Added a bumper, a winch, and radiator

When you are off roading you need to have a way to get yourself out of trouble.
In this case it meant a winch for the front of the Jeep. In order to mount a winch you have to have a bumper that will accommodated it. It took some technique but I had to remove the bumper to add the winch and my daughter Sydney was a big help in that.
I don't ever want to get stranded so you have to make sure your coolant system works. My radiator was leaking just a tiny bit so I decided to get a new radiator and installed it.
I also added some lights to the bumper but I had to route the cable through the bumper to make it look clean I drilled some holes and added grommets.

Pine Valley hike

Hiked up the side of a mountain to look for deer, or sign of deer. All I found is that I am getting old.

Riding the bikes to a mountain hideout

We went to a soft Grand opening of a biker bar in the mountains called "Jose's hideout"

Sydney rode right next to me for the whole trip 150 miles, but she passed me going into a corner and carried a lot of speed. It worried me, but she pulled it off.

Great ride.

Jeeping into the Valley of the moons

The adventure started with Syney and I meeting up with two other Jeeps and couples. In a ghost town called Jacumba Hot Springs. The trail was mild to medium until we hit an obstacle called "Axle breaker". If you don't make it on your first try, you will be winched through by the group leader "Martin" and his jeep "penny". We were pulled through after a failed attempt. There was plenty of rocks, hills, dirt, and tight squeezes the rest of the way. About an hour or so into the drive, we stopped for a break, and my jeep would not restart..... uh oh!.
The key turned, but would not engage the starter. A few people jumped in with ideas ( hit the starter with a hammer, jump start the battery, starter inhibitors like the shifter in park switch, brake switch, wiggling the ignition. I finally took apart the steering column, and removed the electronic ignition switch, and turned the reo-stat inside of it with a screwdriver and .... success,
We drove out with no incidents, but now I have some parts to buy.
The scenery was incredible the rock formations were stunning. the dog got tossed around a bit, but he was glad to be out of the house.

Painting the hood and vent grille of the Jeep

The hood and cowl panel of my jeep were in pretty rough shape, and it needed to be painted and clear coated. I bought the material, and decided to do it myself. Lots of sanding (with 320)  to get rid of the clear coat, and some of the paint. I then primered it, sanded that. Then I laid down the basecoat, sanded that. Then the clear coat, and sanded that. Finally i hit it with a buffing compound, and buffed it to a shine.

Hood started off pretty rough. I had to sand off the clear coat, and some of the paint

Then came the primer (made my own booth in the garage by hanging some plastic from the ceiling)

Cowl panel grille primered, but had to cover the plastic under the grille openings

painted, but no clear coat

painted, but no clear coat

clear coat

clear coated, but with orange peel, drips, and overs pray, it needs to be wet sanded, and buffed

wet sanding some of the orange peel

sanded the clear coat, trying to get rid of the orange peel ( lower right)

After I sanded it, I put a buffing compound on it, and hit it with the buffing wheel

night view after buffing

First day at work

Congratulations to my youngest daughter, as she starts her career off with her first full time job. It is with a bio-science company that is doing trials on a cancer drug. Her roll is entry level, and will mostly be doing data entry.
She sent us all a picture of herself before she went in to the office. She is wearing a pendant from her recently passed Grandmother whom she was very close with.
Good luck kiddo, look out world.

Fish fry

The company I work for had a customer appreciation fishing trip.
My boss caught a beautiful yellow fin Tuna.
He generously gave us some filets from the yellow fin. We cooked it with batter and oil, as well as grilling it,

to make fish tacos.

Luau

So we drove two hours into LA (traffic) to go to a luau themed party. They had ordered a roasted pig. The host asks.... " Does anyone know how to carve this thing up"? "What would you do, Eric?"
"Well, I would process it like a deer. Cut down the spine exposing the back strap, then the rump, and shoulder"
She said" you're hired"! And I got to work.
We had a great time the meat was good, but I put my  plate over the the Mexican Ceviche. After eating, and good conversation, wed home and got back about 10:00pm.
The next day, I help a new friend, put a lift kit on his 2001 Jeep. It's good to make new friends, and I like to help out my fellow man/ woman.

Finally conquered Otay Truck trail. Otay Mountain borders Southern California with the Mexico border.
This hill and "rock garden" were my biggest challenges so far.
I put it in 4-low, and chugged over the rocks and up the hill.
My buddies were driving far more capable 2012,  and 2013 JK models.
We communicated with CB radios (it was the first time for two of us)

Family in town

Ohio family and South/North Carolina family, came to visit.
We started off with a trip to Disney Land. (everyone except me(I hate crowds))
The family had a great time. They got the "Fast-pass" and that helped get them through the lines faster.
My Grand niece was the only "Real child, and she is 4. she loved Disney as all kids do.
The next day was Golfing. We golfed at a course called Eagle Crest. Very nice course, but the scores were not that good.
We left the course and went back to the house for a cookout with burgers, dogs and brat's.  What a good day!
Sunday, the boys jumped in the Jeep, borrowed another Jeep, and we went to the mountains. We dropped off some lemons at a restaurant at the top. They serve us well up there, so we bring them lemons.
On the North end of the mountain, we took pictures of a lookout over the desert. What a beautiful shot. We drove back into a Jeep trail, and hit a few obstacles. The old Jeep overheated due to a bad fan relay. We let it cool down and once we got to the open road, we were fine.

Made it back to Old town San Diego in time for a Mexican food dinner.


A week later we decided to re-attempt the mountain Jeep Trail, and we made it in all the way. This time the girls got to drive. So proud of the skills they are learning. ( Dad's idea of skills)

Amber's boyfriend Mike

Borther-in-law (TY), Brandon, Me, Mike

B, and Breanne

Amber, Mike

Blake, Kevin, Courtney ( Neice) John ( Best bud), Sydney, Sister-in-law (Lisa), Kim

When you step out of the Jeep make sure there is not a rut!

Overlook

full concentration by Amber

Sydney (youngest)

Amber, (Oldest)

Proud Dad