We attended a Toyota FJ Trail Teams off-roading event called, Thrill on the Hill. If you hadn't noticed we love off-roading, not only for the adventure, but also the people that we meet. And, once again, we were not disappointed --the people at this event were friendly and fun. The only disappointing aspect of the trip was that, at least in this area of New Mexico, there has been little rain and there was an extreme fire danger warning for all protected forest lands. Which meant that we didn't get to do as much off-roading as we had planned. But, that just meant that we found other diversions, which I will write about in upcoming posts --since they need their own special post.
So everyone must remember while traveling through areas that have seen little rain and are dry with deserts and forests to be extremely careful about fire, no matter where in this country that you are. No throwing matches or cigarettes out your car window, make sure camp fires are extinguished, and if you do off-road stay on designated trails and obey fire danger warnings.
We made this trip on Memorial Day weekend from Arizona to New Mexico and as we drove north through Payson, Heber, and Springerville we were lucky enough to encounter snow. Real, big flake snow! It was wonderful! 
During our drive we came across this field of satellite dishes. I have no clue what they are for and if anyone knows...please leave a post because I'm curious. They were just west of Riudoso and before the Valley of Fire.Our off roading was limited, but we were able to go out in a group and
run one trail in Coyote Canyon. We had a group of about 12 FJs. This trail was similar to trails that we run in the
Florence, AZ area...dusty, cactus, rocks and oh, so much fun! After the run we met back at the campsite and had great food, music and a raffle. CONTEST!!
And, here's a picture clue of an upcoming post...can you guess what this is? If you guess correctly (if more than one I will draw out of those that guess correctly) I will send you one embroidered ring. Just post your contact information and I will name the winner on Sunday, June 15th. (so leave your comments by midnight, Saturday, June 14th)
29 reviews:
Glad you had such a great time. Every second driver here in South Africa drives a 4x4 but very few even try off-roading which is such a shame. Plus of course with petrol/gas going up and up it is now getting rather expensive.
Wow that looks like real fun! I want one of those, but now I'm shy about gas prices.
http://www.brookebrimmjewelrydesign.blogspot.com
Well now I am curious about those old satellites... Looks like you had a blast.
water!!!
you have a very cool blog!! so much information!!!!
hmmmm. i need to put more effort on my blog.
thanks for encouragement.
I too was up in Payson enjoying the beautiful snowy weather with my FJ. We took it to Lower Canyon Creek over some snow covered muddy roads for a day of fly fishing. What a day...the fish were biting like crazy.
Would love it if you would contact me the next time you and your friends go out for a day trip. I was looking for a FJ group to pal around with.
I love reading your blog entries -- places you go, things to you, pictures you take!
Now I'm not complaining, but is that contest pic a little blurry?? It looks like it's outside on a pole, so all I can guess right now is that it's some sort of lamp post.
great pics - thanks for the views. The mysterious last photo? Looks like a vase to me, but that's too simple.
yea... looks like an urn to me...hmmm couldn't be that easy.
Very cool! I used to do a lot of mountain biking in Utah and met a lot of cool off-roaders back in the day. One time my buddy broke his bike at the end of a 20 mile out & back trail, and this family in 2 FJ's let us ride back with them. It was like 100 degrees and we would have been walking the whole way back if not for them. Funny you said "lucky" about the snow. I was in Colorado over Mem Day, and the wife and I had snow, although we felt a little differently about it ;-)
RAR...it is blurry. It was the best one I got since I took these few as we were driving...it was at the last moment that I noticed them, it was so appropriate for where we were and I had to laugh. (a kinda clue, by the way...lol)
Nice Blog! The off roading pics look like fun. I think your contest photo looks like a light pole in Roswell, New Mexico.....???
Christa
Chloe Rose
http://chloerosedesigns.blogspot.com
Looks like tons of fun! i think it looks like the top of a lightpost :)
www.silentsongs.etsy.com
omg, id love to go off-roading someday. It looks so carefree.
i have no idea what that could be... an alien head? lol
How fun for you guys! I think my insides would be all jiggled into a heap if I tried that. lol
Thanks for coming by my blog and commenting. I loved having you.
Tammy =)
Oh yeah, I believe it may be a finial on a bed post. ??? =)
Tammy
It looks to me like you took a picture of an outdoor lamp globe which someone painted on or put stickers on (maybe to look like the eyes of an alien).
BTW, I found your blog recently and I'm really enjoying your posts.
I was born & raised in Northern Ohio (living in Southern California right now - big difference!) and I can really relate to some of the things you write.
Keep on posting!
Pam Hoffman
http://seminarlist.blogspot.com
I don't like cold... so yuk to the snow. However, the off-roading sounds like a blast! We have a Jeep but only use it for on-road. Maybe in a few years when I get something new I'll turn it into an off-road vehicle!
I'm not sure on the pic to guess. I wanted to say a bed post... but you mentioned that you were traveling when you photographed it, so I guess I'll go with a light post.
Sounds like a fun time! I grew up in Payson. Wow snow, pretty cool! Great Blog entery.
Lets see Roswell,NEw Mexico. Can it be that simple?
Melissa
thingsisntuff.etsy.com
It's an alien! Did you really see aliens in Roswell!?! What a hoot. :-)
i'm from new mexico and know exactly the area you are talking about!~ the picture made me think of home and the beautiful desert sky. and i can't believe you saw snow....wow.
looks like you all had a fabulous time!~
Hard to guess what is that thing actually, looks like a ceramic stuff up on high place :D By the way, thanks for your comment on my post!
Sounds like you had a fabulous trip! Off-roading sounds like great fun to do!
A big group of satellites .. don't know, but it must be something really interesting!
Oh, and a contest too! Is it an alien?? Looks like big black alien eyes. Or maybe I've just watched too much science fiction :)
I think this is really fun adventure. Great and impressive. Thanks for sharing.
Sure looks like a water porceline vase to me.
It must be a street lamp in Roswell New Mexico! I haven't been there in years but it looks familiar.
Sounds like you are on one of my all time favorite road trip routes. Ah to be able to do that again...
Great to hear you might come to South Africa. The Rand/Dollar rate very much in your favor so cuts a lot off expenses. Tons of great trips all around the whole of Southern Africa. Have a look at http://www.the-safari-guys.com/ for some of the fabulous places to go from one of the many 4x4 guides.
I love your blog! Sara x
The picture - It's not part of a truck, or something is it?
sarastexturecrafts.etsy.com
It's an alien from Roswell New Mexico!!!
Just came across your blog and thought I'd lend some information on the satellites in New Mexico. They are the VLA (http://www.vla.nrao.edu/). The website has information on what they do there.
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