Was NOT in the rain...

Friday morning I left the trappings of civilization to spend a couple of days in the desert. As it turned out, I also missed on the slight bit if rain that fell in my neighborhood. It was 85 degrees where I was!

Anyway, had a great time chilling solo in the desert for a few nights and exploring some primitive areas for camping (very therapeutic). Thought I'd share a few pics...

It's pretty easy these days to let technology drive the train. I'm glad to see you got away from it all, Jim. We need that from time to time.
I bet you were at max-relax when you got back to the world, huh?

Did you sleep in the Rover?

Jimbo, that daybreak shot is gorgeous! Never been in the desert myself, but you make it look awfully tempting.

Simply stunning photo. Thanks for sharing.

Marty -

I have a decent-sized tent that attaches to the open tailgate of my Rover. I sleep in the cargo area of the Rover which makes for a pretty comfortable sleeping platform. The tent (sleeve) detaches from the car easily enough for when I set out for exploration.

There are big-horn sheep, wild burros and wild horses (descendents from the old Pony Express that passed through this area), chukawalas (large iguana type lizards), typical desert wildlife (including tarantulas) that roam this particular region. Quite the adventure, for sure!

Peace - Out!

Jim, many years ago, our family pulled off the pavement onto a desert dirt road to sleep for the night. At daybreak I stepped out of the camper onto the tailgate and was just about to jump down when I noticed a vauge motion on the road below me. A moment later a VERY large and VERY long rattle snake emerged from under our truck and made his slithering way down the middle of that dirt road. Man, one second earlier and I would have jumped right on it . . .

If you want to see LOTs of ten inch diameter tarantulas, try the camprounds around Paseo Robles near sundown during mating season. Don't ask me how I know . . .

"ten inch diameter tarantulas"

YIKES!!!! And I though palmetto bugs were bad.

YIKES!!!!

Jim, Where about in the desert did you go?

Jimbo, I need to take some photos for you - I picked up a 1994 defender 90 over the summer. I know your a fan of these land rovers. Cool pics- seems like a nice adventure!

Mark - I was in the north/west portion of Anza Borrego, specifically in the Coyote Canyon area.

David - When I sold my '75 FJ-40 LandCruiser in '91, I was in the market for a more comfortable 4x4. Standing in the Land Rover showroom I was vascillating between the RR Classic or the D-90. I passed on the D-90 because it was essentially like the FJ-40 I just got rid of (short wheelbase = rough ride). 16 years later, my RRC Great Divide is worth only a fraction of what I paid while the D-90 in today's market goes for at least what it cost in '91. Who woulda thunk it?

The D-90 is a very cool vehicle and will take you ANYWHERE you want to go! Tread Lightly!

Peace - Out!

I know this is a speedster site & I loved my speedster when I had it, but that d-90 is probably the coolest vehicle I've ever owned! Next year I hope to get the rear jump seats that face inward (so cool!). I'll post some pics when I can.

My daughter has a 2000 Discovery II.

Most interesting conglomeration of low tech and overly high tech I've ever seen East of the Orient.

She has these three dash lights (called the "three amigos" on the rover sites) showing status of the ABS, descent system and some other silly thing. You either spend $700 at LR to get them fixed, or you have to jump through hoops to get things just right to make 'em go out, and then they may be out for 10 seconds or three months (even with new stuff). The fuel fill system (equally exotic) has had a leak since 1 year old. It moves around. Find and fix it and put the "check Engine" light out and it re-appears in a week or two in a different place.

I've given up trying to make the car happy with after market brake pads and rotors - it only likes real LR parts. I was screwing with all kinds of different things on the "car" all Summer when I was there, some nitty (clogged A/C drain) and some serious (disintigrated driveshaft universal and worn out tie rod ends). All the under-hood hoses are rotted after 80K miles.

She says she loves it in the snow. I told her to unload it for a Subaru and take the loss.

Gordon - THAT would be TOO logical!!

90% of all Rovers made are still on the road. The other 10% made it home!

OH, GOD!! I'm Dyin!!!!

I've got the Flu and I started laughin' so hard after that last post I couldn't even breathe!!!! I'm sending that to my daughter!!!!

gn