Shoot 'em up!

Bass Pro

The kids and I are at Bass Pro in Grapevine. Cool place!

Product Review: Thule 963 Spare Me 2 Bike Spare Tire Mount Rack

Wow, that was a long title!

As I mentioned in previous posts, I searched for a bike carrier for my Jeep Sahara. The Sahara has larger than normal tires. As a result, the spare on the back sticks down further than most and the spare will get caught up on hitch-mounted bike carriers when you try to open the door. I tried a few of them and had the same problem. So I switched to searching for a spare tire mounted solution. 

Most of the versions I looked at attached to the spare with straps. I didn't like that solution. I wanted something that would bolt on to the spare. But most of the sites that I checked into said their version was not compatible with the side of tire I have. The only one listed by Jeep was a version that would fit but that the handles would not fold down. That means the handles (the part that sticks out that you put the bike on) would always stick out and would potentially catch the garage door on the way down. 

Finally I came across the Thule 963 Spare Me 2 . It is basically the same bike rack recommended by Jeep except the arms fold down, flat to the spare tire. I ordered it!

The Thule 963 Spare Me 2 was a breeze to install. It took about 5 minutes from box to installed. I unscrewed the lug nuts holding on the spare, pulled off the spare, put on the bracket, put the spare back on, tightened the lug nuts, attached the rack to the bracket, and tightened it up. Boom. Done. Only one problem. The spare tire was too large for the top of the rack to clear it when the arms were extended. When I put the arms up, the middle portion of the arms hit on the top of the spare tire. Bummer.

After thinking about it for a day I decided to take it off and see if I could position the bracket a different way to get more height. Sure enough, just by flipping the bracket over, I was able to move the connection to the rack up by about an inch which gave it just enough additional height to clear the spare tire. Now, it fits perfectly!

I love the rack. It sits flush against the spare. The arms extend and retract painlessly. It fits perfectly. And it looks good! I recommend the Thule 963 Spare Me 2 for anyone with a Jeep Sahara with a standard spare.

Slippery Slope

As I mentioned in my last post, I was able to get my Jeep off the pavement yesterday. At the end of our run we went up a small hill. The hill itself wasn't that big of a deal but instead, the mud at the bottom made it difficult to get some traction. Here's a video:



Here's a couple more pics from the hill:

Dirty Fun

I was finally able to get my Jeep off the pavement today and into some mud and dirt. I met a couple of guys from the TexasJK.com forum. They were kind enough to show me the ropes. I had a blast. Will post more pictures when I get them.

New Playground

The kids and I are at a new playground today in Highland Village. I think we might like this one better than the one we usually go to in Coppell.

It is a bit cooler today.

Nasty Sky

We broke a record today. 81 degrees. Hotest. December 26 on record for the Dallas area. 79 was the orevips record.

I like the warm westher. However, with it comes the storms. The sky is starting to look nasty.

Poker With Stevie

We had a great Christmas yesterday. We ended up back at the house playing Texas Hold'em poker with the neighbors while listening to some Stevie Ray Vaughan. It was a very enjoyable evening. 

WIX Oil Filters

I have been hearing a knocking sound in my Jeep when I start it cold. It goes away after the engine warms up. Reading on one of the forums , it sounds like this might be due to the oil filter. They recommend switching to a WIX filter, which apparently eliminates the knocking sound. I will give that a try at my next oil change, which is due shortly!

That's The Ticket

Who knows why I took this picture. Because it was there? Regardless, it's kinda cool!

Going Bonkers

The kids and I are at Going Bonkers in Lewisville, TX. We love it here. They get to burn off some energy while I work on my school work. I've learned to totally tune out the noise. I don't even hear it anymore. Love it here!

Lunch At The Lake

I am having lunch at the lake today. It is warming up in North Texas. Still a little overcast today. Looking forward to Spring.

Trail Riding

Now that I have my new bike rack, need to put it to good use. I am out trail riding along Lake Grapevine. Foggy today, but the temp is good and the trail is even better.

Gotta get back to it!

The Doghouse

Are you wondering what to get your wife or girlfriend for Christmas. Here's a little video that might help you think through that decision... http://bewareofthedoghouse.com/VideoPage.aspx

Thule 954 Ridgeline Hitch-Mounted Bike Rack

As I mentioned previously, I recently purchased a Jeep Sahara Unlimited. I am loving it! But I still have an issue with trying to jam bikes into the back of it, just as I did with my old Honda CRV. The Jeep came equipped with a trailer hitch. So I decided to spend the money and purchase a bike rack.

I had four key criteria for my purchase. First, it had to hold 4 bikes. Easy to find. Second, I wanted the main rack arm to fold down so that I could open the back door of the jeep. Also easy to find. Third, I wanted the top portion (the arms that stick out to hold the bikes) to also fold down (so I can fit the Jeep in my garage!). This was more difficult to find but helped narrow the search). Finally, I wanted the ability to lock it all down so that someone doesn't walk off with my stuff if I am away from the Jeep. After spending a few hours researching I decided on the Thule 954 Ridgeline Hitch-Mounted Bike Rack. It met all my requirements. I ordered it from Amazon from the least expensive source, Rack Attack in Denver.

The box arrived yesterday and I started unboxing it before the UPS driver even made it back to his truck! Within a few minutes I was ready to mount the bottom of the rack onto my hitch. Then I discovered the problem... the spare tire will not clear the top of the rack's hitch attachment. DOUGH!

So I called Rack Attack in Denver. They were great to work with. I explained the problem and they said that they didn't know of a solution. So they issued a call tag for UPS to come and pick up the rack. Bummer... this looked like the perfect solution (well, except that I can't open my back door!).

Today I will continue my research. I know that Mopar sells a version that mounts to the spare tire, but it is only a 2-bike version and it does not fold down. So it doesn't meet at least two of my criteria. I will keep researching and let you know what I come up with.

If you are reading this and know of a solution, please post a note in the comments. Thanks!

Nantucket Blend

As I mentioned a few posts ago, I recently purchased a Keurig coffee maker. So far I am loving it. The coffee (or tea) making process is so quick and simple. Very convenient. 

The Keurig came with a sample pack of coffee and tea from different vendors. I like the variety. However, I really like one of them... Nantucket Blend from Green Mountain Coffee. I am writing this less for your information than for my own, so I can remember what I liked and so I can order more of it! It is a great tasting coffee. Not too strong, but definitely not too weak. Just in the middle somewhere. 

From one of the coffee snobs: 

"Delicately complex aromatics: suggestions of flowers, chocolate, peach, sweet orange, all of which take on a Riesling-like sweetness and delicacy in nose and cup. Gently bright acidity. Fades rather quickly in the finish...a classically refreshing, light-footed morning cup." 
— Kenneth Davids, CoffeeReview.com

Whatever. 

You can order it from Green Mountain's website . 

Freaky Dog Picture

Well, it is sort of a dog. I found this on one of the forums that I frequent. I am not really sure what it is. But I am sure this has been "Photoshopped" by a talented person! If anyone knows the source of this picture, please leave me a comment. Well done!

Wal-Mart Sucks

Well, at least their shopping carts suck. After my third try I still ended up with a cart that pulls to the side. 

Great prices. Great selection. Crap carts.

Product Review: Keurig B60 Special Edition Gourmet Single-Cup Home-Brewing System

Wow, that was a long title!

Yesterday I received a new coffee brewing system via UPS, the Keurig B60 Special Edition Gourmet Single-Cup Home-Brewing System. I ordered it for my wife for Christmas. She loves her Starbucks. I was hoping this would be a little more cost effective, and of course, more convenient. Anyway, she met UPS at the door and spoiled my surprise. So what the heck, I gave it to her early and we decided to try it out last night. 

I must say this is the most convenient and efficient coffee maker I have ever owned. As advertised, you simply drop in these little packages (called K-cups) and push the brew button. About 30 seconds later you have a perfectly brewed cup of coffee, or tea, or hot coco, or whatever you selected to make. The cool part is that you are only making a single cup, so you can try all sorts of different drinks made by a variety of vendors. Here's some to get you started. 

I also purchased one of the Keurig K-Cup Spinning Carousels to hold the K-Cups. I haven't received it yet, so maybe there is a surprise left for Christmas after all!

Drink up!

Harris Methodist Southlake

I am at Harris Methodist in Southlake. My wife is having a thing inserted into her spine to hopefully reduce the pain she has from her back surgeries.

2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara

I finally did it... I purchased a Jeep! I've wanted one for years but never pulled the trigger. Some part of me wasn't really that fond of the 2-door model. But Jeep released the 4-door Wrangler a few years ago and from the first time I saw it I knew I had to have one!

My CRV was finally to the point that the repairs were costing me more than I wanted to put into it, and now is a great time to negotiate with car vendors. So I pulled the trigger. But I didn't buy new, I purchased a used Jeep. I can't justify the depreciation when you drive a new one off the lot. I ended up with a 2007 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited. So far I am loving it!

I am excited about getting it off the pavement. I joined a local Jeep club, the North Texas JK forum, to learn about off-roading and to connect with other Jeep enthusiasts. They all seem pretty cool on the forum. I am looking forward to meeting them and to getting dirty together!!

Be sure to check out the rest of my Jeep-related posts.

Kool Carts

I am at Ikea. They have the coolest shopping carts. You can steer with both the front and back wheels. And the wheels run as smooth as glass. Now why can't the local grocery store do something like this?