC/DC highway to hell that is. We got to the McDonald a little earlier than the rest of the group so we decided to have a nice family meal. Raylene an I sat and ate and Paul and Brad played on the McDonalds jungle gym.

About 9:30 everybody arrived and we were off. We headed up highway 50 to Ice House Road under a constant barrage of Rain then snow drizzle. We got to the trailhead and aired down the tires. I had made a deal with Raylene earlier in the day for her to drive and me to ride. She started the trail, nervous but steady. With constant coaching from the back seat driver (Me) she kept it on the trail but the rig just was not driving smooth. The jeep wanted to spin out and the tires would not float on the snow. The rear locker kept pitching the Jeep from side to side. I kept coaching Raylene to be mellow on the throttle but to no avail the rig just wanted to go on its own. Raylene eventually said it was my turn to drive, not sure if it was my coaching or just the fact that she was tired of driving. I think it was one of those things I was better off not asking. J

I hopped into the passenger seat and off we went. After driving my rig for a mile I understand why the call it a Wrangler. I had to try to manage to keep the thing in a line it wanted to go on it own into ever ditch and trench. Finally I decided it was time to check the air in the tires. My air gauge read 10 psi. I borrowed another gauge and it read 18 PSI. I used that gauge and aired down to 8 psi. It made a difference but it was still a chore to manage the rig in the deep snow. Other rigs seem to be doing well not sure why mine was a pain in the butt to keep on the trail.

Well we wheeled for about another 20 minutes and had to use two winches and two rigs to extract Don, not once but twice. He got stuck a few times. I got stuck twice and then it happened. I was buried in a whole, I gave it gas and BANG I said OH SH@! I knew I busted something. I busted my front axle. We extracted the rig with a winch and reviewed the situation, decided to wheel out. After about an hour of getting turned around we were on our way out.

The way out was nice the rig was driving nice and staying on the trail. She was wheeling normal. Not sure why it did so much better going out but I made it out without getting stuck once.

All in all it was a great trip, now I have some work to do on both rigs. The jeep I have to replace a front axle, the Bronco I have to put the new steering box in. I have lots to do before April….. Stay Tuned for more, I will post some picture when I get some.


Paul

Happy Sait Patricks Day.

Green Beer to All

Well it seems we are going to have a good turnout this weeekend, but I am worried about my wife she seems pretty tired has not slept well in the past three or 4 nights. If she does not get a good nights sleep tonight I may just head up with them on Friday, also she has to get up early (5:30) a.m. on Saturday to go wheeling. That is not good. So we shall see what happends.

PP

First official Post

Well I am taking Friday off. Its my b-day this weekend and the family and I are going snow wheeling with our 4x4 club Gettinoff http://www.gettinoff4x4.com/about.htm . I am really looking forward to going this Saturday, but have much to do to the rigs. I have to put the Traction bar on the Jeep, and redo the steering box on the Bronco. So Friday morning I leave without the wife and kids (I hate that idea) and head up the the Arnold house to work on the rigs. If all goes well I should be able to finish both of them by the time Raylene arrives about 8:00 p.m.

We are going to go to Wintworth Springs (lake tahoe area) on Saturday with the club and are expecting snow throughout the day. This will be the first trip for the Jeep this year. I hope the heating up isses are gone. We will find out this weekend.

I plan on posting some pics when I get back from the trails. Should be fun.

About Me

It all started at an early age, my brother and I would wheel our yellow tonka jeep all over the family room on make believe 4x4 adventures. That was then and this is now. My brother and I continue our adventures 4 wheeling the trails of North America. This is a log of trips with my family and my friends and the adventures we share. Please come join us.