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.

Tips for Cold Weather Camping. 

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

Did you know being Topless in your Jeep is healthy? 

I figured most people never thought of it that way.  

Jeep Hair Don't Care Topless Ride

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. 

Being a Jeep owner and taking my Jeep off-road has increased my self-esteem. 

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. Live Your Best Life and be happy.  

How to Cook on My Jeep Engine

Trail Ride Recipe

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! 

Check out my Jeep Tips page for more tips for when your camping and off-roading. 

Conquering Uwharrie

A Jeep Adventure to Remember

As a Jeep enthusiast, there's nothing quite like the thrill of tackling challenging trails in the great outdoors. The 2018 Uwharrie Spring Invasion, organized by Carolina Trails Off Road, promised just that – an unforgettable weekend of off-roading adventure in the heart of North Carolina's Uwharrie National Forest.

I returned the favor the following year at Rausch Creek Off-Road Park. 

Selfie with my Jeep

A Community United by Passion

From the moment I arrived at the campsite, I was enveloped by the warmth and camaraderie that defines the Jeep community. Meeting Bryan and some fans from The Jeep Talk Show felt like reuniting with old friends, despite it being our first in-person encounter. As we set up camp and gathered around the fire, the anticipation for the trails ahead was palpable.

Nicky G, Brian and myself

Embracing the Challenge

When morning came, I faced a pivotal decision: stick to the intermediate trails or push my limits with the hardcore group tackling the most difficult routes. Despite being the only woman in the "difficult" group, I chose to embrace the challenge head-on.

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

Conquering Dickey Bell

Our first conquest was the Jeep Badge of Honor Trail, known as Dickey Bell. This 3.5-mile trail, rated moderate to difficult, winds through the forest with a mix of red clay paths and rocky climbs. The infamous rocky hill climb proved to be an intense challenge, but my Rubicon's capabilities, combined with expert spotting, allowed me to cruise up with determination.

My Jeep on the trail

My Jeep climbing obstacles on Dickey Bell

More obstacles on Dickey Bell

Scaling New Heights on Daniel Trail

The Daniel Trail presented an even greater challenge with its unforgiving switchbacks and perilous ledges. Each twist and turn tested my skills and nerves. The most daunting obstacle – a steep ledge – became my greatest triumph. With precise guidance from my spotter, Mitchell, and a touch more throttle than usual, I conquered what would become my toughest off-road challenge to date.

Mitchell spotting me up the obstacle

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. 

Jeep Momma on 👉Daniel Trail at Uwharrie

Drone view of my Jeep on Daniel

My Jeep heading up the switchbacks

Dutch John: The Final Frontier

As the day wound down, the Dutch John Trail offered its own set of challenges. Each obstacle cleared boosted my confidence, showcasing how far my skills had progressed. Despite some trailside mishaps for others, my Wrangler emerged unscathed, a testament to both its robust build and my growing expertise.

Jeep Momma standing on the rutted Dutch John Trail

More Than Just Off-Roading

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.

My Jeep on Daniel

The Heart of the Experience

At the end of an exhilarating day on the trails, nothing beats gathering around the campfire with fellow enthusiasts. Sharing stories, laughing about the day's adventures, and forging new friendships – these moments are the true essence of the off-roading community.

Campfire