Last year I sold my old trusty FJ40 trail rig because I needed some quick cash. While in Moab this year, I came across my old FJ40 on Hell's Revenge, and it looked exactly the same as it did a year ago. Even though I was driving a top of the line go anywhere Diablo competition buggy, I longed for my well used, well rolled, clanking and creaking Land Cruiser again. I was bummed out...

This summer had us traveling the country going to rock crawling competitions. I love the competitions. There are lots of good friends, and some wild obstacles to conquer. But it seems sometimes the competitions are more like work than recreation. I find myself busting my butt to get the rig prepped, get everything together, make sure our entry fees are paid, travel 800 miles one way, and then hope we do well. It's a lot of hard work. While it is fun, it's certainly a much different fun than trail riding...

While driving back from our last rock crawling trip in Vernal, UT (about 1600 mile round trip) with a beat up buggy with a broken in half chassis, melting wiring, and a blown up power steering pump, I thought long and hard about 2005. Summer is coming to an end, and we had only been on two trail rides all year - Moab, and the Rubicon (we live 20 miles from the damn trailhead!). In my mind that was ridiculous. While we were in Vernal, I talked with a few of the rock crawling big dogs, and most were in the same boat I was - they hadn't done much, if any, trail riding at all this year, or even in the past couple years.

It was then and there, in the middle of the Nevada desert traveling about 80mph with busted rock buggy in tow, that I decided to make a change. I was going to buy a trail rig when I got home, even if it meant eating top ramen for the next two months!

I wasn't sure what kind of rig to get. I knew it needed to have at least two seats, and the ability to carry 4 days worth of camping gear. After combing through the Pirate classifieds and looking at a few rigs, and making a million phone calls and emails, I found "the one". It was a 1991 Toyota Extra Cab, setup for the trail. Did I mention it has working A/C? The truck had a blown head gasket, so we worked with the owner to get it for a great price, and we towed it home that night. I grinned from ear to ear all the way home. My wife fell in love with the little Toyota too. I think it's because now she can bring the kitchen sink along on our camping trips. ;) Did I mention it has working A/C?

Well the weekend was coming up, and we had an interesting invitation for the weekend. We were invited to attended UROC Pro Nationals 2nd place Series winner Jason Scherer and his beautiful fiancee Dana's wedding. What made this invitation unique is that it took place on the Rubicon Trail - Rubicon Springs, to be exact.

Since the buggy was broke, and it only holds one person anyhow, I wondered how we would get there. Luckily my good friend Bruce from Roundeyes.com came to the rescue and offered up his 91 Toyota pickup. Wow, I just bought a '91 Toy, and now I get to borrow a '91 Toy. Cool!

I had so much fun driving something on the trail that was less capable than a full blown rock buggy. I actually had to pay attention to what I was doing - I had to plan my lines through the boulders, work the clutch, and hang on tight to the steering wheel (ok, so my new trail rig WILL have hydraulic assist - I don't need to punish myself like Bruce apparently likes to do!). It's been a while since I've had to really pay attention on the trail. It was FUN!!!!

The wedding was awesome. I want to wish Jason and Dana the best. Jason and Dana's families were great sports for coming out into the middle of nowhere, and putting up with the dust and mosquitoes. But quite honestly, I can't think of a better place to have a wedding!

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