This turkey can trot...

Black Friday Cheryl and I went North to test the Jeeps off road prowess with my Jeep club's first annual Turkey Trot.

 

The recent snow fall had me concerned as the Jeep is only on 28" all season sneakers and, well, short compared to many of the built up Jeeps in the club.  We played follow the leader and drove some unmaintained class VI roads in Southern NH.

We held the group up for about a half hour when the Jeep couldn't climb a snowy, slippery ledge.  A committee immediately convened and the problem was solved, we were on our way.

Tow strap committee

We were on our way, or so we thought....

 

We ultimately needed a tow for the next 100 yards through a steep rocky section of trail.  The Jeep sacrificed a plastic center hub cap but otherwise survived unscathed.

A rolling stone gathers no moss....

Same goes for Jeeps.    After nearly 14,000 miles in six weeks the Jeep enjoyed a rest in the driveway.  However in this time some life sprung up along the windshield seams.   Some plant spores fed by nutrient rich dust and ample water coming down the windshield took root and flourished, briefly.

Something's growing

More something

The Comanche's "rest" was nearly six weeks before I took to looking after its wounds.  I had the catalytic converter replaced and found several intake manifold bolts went missing during our journey.  We also now have a leaking power steering unit, leaking front shocks and our tires are badly worn and cracked. The later will have to wait till budget allows for repairs.

The early snow in the North East (Halloween weekend) brought a lot of trees and limbs down.  The Jeep was called into service pulling some large hanging limbs to the ground at my parents house.  This added insult to injury with it's all ready badly mangled bumper.

Boo-boo bumper

The Jeep is happily resigned to hauling firewood and bikes around for the time being.