LR Max
Local Oaf
I've been wanting to drive out to Colorado for many, many years. I tried it once about 4 years ago in my 1973 109, didn't work. So this time around, I decided I shouldn't do it in a 40+ year old truck, but something a bit more modern. At the beginning of this year I picked up a LR3. I had it in the back of my mind on how I wanted the vehicle to be. So from the beginning, I started addressing issues and getting the car up on maintenance. Then in June, I decided to make the trip a reality. Fortunately by then, all I needed to do was bolt on the rock sliders, swap out a few bulbs, and brakes. It was weird, the weekend before I was supposed to leave, the car was done and half packed...by 6pm. I sat on my back porch, drinking a beer, wondering what i was forgetting.
The time came to leave, drove up, picked up my dad, and we rolled out.
0803181423a by Max Thomason, on Flickr
0804181154 by Max Thomason, on Flickr
I had never driven cross country before, so I was looking forward to that experinece. I figured these two pics pretty much sums up that drive. I actually found the drive across Kansas enjoyable. The LR3 was a very good choice so far for this trip as driving it was enjoyable. Despite our fast pace, she returned 15-17 mpg all the way across the US. Best part, after 2500 miles, the oil FINALLY stopped looking like it was just poured out of the jug. Having dealt with classic rover engine issues, this was a great surprise for a rover engine with 120k on the clock.
We finally made it out to the Ouray area. First trail, of course, was Engineer Pass. We got up to the top just to realize it was too windy to have lunch. We came down, ran Mineral creek (which was more difficult than I had imagined, but fun) and out to the Ouray KOA. I did catch a lot of flak for staying at a KOA. But I was on vacation, I didn't care. Also the hot shower and dish washing situation was conducive to having a good time.
DSC_9663 by Max Thomason, on Flickr
DSC_9735 by Max Thomason, on Flickr
IMG_20180805_122926429 by Max Thomason, on Flickr
0805181407 by Max Thomason, on Flickr
The time came to leave, drove up, picked up my dad, and we rolled out.
0803181423a by Max Thomason, on Flickr
0804181154 by Max Thomason, on Flickr
I had never driven cross country before, so I was looking forward to that experinece. I figured these two pics pretty much sums up that drive. I actually found the drive across Kansas enjoyable. The LR3 was a very good choice so far for this trip as driving it was enjoyable. Despite our fast pace, she returned 15-17 mpg all the way across the US. Best part, after 2500 miles, the oil FINALLY stopped looking like it was just poured out of the jug. Having dealt with classic rover engine issues, this was a great surprise for a rover engine with 120k on the clock.
We finally made it out to the Ouray area. First trail, of course, was Engineer Pass. We got up to the top just to realize it was too windy to have lunch. We came down, ran Mineral creek (which was more difficult than I had imagined, but fun) and out to the Ouray KOA. I did catch a lot of flak for staying at a KOA. But I was on vacation, I didn't care. Also the hot shower and dish washing situation was conducive to having a good time.
DSC_9663 by Max Thomason, on Flickr
DSC_9735 by Max Thomason, on Flickr
IMG_20180805_122926429 by Max Thomason, on Flickr
0805181407 by Max Thomason, on Flickr