Okay, i'LL TRY

Ok lets try again.. See the pop-up below? When you click on the IMAGE button this will come up at the top of your page.. You must copy and paste the second line from photobucket into the [color:"red"]RED area with the HTTP in it. [/color]

Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Or if you put the go-pedal to the floor you can look like this.

Wow, Partytruck, now that is cool. I need to work it up more to reach that. Put it in the "soon" category.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> "I just could not make myself slow down!!!" Okay. It was your first outing.
I have my flame suit on knowing I'm most likely going to get hammered for saying this stuff, but, in most cases, it is just discourteous, juvenile, ill-advised, witless, and just plain silly to ford streams and fish-tail through muddy sections of a forest trail at a high speed! It simply is astonishing how many people new to four wheeling think they must go fast.
I don't know, perhaps it's from watching too many 4x4 vehicle commercials on tv ... or, some innate genetic sequence in their chromosomes that causes many people to be wreckless, prone to destroy themselves and things around them, and give no thought to consequences. Sometimes, a trail ride can be like a roller-coaster ride. But, you shouldn't go four wheeling with blinders over your eyes. There's more to a trail ride than getting over or through a trail obstacle, be it a stream, muddy trail conditions, rocky trail section, a rock climb several times higher than the rig, or whatever. Yes, it's fun. But, we shouldn't let our needs for immediate gratification (thrills) blind us to potentially harming ourselves, others on the trail, our vehicles, etc.
Wrangirl, going fast on trails isn't prudent. This is how we break stuf; put ourselves, others, and our vehicles in harm's way. You're not alone, I think most of us have done similar things.
Perhaps, here in the Rockies, we have more obvious consequences to consider. I know too well what it is like to go four wheeling just for the thrill of the trail challenges, my vehicle's prowess to handle trail challenges, the shear joy of triumph over personal fears, white-knuckled, harrowing rock climbs and butt-puckering, life-threatening shelf-roads plainly too narrow for the Jeep in that I had to take in the passengerside side mirror to cling to the rock face! Yes! I love it! But ... there is more, much more, to four wheeling than the trail's obstacles.
Obviously, none of us really mature in this sport. Challenges keep us young; at least, in our own minds. But, we need to always be concerned about the possible consequences of being wreckless on our trail rides. So, put the transfer case into low range, select a low tranny gear, and set the hand throttle (install one if you haven't yet), and fully enjoy the ride with the "roller coaster-ride blinders" off!

Gee, Fred.
I understand your concern. My idea of not slowing down is likely not in the same league with many off-roaders (they'd probably say I was a slowpoke), but in my defense -
I was on a designated off-road vehicle trail, one-way only, in a state park, and I scrupulously stayed to that trail. The point of the park having this special trail was so that the rest of the park would remain protected - Maryland needs designated places because so much of it is developed and this park provides a much-needed service. It had all types of terrain, a welcome surprise. Much of it was covered in Maryland fieldstone, that definitely slowed me down by necessity. Whenever I went up a hill or turned a corner, I slowed way down in case there was anyone ahead, of course. I would not want to hurt anyone. But, when I saw a wide open puddle with visibility all around and nothing to hurt? Awesome.

Dudette I think you missed the point. A Ford Sedan could have jumped that little puddle with no problem..
We think you should test the abiliy of your Jeep.. STOP in the middle of those puddles and then start off slowly.. A lilold puddle like that and your tires won't even slip..
First thing to learn is what your wonderful jeep will go thru and NOT get stuck.. You WILL be surprised.

Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> Wrangirl, there is much more to my point than expressed; and, again, I know this was your first outing with your new Jeep. I probably did the same as you did on my first outing, as well. Pictures have no way to indicate speed, and from most of your pictures it does indeed look as if you were truly NOT going "that" fast.

There is no need to speed through a stream or river, usually. Most four wheelers new to the sport, do. Rule of thumb is to ford streams and rivers slowly to avoid water from being sucked into engine's air intake. Your water crossings looked pretty inconsequencial in the photos, except for the low possibilities of sucking in mud and moisture, splashed up into the engine compartment. Your TJs air intake is much better placed and designed than in earlier Jeep models, but, it is still not incorruptible.

Off the topic somewhat, but, I rarely cross streams deeper than up to the mid height of my axles (and, it appears you didn't either), but have plently of times gone through deep river beds and have felt the Jeep starting to float away with the current. Deep river crossing involve some technique and finesse. I've seen others in similar deep water crossing go at such a speed to send roostertails high into the air ... and, only, to have the engine cough, sputter, and die on the opposite bank.

Mud and Jeeps, IMO, don't go together well. I know, a lot of four wheelers (mudd'rs) go bonkers over spinning their rig's wheels in the goo. But, at what price? Mud (dirt) gets into all moving parts, and, is abrasive. And, mud is difficult to get off. I remember well returning from a gooy trail ride, the stuff was stuck everywhere; so much so that the Jeep's wheels were vibrating badly during the ten miles or so on the highway back to the nearest car wash. I probably have some of that trail's mud still stuck to nooks and crannies under my rig to this day. Where possible, I try to drive around or go slowly through the mud hole or muddy trail conditions. However, I do personally know that sometimes a little mommentum is needed to get through some mud situations, especially, if you don't have lockers and/or sufficient ground clearance. Normally, slow is good enough.

Wrangirl, imparting one's thoughts on a topic here, is difficult where there are not graemlins sufficient to replace body language. When anybody is writing, they are writing to a group. You're not the only new Jeep owner here. And, understandably, the intent is to beg others to respond in writing, as well as, pass along your thoughs and/or information. Obviously, I wasn't attacking you. So, please don't be offended in any way. I was excited to see your photos and comments. I'm glad you finally went on your trail ride, and, had some fun with your new Jeep.

Again, there is more to being in the wilderness than just the offroad driving. For me, it is a very very very special experience!

Fred and BigJim, you all are the experts and I recognize that. That is why I ask my questions on this forum. You have given me excellent advice and I plan to follow it.
I must admit, I am still totally impressed with PartyTruck's splashdown (can't help it) but what you say is good counsel and I appreciate it and will follow it.

BTW, the quote I use here by Mario is probably misleading - it doesn't represent my DRIVING philosophy - but it fits at my workplace and is one of my all-time favorites.

There is a right time and place for stunts like mine every once in a while. The stream was about 10" deep and it was crossed at [email]35mph@750rpm[/email] wearing seatbelts.
I have a lot of experience crossing the deep rivers on that location wich can easely go to window height on the streamside on a Montero lifted for 38" tires, and they can get violent. I would never blast though a stream like that without checking it first, who knows if there is a big ol' rock lurking in the middle of it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />