Posting a few pics cuz "art...."

Went exploring today. Was gonna "camp," and I was still within a stone's throw from Big Bear but chickened out. Definitely will do so next time.

Currently deciding on necessities like a small electric cooler and other goodies like a solar setup with an inverter, battery bank etc...deciding on that stuff or mild suspension upgrade first. The X-reas shock system is pretty much no bueno at this point. Just boings around the whole time.

Cuz sexy...



Making my way down the road...



Found a perfect spot to camp...

 

Love the pictures - reminds me of days in the El Centro area!

 

After I spent nearly 30 years in Yuma, I'm very familiar with all the places to camp around Yuma, El Centro, that whole area.

Had a falcon land on my wife's chest one morning when were camping out at Algodonez Dam. Kinda a cool experience! I might even have been able to catch him, too, but she woke up and screamed at him. Ruined the whole moment

Great pictures. I just hated Yuma with a passion...
Pat☺

 

That's awesome - think I'd freak out too if anything landed on my chest while dozing.. You must've been military? I spent a few winters at El Centro in the early 80s which is when I discovered Glamis. Also just East of El Centro was a great place to dirt bike but it was right next to the Navy's bombing range and, like all good things, eventually it got shut down. Still love to go out to the navy Lodge in El Centro during winter months - never summertime...

 

nice pics....

 

Yes, I spent 10 years in the Corps, mostly stationed at MCAS Yuma.
I hated it from the minute my friend's convertible started down on I8 from the hills above San Diego. I grew up in the redwood forests around the Bay Area, and I took one look at the desert, and thought "NO thank you!". Thankfully, I got to the base on 1 Jan, 1980, so I had time to acclimate. I didn't get slammed with SUMMER that Yuma has.
I spent nearly 30 years there, owned 2 1/2 acres with a house on it, right next to a place that had all sorts of entertainment. Biggest chop-shop in Arizona, tons of drugs moving in and out, dog fighting, you name it. I was constantly chasing illegals off my property, or holding them for the Sheriff. It's still there, if you want to go see it sometime. Just ask me how to find it.

I bought my 87 4Runner there in 95 or so, from a guy that worked on one of the dealerships on dealer's row, first to help cart the 5 kids around, second, to get me to/from work on the real bad weather days we'd get once in a while. My access road was along one of the canals, and turned into greased ice whenever it got wet. That colichi clay is SLICK.

Anywho, the Runner gave me a ton of fun. We'd go off-roading all over out there. Yeah, even around Glamis. Did you ever go straight across from the little store at Glamis, and see the mines? There was 4-wheeling all OVER out there. I was familiar with several of the mines, too. They had so veins of turquoise that were just huge. Out at the dam, was good camping until the illegal flood really picked up. S24 ws a just beautiful drive, and if YPG hadn't owned it all, the area around where I worked when I got out would have been incredible 4 Wheelin. I worked out at the big, white balloon out on 95, and I did a lot of "patrolling" around the site in my Runner. YPH Security never did catch on.

OK, I've rambled enough. Have fun, all!
Pat☺

 

I was a desert rat for about 35+ yrs. Glamis to Boardmanvill, great dunes..

 

Yeah I would love "one last" road trip to the dunes but I no longer have the appropriate toys to play on - the 4Runner would be worthless on the dunes and my 2012 Rhino 700 just would not have enough giddy-up & go to tackle Cadillac Hill or any of the really fun hills. My 660 Grizzly did pretty good out there but traded that for the Rhino.. I love my Rhino, have property in TN that has excellent trails & challenging climbs that I get to enjoy a couple of times a year when weather and finances cooperate.

Love this forum - great information and for the most part excellent people to chat with...