Sometimes the Jeep world works in funny ways. My daughters spotted a bright Dodger-blue Jeep leaving church one Sunday morning, noticed the Instagram handle on the back, and told me I should connect with the guy. I did. And that’s how I met Carlos.
When connecting, Carlos friended me back and read my blog post about nearly sliding off the side of a mountain and, in his compassion (and maybe pity for a newbie), reached out and invited me along on one of his runs. I’m glad he did.
Carlos, his brother Gene, and their friends are a family-friendly crew, kids, in-laws, old friends (many former cops) and new ones. Lynn and I immediately felt welcome. The vibe was safe, supportive, and filled with good people. It wasn’t about showing off; it was about making sure everyone made it through together.
We started out at Black Mountain near Idyllwild, winding up into pine country before dropping down into the high desert near Pioneertown. It was a couple of hours of changing scenery that included beautiful views, pine trees, dusty mine roads, and the wide openness of the desert. We even spotted a few old mines, reminders of California’s rougher, riskier past.
Most of the trail was easy cruising (easier than some of what Lynn and I had tackled alone). But there were a few technical spots, and that’s where the value of the group really hit home. On one rocky stretch, I watched Carlos clear it and thought, “That looked close.” I considered another line, asked his opinion, and he jumped out to spot me. He agreed with my plan, gave me guidance, and with Lynn watching too, I had that rare Jeep moment: slowing down, thinking it through, and making it clean. Honestly, I think I leveled up right there.
The whole group kept the run lighthearted. At one point, a guy in a Bronco joked about Jeep culture being odd. We countered with, “We should give you a duck,” and everyone laughed. It was that kind of day with plenty of skill on hand, but nobody taking themselves too seriously.
We crossed paths with motorcycles, friendly off-roaders, and even a Subaru trail influencer Carlos recognized. Every encounter was polite, cooperative, and just plain fun.
And that was the theme of the day: fun. This wasn’t white-knuckle survival. It wasn’t me gritting my teeth through a cliffside drop. It was joy. It was community. It was the simple pleasure of being out on the trail with people who look out for each other.
Lynn has been with me on every Jeep adventure, my most valued companion, and she loved the vibe too. It felt good to know this wasn’t just a one-off trip but the start of riding with a group we’ll definitely go with again.
I’ll still head out on my own sometime. Likely across a dry lake bed on the way to Vegas, but before I do, I’ll probably invest in a winch. Being prepared matters. For now, though, I’m thankful for Carlos, his family, Gene, and everyone else who welcomed us in.
Lesson Learned: Sometimes the best Jeep upgrade isn’t a mod at all. It’s your crew.
Lesson Learned: Stop and ask for help when your not sure of the line.
Lesson Learned: You level up with time behind the wheel, and the help of others.
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