Yesterday was somewhat of a rest day for us. With the schedule shifting from Western Wyoming to Southern Utah, we moved up our visit with my best friend from high school. Brant lives just outside of Ogden, Utah which we drive through on the way to Maple Canyon. This is the view on the grade near Wild Iris.

Maddie and I teamed up for the four-hour drive to Ogden. She snapped this picture for me. I like to tell people that it can be so boring at times in Wyoming that the people crowd the grandstands to watch the cattle graze. If you drive through Wyoming, you will see these wooden structures all over the place. They are to help keep snow from drifting on the roadways.

Funny story about Brant: Back in 1990, I tried to get him to go into the Air Force with me on the Buddy System. This was a system that would keep two friends together for the first four years of their enlistment. I remember vividly his reply, “I’m never going into the military.” A few years ago, he retired after 27 years with the rank of E-9 or Chief Master Sargent. This is the highest enlisted rank one can achieve. So much for never going into the military.

I mentioned a few days ago that PB&J had a bad case of SBS (Saggy Bottom Syndrome). The proposed solution was to add airbags to the rear springs. I reached out to Brant to see if I could install the airbags when we visited. He said, “Of course.” So I placed the order to deliver to his house. We arrived mid-afternoon and hung out at the pool before they served us a great supper. We had a salad, mouthwatering roast with mashed potatoes and vegetables. I think Maddie’s favorite part of the visit was the shower.

After supper, it was time for surgery. Brant has a super nice shop. We pulled the Jeep in, jacked it up, and started the installation. I couldn’t help but reminisce. Albeit in a nice shop with nice tools, crawling under the Jeep beside Brant reminded me of the many times that we worked on cars together in high school. Most of the time, back in the day, we were crawling under cars in the dirt or on the asphalt. In less than two hours, PB&J was standing tall again. Hopefully, we will have no more fender scraping.

Here are a few before and after photos of the spacing between the tire and the fender. The added space will help, but the airbags also help stiffen up the suspension.

We can add to and remove air from the bags just in front of the rear tires. You can see the airbags inside the coil springs.

Brant and I talked about the old times like they happened yesterday until about midnight. Isn’t it crazy how you can be away from someone for 30-plus years, but pick right up where you left off? I miss spending time with my friend.

Brant and Beth were a huge blessing for Maddie and me. Their hospitality was great, but they also provided the ability for us to fix the Jeep. This should allow us to hit a few trails in the Moab, Utah area.

Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

In the day of online friends, many of us have failed to make lasting meaningful relationships. We seem to have more companions than those that we can count on…and in return, that can count on us. Do you have any true friends, or do you have many companions? Know that you can have the Greatest Friend ever in Christ Jesus. Check out John 15:14-15.

Because He Calls, Old Climbing Dad