My internal clock wakes me at 0600 hours, I feel like I'm ready to start my tour. As I clear my head and wipe the Sandman from my eyes I remember that this is the day we venture to Cairo to meet Dave. I quickly jump in the shower and skip the morning cup of coffee, there's no time, Ralph will be arriving at 0645.

I think while I strain to awaken, the truck is packed with the essential tools, Hi-Lift, recovery gear, tire gauge, bow saw, and the necessary assortment of hand tools and ratchets. I make a mental note, don't forget the camera, film and batteries along with the directions and other riders phone numbers.

I check the weather channel and discover that rain may be in store for the adventure. I scurry to grab the rain gear along with an extra change and boots just in case. Ralph arrives right on time and we load up, ready for the trails. We're like two grade schoolers going on our first class trip with the exception of permission slips (I got the verbal OK from the wife-she says Hi!) We venture out, pick up some eats, fuel up and hit the road by 0715.

We arrive at the designated meeting place right on schedule, tune the CB to channel 4 and wait for the troops to roll in. One by one they arrive starting with my Filipino brethren Romel in his 40 and Fred in the 60. Then comes Jon in the 80, Chris with the 40, Kevin's 40, Mark with the 60 (made it just on time) and the others (sorry if you weren't mentioned, my brain is shot).

We quickly snap some photos and we're off and running. The caravan begins and we're making decent time. The pace is good for me considering we're trying to keep track of 10 or so trucks along with some nut in a Toyota Corolla that's right on our tail. The Corolla is Steve formerly from Hoboken, going on his first outing and hitching a ride once we get to the trail head.

I watch intently as other cars and trucks go passing by. There is definitely something mystical about a caravan, the biggest thing being that you're included in it. You watch as other vehicles pass and thumbs go up from their drivers, children's faces plastered to the windows. You know what they're saying..."Wow Dad, look at that one, what kind is that, can we get one?" This is where it all begins and I hope that when I have children these fine machines will be around for them to enjoy.

We finally find our exit less one vehicle due to mechanical problem. I feel genuinely bad having to say "good-bye" and "maybe next time." These things aren't supposed to happen before you hit the trail. Chris is (I think and correct me if I'm wrong which I think I am) attending his first technical trail ride. He assures us that he'll do everything he can to make it up later after some repairs.

We head on down the road and make our final pit stop before the trail head. We gas up, pick up lunch from the country store and take the much needed bladder break. Daddy are we there yet? Finally we turn into Dave's driveway, off to the right is a green 40 with a plow and a nice shiny new 4Runner. The sight of the brand new 4Runner gives me hope, it's in it's stock form just like mine, I shouldn't have any problems.

We air down and wait for the rest of the group to arrive and we say our hello's. Eileen and Francis (please tell me that's correct) join us and find an open seat with video cameras in hand, ready to shoot the excursion. The trail starts of mild with a slight climb upwards and through some deeply rutted water soaked trails. The fun begins as the first obstacle arrives and lines are chosen. We stand snapping photos, pointing, and cringing when someone drops off a ledge, waiting for that bone wrenching crunch staying clear in case of a mishap.

We stand in the rain, and offer suggestions, pointing to what we think is the better line and how much wheel spin is necessary to make a mud slicked hill. We pull winch cable, attach snatch blocks, push, pull, and tug to make sure we all make it through. We do it for the love of wheeling.

As I stand and question my driving prowess along with my trucks capabilities and often ask the more experienced, "What do you think, should I, will I make it?" After every second thought there is a reassuring "You'll make it, we'll get you through."

I'm told that most of the trails we have taken aren't really that challenging for a mildly equipped rig or a stocker. The rains have added that extra challenge to push our limits and heighten our senses. The throttle becomes your adversary and in other instances an allie.

The most memorable point of the trip for me was probably when Jon was directing me down a series of three steps, each to be taken with a frontal assault, having to let both front tires drop off the ledge at the same time. As I approach the first ledge and begin to maneuver to the edge I'm told to stop. I know that the truck is leaning a little to the drivers side, but as to how much I'm not sure, it seems comfortable. I'm told by Jon that as I took the approach my rear right has become unglued from the earth and it's in the air. As to how much I'm not sure, a little throttle bring it gently back down. I now have no vantage point of the ledge and Jon's spotting takes over. I'm told that I'm right on the edge with both front tires and an inch more will take me over. Hey Jon, do I have the clearance? "No problem, you'll make it, just take is slow....but I must add a disclaimer to that." What? Wait a minute, when did we start adding disclaimer into this? I laughed, tightened every muscle in my body and let off the brake just to feel the truck start to go over. I know if I apply the brakes I'm still going over due to the wet slab of rock I'm on so I let the front end drop in. There is a loud crunch as I settle into the rock face and of course I start thinking the worst. Jon reassures me that it's no problem and to push onward.

Others must have stories of their own they want to relay to the group about the outing and I've rambled long enough. Stories like winching techniques, rear quarter panel grabbing trees and mud tobogganing in a 40. I would like to thank Dave for his hospitality and the opportunity to wheel such a fine piece of property and thank everyone else that put up with me, I know I can get annoying with doing damage to the 4Runner.

I'm sorry if I didn't mention everyone like Brian and Steve(?) in the sagging 40, Steve(?) took everything on with a full assault, taking no mercy!

I'm posting the pictures to my PhotoPoint album, just copy and paste the address in my signature line and go into the album labeled "Cairo." (Just give me a day to upload them.)

Also I plead with anyone that has pictures to get me copies, I'll pay for processing or can get them scanned!

Tryin' to keep the wife's future 4Runner in one piece

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