Wandering on a remote forest road...

Taking a turn off the main highway onto a remote forest dirt road, marked by a tiny little marker is one of my favorite things to do to wile away the hours.




Sure, it take longer to get to where we are going, but that's ok because the view is amazing. There are no power poles, no vehicles, just the woods and the wildlife. The speed of the vehicle slows way down and the drive seems leisurely as we take the curves and turns of the dirt road. I get the feel of being off the grid where no one knows where we are and no one can reach us by cell phone. This is why we bought the Jeep. We can feel a little more secure knowing that the Jeep is equipped to tackle any unexpected obstacle on the road.




You never know what's going to be around the next bend. There could be trees down and blocking the road. This one seems to have fallen recently. There was just enough room to the side in order for the Jeep to pass.




And just beyond the fallen tree, we found water on the road. It was odd because the region is so dry. There hasn't been much rain in this month. Nonetheless, what water there was was making it's way across the road.




Sometimes it's strange looking out the side window to the ponds. The water appears to be higher than the road. It's a wonderfully strange disorientation.




These are some of my favorite areas to pass in the Jeep. Often there are eagles hanging out on the tree stumps dying in the middle of the pond.




It's important to have a good map when wandering on remote forest roads. A map that focuses on particular regions usually reveal these roads. The larger state maps may not have these tiny little, dirt roads. It's good to find a local map that shows the ATV routes. Of course, Jeeps can't drive on these ATV routes, but some of the remote roads are also used by ATVs and so these maps can be more accurate.

It's also good to have food on hand as most certainly the drive will take longer than planned. This is a great way to find hidden lakes and remote camp grounds. I'm always scoping for things I can forage, like berry bushes or grape vines.

Taking a turn on a remote forest road is like a mini-vacation to me. It's free except for the cost of gas, but since we are driving rather slow, there is the higher fuel efficiency. And, the pleasure of exploring the woods and forests with my lover is incredibly satisfying!