AdventureTaco - turbodb's build and adventures

On a side mote: Did you throw a locker in the front when you regeared? Wouldn't that take up more room, lowering capacity?

 

Yep, the locker takes up space, but since filling is really about "fill to a hole," it's no easier/harder to overfill with/out a locker in there.

 

Great pictures! Looking forward to the rest of the adventure!

 

Right ofcourse. Just if someone tried to put the factory fill amount as opposed to the new required amount, it would certainly burp out. I did not fill my differential either time, so kind of hard to know. They filled it when they swapped as well as 500 miles after. And again when it burped.

 

WABDR Day 2: Volcanoes
June 25, 2018.

It was a cold night - even though we were at only 4,500 feet, the temperatures dipped into the mid-thirties, making us all acutely aware that we'd expected (and dressed for) warmer weather.

As usual, I was the first out of bed, hoping to catch sunrise, or at least a bit of that early morning light that is so special as it's long rays light up the landscape. And today, as I climbed up above camp, I was hoping for even more - my view through the trees suggesting that I would be in luck.

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As I walked up the ridge behind camp, I couldn't wait to see the view of Mt. Adams to the east - I knew it was there as it'd just peeked out the night before and there was a hint of it from camp, but it's always a toss-up when it comes to cloud covers on Washington's massive volcanoes.

As I got to the top of the ridge, I was not disappointed - there was Mt. Adams, in all it's glory, looming up above our camp site, basked in the morning sun. I'm sure I smiled, an extra urgency in my last few steps to the edge - the only one awake, taking it all in.

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It wasn't long before @mrs.turbodb was up as well and I beckoned to her from the ridgetop. As she made her way up, I watched her face - knowing that when she turned crested the treeline and looked to the east, it would be a special moment for her as well. And it was.

For half an hour we stayed there unable to snap enough photos, in awe of the grandeur.

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Eventually we saw Joe and Daisy stiring from their tent and we headed back down to greet them and get started on both breakfast and breakdown of camp. Still in her tent reading, the promise of breakfast burritos got @mini.turbodb up quickly and once she was out of the tent she immediately started playing with her new favorite 16-month old. It'd been a rough night for Joe and Daisy with their daughter - everyone cold and the tent a new experience for the kiddo.

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Hot breakfasts all around helped lift everyone's spirit, and then Joe and Daisy headed up the ridge at our insistence, Joe (a photographer) lugging 60 lbs of camera equipment to capture the views.

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Immersed in his hobby, we let Joe be - @mrs.turbodb, @mini.turbodb and I heading out on a short hike to explore our surroundings. We returned 45 minutes later to find Joe still on the ridge, enjoying the opportunity to capture the insane views. Eventually we pulled him away and got everything packed up. It was late - just after 10am when we finally pulled out of camp.

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Back on the trail, @mrs.turbodb spent a bit of time evaluating our route for the morning and scouted what she promised would be an amazing stop - Takhlakh Lake and campground.

As we pulled in and got our first glimpse, Joe came over the radio: "We should have stayed here last night!" Of course, there was never any chance of that - @mrs.turbodb and I are nearly allergic to actual campgrounds; a lucky fact in this case - since as we got out of the trucks, the mosquitoes were thick.

But we had to get out of the trucks.

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If our view of Mt. Adams had been breathtaking above camp, it was absolutely awesome from Takhlakh Lake. The sun was just right, the winds were calm, and the lake reflected the mountain and clouds splendidly.

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The late start and the thick mosquitoes kept the stop breif, and we were back on the road - adventure ahead. We ticked the miles away, keeping our speed up on well-graded forest service roads. The trees here - and frankly along much of the route - were thick, making the roads nearly tunnels, with views only sporatically available along the route.

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@mini.turbodb and I did our best to capture it anyway.

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It was noon when we arrived in Packwood, WA to refuel and discuss our strategy for lunch. Always favoring a secluded spot with a view, @mrs.turbodb and I suggested that rather than eat in town, we continue along the route, looking for something we'd enjoy just a bit more.

Joe and Daisy were game, and their kiddo was too young to vote, so we were back on the road - the next 30 miles or so of the route paved, so we could make good time.

But naturally we didn't. Just southeast of Mt. Rainier, this section of highway 12 is one of the most beautiful in Washington, with views of Palisades and vista's of Mt. Rainier.

We stopped for them all.

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Eventually we found ourselves at a historic marker on the edge of the North Fork of the Rimrock Lake (on the Teiton River) and we knew - this was the spot we were meant to eat lunch. The river here was held back by a dam and we broke out the chips and sandwiches we'd prepared earlier as we made our way down to the water's edge.

It was great - the two girls obviously happy to be out of the trucks, playing with each other and throwing rocks into the lake.

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After lunch, we completed the last of the day's pavement and turned north again on dirt, up a set of steep switchbacks towards Bethel Ridge.

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As we neared the top, Joe called on the radio to say that his map had a waypoint - Bethel Ridge Hidden Viewpoint - marked, but he couldn't see how to access it. Half a mile so ahead at this point, I radioed back, "Keep driving up the road and take the sharp left," I said, "we've just turned onto the access road."

An active logging site, we made our way slowly past heavy equipment and signs warning us to stay out of the way, slowly gaining elevation on a road that was clearly of the "less traveled" variety.

And then - Xterra's. Three of them in fact, fully decked out and parked at what was now the end of the road; blocked by three fallen trees a quarter-mile from the top.

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The owners were just back to their rigs from the viewpoint so we said our "hello's" and they asked what we were up to. We weren't too far south of the Leavenworth area, which it turns out is where they were headed, for the Northwest Overland Rally the folowing weekend.

Like campgrounds, @mrs.turbodb and I generally try to stay away from the rally's, but Joe and Daisy (being new to the scene) were considering dropping by for the last day of the rally once we completed the WABDR - to scout gear, truck armor and the hip scene that's sure to make you more expo!

Stories shared, we were anxious to get to the top so we played musical trucks so the Nissan's could get out; we left our trucks at the end of the road and made our way on foot to the summit.

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What a view! 360 degrees around it was a sight to behold. The road we'd travelled below us, volcanos in the distance. If we'd had the trucks on top, this would surely have been a candidate for an early evening and camp, even if it was a little breezy.

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Some of us were jumping and posing (as usual) it was so beautiful.

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By the time we pulled Joe away from his tripod, it was mid-afternoon and we were going to have to go heavy on the skinny pedal if we were to make it past Ellensburg by the time we called it a day.

So we headed back to the road and started along the ridge - but not quickly. The road got progressively worse - bumpy, narrow, and dusty!

In other words - fun!

We each traveled at our own pace - the Tacoma a bit faster than the 4Runner, given our experience, taking in the views over the side of the canyon wall.

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By the time we hit Nile, it was clear that we weren't going to make it to Ellensburg (much less past it) by the time we needed to stop for the night. Too many amazing views; too many fun roads - such a tough life!

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We decided we'd head up and out of Nile to find a spot with a view where we could camp for the night.

And boy, did we find one. With views of Rainier. (just behind those trees the the right; good job me capturing them with the camera )

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We setup camp - as usual, I parked as close to the edge as I could - and got going on dinner - chicken taco's for us, spaghetti for Joe's gang, and roasted marshmellows over the camp fire for dessert - a hit all around, especially @mini.turbodb!

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And then, as the light waned and the kiddos were put to bed, the brilliant oranges and subtle pinks and purples of sunset lit up the sky - illuminating Mt. Rainier in the distance - a special evening for sure.

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It took a while, but we finally got our fill and made our way back to the camp fire, the temperature dropping - though still significantly warmer than the night before - without the sun to keep it warm.

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We chatted about the day - we'd made it 118 miles - not quite what we'd planned, but quite reasonable for Joe and Daisy's second day on dirt, until eventually we called it a night. Joe and Daisy headed into their tent, nestled in the tree edge to protect it from wind; @mrs.turbodb venturing to our perch at the edge of the ridge - excited for the views we'd have in the morning.

As we put in our earplugs in to keep the wind noise down, we were asleep quickly - the truck and tent swaying in the strong winds - unbeknownst to us, just a small preview of what was to come!

missed part of the story so far? [day1] [day 2]

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Absolutely gorgeous! I was up on Whidbey last weekend and in seattle for work earlier that week. I couldnt believe how clear all the mountains were! You guys scored for sure! Im definitely stealing your breakfast sausage egg combo in a hotdog bun!

 

Great stuff Dan! Question. Doe's Joe's tent come with a staircase up to the loft?

 

Nice. Whidbey Island is a beautiful place. And the proximity to the coast, breezes, and plenty of rain make for reasonably smog-free skies, and clear mountains.

But you guys have 12 months of summer down there!

For me, SLO is about to right compromise from that perspective.

Thanks Mike! I don't know about a staircase - I never looked inside, but just last night @mini.turbodb mentioned that there were multiple rooms in it! Lol

 

It is obviously palatial. Its looks large enough to be able to park the green non-turbomobile inside.

Edited for Clarity

00035 - 2018-06-26 - WABDR 2018 by Dan Battagin, on Flickr

 

So when's the turbomobile getting a turbski

 

You are like @Blackdawg and his 35s! How's this for an answer: I'll get the turbo right before I get to 35s, you know, since I'll need more power to turn them.

 

That's no fun! 35s and turbo is where it's at.

The SC is sold so you know what's next for my rig haha

 

WABDR Day 3: So Expo
June 26, 2018.

The wind that rocked us to sleep in the CVT kept blowing through the night, perhaps the most continuously windy night we've spent six feet off the ground. Nestled under the covers we were cozy and warm, and it was a struggle to pull myself out at 5:30am to capture sunrise.

But there's only one sunrise each day and it's not every day that you're parked on the edge of a ridge with Mt. Rainier in the distance, so pull myself out I did.

I wasn't dissappointed.

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Of course, I was up well before the rest of the crew so I took the opportunity to catch up on my light reading - the 15th book in the Jack Reacher series - and evaluate the route in front of us, mapping out where we needed to be by evening. Still a few miles south of Ellensburg, I figured that if we could get north or Cashmere, we'd be in reasonable shape. It'd be a haul, but with some paved sections (through Ellensburg and a few miles along highway 97 as part of the Beehive Reservoir re-route) I figured we stood a chance.

Eventually of course, more life stirred in camp - this morning, Joe, Daisy and their little one up next, out to enjoy the morning light.

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Soon everyone was up, @mini.turbodb excited for another day of exploring and rock gathering with her new friend, @mrs.turbodb and I gathering breakfast (cereal and freshly picked cherries) and packing up camp.

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People fed and camp packed up, we headed out - a bit earlier than the day before - and toward what I knew to be some awesome views, having scouted the next couple miles of trail in search of our camp site the night before.

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As we climbed even higher on the ridge to Clemen Mountain Summit, the views once again opened up, our higher vantage point giving us even more spectacular perspectives of Mt. Rainier and (what would be our last of) Mt. Adams in the distance.

We soaked it in.

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And then we plowed forward over a combination of smooth, flat, bumpy, hilly terrain. Down the north-eastern face of Clemen Mountain towards the highway, which we'd take for less than a mile before heading north on dirt.

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Just before we reached the highway we hit a shallow water crossing and I had Joe stop so I could catch him making his way through.

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Of course, after we'd already gone through, @mini.turbodb wanted to ride in the passenger seat for the excitement and @mrs.turbodb obliged by capturing it all of it's glory.

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We crossed the highway and then it was switchbacks up the south-western slope of Baby Head Hill, we were having a great time, Joe continually amazed at what his (mostly stock) 4Runner was capable of, getting more comfortable driving all the time.

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And then, we stumbled upon a few wild-land fire fighters, babysitting a burn they'd extinguished two days before to ensure there were no flare-ups, especially with the 20-40 mph winds we'd been experiencing. It was a good reminder of how important fire safety is when you're out on your own - things can get out of control so quickly!

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As we ascended the final grade of Baby Head Hill, @mrs.turbodb spotted a fury creature a couple hundred feet up the road. A marmot, we thought - until we were within 50 feet or so - when we realized it was a badger! Our first wild badger ever, we were too excited to get a good picture, this distance one of it's ass-end, all we could muster as it scampered away.

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And then, as it was lost to our sight, down swooped a red-tail hawk - obviously on the search for breakfast. Fortunately for the badger, the assassination attempt appeared unsuccessful, the hawk climbing into the sky once again.

Descending Baby Head Hill, we could see Ellensburg in the near distance - our next destination for fuel and flushable toilets!

Naturally, as soon as we hit pavement, we got lost. Actually, I think I got lazy and ended up missing 3 or 4 turns I was suppossed to make through town. Just another reason dirt roads rule IMO. But eventually we made it to fuel, and Daisy decided that they would wait for Leavenworth to get more ice for their cooler, and we were on the road again, headed north to Lion Rock Viewpoint where we planned to stop for lunch.

Much of the road up to Lion Rock is paved - a detail I must have forgotten, and that isn't at all clear on the map - tight switchbacks up the plateau face hinting at more technical terrain. But the road was a fun one and eventually we did hit dirt as we passed through our first major burn.

The area had been totally devastated.

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Nearly every tree had been destroyed, campgrounds previously shaded by their needles now baren and closed. On the one hand an amazing sight and healthy for the earth in the long run, on the other hand a bummer for those hoping to escape into the woods close to town.

It was 12:30pm when we arrived at Lion Rock Viewpoint and once again pulled to the edge - perhaps a bit closer than @mrs.turbodb would have liked.

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The perfect place for lunch, exploration, and photos, we all enjoyed our chips and sandwiches with a view to the west and wild flowers all around.

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It was also evident at this point that there could be some rain in our future - clouds were rolling in from the northeast - the direction we were headed - and a drop or two fell from the sky as we packed up our gear to head out. Undeterred, we set out - the re-route around Beehive Reservoir forking from the main route just after Lion Rock.

For anyone who has driven stage 3 of the WABDR knows, the trail from Lion Rock to Cashmere is one of the most beautiful and fun sections - especially in early fall when the Larches are a vibrant yellow. So, it was unfortunate that we were re-routing around all that, but also nice since @mrs.turbodb and I had travelled that route before, and the re-route would afford us a new adventure through Blewitt Pass.

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The re-route did not dissappoint - how could it in that area of Washington? - and after taking Scotty Creek road over the pass, and short stint on 97 to Mill Creek Road, we found ourselves above Leavenworth, making our way down out of the mountains.

And then, train tracks across the road. Mini train tracks, really - less than two feet between the rails. This we naturally had to explore, obviously the remnants of an old mine - for what we have no idea.

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But we were parked in the middle of the road, and not knowing how much traffic that road saw, we decided we shouldn't linger - that is, until we came upon two big wooden doors that the train tracks disappeared into! Luckily at that point we could pull over to the side of the road to see just what was going on.

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The doors were -of course - locked, surely hiding a mother load of gold or other treasure inside, so after a bit more fun we eventually piled back in the trucks for our final descent into Leavenworth.

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As we pulled into town, we beelined for Safeway. Daisy and Joe needed ice, we needed mustard, and we all needed fuel. But that's not really what we remember about the experience in Safeway.

What we remember is just how expo that Safeway parking lot was. Once again, we'd forgotten that the Northwest Overland Rally was just a couple days away, and the the crowds were descending.

Maxtrax, arrays of light bars and pods, vendor stickers, white powder-coated armor, and overland trailers were all around. Oh, and of course the Overland Bound medallions.

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But something was wrong. And then I realized - the trucks were all so clean. It was as though this Safeway parking lot was as expo as they got. What a shame.

At least the smallest on the trip was getting her own chance to be expo.

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Refueld and re-supplied, we decided to push forward another hour or so to find camp - something Joe and Daisy wanted to do a bit earlier tonight, given our early start to the morning. So we headed east to Cashmere, keen to pick up the trail north at the end of the Beehive re-route.

Back on dirt, we started to climb. In the end, we climbed nearly 5000 feet to the top of Chumstick Mountain - in the process, gaining 30 mph in wind and losing 30°F in temperature!

But it was still a special place and we had to take in the views...

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Of course, those views made it clear that weather wasn't going to be our friend this evening, and it only looked worse in the forward direction, so we evaluated the map and decided to head back to a small flat area we'd passed on a saddle part way up Chumstick Mountain.

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Close to the road and relatively small, this was "not the best camp site," according to @mini.turbodb - a description I revelled in, realizing that at the ripe age of 7, we've already jaded her to look for awesome views in secluded areas.

Success.

Camp deployed, we raced to make dinner before the approaching rain and thunderstorms hit - BBQ'd spicy sausages and corn on the menu. Delicious, and finished just as the first drops of rain started to fall.

We were all tired and the cramped quarters meant no evening camp fire, so we called it a night relatively early and retreated to our tents. At least, most of us did. @mini.turbodb actually retreated to our tent, where @mrs.turbodb read Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back - fabulously entertaining for mini, and fabulously sleep inducing for me!

Eventually, I was awoken and carried mini to her tent, the light sprinkling we'd get that night already past. And then, it was back under the covers, an orange sunset visible through the trees on the saddle sheltering us from the worst of the wind. The forecast for the next day, nicer.

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As we drifted off to sleep, we hoped that the forecast was correct - there were several lookouts in our future, and being a first for Joe and Daisy, we knew they'd be better with dramatic vistas.

 

Awesome write ups every time! Looks like a blast

 

Jack Reacher books are pretty good if you're into those kinds of series. Personally, I'd rate the Mitch Rapp series by Vince Flynn higher and the Pike Logan series by Brad Taylor lower. If I were to pick on one thing about the Reacher books, it'd be that about 20% of them are written in the first person...and I much prefer third person.

Thanks man, appreciate it. It was definitely a good time, and a totally different type of trip for us - relatively easy roads and lots of trees!

 

I remember the Mitch Rapp series from 12th grade. Great books. Since I started working i only have time for audio books (while I'm driving tractor or feeding cows). Otherwise lifes way too busy.

Currently listening to some WEB Griffin. Did not enjoy them as a younger guy haha. I do now.

 

Nice photos. Sounds like a fun trip.

Actually lucky for the hawk. A redtail would get it's ass kicked by a badger.

 

Man you got way better views than when I ran this route. So smoke free. Looks great

 

I've done the audio book thing too. Found that I really missed the actual reading; actually, the laying in bed at night/in the morning just relaxing with a "book." (Kindle for me now, which makes it so easy to get new books, etc.)

Hahaha, good point.

Thanks! It was nice that it was smoke free, but we drove through so much burn area it was crazy. 2015 was a tough year for the WABDR route in that perspective. Still a few things along the "route" that I want to do but just weren't right for this trip - Naches for one, which looked like a lot of fun on your trip.

 

It was fun. Though we didn't do the real fun part. No one wanted to do it with me other than Chris and he was on 31s with stock suspension