Land Rover National Rally
September, 2008
Moab, Utah, USA
Oddly enough, we can't actually remember how we heard about the national Land Rover rally in Moab, but we're certainly glad we did. Having fully retired a few years earlier, we had an abundance of free time, and it provided something to focus on and look forward to.
We had completed the initial modifications to the Defender by this time, so all we had to do was decide how we would get to Moab with the Defender. It was, after all, 2,000 kilometres away. The Defender was fun to drive, but it certainly didn't compare to our Range Rover when it came to comfort. So we didn't think driving it all that way would be a good idea. Sure we'd make it to Moab, but just how much vim and vigor we'd have once getting there is anyones guess.
The best option for us was to drive the Range Rover instead, and that meant we'd need a way to pull the Defender behind us. Since we couldn't flat tow it, we had to find a car trailer, and for us, that meant a rental. Hello U-haul.
Along the way, we had to make a few stops. The first was just across the border in Washington state, at the Discount Tire store. The tires on the Range Rover were on their last legs, and we didn't want to risk making the trip on them. We had called ahead to let them know what they would be dealing with when we got there, and everything worked out well. After dropping the trailer, and unloading the back of the Range Rover so they could get to the spare tire, everything was finished in about an hour and we were on our way.
The other stop we had to make was in Salt Lake City, Utah. We needed to visit Great Basin Rover because we were having an issue with the front drive shaft that we had bought from them. When driving at higher speeds, it felt like the shaft was out of balance, and that produced a vibration at certain speeds. We removed the shaft and left it with them, and they said they would bring it down to Moab in a few days when they came to the rally. Although they claimed there was nothing wrong with it, when they gave it back to us it was no longer painted red, and the balancing washers on it were completely different. Hmmm… the vibration, however, never came back.
We made it to Moab in great shape, and settled in at the local Motel 8. One of the higher end accommodations in Moab that could handle what we brought along with us. We weren't the only one with a car trailer either, so we felt right at home.
Trip To Moab
Here are some shots of our journey from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Moab, Utah. Since we were towing a heavy load, we took our time and stretched the journey over three days.
Arches National Park
We arrived in Moab a few days early, so we took the time to do some local site seeing. Arches National Park was right at the entry to the town, so it was the first place for us to visit. The rock formations were amazing. Especially the ones that looked like a huge rock could topple off its perch at any moment.
Fins 'n Things Trail
Officially, Fins 'n Things was the very first off-road trail that we took the Defender on. It was rated as an easy trail, which was fine with us. We needed to learn about what our little red truck could do, not to mention what we could do. Often it's the human element that fails before the mechanical one does. So easy was perfectly fine with us.
Fins 'n Things Trail Photos
Seven Mile Rim Trail
After a terrific time the day before, we were really looking forward to the trail we had selected for the second day. Another relatively easy trail, it was described as having amazing scenery. The trailhead was some distance out of town along the road that we came into Moab on. Once there, the trail climbed up away from the road, and it wasn't very long before the highway disappeared out of sight. The rest of the day was a slow ramble through rocks and stunted evergreens.
Seven Mile Rim Trail Photos
Top Of The World Trail
The last trail for the rally was a long one. Starting the furthest away from town than any of the others, we had to drive along a side highway that follows the Colorado river eastward. The old saying of "save the best for last", is very appropriate here. The view at the end of the trail is just like being at the top of the world. It was really quite spectacular. The fact that the weather was so good made taking photographs a real treat.
