Rain Sleet Snow……Great Day Wheeling

After all the hard work getting ready for winter I decided it was time to get out and play a bit. I wanted to go wheeling, Raylene was all for it, she was going to stay behind and have a Mom day (you know nails, hair walk around Murphy’s all the jazz). Unfortunately that did not work out for her, but that is another story for another blog. I was really looking forward to wheeling, I am not sure if its because I had not been on the trail in a while, or that I had my son with me; either way it was going to be a wonderful day.

John Crossing just before being yanked



I met Ken and Family, and John both Land Cruiser guys. I had initially planned to take the Moose, but with the rain, and snow I decided to take the Jeep at the last moment. We were off first was Boards Crossing trail, lots of rain and wet weather made this really easy trail a bit more difficult. One are in particular has a little muddy hill to climb, I tried first, but my diff hit a rock and denied me the first attempt. Then the second try I went right up. Next came John, he was open and had a harder time. After trying two or three times, it was time for the strap. I was able to pull him right out with the Jeep. It was Kens turn. He made it look pretty easy. His Lexus 450 was locked front and rear and climbed it pretty easy. I have to admit, it was kind of weird watching a rig with leather, interior wood trim, and Satellite Radio, basically a luxury vehicle wheel. I felt as if I need some Grey Poupon or something..



Ken Crossing




The rest of Boards Crossing was without any problems, its just a fun trail that has a nice place to stop and chat. Ken had brought his daughter and wife we chatted while the kids played and had a good time. It was nice wheeling with a small group of good people; it really reminded me of when I started wheeling all those years ago. It is also one of the reasons while I still wheel today. Good people, good times.

It was time to get going if we were going to make Corral Hollow and be out by dark. While driving up Highway Four it started to snow at about 6000 feet. It was getting colder and there is 6 inches of snow on the ground. Once we made it to the trail head I locked the transfer case and off we went. We winded through the trees and my jeep was having no problem going. The ground had a few inches of snow, but was frozen solid, the ice made the locker on my jeep pitch it from side to side. Paul II was having a blast, he was smiles from ear to ear. It was great to share this with my little bud. He loves to wheel, but then looked at me seriously and asked, Dad when do we get to have a snow ball fight. I knew he was jonzen to get out and play in the snow. The problem was that I did not think it was going to snow so I did not bring his gloves.

PP and I leading the pack



I guess John was having a tough time of it, being open and not wanting to air down made him spin his tires a lot, but he was still behind us. After making it through the trees we entered the poppy fields, this time of year they are not the greens yellows and lush colors of spring, its more like browns and white from the snow. Paul and I were blazing the trail when we came to a long steep hill. First attempt denied us, second pitched us sideways. Paul looks at and he is grinning again. I tell him hang on buddy. I lock the front and back down slowly, then give it another try. All four tires spinning, and up we went all the way to the top. Paul and I get out seeing if John is going to be able to make it, but he was denied. I radio Ken to tell him to try it, and that I was going to turn around. Paul and I preformed an awesome two point tank spin to turn around on the trail. It was Most impressive if I say so myself.

While Paul and I were spinning, Ken and his wife switched and Kens wife was going to do the climb. I personally love to see family participation on the trail, but have to admit I get nervous when Raylene drives the Jeep. Not because of her, it’s just a husband wife thing I guess.  Kens wife climbed the long steep icy hill with little effort. She did wonderful; she climbed right up with little tire spin. PP and I drove down the hill and decided it was time to play in the snow.


Grey Poupon anybody




Ken and his family came down and played with us, after about ½ hour of playing a bunch of Jeep guys came by and attempted to climb the hill. They made all of us nervous because they were just gun and go type of people. Not typically the types that I like to see on the trail. After about an hour PP came to me and started to cry. His little hands were red and he was really cold. I picked him up put him next to me for warmth. We made it to the Jeep and I turned on the heater so he could warm up. It was getting late so we headed out.


Family Play time



After airing up we headed home to my lovely wife and a nice warm shower and meal.

It was great getting out wheeling with new people, and a small group. Both John and Ken (and family) were fun, I hope to wheel with them again. Its trips like these that remind me of what wheeling is all about, sure some are about hard core rock crawling and busting parts, carnage and and testing their rigs all out capability is what its all about.. My vision of wheeling is good people good trails (hard or easy) and family. The only thing that could have made this trip perfect was for Raylene to have been there too, but I have to say being alone with my son made it a day I will remember forever.

Paul

The Hunt is the Hunt

Camp Breakdown



Hunting 2006

Pete and Sheldon my hunting buddies headed up to the hunt the day before I was set to arrive. By mid day I received a call from Pete that his rig had blasted a locker (Thanks 4-wheel parts for you usual crappy install). They borrowed my Jeep and all was ok.


Sheldon




Saturday morning we got a late start to the morning hunt, but after hunting all morning we did not see a single deer. I think this will probably be the last hunt for Highway 4 for a long time. Its been three years no Deer, time to move on. Pete and I decided to take a walk around the place we camped last year. What a beautiful site. I sat by a creek, listening to birds sing and squirrels run around, but no deer. By 10 we headed back to camp for some good grup. Pete made some very yummy breakfast burritos. Off for the afternoon hunt we headed. We found a great spot to hunt in a clearing with lots of Oaks, and acorns all over the ground. Still No Deer! (see a pattern).

Pete



By evening the wind was gathering and blowing in our faces I stood on a hill side with Pete, the wind blowing in our face overlooking a beautiful clearing. Still No Deer.

Sunday was more of the same, good conversation with good friends, but Still No Deer.

This years hunt was not about seeing deer, its more about being with Friends and enjoying ourselves. Next year it will be more about Deer.

Remember always the Hunt is the Hunt!!!!!!! Deer or Not.


Me

September

Catching up


Well its nearly three months since my last blog, we have been working on the house and just plunking along. The only trip I have taken was the annual Gettinoff 4x4 BBQ. I did not get a chance to wheel, but we camped for the weekend. We got to try out the camp shower (worked wonderfully) and the PET toilet (did not have to use yet). All in all it was a good family trip; my wife purchased several great items for our camping adventure. Most of all was the inflatable mattress; that was really nice. I got to camp in relative comfort. All in all it was a good trip

The Hunt is the Hunt.

Well it’s the time of the year I wait for all year round, it is time to blow the dust off the rifle, get the bullets ready and stock up on jerky and pop tarts. It is time to go hunting with my buddies. We are ready and this weekend should be fun. I will post more by the end of the week.

More to come in the next few weeks

Hunts of the past. This is me and my son Brad in Trinity County Year: 2001

Corral Hollow Adventure

Corral Hollow Day Run:
http://californiajeeper.com/corralhollow/trail.htm


We decided to take my family on a day run in the Moose this past weekend. We got up early on Saturday morning and headed out. We had two stops to make before we hit the trail. First was a fuel stop for the family. We got our coffee and donuts and the moose needed to eat too. After filling up the moose with gas it was time to head out.

The Moose:




We hit the turn off to Corral Hollow and took a wrong turn that cork screwed throughout a series of dusty back country trails for 2 hours. Then I decided it was time to turn around. I knew an easier rout from the Bear Valley side. We headed up and found the trail head and we were off.

The first part of the trail was a lot rougher than it has been in years past. There were lots of ruts some of which were very deep. It proved a good time to test out the articulation in the Moose. I was still in 2 wheel drive and the rear end was traveling well keeping the tires on the ground. This part of the trail proved to be more challenging due to the long wheel base and negotiating the trees. After forging our way through the trees we came across a fallen tree road block. We had two choices, one to turn around and go back the way we came, which meant to a very disappointing end to a day. The other was to attempt to make it through a narrow gap between two trees and continue our adventure. Not being a family that quits (or not being too smart) we decided to put it in 4 low and try our luck at shoe horning the moose between the pines.

Fallen Tree Blocking the trail:





Raylene jumped out and guided me through the trees. It was tight only three to four inches on either side one lean would have meant sure body damage, but my lovely wife was able to stay calm and guide me slowly through the obstacle.

We continued our adventure and the trees eventually faded to the wild poppy field. For those of you who have never been on Corral Hollow its best to go after the snow has melted and wile the ground is still green. If you close your eyes and imagine mountains covered in green long leafs with wild poppy flowers. Think to yourself what Dorothy walked through on her way to the wild poppy fields. This has got to be one of the most beautiful spots to see in the Sierra. Rolling hills covered in green and yellow flowers. Our trail curved up a mountain through this beauty. The trail ahead was loose dirt and full of small rocks. I now knew it was time to engage 4 low.

The Meadow with the poppys:




It was hard to concentrate on the trail with the surrounding beauty. But focus on the trail was a must since I am new to the Moose and still finding out how it handles off road. We ventured up the trail to the next beautiful spot. Once you’re through the poppy fields you come over a brief ridge onto a great spot for lunch. This spot overlooks bear valley, with its wild bare mountains on each side with a beautiful canyon below. Legend has it that a hunter once trapped one of the largest California Grizzly bears in the canyon and had to hike it out. I don’t know the facts about that, but I do know that this is a wonderful spot to stop and have lunch.

Lunch Spot:





After our quick lunch stop we continued our outdoor adventure. We followed the ridge for a while and then it was time to put the canyon behind us. Back into the trees we went. We were back in 2 wheel drive territory and back to dodging trees again. We came across the only other person on the trail. He was a nice guy in a very set up Toyota Tacoma. I stopped and warned him about the narrow part that we had past earlier. He informed me that he was the person who opened that part of the trail earlier in the day, and that we were probably the first two rigs on this trail this year. To me that added even more excitement to the day.

After meandering through trees we came across the Aspen forest. The ground was green with grass the Aspens had been hit hard by the winter snows. Many had fallen, but the ones that remained were still majestic and very stunning. I love the way the leafs twinkle in the wind. They are a joy to look at. We decided to stop here and take some pictures of their beauty. It was soon time to venture on; next up on the trail was another area of poppy fields closely followed by the cabin.

After passing another beautiful poppy field we came across the forest service cabin. This cabin was placed here for people to stay. You can stay or stop by and sign the log book, we signed our names, but there were other staying the cabin so we decided to stay outside for a while and relax. Soon it was getting late and we ventured on. The rest of the trail is a beautiful ride through the forest.

Venturing on the Cabin:



More Pics of the Cabin:



One More of the Cabin:




If you have not been to Corral Hollow I highly recommend it. This trail is not hard; any high clearance vehicle can make it through. So if you’re looking for hard core wheeling go someplace else. What this trail offers is one of kind beauty and a place that is magnificent in sure beauty. So if you in need to go on beautiful scenic trail ride I highly recommend this trail.

My Family:



Paul

Fathers Day Fun

I spent my father’s day was about spending time with my favorite people. My family and I took the Moose on a long drive all over the Sierras. We went to a couple of little towns and just driving joking listening to tunes. It was a great day!!! We put over 400 miles on the cruiser, it performed flawlessly. It’s funny though I have owned two classic broncos, one a built wheeling rig, the other a show pony. Both were nice, but I thing in the 10 years I got one thumbs up and one nice rig. This weekend alone I got 4 nice rigs, a guy offered to buy it and my wife noticed that people stared at it as we drove by. There was one guy in a Jeep Cherokee that turned his head as he watched the Moose drive by. I have to say I love
that!!!!!!!!

There was a time when we were driving down Highway 4 on our way home; both boys and my wife were asleep. I could see Brad sleeping, Paul II was asleep with his head hung over, my wife was asleep with her mouth wide open. Strange as it may seem it was a proud day in my life. My family exhausted from spending time together as a unit not bickering, not working but just being with each other. Best of all I think they enjoyed it tooo.

My Wife and Paul II



My boys are getting big fast and I cherish the times like this. I hope that someday they look back and smile upon these times. As I get older I have come to recognize that Father’s day was not about 4 wheeling, or doing something that I am mainly into, it is about spending precious time together before its too late and we all lead separate lives.

Brad:







Its times like these that are imprinted into my mind.


PP

The Moose is Loose. (Boards Crossing)

The family and I went on our first trip in the Moose 1982 FJ-60. We went with my club www.gettinoff4x4.com to boards crossing trail on highway 4. This being the first trip for the Moose I was a bit nervous and very curious to see how the Moose would do.

I used the quick deflators on the rims, after using them I have mixed feelings. They fit over the valve stem and against the rim. You simply turn them and they air down really fast. What I don’t like about them is that they are always on the rim and will probably get some trail damage. I also got a chance to use my air gauge that plugs on the valve stem and has a valve you can fill through the gauge. I really liked that it allowed me to monitor the pressure as I deflated the air from the tire. After airing down to 12 pounds I was ready to roll.

Boards is a pretty easy trail, just the kind of trail you want to go on to test a rig. On the wheel scale where the Rubicon is a 10 I would rate this a 3-4. There is two 4 obstacles but for the most part the trail is a 3. We started up the trail in 4 low, and moving with a group of 10 rigs. The rigs were Mostly Jeeps, but there were four Toys including the Moose. My first impressions are how much torque the 6cyl has. Even with stock gears and 33’s it still lugged down and had enough grunt to climb the hills. Maybe it was the six or it could have been I am so used to driving a auto that I forgot what it was like to move without putting my foot into the skinny pedal. I am pretty confidant it was the inline 6.

After climbing a bit we came to the first mild obstacle. It’s a easy rock climb that leans to the left (river side of the trail.) I took it slow but we had one major boom. I smacked my diff on a rock. It seems that the front diff is on the opposite side of my jeep. “Note to myself think other side when driving the Moose.” I noticed that I did smack the rear spare tire a lot during this obstacle and others to find. With some steering and maneuvering I managed to make it through the first obstacle with no problems. The rest of the trail was pretty uneventful until we got to the creek crossing.

The creek crossing is on of the 4 obstacles on this trail, its mild at low flows but can get deep when the flows get heavy. This weekend the flow was heavy. You first have to go down a pretty short steep hill that leans you to a boulder on the left. This normally would not be a challenge, but I have no rocker or sliders on the rig it could have been. After going down the hill avoiding the rock you enter the creek. Fist its not bad, but in middle there is a big hole. The Toyota Tacoma in front of me was running 33 inch tires and the hole swallowed his tire and rim. The stream went over his hood a bit but he was locked and climbed right out. This being my first time in the moose I was a bit worried, I did not want to stall out on the stream, nor did I want to hammer the skinny pedal and break something. I decided on a smooth constant approach and when I hit the hole I knew that momentum would be my friend, being open front and rear I knew that I had to approach it this way to be successful. Off we went, the creek got deeper, we hit the hole and like the Tacoma before me I sank the hole ate my 33 for lunch. I kept constant pressure on the skinny and pop it jumped out. The rear did the same, but this time the front had enough traction to pull me out of the hole. Right after the creek crossing there is a short climb to the large camp ground.





The large camp ground is surrounded by pines with the river running right in front of you. It’s got enough room for about 30 rigs. We all parked to have some lunch and enjoy conversation and chat. I was surprised many of the club members came over to the Moose to say how cool it was. This was a first for me. I usually drive the Jeep and it seems like everybody else’s rig. Even when I drove the EB (early Bronco) it did not get this much reaction. So far I was extremely happy with the Moose. It not only wheeled well it had enough room for the family, and all my wheeling gear. My Wife was happy, my boys were comfortable and we were not sardines in a can like riding in the Jeep.

After shooting the wind we climbed in and headed out. Heading out was much the same, the hole in the middle of the creek swallowed my wheel again and launched me to a rock face, I was able to crank the wheel while keeping my momentum and made it out with out a problem. The rest of the trail was pretty uneventful.

I am so happy to have the Moose in my stable of wheeling rigs. I finally have a rig that I can take the family in and still have the capability to wheel.

Spring Fever

Its been a few months since I last wrote. I have not had much time to get off-road. I have been testing out the FJ-60 and have its first run in May. I should have the onboard air and hot shower in by then. The first run out will be the annual club clean up run, it is held every year in Sour Grass. I hope to post some pictures of the rig wheeling by then. I sure hope to get some flex pictures. We also have a run in July that is our annual Club BBQ run. This will be a camping trip with the kids in tow. I will be able to test out the camp shower and all the new goodies by then. Cant wait. Well its almost summer time and I should have more posts and pictures. For Now I will leave you with this picture.

Paul Wheeling in his Jeep.

Land of the FJ

Hellow there

Today marks another vehicle day in the WheelingPiazza family. The Frog is gone and so ends my Classic Bronco involvement. Its like the saying goes “You can never go home again.” I really enjoyed the 4 rigs I have owned. My favorite was the 67 (my first Bronco) then was the 74 (Buster) then the 72 that never really saw the road. The Frog was the in the best condition, but I just could not get attached to it. I will miss them all, and each one will have a special place in my heart.

Out with the old and in with the new. When I got rid of the Frog, I traded it for a 82 FJ-60. This car is new to me and represents two new factors for me. 1. Is its going to be interesting wheeling a stick. 2. This is my first Japanese vehicle. I have always had a soft spot for Land Cruisers especially the FJ 40. I needed to get a rig that was trail worthy and yet comfortable enough for the family. This rig is nice because I can fit the entire family (can you say 4 door) and have room for the dog. I won’t feel like a sardine in a can when we are all wheeling. I will be able to enjoy the trail and still enjoy my family as well. As an added bonus the wife I can sleep inside of it. I like that idea a lot!!!!!! Don’t get me wrong I like tent camping, I even have a nice cot, but there is nothing like sleeping in the back of your rig and waking up without dirt in your hair.

So lets get down to basics. Here is the skinny on the new rig.




Old Man Emu lift kit
33"x1250 Pro Comps on Eagle Aluminum Wheels
Yakima rack with Lights
Hot Water Shower kit






Its pretty sweet rides nice and cant wait to take her out on some trails. I hope to get some additional pictures this weekend.


Paul

Back County Exploring

This week’s adventure has the Piazza family exploring the back roads of Calaveras County. It started out as a Mommy/Daddy weekend became one of the best weekends Raylene and I have ever had.


We started out Saturday with Breakfast at home and a nice cup of Coffee in Arnold. We decided to head on to San Andreas to go explore Pool Station Road. After hitting an antique store in San Andreas we found Pool Station Road. Pool Station Road is a remote road that follows Highway 49, then 4 out towards Copperopolis. After hitting Highway 4 we decided to turn on Hunt Road and follow it as far as we could. We soon spotted a remote old School house out on the prairie. After traveling for some time we found an old road that was part wagon road part ranch road. This took us to Salt Springs which is at the remote corner of Calaveras County. Below is some information on Salt Springs School House and a picture I took.




Information:
A school was built in the late 1860's in this valley by ranchers Tower and Bisbee. Their ranch, sometimes known as The White House Ranch, also served as a stage and teamster stop on the Milton-Angels road. The schoolhouse was located near the center of Salt Spring Valley, overlooking the reservoir, so as to be convenient to the various ranch families then living in the valley. Mrs. Jacob Tower, (Mary L. Howard), who had come around the Horn in 1863 from Ann Arbor, Michigan, organized parties and dances to raise money for books and furniture for the new school. When the Salt Spring Valley School District was formally organized in 1869, and the new schoolhouse erected four years later, the old Tower and Bisbee school building was moved to the ranch headquarters at Felix to serve as the headquarters at Felix to serve as the post office. There it still stands, the oldest building in the valley other than certain farm structures. The school was closed in 1947 and the district was combined with Copperopolis, Jenny Lind, and Milton two years later. The schoolhouse, however, has been preserved by former students.

Teachers were from 1899-1912: Agnes Foster (Mrs. Willard Tower), Jessie Gourley, Mabel Wilson, Kate Bund, L. Platt, Agnes Gregg, V. Parkhurst, and Rebecca Gardner.


After spending time at the school house we decided to keep on trucking. We followed the road all the way to Salt Springs Road. We then followed another very tight curvy road (Salt Springs Road) past a small reservoir we ended up in Milton. Along the drive we encountered a head of Cows. The cows were everywhere and some were not happy that we were visiting. I have linked a video to this site so you can watch the cows as we drove by them. Both Raylene and I wished Paul and Brad were their they would have loved the Cows especially as they lapped us on the way by.. Follow the link to see the cows.

http://wheelingpiazzas.com/_private/paul/Rover%20Adventures/PICT0040.AVI

After our exploring we were very hungry and we were not to far from Copperopolis so we decided to go get some grub, First we needed to stop by the olive oil company and get freshed pressed olive oil. Then it was time for some chow. What a dinner we were both surprised with a fine 5 course dinner and a very perfect end to a really nice day.

I hope to coninue the Rover adventure with a new trip to a gohst town later in February.

Paul

Snow Wheeling 2006

What a stuck fest!!!!. We went wheeling with the club and made it about a mile and proceeded with the winch recovery bit. The snow was deep and powdery so it made for a long day. The kids had fun sledding and I had fun playing in the snow. All in all it was a good day. Nice not to cold, the snow was dry and cold. All was well and we headed out after about 2 hours of being stuck.

Pictures below:

Christmas and Happy New Year

Howdy,
Happy New Year, we have alot of Runs and family outings being planned for new Year. My goal is to update my blog once a month. Hope you enjoy!!!

Christmas and New Years were awesome. Unfortunately I forgot my camera on this trip. We went out and wheeled in the snow with a few fellows from the club. We wheeled up a trail called slick rock and came out on the high end near Highway 4. It was slow going for my Jeep but Andy just plowed right through it. Halfway through I busted a bead and to replace a tire with my spare. All in all a fun day.

The next trip is planned this weekend looks like we will have 8 rigs with us and I am looking forward to my first trip of the year. I will post a write up this coming week. I am looking forward to going.

The big news is last week we purchased a family assault vehicle. It a a Land Rover Discovery II.

Really nice inside and rides great. I got a chance to take her out and test out the 4wheel drive this past weekend and I have to say it does really well in the snow. I wheeled up to Douds Road near the house. I wheeled into Douds Road over the 7 inches of snow and ice on the ground. It was fun watching the traction controle switch the tires and managing everything. This was a lot more sophisticated that the Jeep and Bronco. I liked it but would not trust it on a long trip like the Rubicon or Dusey, in those cases simple is better.

Well have to run I will post some wheeling picture this coming week.