4x4 Sticking Tracks 2005
Sticking 4x4 tracks is a continuous task. Sticks fall down or break and new ones have to be put in place. A track with sticks on makes it safer - especially for winter conditions when snow is covering the ground.

4x4 Sunday Test Drive
As you can imagine - trying out the Sport Trac and taking it for a real test drive in the highlands has been high on my list of things to do.

South Pole 6x6 Ice Challenger
The mission is simply to drive an automobile from the icy shore to the the South Pole in as short time as possible.

Mt. Evans Colorado
Great way to climb a 14er while in Colorado! Highest paved road in the US. Can drive most of the way to the top. Great views! Close to Denver!

ARTICLE
 

I'm Getting a 4 x 4 Period!

Summer in Minnesota is awesome and you always try to get in as much in as you can. We had recently sold some property and for tax purposes are rolling that money into a 1031 to re-invest. We have been talking about getting some recreational land for a long time with maybe a small cabin. A place to maybe retire someday and enjoy the grandkids? We're in our early 40's but just thinking ahead.

A couple weekends back we met up with a realtor in northern MN. She is from that area and knows the back roads pretty well. We shared our dream with her and she showed us some great places. One place in particular, we really liked. It was a diamond in the rough. "After getting a place, I really want to get you a new 4 x 4 so we can come up here year round!" my husband smiled as we were walking hand in hand back on some trails. It was simply beautiful. The birds singing and the smell of wildflowers hovered in the air.

We looked at a couple of more places and it was getting late so we had to get the realtor back to her office. We asked her if it would be o-k to drive back on our own and check out the one place we really liked. She said since it was empty/vacant that would be o-k.

We headed back down the winding road and we both decided to check out the back trails and have some fun.
The weeks earlier rain made for sum deep pot-holes. The back trails were wide enough and we wanted to go in a bit further to see if there were good ATV trails too.
We drove back in about 1/4 of a mile and laughed about how nobody was around and our kids were at home 200 miles away...we should park....have some fun! We had total privacy.

The sun was just starting to set on the towering pines.
The only thing missing was a bottle of wine and a couple glasses. As we inched my Kia Sportage 4 x 4 a bit further, it sunk immediately. We were still on the path but it was a soggy low lying area. When my husband stepped out, he sank up to his knee caps in mud and up to the side wheel well.

He put the car in low gear and tried to get out but that only made things worse. We trudged back to the homesite and in the outer buildings we found a shovel and plywood. After 1/2 hour of futile attempts to get out we knew were were in good.

We walked back to the main road where there was a cell phone signal. The realtor had a friend who tows so we waited for here friend to show up. When the two of them arrived they laughed and teased us (city slickers). But things got worse. When he drove his truck back, he pulled us out no problem but he hadn't used his 4 wheel drive since late last spring and his tow truck sank as well. His 4 wheel drive was out. So, our truck was out but he was blocking the way out.

He hooked up both the front and back winch and went at it. The pines were taking whatever daylight was left and the mosquitoes were out for an evening snack. After 1 hour we were all back on the road and out of there.

As we were driving home, full of mud and hungry...we had to laugh. We decided right then and there to get the new jeep Wrangler Unlimited! This is the one we wanted and were talking about. It's fully loaded with a custom paint job on the hood (flames) towing, winch and lift package. It will tow the 4-4x4 ATV's with no problem. It should be here by this Friday! As for the cabin......we're still searching for that perfect place.
I know when we do find it, we will be able to 4 x 4 on any backroads! Even though we may be city slickers, we will know how to get ourselves out of a the great MN northwoods!

Sincerely,
B. Pelton

Submit your 4x4 article!
Off-roaders like you usually have their own strong opinion on how, why and where to wheel. Share the joy with other readers!

You can write on any topic related to 4x4 off road you feel you have a message to your fellow off-roader. Stories about 4 wheeling trips are especially popular. It can also be a review on new trucks, accessories, suspension, lift kits, wheels and tires, helpful tips and tricks, innovative solutions to problems, car care tips, etc. Anything that will help your fellow 4 wheeler get their truck ready and able to perform off roads!

By all means if you know a good joke that would fit in the newsletter PLEASE let me know :)

If you have issues with grammar and spelling, don't worry. I can make small corrections. Your story or article is still yours and you keep the full copyright.

Submit your 4x4 article!

P.S. If you want you can also reply to this Newsletter with your story along with the pictures you want to share.