A week in the desert of Anza Borrego, CA

Currently as my fingers type across the keyboard, I’m flying back to Denver, Colorado after a week in Borrego Springs training our new field crew for their promotion. Training did include some classroom time and best of all some 4 wheeling in the desert. This consisted of hills climbs, rock crawling (really cool to see the suspension of the car work and how to engage the suspensions to your favor by “left foot” braking. We also had the crew practice recovery tactics (pulling FJ Cruisers ‘vehicle for promotion’ out of deep sand and even when they are high-centered too, sort if like getting stuck on top of a turtle shell…ha ha).

Overall it was a great week of 4 wheeling and thawing out in the desert sun. However it wasn’t as warm as I wished or expected for southern California standards. Temps ranged in the mid 50’s to low 60’s with only a day or two in the 70’s. We had some rain the first night and a windstorm with blowing sand, very crazy to see first hand. Then to add to it, at 3,500 feet there was snow in the mountain tops, so awaking in the morning for a run, I saw a rainbow and snow atop some of the mountain tops on their west face.

I was able to do a couple runs while out in the desert, but unfortunately not as many as I needed or even the important long run of over a 1:30. Lots of my excuses stem from staying up late (not drinking) but talking shop with co-workers and clients about what we can do to tweak the Trail Team experience and ideas for later dates and even in the following year. The runs that I was able get in were great and peaceful, both at sunrise and sunset. I did notice that my night run was short as I didn’t really want to run into the wild coyotes as there are an abundance walking around and howling. A few snake tracks could be seen too that I didn’t want to meet first hand.

The highlight of the week wasn’t running in the desert but 4 wheeling and getting to see the crews in their element. Doing some of the things with the FJ Cruiser that we did, especially, the FJ I had (was stock, just off the showroom floor, nothing aftermarket or special, like 3 inch lift and fat tires). It was insane to look up at this hill and know my goal was to “fail” the hill climb as it was instructed, so

we drove halfway up and then had to back down in a straight line. Then we hit a few steep down hills in soft dirt and washouts. The rock climbs where the best by far! The high speed flat sections where cool too, with tops speeds of 50mph on 3-4 inch of loose sand underfoot and taking S turns like it was nothing, kicking out the backend of the FJ and letting off the gas so the front tires would bite for better traction. I learned that trick from one of the professional drivers Kevin Hans from NH that was out to help with training.

Well pictures speak a thousand words, so I hope that you enjoy the ones I’ve included and it speaks better then how I’ve tried to describe my last week and first time 4 wheel to you. If you’re interested in the FJ Trail Teams, the promotions I helped launch, check out our their website at www.fjtrailteams.com