2019 EJS and SOA National/Sand Hollow prep/trip

[bigwalton]

All the big stuff is done, now to some little things and lots of packing. Hadn’t had this out of the garage since getting back from the 5000 mile round trip to SEMA, the west coast, Seattle and back to MI last fall.

New water pump, thermostat housing, trans cooler/filter/fluid, tcase fluid, new rear spring packs with an extra main leaf (to deal with the World Cab, full cage, roof rack, spare carrier and oversized spare), Rocky Road shackle hangers, reworked rear lower shock mounts, extended the front bumpstops... think that’s it.

New rear packs ride SO much better. If I can get them to settle in a little bit between here and Moab, they should be great. Rode great on a quick road test.

Feels like a hot rod without towing the trailer

 

[spankrjs]

Ah yes, rear leaf spring packs, I feel your pain LOL

 

[CHIEFWAHO]

Still trying to get the Volvo back together. Knock on wood I think Scramblers are ready.

 

[bigwalton]

Figured I’d just keep this for the trip as well...

Left home mid afternoon to miss most of the Chicago area traffic and made it to a campground near Iowa City for the night. Brought my 2-man tent rather than the trailer since it’s just me and I’m sharing a house in both Moab and Sand Hollow.

Headwinds were insane until I was almost to the campground. Just tucked in behind semis and drafted.

Only issue is that it appears the throttle valve cable’s ratcheting mechanism is finally shot, allowing it to slip out of adjustment very quickly. I’ve been fighting this every so often for a while. I put a couple zip ties on the cable to try to keep it from pulling through the adjuster and that worked pretty well. Will have to find a better clamp tomorrow.

(Anyone with an AW4 that’s not familiar with the throttle valve cable, go look up adjusting it ASAP. It’s very sensitive to adjustments and makes a massive difference in how/when it shifts.)



Starting mileage for the record




Current situation

 

[Belizeit]

Always thought It would be pretty cool for long trips to figure out some hitching system to get behind some long haul truck where you could pull up behind and latch on with your towbar and relax and let them do the driving then release and go on your way. Obviously you can't and it would probably be dangerous as all get out. Done some 18 hour trips and it gets tiring.

 

[bigwalton]

Oooh baby... I’m just east of Grand Island NE and passed this a bit ago. Probably pass it again after this gas stop.

 

[jammer1]

That's a nice find. wonder where it's going?

 

[Belizeit]

West young man. I like that color combo.

 

[bigwalton]

I started at 5AM central, have eaten almost nothing and done all gas and go stops purely to get to this spot at a decent dinner hour. Beau Jo’s in Idaho Springs. I’ve not been able to stop the last couple times through and it killed me.

AMAZING pizza. Have a 2lb pepperoni, chorizo, mushroom and anchovy pie coming

I only got anchovies because they list them as a vegetable.

Also, some no-look shots through a filthy windshield as I climbed up from Denver.

Snow on the ground up here and it’s going to be wicked cold tonight so I’ll find a cheap hotel along 70 and crash for the night after pizza. No real use in pushing any harder today after all this driving, too far yet to Moab to make tonight.

 

[revho]

Certainly jealous of Beau Jo’s!!

Safe travels!

 

[bigwalton]

2lb of pizza DONE



Idaho Springs is such a cool place.

 

[jammer1]

It would be nice if we had pizza like that around here.

 

[bigwalton]

I’ve always wondered why this place didn’t go franchise, maybe just a few around the country. The concept and food would work anywhere and it’s so different than any other style of pizza I’ve ever seen.

 

[Belizeit]

I’ve always wondered why this place didn’t go franchise, maybe just a few around the country. The concept and food would work anywhere and it’s so different than any other style of pizza I’ve ever seen.

Being in business these days is really difficult, especially the food industry. If you don't do it right you crash & burn. So many rules & regulations.

 

[Spieg]

The club I'm in adopted 2 trails out of Idaho Springs.
I usually stop at Beaujo's or the Buffalo after a trail cleanup.

 

[bigwalton]

Great day so far other than the most insane headwinds I’ve driven through since the storms in Nebraska back in 2014 on the way here.

The golf nerd in me had to watch Tiger’s win, sat in a brew pub in Dillon for that and then headed west. Got here around 6.

Had to celebrate with one good beer when Tiger won. Dillon DAM Brewpub was a cool place to watch.


Got stopped in Vail for mountain goats.


Last gas stop before Moab and ended up next to a most fitting vehicle.


Utah, then Moab, then the SICK rental place I lucked into. Lots of beds two full baths, two half baths, a CRAZY equipped shop WITH A BAR!

 

[bigwalton]

House pics because it’s just that cool (it’s a rental!)

It’s got a freaking RC car track out back! Wish I’d known!!!

 

[bigwalton]

1620 miles down, here’s to completing leg 1 and a great EJS week.

 

[jerseyjeeps]

Really enjoying following along with this , thanks for sharing... and yes that is one hell of a good looking pizza ?

 

[Jeeperdd]

that house is cool!