"This road isn't really recommended for vehicles like yours," said the park ranger from his huge 4wd F350. I sat in my vehicle, staring like 10 stories up at him.
"But, you've made it this far, and if you're slow and careful, you might make it through without losing your tailpipe."
That's reassuring!
The map showed that this road would bring us to the trailhead. But this "road" began with gravel, and before long dwindled to little more than a rocky and rutted path through the remote forest. Our purpose in this trip was to scout a trail to see if it held potential for a backpacking trip with future DTS classes.
I'm all about off-roading, four wheel drive, etc. My first vehicle was a Jeep. Some of my best memories growing up involve mud pits, bumpy roads, and 4x4's. But this was different. Navigating deep ruts and fallen trees and large rocks just isn't the same when I'm driving a BUICK LESABRE! Yes, a Buick LeSabre, that's the kind of car my grandmother drives!
Despite the knot in my stomach and Jen's anxiety (Marin slept through it all), we arrived at the trailhead and hiked a beautiful trail that will be a great spot to bring our DTS students. On the way back we took a different and much more maintained route, although we still had two river fordings. I must say, I now have a much higher opinion of LeSabres than I had before.
