There are a lot of people going Off-road, many people learned by experience, some by trial & error, and some are learned by wheeling with experienced driver. For me, since I like drive off-road and do go off-road once in a while. But frankly, I am a really bad driver, on road and off road, and I figure maybe take a class will be beneficial for me and my vehicle.
After in depth research on the web and forums, many hour of comparison and carefully compared. Few are available in southern California, especially with time & budget constrict. There are two that are standout :
Badlands Off Road Adventure – Find that from fellow TundraSolutions member
Bill Burke’s 4-Wheeling America– Read from 4WD Toyota owner magazine which he was the editor
The Badlands Off Road Adventure by Tom Severin was chosen due to budget, location, and availability.
I registered the Basic Clinic for Sept. 20th, which he contacted me to notify me about equipment, and some safety information, Release of waiver of liability, survey of vehicle form, and some other forms. Few days before the event, there are some fire near hungry valley CA, so he had to move the class to Anza Borrego with brand new schedule, and since I am going to stay there, I signed up for second day too. I arrived on Friday night atPalm Canyon Inn at Borrego Spring at 9 Friday morning, because the lecture class was hosting there Saturday morning at 7:30.
I drove there after work on Friday the 29th, which it’s excellent drive. There is not too much traffic for Friday afternoon at 5 south (in California), get on 76 on Oceanside, 70, S2, and than S22. On the way down S22 which was a stretch of road coming down to Borrego Spring (next to Anza Borrego), there are no one on the road, so I was driving very slowly with window down. It’s not too warm, and the weather is just lightly warm with distant light around the Borrego Spring, and it’s great with light dry wind in the cabin. The Palm Canyon Inn are just at exit of the S22, which I checked in and to the room and get to sleep for early day tomorrow.
Waked up a little early, but since I was new at location, so I didn’t get the breakfast, but it’s okay, I usually don’t do breakfast. Walked around a little, took some picture near the Inn and find Mr. Serverin’s vehicle and chat a little before we start the class. We check my vehicle out to make sure it’s safe. we follow the Badland’s own check list, but the check list works basic check list for most standard check list for most of the clubs. Then we started the class, and first few Hours are the lectures and afternoon will be off-road driving.
There are three vehicles besides instructor’s highly modified vehicle:
Jeep wrangler – large tires, raised, suspended, changed axels.
2006 Toyota FJ cruiser 4×4- from what I know it’s pretty stock but with a little option
2005 Toyota Tundra 4×4 limit access cab – Just in case you don’t know… that’s mine
Caution:
This class was usually held at Hungry Valley, but due to fire hazzard around the area, Tom hosted at Anza Borrego, also there will be body damage on the vehicles
Links to other useful sites:
Anza-Borrego state park website
Bill Burke’s 4-Wheeling America
Here it goes:
Since we are near dark, so we go for the wash, sands, and easier stuff, but still give some demonstration and different terrains.
Around 7, we finish up and get back to the Inn. We had an excellent rib dinner at Inn, we chatted a little and that’s it for the first day.
Day 2 next.