4X4

The mountain behind our house has a bit of controversy. The lower slopes of Mt. Tzouhalem were purchased by a developer with grand dreams of putting in a fancy-shmancy residential community and championship golf course. He went and cleared all the trees before all the proverbial t's were crossed and i's dotted, and lo and behold turns out there was no water source. The development is now in bankrupcy and sits like a big ugly scar on an otherwise lovely forested mountain.

Today my friend Dane took me 4x4-ing up there in his Suzuki LJ. I didn't feel too bad about it, as it's a giant scorched and stripped piece of shale, with no vegetation to disturb. Primary succession waiting to happen! We got stuck, but let me emphasize that it was Dane driving and not me backing up. Luckily Dane is resourceful, and we weren't stuck for long. I ride my mountain bike up there all the time, but the mtb trails are in the trees. The view was amazing!

The view looking northeast.

Dane pondering the situation.

Getting unstuck.

Another view.