One of the nicest things about our jobs as automotive journalists is the opportunity it gives us to travel. And when we say travel, we mean serious travel. From the Baja desert to the High Sierra, from the redrock of Moab to the Midwest Jamborees, scarcely a fortnight goes by that doesn't see us logging thousands of frequent flier miles to attend events-or, as the case may be, logging frequent four-by miles on trails around the country. We spend many weeks, and thousands of miles, preparing for Top Truck Challenge, Real Truck Club Challenge, and Four Wheeler of the Year every year. Detroit is almost a second home to us, and trips to annual conventions and trade shows in Vegas, Indy, Chicago, New York ... well, we've learned to keep a suitcase at the ready, to travel light, and to keep a toothbrush handy for that inevitable day when the airline loses your luggage.
Then there are the international trips we take at the invitation of various manufacturers, 4x4 clubs, and racing bodies. These can take us way out there. From the Australian Outback to the Arctic Circle, there aren't many places on the planet we haven't seen, or 'wheeled, over the years. It's given us a wealth of experience, and this month we're pleased to share some of our experiences with you-as well as our favorite destinations-in our newsstand-exclusive 48-page "Where to Wheel" glovebox guide.
But now, we want to hear about your favorite 'wheeling spots. We know, after all, that we can't possibly have visited every great trail or 4x4 destination-and even if we had, we always like to hear some fresh perspectives on a familiar location. Of course, we're not asking entirely for charity work here, so to sweeten the pot for you, we're holding a contest.
First, check out the rules on page 129 and see if you qualify, then turn to page 54 and fill out the form. Write a brief essay about your all-time favorite 'wheeling destination-how you found it, how often you go, and what makes it so special for you. Write as much, or as little, as you like about it. Use extra sheets of paper if you feel you need them. Type it out on your PC, if you prefer. Send us a photo or two if you like. Share whatever information you think would be of interest to us-and to our readers. And yep, we said readers, because we'll sift through all the submissions, pay you $100 if we decide to publish yours, and print the best ones in an upcoming issue of Four Wheeler. And from these, we'll pick one lucky Grand Prize winner, who'll win an expenses-paid trip for two to join us at Moab next year for a week of world-class 'wheeling at Easter Jeep Safari 2006.
What are we looking for here? Well, certainly a sense of style, as well as originality and creativity, but most importantly, what we're looking for are submissions that best personify the Four-Wheeling Life-the love of the outdoors, the challenge and/or beauty of a great trail, the unique relationship between us and our four-bys, and the plain-old unfettered joy of Being There.
So there it is. Send in your entry by August 1. We'll be contacting the winners shortly thereafter-maybe one of them will be you. 'Til then, happy writing, and good luck!
-Douglas McColloch