RileySB's 2013 OR Build

yes you can do WCC to Refugio. It's really not that tough of a road, you could totally do it in the dark!

 

Just don't take any off shoots...

 

Went out to AZ for the holiday weekend to participate in the AZ Hockey Classic in Phoenix with a bunch of rad chicks. I had never really been to AZ before- only driven through it on the I-10 or I-40 coming back from other adventures. I left late Wednesday night because I really wanted to watch the Blues vs Sharks game, so that left me to drive through the night which I am ok with. I left around 1030 pm and into the darkness we went. Took a short hour nap at a rest stop just past the AZ state line on I-40 and woke up and drove on towards Flagstaff. I ended up getting off in Williams as I wanted to check out some spots from my Backcountry Adventures AZ book. Williams is like a little mining town with tons of charm. I couldn't wait to hit the dirt after hours of driving on pavement. The pup agreed too!
We stopped by JB Dam (lake) so she could swim. Great place to birdwatch, so many different species and we had the place all to ourselves
Then went out a horribly rutted dirt road to Sycamore Point. What a breathtaking view! Then we got back on the highway and drove through Sedona. Beautiful rich red rocks stood out. However there were TONS of people, traffic and congestion and all the campgrounds were full. Then I had to drive through the downtown district to get back on the highway, UGH not a place you want to be on a holiday weekend afternoon!
So I looked on my map and thought to myself "mormon lake and the surrounding area is high in elevation, it's national forest land and that looks like more fun!" So we drove up the I-17 towards Flagstaff and got off at some random road that took us into the mountains.
We continued onto a dirt track towards Lake Kinninick which is a beautiful place too.
Not a soul in sight but the day was waning so we headed back down the road to find a good camp spot. I was so exhausted, hadn't slept in over 24 hours at this point. The dog was so happy so I couldn't call it a day quite yet!
The next morning I was woken up to Riley whining that something was outside the truck. Worried it might be a bear or something, I grabbed my glock and looked outside. No bear, just a small herd of female elk moving through the pasture. What a beautiful sight to see! Once I saw them leave, I plopped back down and fell blissfully asleep til about 930am. The temps were about 35 degrees but the Softopper and my 30 degree synthetic bag kept me warm and snuggly. Then it was time to wake up and make coffee while enjoying the view.
Once I packed up camp, we headed further on Lake Mary Road in search of gas. But first we stopped to check out Upper Lake Mary. Beautiful lake!
Went into Flagstaff and got gas then headed south on I-17 to get to Phoenix to check in to the house I was staying at. However, I got an itch to check out this famed Schnebly Hill Rd, especially when running it East to West. So we got off the highway and it started off in the trees. I took it to the Lookout Point over Sedona. What beautiful sweeping views of the are!
However, there were more and more of those Razr four wheeled ATV thingys that were coming up from the Sedona side with families (a lot of them were rentals) and I had no desire to fight the traffic and congestion and lots of people in Sedona so I turned around and got back on the I-17. All in all, a short trip but it was fun to check out the Flagstaff area. Hopefully I will be able to make Overland Expo next year, now I see why it's hosted there! The drive south was interesting as we left the forest and went down in elevation towards the desert. Luckily the crazy amount of traffic was heading north towards Flagstaff and not towards Phoenix.

 

^^^Great info^^^ -- and nice build!!!!

 

Great build. I'm looking to do the same lift but I've got a bed shell, I hope it doesn't sag in the rear.

 

I think you'll be fine. Just don't take out the overload leaf. I've had it packed full with camping gear and a heavy ass 285 spare and it doesn't sag at all.

 

Thanks to @bwonger for alerting me to a local sale of a sweet bedrack by @glorifiedwelder and an ARB Simpson III RTT. Thanks to @inv3ctiv3 for hooking me up with a great setup! Got it transferred to my truck today but didn't have time to take photos. SO EXCITED TO GO CAMPING AND WHEELING NOW! Not that it's an excuse but sleeping in a tent on the ground was getting old, and sleeping under the Softtopper lost its charm as well. Now I can just leave stuff in the bed, and climb into my tent at night instead of having to load and unload the bed of stuff everytime I wanted to move spots. And it comes with sweet LED lights in the RTT (have to figure out the wiring stuff, total n00b when it comes to electrical), the light pods on the back, and mounts of the hi lift and for Rotopax fuel cans. So STOKED!!

 

Took the tent out on its maiden voyage under new ownership to Carp State Beach with some friends. Performed really well! Easy to set up and break down. Kept us toasty but got pretty warm in the morning. Safe to say I'm so happy with it! Can't wait to take it wheeling and camp off the grid somewhere.Also the new rotopax I bought in the last group buy
And...trying to pick up a Airflow snorkel from @tcBob...hoping I can stop the bleeding of my wallet after that!

 

for snorkel carnage

 

Snorkel bought! Any tips to reduce the carnage?

 

Which one did you get?

Measure 12 times, drill once

 

The Airflow

 

I haven't looked at the schematics but you mean to join the plastic parts? Instead of using the hose clamp? Or are you talking about where the snorkel enters the metal fender

 

For the a pillar bracket.

 

Gotcha. Thanks for the helpful tips!

 

Look what arrived today! Thanks again for the deal and fast shipping @tcBob !

 

Your builds looking good.

How do you like the Delorme inreach? I almost bought one at cabelas last month but wanted to do some more research first.

 

Thanks! Haven't used it much. I got the flexible data package so that is awesome Bc I can start and stop when I want and I can use unlimited tracking. So if I go on a long run, it will automatically record my coordinaties and you can share it on FB or send a link to others so they can see you in real time. Also the text function is nice too. It's expensive but it offers me peace of mind when on my solo trips