[Jeffro06]

On October 28th, 2007 I headed out to the Badlands, in Attica Indiana, for the second time, to once again meet up with the Jeeps Gone Wild Off-Road Club. I took my oldest daughter and her boyfriend with me, while two of their friends followed in another Jeep. It would be the first trip for them.

I'm driving the 95 Wrangler and Jason is driving the 98 Wrangler. My daughter took the on board photos, and we kind of split the rest. Her boyfriend ran the video.


This is a shot out the front window, as we head to meet up in the quarry.


This is me, playing around in the quarry, waiting for everyone to arrive.


This is Jason, doing the same.


Jason couldn't resist the mud hole.


After awhile we headed back up to the parking lot, to meet up with the crew from Jeeps Gone Wild.


It was a Halloween ride, so a few costumes were seen. Mike, the president of Jeeps Gone Wild was a bum and his daughter was a bunny.


I was a clown.....not your typical clown of course. I got a few looks as I headed back to the quarry.

[red96jeep]

your pics arnt working

[Jeffro06]

This is Kevin, a club member, with Jason in the background.


A recovery effort was on the way before we even hit the trails. Zach's rear diff got hung up on a rock. He got off of it, but the he ended up cutting a valve stem, and was sidelined.


I have no idea who this is, but the Jeep sounded awesome, and made this little step up look easy....not many did, as it was a bit wet on the approach.


Here Mike falls victim to a new locker, and a weak axle. He had a spare and was able to fix it, but not in time for the trail run. Being a good host he insisted that the rest of us hit the haunted trail.


Here we start off on the haunted creek run. That's Jason in front of me, with Kevin leading the way in his yellow Ruby.

[Jeffro06]

We enter the creek.


This is Jeff and then Eddie following me.


We found this stuck Cherokee along side the creek.


Ah, what they would give for lockers here. It just took a gentle tug from Jeff and they were on their way.


Here we come to the end of the Haunted trail. There were plenty of Halloween decorations along the way, but my daughter didn't shoot those...doh! The crew from Jeeps Gone Wild did a really good job with the decorations.

[Jeffro06]

After the haunted creek trail we headed back to the quarry to check on Mike. He was making progress, but insisted that we continue to run some trails. A few people decided to stay and help, but since it didn't take everyone to replace an axle, the rest headed back out.

There was a late comer who wanted to do the haunted trail so Chad, in the white Sahara, took them down it, while Kevin lead myself, Jason and Jeff to the....

...you guessed it, Orange Trail. Now the last time I was at the Badlands it was dry and dusty. This time it was a bit on the wet side. I saw on weatherchannel.com they were supposed to get sprinkles on the Friday prior to this event. Turns out it was more like a gully washer...


Here we start our journey into the trail.


There were a few ups.


And downs.


This is a steep right handed down hill. You really can't see where you're going as you enter it.

[Jeffro06]

As I made my way down the hill, Kevin was starting to get a bit out of view.


This is where I found him.


The closer I got, the worse it looked.


This is actually just after the first tug. The headlights were completely covered, and the water was coming up on the hood...


Jeff gave him a tug.


Then I gave Jeff a tug, while he gave Kevin's jeep a tug.

[Jeffro06]

Once we got Kevin's jeep far enough back...in other words in shallow enough water, Jeff got in right behind him and pulled him back to dryer land. By the way, that's me on the right.


Kevin had to let out a bit of water before getting back in. It took about 30-minutes to get Kevin out of the water, and then another 30-minutes for him to get it running. When it died in the water, we were all a little worried. After pulling the plugs and cranking it over a few times, they were re-installed and after a few cranks she started!!!


It ran a little on the rough side, and fogged for skeeters for awhile, but it soon cleared up and everything seemed to be fine. Kevin laughed it off, and said it was the third time he'd been in water like that, and then lead the rest of the trail.


This "little" hole was the perfect size for a Jeep. The approach out was a bit slick, and lockers would have made it easier...just ask Kevin...but we all made it out.


We made it back to the quarry where we found Mike finishing up his repair, but it was closing time so we never got a chance to wheel with him.

We all had great time, and I'm going to join the club. I won't be able to make the Thanks Giving run, but if you haven't been out there, that would be a great time to go!

I want to thank everyone from Jeeps Gone Wild for a great time, and I look forward to seeing you guys/girls again soon!

[chris_doing]

Nice pics man! Looks like a good time

[Wrangler11]

If it wasn't such a far drive I'd love to go there more often. With Cliffs only being half the distance. Looks like you guys had a good time

[Jeffro06]

Thanks for the comments guys. Here are a couple of pano shots (multiple shots put together)...I always like those..


The parking lot meet up.


The quarry meet up.

You can see many more shots here http://leiningerphotos.smugmug.com/gallery/3733985#214476521

[breckboarder55]

very nice

I was wondering was the snorkel not fully hooked up that he still flooded the motor?

[Jeffro06]

Originally Posted by Wrangler11

If it wasn't such a far drive I'd love to go there more often. With Cliffs only being half the distance. Looks like you guys had a good time

The drive is a bit on the long side, but it's worth it, and I'd have no problem going once a month!

I'll have to visit the Cliffs next year...when/if it's drier...

[Wrangler11]

The drive is a bit on the long side, but it's worth it, and I'd have no problem going once a month!

I'll have to visit the Cliffs next year...when/if it's drier...

After you go to cliffs you won't think it's worth the drive once a month. Not saying anyhting bad about the bad lands. I had a blast the last time I went.

[ms04sahara]

good stuff. thanks for sharing.

[TheEddie]

Nice pics Jeff, wish I could have caught you guys before you all headed to the orange trail, but it sounds like I may need to get my sliders before I hit the orange. I ended up driving home with Mike and the gang.. I'm definitely joining the club the next time we go out too. It was nice meeting you guys.

*goes to steal the pics that hes in