First of all, a zillion thanx to Wolf Den and his parents for their hospitality to my family and I last Sunday. We all had a blast at your place and at Jungle Base...especially me and my Escape.

When my son first mentioned going to Tanay, I genuinely was interested. The only thing that was stopping me was not having the time to go and do it. Remember, Crawdaddy is the eldest of NINE siblings. Running a large family and household in this day and age is no joke. You can loose your identity in doing so but guess what? I found my identity at Jungle Base!

I really enjoy driving. City driving, that is and out-of-town trips (on cemented roads). I have driven to and from Batangas, Tagaytay, Pampanga, Tarlac, Subic, Baguio on numerous occasions with my sleeping husband and kids in tow and once on a 17-hour drive to Sorsogon (with no one to take my place) and back with my late father. But last Sunday? That was definitely a FIRST for me. On our way pa lang, as the wide cemented road turned into a dirt road, then a rocky, rutty road, then finally to a "no-road"---more like a path which could only fit one car, I told my son, "Hey! Hindi na ito road!" and thought to myself, "Naku! Kakayanan ba ito ng driving skills ko at ng car ko?" Can't quit now. There's no turning back---there was no space to maneuver the car to turn around. So I started Hail Mary-ing. We had to stop a few times for my son to spot me. He had warned me to trust him and follow him (hard for a mother to do---it's usually the other way around). Others daw don't follow and get into trouble for not doing so. Said he can see the terrain more than me so again, I thought, "Okay God, help me here!" and put my complete trust in Crawdaddy and God, Jesus, Mary and Joseph and all the angels and saints up above. Well, we made it to Wolf Den's beautiful place. Had a quickie lunch and started getting ready to go to the river in 2 cars: WD's LC and Craw's Vitara...e, how about 3x3's (3x3=9 kids) Escape? I'll leave my car?!? Hello? I didn't go all the way there for nothing. No fear nga ako that day. I really wanted to test the capability of my car...if it could really go the distance and the terrain. My greatest fear actually was scratches on the Diamond Gloss finish on the painted surfaces of my 5-month old Radiant Red A/T 4x4 Escape (which by the way I called in Ziebart to check on treatment if ever I get scratched...hehehe).

The worried looks on Crawdaddy and Wolf Den's faces made me think not only once, twice or thrice but what the heck? How else to check Ford's slogan: No Boundaries but to try it out, diba? Final question to the Wolf: WILL I BE ABLE TO GET IN AND OUT OF JUNGLE BASE? Yes daw. Worse case scenarios: 1) Wolf will drive the Escape and/or 2) Winch it out with his Land Cruiser. Good assurance for me. With those answers, I was ready to go.

So Wolf rode along with me guiding me on what to do: where to put my wheels, keep my thumbs off the steering wheel, not to cross my arms (which Craw also told me previously), step on the gas and go! go! go! Of course, I didn't go as fast as he would've liked. He said he normally goes down on 3rd gear! (katabi ko pala si Daredevil) Well, that's Wolf. I, on the other hand, am just a novice a this and will be one for quite some time---but am ready to try it again.

My vision that day was to have my Escape by the riverbank with doors opened with (blaring) music while my family and I took a dip in the river---and that's EXACTLY what we did. I wanted to be close to nature with my car and music. And we have pictures and a video to prove it!

While Craw and Wolf played with the LC and the Vitara, nag-yaya muna ako sa mga small boys ko...medyo back to reality ng konti. Had to mke sure they stayed out of the current while my dalagas sunbathed and swam. Aaah, perfect! If only they didn't have school and if only I didn't have to pick-up my husband at the airport the following day, I would've stayed overnight. So, after a few more pictures, my next hurdle was to get back to Wolf's place. Again, he guided me and we got to the top safely. Packed up then convoyed out of there. After the last dirt road, I happily "woo-hooed!" and "yippie-ed!" on the radio fo being the FIRST wo-MOM and Escape to get in and out of Jungle Base!

To all you scared, young off-roaders out there, try it ONCE at least! I'm definitely going back (but only after my car goes to Ziebart for a thorough check on my car's surface---but there's really no serious markings on it---they're all superficial---just want to make sure) sometime. Whenever...Mommy duties first.

Regrets: Should've asked Wolf to play with my Escape while Craw played with his Vitara. Next time.

Don't know how often I'll be logging in. Not too often. Just had to share my experience and extend my sincere gratitude to Wolf for guiding me and Craw for turning me into a fanatic.

cool.
anybody dare to bring their CRVs and RAV4 in/out of jungle base?

I wouldnt recomend it ECG, the escape is the only one in its class equiped with a center diff lock, I know i did the product training for the ford sales people. that (Diff Lock central) is the reason why i agreed on bringing the car down there (escape) the rest (x trail, rav, crv well maybe with tire chains) no can do !!! and of course giving 3x3 mom a kick hehehe......... (IMG:http://4x4ph.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

hehehe nagstart pa talaga ng topic...

anyway, she texted me last night about Wolf driving her Escape, sana daw ginawa niya. hindi niya naisipan when we were there, then her last lines were: Why didn't we think of that? Tara ulit, Saturday!

I had to laugh when I read that but I'm not sure if we're going because Wolf won't be there (Everest launching & 4th & Final DELO Race)...

BUT... maybe... WOLF! I have to talk to you... hehehehe!

also, I'd like to bring the Vit & Escape to Wolf's part of the river (we stayed at Dennis Javier's property) but going down there is, according to Wolf, considered a difficult part of the trail (but hey, my Vit made it down and back up (IMG:http://4x4ph.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) )... maybe when Wolf's available...

ill be to darn busy this weekend, but next week is the only weekend ill be free. lets make it a overnight camping trip. do what did your pops have to say about the drive hehehehehehehe..........

wow..mommy..!! (IMG:http://4x4ph.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

sarap naman nun..!! kailan kaya ako makakasama dun? (IMG:http://4x4ph.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

pero syempre ikaw una pababa..ahahaha..!! (IMG:http://4x4ph.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

ganun ba talaga kabagsik ang escape? because of the center diff lock?

pano ba gumagana ulit yun..?

hmm..yayain ko kaya ung ibang Ford Escape pips?

and one thing more..anu-ano mga nasira...? (IMG:http://4x4ph.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

This post has been edited by kiper: Nov 5 2003, 06:08 PM

sige i'll tell them to make it an overnight trip.

about my dad, I dunno if he've seen the video. he was tired and went to sleep while we were showing the video but the yesterday maybe they showed him. but he told my mom if she wants a trail rig he'll get her one. a Jeep... a silver one. hahahahahaha!

I'll let you know about next week's trip if we'll go through with it...

now to shop for a tent... (IMG:http://4x4ph.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)


kiper-
walang nasira. hindi naman kami bara-bara bumaba. we went real slow. the ground just scraped the underside twice (low ground clearance) and just follow the trail, and the spotter (if someone's spotting for you, in mom's case Wolf was beside her pointing where she should put her tires) and you'll be ok.

Congratulations! Now i can truly say that the sport is really growing, Imagine craw's mom going to jungle base. I salute you madam! (IMG:http://4x4ph.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

All wheel drives and full time 4wd's need a central differential in order to make the vehicle drive efficiently on the pavement and dry surfaces. The central diff lock allows power and torque to be distributed evenly to the front axles and rear axles.

3x3 Mom welcome! You sure sound cool! Wanna adopt some of us?!

Crawdaddy is sure one hell of a lucky guy with cool mom like 3x3mom... I envy you! (IMG:http://4x4ph.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Adopt you guys? Sure! After 5 kids, you actually loose count and it doesn't matter. You think anyone below Crawdaddy's age is your son or daughter.

Gotta go. Have to drive my girls pa.

See you guys soon. Am honestly still HIGH on last Sunday's trip.

Correction please Mr WolfDen..... You seem to forget that the 5-speed Rav4 (1st gen) has a center locking diff. Shame on you coming from Toyota at that!! (IMG:http://4x4ph.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Does that deserve 12 lashings with a whip? (IMG:http://4x4ph.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

hmm..kaya pala sabi ni bubbles nun parang naka-lockers ang escape.. sabay-sabay daw ikot ng gulong.

how about the Subaru Forester?

[quote=ECG,Nov 7 2003, 06:08 AM] [quote=wolf den,Nov 5 2003, 09:50 AM] [quote=ECG,Nov 5 2003, 06:07 AM] cool.
anybody dare to bring their CRVs and RAV4 in/out of jungle base? [/quote]
I wouldnt recomend it ECG, the escape is the only one in its class equiped with a center diff lock, I know i did the product training for the ford sales people. that (Diff Lock central) is the reason why i agreed on bringing the car down there (escape) the rest (x trail, rav, crv well maybe with tire chains) no can do !!! and of course giving 3x3 mom a kick hehehe......... (IMG:http://4x4ph.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) [/quote]
how about the Subaru Forester? [/quote]
Im not sure about the present forrester but the previous model only the manual transmission had the central diff lock, I also did the product training for general motors phils. then