RENO EXPO PROMISES FUN AND DEALS

We are in Reno, NV for the Reno Expo (Off-Road, Home and Garden, Pets and more).   The Convention Center is already jammed with businesses and vendors getting ready for the doors to open Friday.

In the meantime, Al Lockett (Lockett Shows) put together a trail ride, Mild to Wild to benefit BlueRibbon Coalition.  Stacie and I jumped in with her Land Use Land Cruiser to enjoy a great group of folks and some awesome scenery, not to mention fun wheeling.

Dave and Barbara Rainey, our wonderul good friends have this awesome Jeep and helped with the guiding on the trail ride.  They are big supporters of BRC and landuse in general, as well as being very active in local events and clubs.   We can always count on them when we are in need!  Thank you , guys.  You rock!

We always carry binoculars (you Team Challenge contestants keep that in mind) on the trail.  Here Stacie has spotted a large and beautiful Golden Eagle circulating in a warm up current of wind.  The desert around Reno, NV has a varity of critters and birds.  You may not always see a lot; but if you are observant, you will see interesting stuff.  Some of this variety includes: eagles, ravens, rabbits, lizards, ground squirrels, and even a Mule Deer, to name a few.

This wheeler made no bones about it; he won't get caught up the famous creek without a paddle.  He carries everything.  This 1980 CJ5 belongs to Marty Galantuomini who didn't let any of the day's obstacles show him down!

The trail ride was awesome, with cloud spotted skies, nice temps and just plain awesome people.  We also got plenty of views of the wild horses that roam freely around this entire area east of Reno.

Be sure to put this on your list next year if you are around or near Reno, NV in March.  Now it's time to get ready for the big Reno Expo show.  Come see us.

Convention Center; next to the Atlantis Casino.

Until next time... 

Tierra del Sol Desert Safari and the Landuse Compound.

Lots of great ideas were shared and some serious strategic planning took place around the campfire at TDS Safari.

 All records were broken this year -- largest crowd at over 1760 registered vehicles; largest raffle at over $160k.

Here we have BlueRibbon Coalition, United Four Wheel Drive Assoc., Calif. Assoc. of 4Wheel Drive Clubs and the Access Army all sharing ideas with Bob and Mary Levenhagen of T&T Customs, partners in the TAP Tours.

Bob Levenhagen from T&T Customs gets it on in some notches in Ocotillo Wells with their well setup TJ.

   Greg Mulkey of Raceline Wheels organized one heck of a fireworks show at TDS Safari.  It started right after the $160,000 raffle and WOW, was it something to see.

It was in the obstacle course right near the vendor show, so we all got a view that was up close and personal.  SWEET.

KING OF THE HAMMERS IN JOHNSON VALLEY

We did our BRC thing at King of the Hammers after Winter on the Rocks and Phoenix.  KOH wrapped up our TAP Tour II and it was very successful.  

Johnson Valley is more than just the Hammers and here in this first photo you see what I mean.  The desert is a special place, and JV is full of views like this.  We all have to help keep this area open.  Please visit http://www.savethehammers.org.  

   To give camp sitters, vendors and anyone who didn't want to trek to the canyons to watch the race, KOH folks set up a Jumbo-Tron for camp viewing.  It was really nice for those stuck in camp.  Awesome sound system too. 

 Team Degenerates, our reining champions of the on-going Team Challenge, walked by the booth and I caught them snacking!  Great folks

 The BlueRibbon Coalition booth and Landuse Compound at KOH.

TAP Tour II was another success in bringing businesses to customers in the spirit of landuse and saving trails.  

We will continue to share these adventures in landuse with you as we make plans.  Our next tour is the convention of the Calif. Assoc. of 4Wheel Drive Clubs in Hesperia, CA; then farther south to Tierra del Sol Desert Safari with T&T Customs, Nemesis Industries, Raceline Wheels, Poison Spyder Customs, Daystar, and a ton of other great vendors and landuse supporters.

More on TDS Safari here at  http://www.tds4x4.com

DAYSTAR -- DRIVEN BY DESIGN

We had a great tour of Daystar International today, with Daystar Don McMillan.   He gave us the grand tour showing us the American made products they make for all kinds of rigs and several jeep accessories like we have on our jeep.

And have you put your name in the hat to WIN this Monstrosity??  Go to their Facebook page and get 'er done.  What a big boy this is.  I wouldn't mind having it to give politicians tours on various trails like the Rubicon. 

 We have several Daystart products on Red, so we parked him next to their event truck for a shot.  Way cool.  And besides, the weather in Phoenix where they are located is not too shaby.

 Stacie found on of their non-off road products that she thought was so practical -- it's a patio table wedge that keeps your umbrella from falling over or getting blown away.  Way cute.

It was a great day and a fun tour.  More to come.  Next stop King of the Hammers. 

WINTER ON THE ROCKS AND PHOTO SHOOT

After the Winter on the Rocks event, we stayed an extra day in Hurricane, UT for a photo shoot with Phil Howell of 4Wheel Drive Magazine.

Stacie brought the "Elsie" to play a bit as well.  These red rocks are really fun to wheel in, and the scenery is amazing.

 Rob Graft from Nemesis Industries takes  on a nice drop off with style.