Mauka2Makai - Our Quest Begins...An 80 Series Adventure

[pskhaat]

Which Baja Rack is that?

[Mauka2Makai]

Great write up + pics, Mauka. Those were some nice rigs you had.

Very inspirational post...glad to read up on a father's quest to enjoy the outdoors with their wife and children.

I have 3 kids...and the 80 was purchased specifically to enjoy the outdoors with them and my wife. It is not a DD.

I also have a '65 FJ-40. The previous owner shipped it to HW where it lived for 3 years.
In fact, the HW inspection decal is still on the rear bumper.

This is a pic when I first purchased it. Note the Hawaiian theme seat covers.

Any chance you've seen it on the Islands??

TwinCruiser, Thanks my friend... Never seen your 40 on Oahu, I'm positive I'd remember though and wow definitely don't miss those yearly safety or recon checks. Had very similar seat covers on the vanagon as well. One of my favorite aspects of owning an 80 is the minimal amount of mods required to create and experience new adventures with the family.

Which Baja Rack is that?

pskhaat, This is the Land Cruiser 80 Series “Utility Rack” (Flat) by Baja Rack. I highly recommend this rack and give 5 out 5 stars for meeting my expectations for why I purchased this rack. Will give full review soon.

[Mauka2Makai]

We had been planning our trip to Anza Borrego for around a week, it was pretty much our maiden voyage for taking the LC off road and camping. While on duty the night before leaving I could barely sleep, just thinking about how much fun was ahead. And... Did we have every thing we would need? Is the LC going to hold up? Am I nuts for bringing my family out to the desert? Will they have fun and enjoy themselves? I reviewed things over and over in my head till I fell asleep. That morning we got the LC packed and headed out not even knowing exactly where we would even set up camp that evening.



With traffic through the city and on the freeways and making many bathroom stops it made for a long drive to Borrego Springs.



Our first stop was the visitor center for Anza Borrego desert. With better directions to the trail head and an idea of what was ahead we proceeded forward without looking back. While airing down I had a couple thoughts again of what if ..... happens. Yeah, What if.... I Wonder if Anza had any What ifs?



Now that was an expedition! Can you imagine?
stay tuned.

[Mauka2Makai]

I knew we had to cross the creek 3 times and the last would have a bit of water.





It blew my mind seeing this oasis in the middle of the desert, Man this is awesome!

EnJoY the ViDeO...



We all got a huge kick on the crossing.

Stay tuned.

[Mauka2Makai]

Next up were around four portions of rocky and I mean rocky trail. It was as if all the other portions of the trails were fresh paved asphalt compared to the rock gardens. With no sliders I was definitely concerned about rocker panel damage and these rocks all had sharp edges and were ready to slice and puncture your side walls. My plan was to advance smooth and steady with clean lines to minimize bounce and potential damage. Man it would have sucked to suffer a flat on the incline. This is about the extent of rock crawling that I would want to do with my LC, just not into that type of wheeling. Wish I had some pics for this portion of trail, just have a bunch of shaky video filmed from the inside.

EnJoY the ViDeO...



With water crossings and rock gardens behind us it was going to turn dark soon and we needed to find a spot to set up camp. I wanted to be well off the trail and not visible by any potential passer byes. I happened to see some tire tracks leading off trail and it just ended up leading us to exactly what we were looking for.



I got camp set up while my wife grilled the chicken and the boys got filthy dirty.



The boys loved roasting marsh mellows and hanging with the fire. Once we got them to bed, we loved the peace and quiet.

stay tuned...

[Mauka2Makai]

We awoke that morning with the sun peeling through the 3 sets of sun shades that we used as our curtains. Wow 0630! Thats sleeping in for camping. I will give a review of the air mattress later, but as far as sleeping in the back of the LC its a pain in the ***. Taking the seats out and putting back in wasn't the problem; it was having to unload and repack everything, set up the air mattress and sleeping bag, kids seats, and I think packing every thing back up the next day was the kicker. We both agreed that it was a pain in the ***. I'd rather have more time enjoying camp, than setting it up. Otherwise this option kept us warm, safe, clean, and we were able to sleep in till 0630.

It was my turn on the grill so I made some bacon and eggs, with strawberries and yogurt on the side.



It started to get hot very quick that morning, so we started packing camp early to get a bright start on our day.

First on the agenda was driving out to Sheep Canyon and doing some exploring by LC.



Lots of Fun just driving around and enjoying the scenery.



Near the end of Sheep Canyon. Getting some shade time.



We spent four hours or so driving around and exploring Sheep and Coyote Canyon. Going down the rock gardens was a lot more brutal on the LC than going up, no damage though.

EnJoY the ViDeO...



Back through the water crossing, Thanks for the rinse.

EnJoY the ViDeO...



All my wife asked to do while in Anza Borrego was to hike the Palm Canyon. We just got done driving around for four plus hours out in the desert the last thing I felt like doing was going on a 3+ mile hike in this HEAT.

Guess what we did next?

Half a mile into the hike and feeling the heat.



Getting more shade time. No Palm oasis insight.



Around the bend and all I could think was WOW.





We took a much needed brake next to a waterfall and soaked our feet in the fresh cool desert water.



On our hike back to the truck we came upon this boulder balanced on a palm log waiting to be pried up. My oldest wanted to pull down on the log.



My wife piggy backed our youngest and I had our 50lb oldest on my shoulders for the last mile out. We were all beat by the sun and exhausted.
We still needed to find a place to set up camp for the night as well.

Welcome to the Hacienda Del Sol Motel...



Last thing my wife and the boys thought they'd be doing was going swimming that evening.



I could not think of a better way to end our day than pool side in Anza Borrego, completely spur of the moment and well deserved.

stay tuned...

[TwinCruiser]

Awesome pics.

Just out of curiosity, what do you do for "security".
I mean, do you have a firearm on you?

Pardon the "jaded" question but I even "carry" while camping in our local state parks.
Growing up in the Miami, FL area does that to you.
I'm especially cautious when I'm with the wife and kids.

I'll bet that motel stay and pool was most enjoyable.

Keep safe + keep posting pics!!

[Mauka2Makai]

Awesome pics.

Just out of curiosity, what do you do for "security".
I mean, do you have a firearm on you?

Pardon the "jaded" question but I even "carry" while camping in our local state parks.
Growing up in the Miami, FL area does that to you.
I'm especially cautious when I'm with the wife and kids.

I'll bet that motel stay and pool was most enjoyable.

Keep safe + keep posting pics!!

TwinCruiser, Lets just say that we are protected where ever we go and that I have multiple ways of keeping people and animals "chill". Glad your enjoying the story. Thanks man. Stay tuned for the Desert Creatures.

[FSU_Disco]

the long water crossings are always fun. did you get any water coming in the doors?

[TwinCruiser]

Mauka,

Thanks for the reply.
BTW, as I posted earlier in this thread, kudos to you + yours for taking the kids to experience the great outdoors.

Enjoy as much of it as you can now...once they start school, you'll find that your work schedule and the kids' schooling...it becomes much more difficult to plan nice camping outings.

I'm in that stage in life now...kids are 15 + 12.

Did go camping this past Memorial Day weekend to a state park...no wheeling though but a 420 mile round trip.

Note the loaded rack...like yours: