Being Alone Vs. Being By Yourself

Discovering My Need for Connection

Sometimes, life's little adventures teach you something unexpected about yourself. That happened to me a while at Wheelers Overland Weekend. I discovered that, despite enjoying solo activities, I’m not much of a loner.

Selfie with my Jeep and dispersed campsite

The Solo Trip to Moab

Last year, I embarked on a solo trip to Moab. I hiked alone, dined alone, and generally enjoyed my own company. But I was never truly alone—there were always people around. I chatted with fellow hikers, met some incredible individuals, and even made new friends. I realized I can be by myself, but I don't like being isolated.

Moab Selfie

Wheelers Overland Adventure 2018

In May, I attended the Wheelers Overland Adventure 2018 at Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area. This event included three nights of camping, three days of off-roading, overland and navigation classes, campfires, a scavenger hunt, and a raffle. I opted for "primitive" camping in an "open" field, away from the designated campground.

My Jeep and the sunset

Primitive Camping: A Lesson in Solitude

When I arrived, I set up my campsite in a brush-filled field on the outskirts of the off-road park. It was just me and my Jeep. The nearest campers were about a hundred yards away, out of sight and sound. After setting up my tent, I felt a bit lost. So, I headed into town for dinner and a glass of wine (or two) to calm my nerves about sleeping "alone" in the woods. Despite people being within hundreds of yards, I felt truly alone.

My primitive campsite

Nightmares and Realizations

Exhausted, I skipped the group campfire and went to bed early. The distant "whoops" from the campfire lulled me to sleep, but I woke up in the middle of the night, startled by the eerie silence and a nightmare involving a bear.  My youngest son and I were fending off a bear trying to get in the tent.   At 2 AM, I realized I needed to be around people. I had given "primitive" camping a shot, but it wasn't for me. I booked a campsite at the Trailhead Campground, where most of the other attendees were staying. 

My tent

Finding My People

The next morning, I moved to the new campsite and began setting up my tent again. That’s when I heard my name. An online Jeep friend, who also listens to the Jeep Talk Show Podcast, was camping next to me. It was perfect. That night, we gathered around the campfire, sharing stories and laughs. Jesse, Mike, and their friends—all Long Island UPS drivers—entertained me with tales of their Jeep adventures.

My tent at the campsite

My new friend Jesse

Campfire tales

Learning and Wheeling
Embracing My Social Side

During the weekend, I wheeled on the green trails at AOAA, enjoying the serene nature from the comfort of my Jeep. The main reason for attending was the navigation classes taught by JoMarie, an extraordinary woman who has wheeled all over the world and participated in the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles in Morocco. 

JoMarie teaching navigation class

She taught us about topographic map reading, compass reading, and plotting our location on maps. It was a fantastic start to building my navigation skills. There were other cool classes on Overland planning, recovery 101, and using a winch—something I hope to own someday.

JoMarie teaching Navagation

Reading the topo map

Navigation Class

Despite the weekend being rainy, it was an unforgettable experience. Next year, I'll definitely book a campsite from the start. I love camping and hanging out by the campfire, but I need to be around people. I thrive on meeting new people and sharing experiences. This adventure taught me that while I enjoy solo activities, I cherish the company of others.

My Jeep at camp

So, if you're planning your next off-roading adventure, remember: it's not just about the trails you conquer but also the friends you make along the way. Happy wheeling!

   

Healthy Reasons To Go Topless

Topless in My Jeep

Jeep Hair Don't Care Topless Ride

(Updated December 2023) Being topless in my Jeep Wrangler is so important for my mental health.

Did you know being Topless in your Jeep is healthy? 

I figured most people didn't know so I am going to share the Top 5 Healthy Reasons You Need To Go Topless in your Jeep Wrangler.

Reduces Stress - Which can help lower your blood pressure.  When you are having a tough day at work and your boss is being a jerk and your co-workers are annoying, get into your topless Jeep and go for a ride. It does wonders to your stress levels. 

Mental Health - When your kids are fighting with each other or being loud and obnoxious sometimes you need to get away for your own sanity. That's when you hop in your Jeep, turn the music up and just drive. It's like a Calgon Take Me Away moment. 

Fresh Air - It is so important to take in the fresh air from the trees. We breathe in fresh oxygen and expel the stale oxygen from our lungs. This gives us energy and then we are in a better mood.

 
Vitamin D - Getting that sun on your face allows you to soak up the much needed vitamin D which wards off depression. 

Just Because - It's good for your soul. Enjoy your life and be happy.  

Guide to Cooking on My Jeep Engine

How to Cook on a Trail Ride

I have always heard of people cooking food on the engine of their Jeep and was curious. It is so very easy to do.  

Trail Sammie Recipe Step By Step

Sammie items

Gather your Trail Sammie Items. 

• Heavy Duty Reynolds Wrap
• Large Zip-tie
• Frozen garlic bread
• Ham or your choice of meat
• Colby Jack Cheese or your choice of Cheese

Heavy Duty Renyolds Wrap

Start with 3 sheets of Heavy Duty Reynolds Wrap to wrap your sandwich.

Lay out bread

Place the garlic bread on the tin foil. Separate the two halves of the garlic bread. 

add cheese 

Place the cheese on both halves.

add ham

Place the meat on the cheese.

Put top slice of bread on top.

Place the two pieces together.

wrap in tin foil 

Wrap the sandwich up with the Reynolds Wrap. Repeat two more times.

Place sammie on engine manifold 

Place the Trail Sammie in between the battery and the manifold first thing before you hit the trails. You may want to secure with a zip tie.

If you are still running the plastic engine cover you will need to remove that. This plastic piece is for aesthetics only and does not need to be in your Jeep for proper engine function. 

Cooked sammie

Your Trail Sammie should be done by the time you break for lunch, usually about four hours. Take the Trail Sammie out and ENJOY! 

Conquering Uwharrie in my Jeep

A Jeep Adventure Unlike Any Other

My Jeep Wrangler isn't just a vehicle; it's the gateway to a life-changing adventure. Let me take you through my unforgettable weekend wheeling with Carolina Trails Off Road at the 2018 Uwharrie Spring Invasion.

"My Jeep Changed the Direction of My Life"

Selfie with my Jeep

From the moment I rolled into the campsite, the air buzzed with excitement and a sense of community that only fellow Jeepers can understand. Meeting Bryan and his crew in person after connecting through The Jeep Talk Show felt like reuniting with old friends. With tents pitched and stories shared around the campfire, the anticipation for the trails ahead was palpable.

Nicky G, Brian and myself

Tents set up

Choosing the Path Less Traveled

As dawn broke, I faced a pivotal decision: stick to intermediate trails or challenge myself with the hardcore crew tackling the toughest routes. Despite some nerves (and being the sole woman in the "difficult" group), I embraced the challenge head-on. 

Jeep's in the Eldorado Outpost Parking Lot ready to roll

The Dickey Bell Trail

The Jeep Badge of Honor Trail, known for its rocky climbs and tough obstacles, was our first conquest. The Dickey Bell is a 3.5 mile trail rated as moderate to difficult with a rocky hill climb obstacle. For the most part this trail winds up and down over red clay trails through the forest, a nice easy Jeep ride.  With my Rubicon's capabilities and expert spotters guiding me, I conquered each challenge with a mix of adrenaline and determination.

My Jeep on the trail

Once at the Dickey Bell rocky hill climb the trail spotters took their places. This was an intense rocky climb, but my Rubicon with lockers and that 4 to 1 transfer case cruised right on up the trail.

My Jeep climbing obstacles on Dickey Bell

More obstacles on Dickey Bell

Scaling New Heights on the Daniel Trail

Then came the Daniel Trail, notorious among off-roaders for its unforgiving switchbacks and perilous ledges. My heart raced as I navigated each twist and turn, relying on sheer grit and the encouraging cheers from my newfound friends. The moment of truth arrived at a daunting ledge, where every inch forward felt like a triumph. With precision and a touch more throttle than usual, I conquered what would become my toughest off-road obstacle yet.

My Jeep climbing the obstacle on Daniel

This was the most difficult obstacle I have ever tackled up until that time during my four years of wheeling. My heart was beating a mile a minute and my breaths were shallow. Everyone out there was so supportive and sharing positive words of encouragement.  It was go time. There were two choices, to the right the easier route which to me looked scarier than straight up the middle. Straight up the middle was supposed to be the more difficult. 

Mitchell, my spotter, was one of the best so I decided to tune out everything except his direction. As I crawled up the ledge, the center, my Jeep shifted to the right and I wasn't able to see his direction. I had to back down for one more try and with the great guiding by Mitchell up I went with a little more skinny pedal than I'm used to. 

Mitchell spotting me up the obstacle

Drone view of my Jeep on Daniel

Then it was on to Mike to take me up the rest of the way to the next switch back. This time to make it to the next switchback you needed to do some maneuvering with backing up. A little too much reverse and you were careening down the mountain. 

My Jeep heading up the switchbacks

My Jeep on Daniel

Jeep Momma on the Daniel Trail at Uwharrie 👉Watch Here

Solo Challenges on Dutch John Trail

As the day wound down, the Dutch John Trail beckoned with its final hurdles. With each obstacle cleared effortlessly, my confidence soared. I reveled in the realization that my skills behind the wheel had evolved alongside my trusty Jeep. Despite some trailside mishaps for others, my Wrangler emerged unscathed, a testament to its robust build and my growing prowess.

Jeep Momma standing on the rutted Dutch John Trail

 Beyond Trails: A Journey of Personal Triumph

Reflecting on the day's highs and a few adrenaline-fueled lows, I realized my Jeep Journey was more than just conquering trails—it was about pushing boundaries and discovering newfound confidence. Wheeling with Carolina Trails Off Road wasn't just an event; it was a reaffirmation of why I fell in love with off-roading in the first place.

Jeep Momma selfie at the entrance to the campground

The Best part of Wheeling and Camping

After a day of wheeling on the trails, my favorite part is sitting around the campfire sharing stories and reminiscing about the day's events. A great way to end the day! 

Campfire