4XPEDITION Team 4X Community Forum - Recent Posts

RE: Unique hotel rooms

Shovel — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 15:22:05 +0000

This is one of the cabins at Alameda's Hot Springs - a beautiful rustic tiny house with about an 8 square foot "water closet" 🤣 but this huge room with a deep tub that endlessly dispenses hot water.. the water's got a smell to it because of sulfur and other mineral content but that's part of the hot spring experience sometimes!

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Dozens of deer casually roam around, they don't appear to cause much trouble though I think everybody who wishes to garden needs to put a tall fence around their garden or fruit trees..

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The town is small, you can walk anywhere in a couple minutes. But thanks to the main attraction they seem to get enough money in to support a nice grocery store & bistro, coffee shop, a couple watering holes with good food, little hardware store if you need to fix something or resupply on a journey. We always love our visits to Western Montana and this town is no exception to that.

RE: Unique hotel rooms

Shovel — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 23:38:45 +0000

This weekend we're finally going to get out of town together for recreation, been a long time since I had the opportunity to leave the house for more than a day and not be about work.

We're going to spend the morning heading across the mountain to Lolo, MT to see a couple sights & then head up to Hot Springs MT.

We really enjoy Hot Springs (the town) and have previously stayed at the Symes Hotel, which is right in the center & is a beautifully rustic historic building with hot mineral baths both private and out front (clothed) soaking. This time we'll be staying in another lodge a short walk away from there just to try something different.

If you have never visited Hot Spring MT it's got the feel of a high desert town, the central attraction is hot mineral water with lodgings focused around that feature and a few really cozy places to get something to eat or drink. It feels safe walking around after dark and it's not uncommon to encounter other visitors just walking around the town.

I'll post photos after we get back

The 2024 Landcruiser

Shovel — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 16:11:31 +0000

Specifically the base model... actually looks more exciting than anything I've seen in a long time. I'm not buying one at the moment because it's not at all in my budget but I can see one in my future.

What's unique about the new model - and the base model in particular - is that it's smaller and less expensive than the model it replaces. How often does that happen!

It looks like the higher spec ones screw this up a little by adding superfluous junk but here's what I find exciting:

4" narrower than the outgoing model.

Reportedly $25k less than the starting price of the outgoing model.

Although the dash does include two LCD panels they appear to be just business, no silly animations or cell phone video game junk.

Actual center differential (lockable) for true AWD and 4WD

Base model gets selectable rear locker

Base model gets tow package with brake controller (no word yet on towing but I would be satisfied with 5000 lbs from a vehicle this size)

Base model is devoid of silly drive mode games... it still has traction control naturally but it doesn't appear to divide it up into the half dozen questionable guesses with video game animations that seem almost universal now in the market.

I know everyone has engine/powertrain preferences and turbo 4cyl + hybrid isn't everyone's first choice but I actually like that idea. I wish they had used an ECVT (scaled up Prius style) instead of a conventional transmission behind it but I expect that may not be compatible with extended regen/engine braking with a heavy brick and a trailer.

Well it's all window shopping for now, but maybe in 3-4 years I'll be in position to buy one - first new vehicle I've been excited about in many years and first Toyota I've ever been excited about.

RE: Finally found some Mermaids! I think? Mahahual Scuba Diving July 2023

Shovel — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 00:24:46 +0000

That was a fun video, super beautiful diving

Finally found some Mermaids! I think? Mahahual Scuba Diving July 2023

John Twarog — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 21:33:00 +0000

Hi All,

Been super busy with work, and prepping for this trip as well, so have been pretty absent.

Here are some photos, and a YouTube video link to a fantastic scuba dive trip to Mahahual, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Its is a 4 drive south, from Cancun, which most are familiar with. It is almost to the border of Belize, on the eastern coast of Mexico carrabean side!

This is the YouTube link. https://youtu.be/MaHLXsbCHTI

If you've never gone Scuba diving, this will give you a nice ride along, maybe it will stir an interest to try it out, or at least go snorkeling, or Free diving as I had done for many years before getting Scuba Certified. This trip I completed some Advanced Diver Training Courses as well, and have now completed over 20 dives, in the past year.

Here are some photos of the area, some dives, and the Mermaids that where our Dive Masters, just amazing and hard working ladies!!

Actually got some great video of Green Sea Turtles, and a Spotted Eagle Ray!

Hope all are well and having Great Adventures!!

JPT 😎 👍

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The Rancho Redux Ranch!

Shovel — Mon, 08 May 2023 17:11:52 +0000

Last month I had a surprise business trip sprung on me to the Midwest and my return flight was Louisville>Dallas>Phoenix>Spokane .   The flight path into Phoenix usually passes over Mt. Lemmon so as I flew over the ranch I took a photo from my little window seat, thinking I'd send it to Scott and Heather when I landed as a near-visit.

Well I did send it but I also missed my connecting flight to Washington and decided instead of being in a hurry to get home, maybe I could use a free day in Arizona where I already have friends and access to transportation.     That turned out to be a fantastic unexpected vacation!

The hard part of spending one day in a place where I have a number of friends & some family is unfortunately I can't go see everyone there just isn't time but it was going to be possible to combine a few visits, one of them was to an old friend who lives halfway between Phoenix and Catalina.    And that meant it wasn't much further to go visit Rancho los Cerros!

I'm very appreciative to Scott and Heather for taking the time to give us a big tour of the ranch, and hang out & finally get to meet in person.   It's going to be exciting watching the ranch develop under their care and vision along with of course the owners whose investment is riding on that development.

Perhaps one day in the not too distant future there will be a few restored guest rooms and make Rancho los Cerros a destination for more than just afternoon visits, provided one has the time to drive there.   It's really very secluded and doesn't feel like it's so close to Tucson & its suburbs.

Spring.. ish

Shovel — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 18:58:33 +0000

We've still had snow as recently as Sunday, and hail Monday so it's not exactly warm yet but spring is undeniably happening - and that means I can start work on the outdoor video projects I've been dreaming about all winter.

It means camping season is almost here too!    I don't know if we'll have the funds to visit "distant" Canadian destinations again this summer but there's a lot to explore within a 2-day weekend.

I'm hoping to wrap up my video series on restoring a very unloved, "Wrong Engine" Mustang and then have to make the decision on keeping it or selling it.   I'm building it as if I want to keep it.. but that's how I do all my projects and if I need to offer it to someone else they'll get something built with care and I think a little bit special.

For the video series at this point I want to develop my presentation and production skill.. taking the path of greatest resistance as always.

What does springtime bring for you?

March 2023 Gear Giveaway Winner!

Scott Leuthold — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 01:00:00 +0000

04/02/2023
March Gear Giveaway Winner Announced!

Congratulations to TEAM 4X Member #62, Robert Tenney of Maricopa, Arizona for winning the March 2023 Member Giveaway! Robert won a HydraPak Seeker – 3 Liter Collapsible Water Storage! Congrats Robert!

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Announcing the January 2023 Gear Giveaway Winner!

Scott Leuthold — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 00:27:18 +0000

I know, I know... it is late. I had to swollow an elephant getting Rove Ultra Expeditions website done in February. So, we will be skipping February all together for giveaways. BUT! I am happy to announce that Kevin Wright has won the January giveaway! Kevin won a Wolf & Grizzly Fire Starter Ferro Rod, Striker, and Fiber Kit!

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RE: Merry Christmas! Anyone traveling during the holidays?

Scott Leuthold — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 00:23:18 +0000

Damn, Philip! That is a nice truck! Love the stove, too!

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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I went out the day before New Years Eve to a local camp site with a friend to test His new tent set up. Had to put a few pictures of my truck set up