finally broke something

[RonB]

I was cruising around Hungry Valley/Gorman yesterday -- bent a tie-rod end on one of the crazy steep-rutted hills (still made it to the top though). I think the tow will end up costing more than the repair. I'm slowly learning what tools/spare parts to carry. The rod end is not much bigger around than my finger and it's taking quite a bit of abuse -- anyone with beefier options out there? Pretty disturbing to see your tires crosseyed! Thank God I wasn't too far off the main road (was it Alec W with the broken tie-rod in the middle of nowhere?).

Had a great time anyway. Hungry Valley is mostly pretty simple stuff, but you don't have to look very hard to find some crazy hills, and a few impossible ones. You're never far from one of the multiple campgrounds or one of the main roads (lucky for me). I saw some really nice rigs at the 4x4 practice area, but not on the trails/hills (just quads). There were a few people giggling as I nursed my truck back to the nearest campsite area. I found it particularly amusing that most of these people who were happy to see my truck damaged were driving bling-bling trucks that rarely see more off-road than a freeway shoulder has to offer. Their chrome sure was shiney though.