4WD learning

It dawned on me yesterday afternoon that the last time I put diesel in the car was before we left home. That was a lazy 400km ago, plus yesterday’s trekking through the easy 4WD track. Whilst I could survive the next day or so, it did mean that I probably wouldn’t make it back to the nearest bowser with the van in tow. 

So this morning, Tyler and I decided to head into Orroroo which was a not so pleasant 50+km away on a very dusty dirt road that took nearly 3/4 of an hour each way. 

We did eventually get back mid-late morning and everyone piled into the car(s) and we took off to do some real 4WD’ing. There was no holding back by the Hardy’s and they led us straight into one of the medium hard tracks

Despite some serious looking rocks and branches blocking our way, followed by some fairly decent slopes, Jerry the Jeep crawled over it all as easily as if it was bitumen. 

The views from the top of the hills were spectacular and thankfully there was enough of a breeze to keep the flies away. 

The trip back to camp was down the steepest of hills that gets closed when wet to avoid cars ending up sliding into the bottom of the mountain. I tried out the Descent control in the Jeep where the car drives itself downhill with my feet off all pedals - majorly impressed. 

What I wasn’t impressed about was going over a blind crest, rolling over a large rock that had a hidden hole on the other side. The sound of that rock hitting the underside of the car was enough to make a proud Jeep owner cry. Turns out it was just the brackets holding the side step rails onto the car, but they are now horizontal instead of the required vertical, so I am going to have some repair work to do soon I guess. 

Definitely earned a bourbon or 3 tonight. 

Think the Hardy’s might have struck a major blow however with their MUX no longer able to engage 4WD High or Low. 

Should have bought a Jeep!  

To the Flinders we go

After what seems like an eternity, both Tracy and I have a week off work for school holidays and we are off to the Flinders Ranges for a week. Bendleby Ranges is about 4.5 hours from home according to Google Maps, so I am allowing well over 5. 

We didn’t leave till after 1 as Kayla had Cheer competition and presentations this morning. Tyler had hitched a ride with the Hardy’s on Friday night as he was refereeing at the Country Carnival for Soccer where Ned was also playing. In return, we had Patrick stay with us and banned him from having a shower so that he smelled not so good for when we reunited. They were then driving onwards to meet us at Bendleby on Monday. 

We got to the reception area at about 6:15 just as it was getting dark. The super friendly bloke who can to hook us in simply showed me in a map where we were staying and said to hurry up because we won’t find our way in the dark. 

I soon realised that he wasn’t joking, I was glad that we now had an off road caravan and car, and that his version of “everything is signposted” is a little far fetched. 

We stopped at what we assumed was the correct spot, and set up in the dark. 

Morning arrived after an early night, and it turns out we were in the right spot and very lucky to be in the middle of nowhere yet right where we need to be. 

This morning we went for a walk up the mountain side to take in the amazing views and to be chased by one of the local goats. The Hardy’s arrived at around lunch time and the kid population exploded almost as quickly as the flies arrived. 

I took off the 7km back to the reception area to pay and get some more information on the 4wd tracks with Dylan beside me, thanks to his supposed restrictive moon boot stopping him from climbing the mountain side again. 

The tracks looked inviting and “easy” so Dylan and I turned left and went for a drive. An hour later we emerged, a little pumped and a bit more confident in the capabilities of Jerry the Jeep. 

Wine O’clock arrived, only this time without any food, or wine (maybe it was just me with some bourbon...)

The fire got lit, dinner was cooked and a night of chatter began.