TOYOTA TRAILS TRAIL HEAD Managing Editor The end of summer is fast approaching for many of us and I expect to be writing next issue’s column while watching the snow fall. That has been the case for the last few years and I’m actually looking forward to it this year. Hopefully the moisture will quench the dry earth in our fire-prone areas. For now though, we can enjoy the great weather that the fall season provides. The cover photo tells you right away that we’re gearing up for the fall. A few late-season events are yet to happen, but it’s football season and comfort food season and green chile season if you live in the four corners area of the country. There’s some good reading in this issue. Find a comfy spot outside and settle in for a bit. We start this issue with my new favorite recurring column; Living History. Our own Karie Farr sits down with longtime member, Rainey Kirk, for a wonderful look back at his time as a TLCA member. There are so many interesting people in this organization and hearing their stories and getting an inside look at how and why they became members is fascinating. Up next is a Rob Tygart story called “Back the Blue,” and if you’ve ever read a Rob Tygart story before, you know right away that this is about TLCA members coming together to do something awesome for someone else. The next time someone asks you why you’re a TLCA member, tell them it’s because TLCA does cool stuff for good people and it feels good to be part of an organization that does that. Speaking of good people, the folks at Southeast Toyota Land Cruiser Association hosted yet another Great Smoky Mountain Trail Ride in Oliver Springs, Tennessee. Chris Mueller takes us along for the week-long experience and as always, it’s a good one. Kelly Halloway pens a great piece titled “Double Down” centered around a smurf blue 1970 FJ40 that appeared in the 2015 July/ August issue of Toyota Trails. That article was titled “Snake Eyes” and was written by the 40’s previous owner. There was a bit of bad luck associated with that particular truck on that particular trip along the Kokopelli Trail. Seven years later, that same truck appears again on that same trail and in the same publication. What happens when you roll the dice a second time? You’d think that Ron Baldwin has taken up residence here at Toyota Trails headquarters with how often he’s been appearing in issues. He’s just simply out living his best life and writing about cool places that are easily accessible to any one of us with a Toyota and a little free time. It’s just good reading and is always a perfect fit in every issue. “Strip Trip” is about a short trip to the Arizona Strip and the fantastic trails and scenery of that area. We finish with a super cool garage art project from Steve Helmreich. My favorite part is when he starts talking about adding a few other parts to the project. I couldn’t help but chuckle and think that he’s going to eventually be hanging a complete 40 from the wall in his garage. This issue has some old and some new. It’s a way for us to look back and appreciate as well as look forward and hope. I did exactly that this summer. My 70-year old father joined me and my 14-year old son on a trip to Montana. I know how fortunate I am to have my dad in my life. We’ve always been close and seeing him and my son together creates an overwhelming amount of happiness for me. As we sat in camp chairs amongst the wildflowers, at the end of one of my favorite trails, near a beautiful Montana lake, I cried. I couldn’t help it. Earlier that day, my dad mentioned that these are the memories that last a lifetime. He told me that someday I’d be sitting in his seat, and my son would be driving, and my grandson would be sitting in the back seat and hopefully we’d be in a Land Cruiser in Montana. My dad isn’t even a Land Cruiser guy. He’s a race car guy with a convertible Mustang and an old Model A. He always had some type of 4x4 truck when I was a kid though and we had an overlanding camp van long before it was cool. He only likes Land Cruisers because I do. On the way to the lake, I moved to the back seat while my son drove and my dad gave him gentle suggestions on how to see the trail ahead and things to be mindful of while driving in the backcountry. Sitting in that field of wildflowers at the end of the trail made me truly appreciate the time that we were spending together. I wish everyone could be so lucky. Go make memories that last a lifetime. Stan Wright Denver, Colorado 5