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Bill Burke's 4-Wheeling America
Annual Moab, UT Holiday Trip
Dec 28, 2001-Jan 1, 2002
Comments from past participants ..
"Every so often our need to break out of the ordinary becomes so strong that we throw caution to the wind and Just Do
It! What we did this time was sign up for Bill Burke's Four Wheeling New Years trip to Moab. Neither of us had been to this part of the
country, so that added to the sense of adventure .."
Our fellow four-wheelers included a couple in a Land Rover Defender from Colorado (Deweys), a couple with a large Chevy truck from California
(Snyders) and Bill and Rachel in a Range Rover. Every day brought a new experience, and trail and our confidence grew as Bill led us places that we
never imagined our stock 1990 Jeep Wrangler could ever go.
(Diane Nicholl & Kirk Webb, Boulder, CO)
Day three dawned bright and clear and Tom was definitely looking for some more challenges. Apparently, Bill sensed it. Every time we passed a more
challenging option we'd hear Bill say "If I had my Defender, I'd take that ." and you can fill in the blank with some challenge.
(Bill had left the Defender at home, choosing the plush ride of his Range Rover instead.) Tom wasn't about to pass up such a dare, so with me
saying "He's not serious, he's just kidding," Tom would bravely take on the obstacle.Everything went fine until the afternoon of
day three, when we were driving along an easy dirt road with a deep V-groove just to the side of the road. "If I had my Defender, I'd
straddle that "V" we heard from Bill. "No, Tom. He doesn't mean it. I'm certain he's kidding." "
We can do it." Thus, I was outvoted. We start to slowly work our way along the V-groove, which slowly started to widen. Then,
the right front tire slides in the soft dirt and we're STUCK with the Defender at a ridiculous angle. "Bill, we're going to need a
little help here" I manage to say over the CB between fits of laughter. Dave, bringing up the rear, pulls up next to us and uses the tow strap
to get Tom's Defender straight again, so we can continue with this fun little odyssey.
(Laurie Dewey, Colorado Springs, CO)
"This four-wheeling adventure included all the wholesome pleasures one could hope for--tow strap assist up an icy gully, self-rescue with a
winch, "testing" out Santa's gift of RUD chains and of course a
Hi-Lift jack recovery. Every vehicle on the trip had the chance to participate in these events and everyone
agreed that these were invaluable learning experiences. Bill turned these circumstances into teachable moments and explained exactly what he was
doing and why."
"Thinking back, it is hard to pick a favorite route but one that provided some of the most challenging driving was Spider Mesa Trail. It was a
thrill watching those with lockers climb the "Launch Pad," but the feeling of accomplishment of successfully negotiating "Mirror
Alley" is something we will never forget."
(Diane Nicholl & Kirk Webb, Boulder, CO)
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WRANGLER