This run was one of the best vacations I ever had. Being a native of Arizona and being almost fourty, I can tell you that the weather added another dimension to these runs that brought them to an outstanding level.

Everyone who brought this event to fruition (Andy, John, Dl, Duerk, the scout teams (thanks Dave) The Drip for all the filming) deserves all the credit. It was a well planned out run and the rain made it just phenominal.

Day one was light and fun in the coves, I made it up this monster optional hill and that set the tone for SwankyX. I never needed the strap or a push the rest of the run, which amazed me. We had a great day and some great food (those New Yorks!) that night. Nestled snug in tent city it was an uneventful night.

Day two started raining right after we got tent city down. It rained the rest of the day while we ran the hardest trail of the run, Sunflower Mine. Big boulder field was really difficult due to the rain (okay and the BFR's). I think I had a real bad line and am pretty sure that's where I snapped that big ol factory tow hook in half and dented my front rims. Just minor carnage.

We made it to Bushnell Tanks and set up tent city in the driving rain. We stayed dry, but the rain never let up. Thank God for Flips new grill mod. It cooked dinner, provided warmth and dryed out clothes. The wind burst in and ruined some tents, but other than that we survived.

Pretty much more rain all day Wednesday as we ran Reno Pass. I got to totally spray mud ALL over the back of Andy and Davienas new X. Um, sorry Reno was great. It was hard to tell the trail from the wash many times. Our recent repair at reliqous rock was mostly washed out. The mud at the end was this monster sticky goo. Sometimes you had no control at all over where the truck went. I went with John and Leland home via the Apache trail. Glad I did. Scenery was just spectacular. Huge waterfalls at Fish creek.

Thursday we saw the Aqua Fria just roaring water. Great day with some let up on the rain. Got some great shots of the sunset, and proved once again that I suck at horseshoes. As we got to camp John showed us a neat drop off. Flip went left, Andy went right, Mike went right. John and "The Canadian" say "go left, don't be a wussy' So left I go. Only just a tad tooooo left. I dropped the X off a seven foot ledge. Did pretty good too, except for the two bundles of firewood that were actually strapped pretty tight went flying down on my hood. I'm sure the entire internet world will be seeing that video soon.

Friday was a total mud, quicksand, water blast. Went up one wash for at least five miles in the water. Awesome. Got some KFC in Wickenburg and had (finally) a great fire. Tall stories were told and my ribs are sore from laughing so hard. There was the apple, and for those that stayed up late, Chucky was sacrificed.

Truly a great time with great people. Thank you everyone for your great company, I had such a great time. Go here for some pictures. http://www.picturetrail.com/swankyx

Accept No Substitutes! Start making your Arizona Run IV plans today

Marshall's "oops":



Yes folks, thats a 7ft vertical drop. Just after that, the firewood fell off and bounced off the hood.




BEEFYJames Fabrication - Custom Fabricated for Use and Abuse

Rock on man!!!!

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www.geocities.com/greentacoma_99

New trail damage report....bent tie rod. I guess I must have tweaked my passenger side tie rod while pretending to be Ivan "Ironman" Stewart today in the Hassayampa River Wash. So it looks like I'm off to call Calmini on Monday and order the new WD21 Steering Package.

Thanatoz
Jee·ple (Jēp´pél), n., -ples. 1. any of several ruminant mammals, esp. of genus Ignoramus, which purchase and drive Jeeps. see also sheeple.

Did Marshall have to change his pants after that fall?! Hahaha

So John, where's the videos? I don't want any excuses...they better be up int he next hour

Mr. Will

LOL.. actually, i'm working on a highlights video now.. ONly problem is that I've just finished editing in all the COOL day 1 footage and its already 5 minutes long! haha


BEEFYJames Fabrication - Custom Fabricated for Use and Abuse

That "drop" pic would make a great publicity shot . Looks really good

......................
1998 nissan

Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun. I hope to make the next run.

Heres the first video guys!! Day 1-3 highlights:

Go here for the video


BEEFYJames Fabrication - Custom Fabricated for Use and Abuse

All I can say is that, not only was it one of the best vacations I ever had, but the company was really great. I would like to thank everyone for the fun and especially thank John, Andy, and Flip for Videos, The Run and the food. And John again for introducing me to this CREW the SWANKY! I am looking forward to more Carnage in the future!

"If you can't hear me, it's because I'm in parentheses."

I have to agree with everyone, this was an absolutely awesome vacation. Good company too, eh. Things got just out of control enough to be fun, but no one was hurt, and the wheeling was good during the day. Thanks to everyone for abusing Canadians, it wouldnt have been the same without being the brunt of half a million jokes.

AWESOME TRIP! I will not miss it next year or thereafter if I can help it. Sweet!

What a lovely writeup, Stone. The pictures are pretty nice also - especially the sunsets. Love the humorous shots, hehe. Tent City looks like the only way to camp.

Why does AZ have to be so far away? Why do I have to be so poor right now? Next year!


Heavily Modified 2001 SE
6cyl 5spd 4x4 Solar Yellow

Y'know, BP - a Penske truck for your stuff and a car hauler for your X can make AZ a lot closer for ya. And I'll bet we can find ya a place to live too.



1998 Frontier 4x4 seriously built
2002 Xterra 4x4 still stock
Please help STOP urban sprawl!

Seriously tempting! I'm thinking a move out west will happen within the next year or so. I can't stand New York anymore.


Heavily Modified 2001 SE
6cyl 5spd 4x4 Solar Yellow

Hey now, don't cramp my style, I've been looking into a move out west for the past few months. All I really need is somewhere to work, and I'm on my way!