Made it home, actually made it home two days ago, but was pretty wiped out after a 17 hour marathon drive: after crossing the Blackrock desert section, I was only 4 hours from home. I was waffling about crashing out under the stars one more night-or driving late and sleeping in my own bed. If there was any debate, it was answered when I stopped to get a cold drink and realized that somewhere over the last two hours the tailgate had come open, dumping my cooler full of food and ice cold beer. I knew it was time to go home! (footnote-I hate littering, apologies to those behind me who found me mess).
The last section of Applegate trail I was following was a scenic,but bumpy and a little rough,section through High Rock Canyon. I spent at least a couple of hours in 4x4 low. Through the day I noticed a fair amount unmarked graves along the trail. I had also read a few diaries of folks who crossed the Applegate trail in the 1840s, and what surprises me is not that so many people died on the epic journey across the plains and desert, but that people actually survived it! It is long, nasty and there are places it seems the desert wasteland will never end, I can only imagine what it was like in a wagon with almost no suspension clunking along at 5-8 miles a day. There are other places that even with 4x4 and a winch it would be impossible for me to follow portions of the trail that are bypassed by more recent roads. That generation must have been some tough SOB's, and I tip my hat to them.
I made it to the previously mentioned cabin and spring at Stevens Camp, and was met by two of the unfriendliest cowboys I've ever met. I use the word "met" loosely, as even though I hadn't seen anyone for six hours and they hadn't seen anyone probably in days, it was too much effort to wave or tip their hat. In fact, the kept their backs to me for the 5 minutes I was there topping off my water jugs and checking out the truck. Very strange, usually everywhere I go in the Willys people are more than friendly, especially in small towns and in the country were people appreciate a good old 4x4.
I also noticed something else that frankly pissed me off: (Brief soapbox alert!!!) I saw in at least two locations were *&%$!! idiots took rocks from a gravesite and used them to build a campfire ring. I'm not a preachy type of person, but I've heard of people being shot for a lot less in Nevada.
Like I mentioned, I did make it home without further incidents. When I decompress in a few days Ill do a follow up on what worked, what didn't and what I need to do to make the truck more road-trip worthy!
Thanks for following along, and thanks for the encouragement along the way.
Duane