4x4Wire

Inauguration Day 2017 for Off-roaders

Today January 20th, 2017, Inauguration Day marks a new era for us off-roading/four wheeling types.  But please allow me a slight caveat. 

While we may celebrate for our guns, our freedoms and our trails, DO NOT think the battles are over.  First off, the new Administration will be pretty darn busy with a TON of issues that need fixing.  Our trail closures and losses, I'm sorry to say, won't be fixed in the first 100 days or the first year.

Just about anything you can cook or bake at home can be offered at the camp site in a Dutch Oven. 

One topic that consistently is of interest to four wheelers is the Dutch oven. No matter how much is written or spoken about this handy camp stove, people just eat up the information. I discussed Dutch ovens rather thoroughly in “Tickle The Taste Buds With a Dutch Oven.” However, that was some time ago. 

The new year is now upon us. With many 4WD folks setting New Year’s resolutions, I decided to add one of my own. Unlike those involving diet and exercise, this resolution is sure to stick. If you’re not already using a Dutch oven, I encourage you to start. They aren’t expensive or difficult to work with. You’ll enjoy learning a new skill—and savoring your dishes at the camp site.

What kind of Dutch oven to buy

Dutch ovens come in many sizes, as measured by base diameter. Start with a 10” or 12”. Make sure it’s made of cast iron—aluminum ones are harder to control the heat —and labeled a camp Dutch oven. A camp-style stove comes with feet and a lid with a rim around the edge. These features are crucial when using charcoal or wood coals. Camp-style ovens generally are bare metal; enameled ovens are designed for home use. 

DON'T BE LEFT IN THE DARK!

Plan, Prep and Practice.

Disaster planning and prepping are key to surviving major messes in today's world. Fire, flood, hurricane, you name it, the lessons I learned in 30 years of fire service, including "strategic planning and responses to disaster management" are simple -- but usually neglected by most of us. It's never too late. Here are my (past Fire Chief) suggested 10 things to save your life (and help you recoup) in disasters:

News Flash, the California Fish and Game Commission voted to NOT list the flat tailed horned lizard as endangered or threatened. This petition submitted by the CBD a year and a half ago is finally resolved in favor of off-roaders, farmers, renewable energy companies and land management agencies. Why do we care? If it were to become listed, the CBD would likely then sue State Parks (Ocotillo Wells) and ask for many restrictions be implemented. Open riding would probably be a thing of the past and the park would never be the same. Now the park will begin to allow special events to take place again like Desert Safari, SDORC's Lost Lizard Fun Run, geo caches, movie shooting etc.

With a slight break in a busy schedule, I decided to work on a couple of pending mods to my JK.  I have been looking for some side armor as in rock rails.  Over the past few months, I have been reviewing the various offerings and comparing specifications.  That was no easy task as there are many offerings with varying degrees of appeal for aesthetics and functionality.  And, my goal is to provide protective armor without adding excess weight.

I narrowed the final selection to rock rails by Barricade Off-Road Armor from ExtremeTerrain.  The price was right and shipping was quick.  That is when the fun started.