WHEELING WITH THE ANCIENT ONES Four-Wheeling into History with a Jeeping Lifestyle Story By Del Albright, Sustainable Motorized Recreation Advocate (Originally published on ModernJeeper.com) The sun glared off the Jeep windshield as I tried to negotiate some ugly volcanic rocks in the Nevada desert just outside Virginia City. As I couldn't see the trail all that well (maybe the 2 inches of trail dust on the windshield had something to do with it), my shotgunner had her head hanging out the passenger window, spotting for me.   I was busy feeling the tires take turns doing unnatural things on the rocks when all of a sudden, I heard "Stop!" from my rider. Naturally, I did, but why is it that whenever your spotter or shotgunner wants you to stop, you're always in the middle of some predicament you'd rather not be in?   Because one of the first rules of wheeling is to listen to your spotter, I obeyed and queried as to why I was halted with one tire in the air and t...

They Wouldn't Compromise. Why Would You? 5 Tips to Understanding Negotiating vs Compromise  By Del Albright, Sustainable Motorized Recreation Advocate Our forefathers did not want to compromise our liberties. They didn't want our country founded on compromise. To compromise means to give up something.   In their case, they were building something, not giving up something (other than oppression). But if you're new to land use and access battles, then the idea of compromise might have a significantly different meaning to you.   Often, I hear from two very different sides of the fence. One side says never compromise…it only means we lost something in the process – and we've lost too much as it is. The other side says we must compromise in order to gain ground – that it's only fair to play the give-and-take game.     If you're negotiating for a look-alike Rolex in a third-world country, you might experience compromise at its best. The seller starts pretty high, and ...

A special message from the owner of Morrflate:   "Since starting MORRFlate in 2019, our mission has been to support our trails and keep public lands accessible. Before 2024, we donated $94,200 to trail projects and advocacy.  In 2024, we contributed a whopping $54,885 to these causes , making our lifetime total $149,100! Note that $1,400 of 2024 donations came from our fundraiser items: slate rounds and trash bags. When you rock the neon green, you're not just part of the MORRFlate family;  you're helping keep the adventure alive for everyone." Tyler Laursen, MORRFlate. A special note from author Del Albright:  I never get tired of reminding motorized recreationists to buy from businesses that support our trails and help keep them open to all. When a company like MORRFlate demonstrates this kind of dedicated involvement, we need to return the favor and support them! We love our MORRFlate tire inflation and deflation kit. Take your air up/down to the next level...

CALIF. 4WHEEL DRIVE ASSOCIATION RAFFLE What the Wise Man Said About Jeep Tickets By Del Albright, Sustainable Motorized Recreation Advocate Once Upon A Time…  " My fingers were ragged from climbing a jagged mountain peak, only to find a wise, old man sitting there, legs crossed, deep in thought. “Old man,” I said, “what are you doing here and so absorbed in concentration?” “Son,” he mumbled, “it’s the tickets.” “Tickets,” I exclaimed, “what the heck are you talking about?” “How many Win-A-Jeep tickets should I buy?  This will be a good year,” he decreed. I asked, “What’s so great about these tickets and this Jeep?” “Well,” he slowly explained, “even if I don’t win, I’m helping this great outfit save trails and keep roads open.  But if I do win, I can get the heck off this mountain!” That did it right there.   I scrambled down that mountain, found a WiFi hot spot, logged in, and bought my share of tickets. You should do the same! The End.   Now the rest of the st...

 CURING SIGN BLINDNESS Keeping Trails Open by Following the Rules By Del Albright, Sustainable Motorized Recreation Advocate Curing “Sign Blindness” You’re driving to your favorite trail and whipping right on by the kiosk or starting place with all the signs and do’s and do not’s. We all do it. And we do it because we know our trial and the rules. Unfortunately, not everyone knows the rules. But they are sure “blind” to signs way too often.  I spend a large part of my time educating folks on how to recreate responsibly – doing it right while enjoying the great outdoors. But the one thing that frosts me is how some people do not seem to see signs and, therefore, suffer from what I call sign blindness – the inability to see what is in front of them and follow the rules! Do Not Feed the Wildlife How many times have you seen someone feeding the wildlife despite a sign 10 feet away to the contrary? Think about the tracks you see of a mountain biker or dirt biker who just had to get...

  Basic Training for Life Common Sense, Courtesy, and Protocols for a Successful Life (Outdoors) By Del Albright, Sustainable Motorized Recreation Advocate The Outdoors Rules of Life: 1. If you open it, CLOSE IT. 2. If you turn it on, TURN IT OFF. 3. If you unlock it, LOCK IT. 4. If you break it, FIX IT. 5. If you can't fix it, CALL SOMEONE WHO CAN. 6. If you borrow it, RETURN IT. 7. If you use it, PUT IT BACK . 8. If you make a mess, CLEAN IT UP. 9. If you move it, PUT IT BACK. 10. If it belongs to someone else, GET PERMISSION TO USE IT. 11. If you don't know how to operate it, READ THE DIRECTIONS or    DON'T MESS WITH IT. 12. If it doesn't concern you, DON'T MESS WITH IT! NOTES:  GATES: When it comes to gates, leave them as you find them (unless there's a sign saying CLOSE THE GATE and you found it left open). TRAIL RIDE RIGHT of WAY: Yield to uphill traffic when possible. Smaller convoys YIELD to larger convoys. 4x4's YIELD (pull over) for horses and ...

  Saving the Future of Motorized Recreation What Your Membership to Organizations Accomplishes By Del Albright, Sustainable Motorized Recreation Advocate  Author  Del Albright is joined by Don Amador, career Recreation Advocate   Saving trails and the whole sport of motorized recreation depends on many factors, but without those factors, our trails and our sports will be in jeopardy. Primary in the list is local club involvement in issues and organizational growth. Without local membership support and involvement, a larger umbrella group (state, regional, or national) will push water uphill and waste precious resources.   From what we’ve seen, working with boards at all levels, before an organization or group can invest time, money, and staff in an issue, it must assess the value of the level of service to its members.   Noted land use advocate Don Amador crafted this diagram of how many organizations develop a strategy for level of service:     ...

  6 SIMPLE STEPS TO SURVIVE A WILDFIRE The 6 Ps of Disaster Preparedness By Del Albright, Sustainable Motorized Recreation Advocate It's all about the 6 P's: 1. People and Pets 2. Papers 3. Prescriptions 4. Personal Needs 5. Priceless 6. Plastic Read the whole story here and get the full list of tips and suggestions, that start with defensible space and being in touch with your local fire department. Surrounded by wildfire this house survived as did the occupants (by evacuating)   NOTE:  Have a plan; tell everyone in your immediate family; practice it; be ready to survive. Wildfires have no conscience. And as a retired Fire Chief, I will tell you what I told countless evacuees; if you can replace it; leave it when someone says evacuate! Do not die for stuff.   A DRAFT PLAN FOR THE 6 P’S PEOPLE and PETS 1. TEXTS: Tell everyone to stay on top of texts (better than phone calls) during fire times in the area – no matter what, stay in touch. 2. EVAC ROUTES: Design...