This weekend (Friday Oct 20th through Sunday the 22nd) was the Upstate Cruisers (SC TLCA Club) Cullowhee Expedition Trip. There were 2 FJC's along for the ride, me and BMTHiker.
Now, I have never wheeled out west before, but I would put this trip up against anything out there. No, it wasn't the hardest wheelin' ever, but it was BEAUTIFUL! We had 14 trucks and about 20-22 people. We wheeled in to our first camp site and set up at dusk. The trail in was rocky and rutted and proved to be just what we needed to warm up for a long day on Saturday.
After a GEORGEOUS night in the stars, we were up and moving to the next camping site. Saturday we were on trail for about 5 hours...with many stops to play on the rocks, eat some lunch, and enjoy the weather. Again, the terrain was mostly rock and ruts, with the occasional mud hole and water crossings.
We camped on a bald Saturday evening and chatted around the fire staying warm for hours after dinner. The stars were incredible and from where we were, we could see cars passing on the highest point on the BlueRidge Parkway.
The next morning we headed back down to civilization and the trip home. I wheel because I enjoy the scenery, the challenge, the uncertainty of what you'll find, and the company of others that enjoy the same. This trip had it all.
Highlights of the trip for me:
Seeing the old and the new coming together...it was great to see so many generations of Cruisers together. I think there were 40 years in between the oldest and the newest (1967 to 2007). Being a FJC owner, I see so many people discounting it as a part of the LandCruiser family, but on this trip...we were all one in the same. Thanks to all of you for your encouragement and kind words!
Frankie the Fish (who is my dog...the St. Bernard in the photos below)- Thanks to all that were there: dog owners for having great pooches that played and played and played, and non-dog owners that put up with it. I know my beastie had a great time! A special thanks to Alex for Frankie's new nick name! Live Long Paco Pescado!
Meeting new friends and seeing some again after too long - It was great to meet people I didn't know before the weekend. And so good to see folks after too long. It always amazes me that you can put a group of people on a mountain with one thing in common and have a perfect weekend.
Good guides - I tell you what, I could soooo get lost in those mountains! Our guides, JP, Marshall, and Alex (concrete) were fantastic and got us to where we needed to be! I think that part of the country is some of the most beautiful anywhere, but it's even better when you can relax and enjoy it knowing you are not getting yourself forever lost in the woods!
I guess finally, I felt empowered and excited to do more with my truck! I can't tell you how happy I am with it and with how well it did! And the views didn't suck either!
If you decide that you want to get out there and wheel this area, please please be respectful...stay on trail, don't blaze on your own, keep your fires in the rings, and clean up after yourselves. There are so few places in the east where you can still make a trip like this happen, let's keep them available for all of our enjoyment!
Below are the pics...enjoy!!!
