In an effort to avoid an all-out hijack of the "Common Timing Belt Problems" thread from tech...



Any venturing into my home area (the UP) - would absotively demand my attendance!!!

I don't have time to post all the pics or do a lot of captioning right now, but here's a few snapshots from my trip home last August (started editing a new season of shows at work & never got around to posting about my vacation):










(Fishing, anyone?)




(This bridge is about 125ft in the air on a mild but scenic trail along the east side of the peninsula)









[img]http://home.comcast.net/~shamer1/japaninv.jpg[/img]
(A good friend of mine had just picked up a new '95 4Runner & we did a little breaking in of our new rigs while I was home.)

[img]http://home.comcast.net/~shamer1/gs4run.jpg[/img]

[img]http://home.comcast.net/~shamer1/upnaway.jpg[/img]
(Note that you can see the front windshield through the sunroof...)

[img]http://home.comcast.net/~shamer1/crazymofo.jpg[/img]

Some seriously pretty stuff...and FISH! Nice.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />Nice shots.......
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Shawn:

Hell yes you're in! Were those actually in the UP? If so, that might require more time off on this end, etc. What about somewhere in the lower for a long weekend's trip? Maybe some trails close to the dunes?

How are things in the winter? I could be interested in some combo of driving and snowshowing or BC skiing as well.

Not sure what kind of camera you use, but those are some nice photos. The colors are great.

Nice collection of pics!
I like the variety of terrain.

He's a "real pro"... (No offense to Don!)

Classic!!!

Nice compostion Shamer. Luv the "path" , "lake silhouette" and "Paj on beach". Who's in the right corner?

Some dodgy exposures tho.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks guys. The little blotch of blue in the beach shot is most likely my 4yo boy, Cullen, but might be my 2yo daughter, Quincy.

The camera isn't all that great, really - it's a Sony 3.2MP I picked up a couple of years ago. It's perfect for snapshots, but I'd really prefer an SLR type digital, maybe when the prices come down a bit more... I've got way better film cameras, but I've become addicted to the ease of digital ones.

Yes, all those pics were taken in the western UP - all locations within an hour or so drive of each other. There's plenty of similar all across the Upper Peninsula & various other terrain types. There are definitely rocky areas that would be crazy difficult without 37" tires & good underbody armor. A winter off-road trip would be awesome, but bear in mind that some of the areas (especially the Keweenaw peninsula) get upwards of 400 inches of snow each season... but that also means there's sweet skiing, snowshoeing and icefishing - not to mention the steepest downhill run in the midwest (Mount Bohemia) which is only a mile from my family's lakeside cabin (read:rustic)!

Shawn

Hey Shawn and JonS, I'll be up in Muskegon next week! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />