by Amanda Barnard | Jan 1, 2022 | Everything Else, Faith, Motivation
HELLO 2022! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
As we embark into this new year, I want to post a word of encouragement to you all! I have been pondering and praying about many things going forward. Through the years, several plans have been made and haven’t followed through, but only I can make things different.
We cannot keep doing the same things over and over and expect different results. Have you heard that is the same thing as insanity? Not sure if it is true, but we could decide it could be one of them.
ONE WORD
I am clinging to one word for this year. My word is – INTENTIONAL. I have so many areas that I can apply this, as I am sure you do as well. I am going to try to start with this blog, to make myself accountable.
Not in any particular order, but some ways that I am determined to implement this application are:
- be INTENTIONAL with my relationship with Jesus.
- be INTENTIONAL with family.
- be INTENTIONAL with healthy living.
- be INTENTIONAL in finances.
There are so many more that I could add. However, we all know that it is not a good idea to overwhelm ourselves. The world is filled with too much anxiety as it is.
Finding the determination to stay the course or make this year better than the last few have been might be a task. At the end of 2022, I want to say it has been the BEST year of my life! Therefore, the challenges will have been worth it!
Also, the big 5-0 will happen for me this year and I intend to celebrate in some ways for the entire year! I have some amazing plans! If they play out the way I want, I will be visiting family, going to Disney, attending some other important events.
We also have more grandbabies on the way, which is EXTREMELY exciting! In just a few short days, we will meet our first grandson! We have anticipated his arrival for many years!
I would love for you to share in this journey with me! If you don’t have a word for this year, I hope this inspires you to come up with one! And if you do have one, would you comment?
Thanks in advance for sharing!
by Amanda Barnard | Jul 20, 2020 | Everything Else, Jeeps on the Rock
It has been very interesting to me at the amount of Jeep owners that do not know about the Jeep Badge of Honor program. The general consensus has been the same. I have been spreading the word and have also been very excited about it for us!
We just had the opportunity to go to Moab, Utah. In this area, there are many trails to complete that will yield a badge. Where do these badges go? That’s for you to decide!
We have seen several ideas over the course of time, with so many amazing choices! I’m still kind of fond of the traditional front of the driver’s door. But wherever you choose, be sure to display the love.
It is SO fun to see all of the different spots AND see all of the different places people have visited!
We will have a video soon, but in the meantime – please be sure to share pics of yours with us in the comments! I am looking forward to seeing where you have been! I am also very interested in seeing where everyone puts their badges!
by Amanda Barnard | Jul 9, 2020 | Everything Else, Jeeps on the Rock
This was an amazing Badge of Honor trail that yielded zero disappointments! It was the first one with a company of friends. We had viewed videos and other research to ensure this venture would be accessible to us. We haven’t built the jeep up as much as others have.
Metal Masher Review
This trail has a beautiful array of scenery. From the high, cliff, shelf roads to the long valley trails the majestic, creation exhibits the Hand of God!
At around the mid-point of the route, is Arth’s Rim. It is 1300 ft up and overlooks highway 191. It is absolutely, breath-taking! But stay away from the edge. I do not like “heights” so I just stayed close to the jeep.
There are many, very, challenging obstacles, but most of them have a bypass around. If you don’t choose the detour, just be aware. You are going to want a lift and better-than-stock tires. I recommend at least a 2.5 inch lift. Also we are running 35 inch tires and still smacked our rock rails>
We also may or may not have squished our tailpipe. Ok we did, but we didn’t buy the jeep to sit in a garage or to simply be a mall-crawler! Just use caution, pick a line, and don’t regret it!
If you have dared to attempt it, drop a comment below! I would LOVE to hear about it!
Metal Masher will be a MUST do over for us!
by Amanda Barnard | Jul 7, 2020 | Everything Else, Jeeps on the Rock
After finally arriving in Moab, we found our townhouse, unpacked, met up with our friends for a bit. Then came the planning.
JEEP – JUST EMPTY EVERY POCKET
Most everyone had arrived a day or two before we did and we found out they had already been on an escapade that caused some distress. Have you every heard that JEEP stands for – just empty every pocket? As it turns out, they weren’t planning any trail-riding fun the next day, because they had parts to retrieve.
So Brad and I decided to explore on our own. Prior research had revealed Fins and Things to be a good starter trail. There are many reviews out there proving this trail can be done in a stock Rubicon. I have also heard it called a baby trail, compared to many others.
I suppose it is a matter of perception, which I learned a little about during this trip. Obstacles appear so much differently from inside the jeep than it looks being on the outside filming.
FINS AND THINGS REVIEW
First sight, doesn’t appear as much. Driving along the slick rock (which really isn’t slick, but is sticky – go figure), it is smooth sailing. Then just around the corner comes the fun. You drive through powdery, sand and then up hill and back down. From the inside of the jeep feels like you’re just going to topple over. But of course, that’s part of the perception deception.
I truly learned SO MUCH, and for the first Badge of Honor completion, I wasn’t let down.
by Amanda Barnard | Oct 7, 2019 | Everything Else, Jeeps on the Rock
So now what? We have a Jeep and there are so many adventures to take! Our maiden voyage = NEW MEXICO!
Our original plan was a trip to Colorado, but some health issues stood in the way. Brad, nor I had ever been to New Mexico and after much research (mostly on Brad’s part), we found this to be attainable.
After much mapping was accomplished, this just the type of venture Brad had always wanted to take. While I had much input for each night’s destination, it took effort from us both.
We talked out the possibilities, along with the current life factors, and started planning. Most of our adventure was to include some off-roading in the Jeep.
There is so much to see in the beauty of all that God has created. I know many people who enjoy traveling the world. I have had the opportunity to travel outside of the United States, but I have always been of the mind-set that there is so much right here in our own back yard, that most of us will live our lifetimes and never witness a fraction. This excursion covered 2300 miles in less than a week and, yes we were fortunate to experience many places, we still missed so much.
DAY 1
Expeditions are always fun with friends, so our first day of travel included an airport stop, then on to Midland, Texas for some sleep. The land in West Texas is extremely flat. My travels had not taken me that far West, so this was new terrain. As far as the eye, could see…. flat land, oil, and gas.
DAY 2
On to New Mexico! Day 2 included a visit to Roswell, New Mexico – the home of an alien crash and the former, Walker Air Force Base. Then on to Socorro, New Mexico for some sleep because the next day would be a busy one. I found “District 2”, but Katniss Everdeen was no where to be found.
DAY 3
Every day was given to early rising and late nights and day 3 would be no exception. But the enjoyment of this day would not disappoint! Our first stop was to the VLA – Very Large Array. Then on to the Quebradas Back Country Byway for some off-roading. We did make a mini stop at the road to Box Canyon, where we realized our gas wouldn’t hold out to explore here. So we shall save it for another trip, maybe after we are able to get our rooftop tent, because this area is jam-packed full of things to do.
DAY 4
After all the previous day had to offer, this is the day we woke up in Alamogordo, New Mexico. I want to stop here and make mention that we have a cluster of amazing National Parks in the United 
States. As I have already mentioned, our own garden has so much to offer! Our first stop was WhiteSands National Monument. Today would include lunch in at L&J Cafe in El Paso, Texas for some authentic Mexican food and to see where the United States and Mexico meet. After an interesting trek from 92 degrees to 62 degrees, over the mountains, we would find our way back to NM and land In Carlsbad, for the night.
DAY 5
Today a visit to Carlsbad Caverns was on the agenda, then we would start the journey home. 
Before we ventured the path to the caverns, we made a pit stop, just in time to see some Bighorns at the entrance up on the ridge. The caverns have many tour opportunities, but we chose the self-guided. But who knew a course that is set to take 1-1.5hrs, would turn into more than 4. Anyone remember Gilligan’s Island and the “3 hour tour“? lol
DAY 6
At the conclusion of the massive miles traveled, we found our way home to the sweetest babies and our precious children, who spouted the perception of abandonment, as cell phone service was completely, non-existent for hours on end and sketchy at best, even at our sleeping quarters.
REFLECTION
Even more now, I recognize the vastness of the beauty around me. Living off the grid (for a short time and as long as I could take my kids and grand babies), wouldn’t be so bad. Traveling is still always fascinating and I am certainly looking forward to foray the next endeavor.
Check out the first video of our West Texas/Southeast New Mexico Adventure and stay tuned for more adventures!
