Sweet Isuzu Amigo

the next year of this blog will be dedicated to my 1993 Isuzu Amigo 2WD (that I treat very much like a 4x4 rig)

Bought a used Amigo XS; white, 5-speed, San Diego in 1994. This was the third vehicle I had ever owned. Now a days it is my 'work truck' for firewood, dump runs, and yard waste. Maybe a local camping trip to Quatal Canyon, but rarely take it past the Kern county line.

This mini SUV sometimes gets confused with the Geo Tracker or the Suzuki Samuri, but indeed the Isuzu is a much stronger, solid built truck. Almost as good as a Jeep ; )

My Amigo was 'totalled' on Dec 30, 1999 - on my way to the New Year Eve bon fire in the Anza Borrego Desert. I rebuilt it to last another 10 years and this is my dedication to this special vehicle. It basically started me on my big camping and outdoors kick, which lead to my 'outside addiction', which in turn lead to a creation of my online career - Total Escape!

This lime green babe was the first real camping machine. Convertible, high clearance, 4 banger, baby has got 206k miles on the original engine and has had the top end rebuilt twice; at the moment it needs a lotta work: power steering pump, new clutch, 1st gear is grinding, etc.

mods & upgrades include:

• Rancho 9000 shocks (awesome)
• Optima Red Top Battery (amazing)
• Calmini cam (what a waste)
• 4" shackle lift (darrlington)
• 2 additional leaf springs

Mountain Lion California

Last night while star gazing in my backyard, I heard the all too familiar deer munching in the empty lot next to me. After an hour or so, I heard foot steps in the leaves as she approached my yard. I stood up and told her not to eat my garden in a firm voice. She retreated back to the land above.

Several minutes later I heard a ruckus. Running, bushes trampled, rocks flying, a deer screaming. Then silence. Shortly afterward, I hear huffing & hissing noises coming from the area. I pointed my trusty 2-million-candle-power spot light up the hill to see the black tip of a long tail in between the trees. I spotted a mountain lion 100 feet away.

The deer had run off in terror and the big cat was still pacing about next door. My friend & I stood up, started talking, pointing, then it disappeared into the forest behind my house. This was the first time (in 6 years) I had actually seen a mountain lion near my back yard in Los Padres National Forest, so I thought I would share it with you.

Wild big cats, called mountain lions in California are also known as cougars.
Deer is the main food source for these large wild cats.

There is estimated to be approximately 6000 mountain lions living in the wild in California. Mountain lions are not a threatened nor endangered species in the golden state. Proposition 117 (passed in 1990), means mountain lions are now a "specially protected species," making mountain lion hunting illegal in California.

Apparently, the biggest population of mountain lions in the US lives in the Santa Lucia Mountains, Los Padres National Forest, along the Big Sur Coast. Numerous lion sighting have been recorded in - Gaviota State Park, Lake Cachuma, and Santa Barbara's "front country trails"

Mountain Lion Attacks California
16 verified reports since 1890

FAQ about Mountain Lions
from the Department of Fish & Game

Road to Nowhere

Road to Nowhere
Originally uploaded by danamight

Finally got outta town - during the first storm of the season. I celebrated my 12 year anniversary online w/ Total Escape by taking a much needed road trip to the Eastern Sierra. The Rock Creek area was gorgeous in the snow, with the tail end of autumn still showing. See the awesome photos!

The AWD Saabaru

The AWD Saabaru
Originally uploaded by danamight

After I climbed the Bishop 168 grade to Aspendell, CA @ 8500' the CHP officer parked in the middle of the road told me NO ONE gets past here without 4x4 or AWD. Lucky for me, I was prepared with new Yokohama tires & a full day of total freedom!

With the rising cost of gasoline, I am so glad I bought this compact beauty. This is now the main vehicle for Total Escape Adventures, plus all my R&D.

driven drunk an average of 87 times

People who have previous drunk driving convictions make up approximately one-third of the drunk driving problem in America. These are people who have been failed by a system that has in turn failed to keep the rest of us safe. Even first-time offenses are serious indicators that a person is likely to become a repeat offender. First-time offenders have driven drunk an average of 87 times before they are convicted and most likely have a serious problem with alcohol.

Miller Jeep Trail 2008

Summer Visitors

I always love having visitors stop by & camp at my mountain pad.