5th gen 4Runners in scenic locations

I did. I was actually high-centered on the edge of the ditch. It moved a bit. I may have been too impatient to wait. Between the traction boards, ATRAC, and the right boot, we made it work. About 5 yards of dragging the edge of the ditch before it pulled itself out.

 

I like to think that, too.

 

Frederick Watershed, Frederick, MD

 

I have been a member on this site since January 2021, bought my 4R in May of 2021, and I just finally figured out how to upload a picture.

Sorry - I am challenged! Which is why I bought a Pro instead of attempting to modifying a ORP!

Question: How does one enter a larger sized picture or the option to "click on to expand"?

Thanks!

Slow Learner!

 

I think you did just fine with your post above with the picture of your 4Runner with the bikes. The only other option is click on “thumbnail” after uploading. That way when someone clicks on it I believe it opens a new tab (I rarely look at those because it is inconvenient). I think the way you did it was just fine.

 

Thanks!

Unfortunately we do not have the enormity of dramatic scenery in the East as those blessed to be in the West have for backgrounds. Some of those overlanding cats on the Tacoma website are professional photographers with stunning photos.

 

Being from the west and now living on the east. I don’t share the same viewpoint. There are many gorgeous backgrounds. I would argue gorgeous backgrounds are available on the east and west. But it is all a matter of perception. Don’t get me wrong I miss driving 30 minutes and being up high in the mountains.
West coast (Arizona - by 4 peaks. Roosevelt lake in the background):


East coast (North Carolina - Chimney Rock)


Yeah people do a good job shooting their rig (they put time in finding the ideal location, backdrop, etc. and it shows). It really isn’t hard but does require a bit of planning and thought.

 

Great pictures! I was stationed in Ft Bliss, TX (El Paso) in the mid 80's, usually have a annual ski trip in out west, and one my son's is a freshman at Montana State U in Bozeman, so I have had a taste of the West and have always been enamored with it as a lifelong Marylander. I definitely missed the greenery of the east after being in El Paso for 18 months. This whole country is beautiful! I plan on taking a long mountain bike excursion this year, hitting trails to and from and around the west. Lewis and Clarking it in a 4Runner and mountain bike!

 

You need to come to Santa Cruz for mountain biking. It will blow your mind.

https://youtu.be/kcKUpQe9TKU

 

Texas is always ready to welcome you back for a visit! Make sure when you plan a trip back to look at Alpine TX and Marfa Tx. Great jump points for going into Big Bend as well.

 

Definitely! One of my buddies that I annually ski with is a Marylander that lives in Santa Cruz. He says he has a trail within a block or two of his house. My second bike is a Santa Cruz Tallboy. Ibis also makes great bikes in Santa Cruz. Currently riding a Yeti SB130. So much to see and do! Entering the 4th quarter! Be 60 in May - better to burn out than fade away!

 

Definitely! Still so much to see and do! Thanks!

 

Thank you. Yeah my brother-in-law is stationed in El Paso and when I was there (on our move from Arizona to North Carolina) it wasn’t much of a site to see. Nothing turned green until we started getting up to Dallas. Then we hit the southern states and it was humid and green. Finally settling home in N.C.

I don’t think there are much mountain ranges in Maryland or in that area (never been). But I am very happy with the blue ridge parkway here in N.C. as it provides some beautiful scenery.

I lived in California for a good portion of my life as well and there are beautiful things there (I will never live there again but I do visit often as most of my family lives there). The Grand Canyon is gorgeous. The petroglyphs are cool. So much to see for sure. However, with all the wild fires and everything the environment over there is changing fast.

 

I have an Ibis myself! Great bike!

 

Between the wildfires, mudslides, droughts and earthquakes I have recently wondered if west coasters would gravitate to the east coast. The chronic and worsening lack of water will be an issue!

 

I am wondering and concerned about the same thing.

 

Western North and South Carolina, and Eastern Tennessee are definitely on our radar for possible retirement locations. Western Maryland has mountains - small ones (highest elevation is 3,360 feet). The Appalachian Trail runs thru Western Maryland. Maryland - America in miniature!

 

I try to stage my photos so there isn't anything cluttering them up.

My partner on the other hand, not so much. Why is there a sign post in the pic? Pic of our 2021 Highlander.

 

Nice. Good composition.

 

Great looking trail! I am too old for catching air and terrain park riding! I started riding at 46 almost 14 years ago! I try to keep my tires on the ground!

Check out some of the mountain biking videos from the Frederick Watershed when you have a chance. East Coast Jank!

 

I'm the same way. I go around most of the jumps. Still tons of fun!

 

It's a blast! My favorite activity! Great exercise and edgy - gotta pay attention!

 

Yes, dude, yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been published in a few travel themed cycle and Toyota print mags and I also fancy myself a bit of a connoisseur of photography and I want people to take better pictures... it's so easy, yet I see a lot of pics (not on here, particularly) that had the taker rotated like 1/4 degree they would be good.

Hide shit like that pole behind the vehicle by moving. Don't get your shadow in the image. Understand the rule of threes. Use lighting to your advantage. Don't crop out like 2" of the back end of the vehicle. Don't hold your fucking camera at an angle, no one likes that shit. Make sure the horizon is straight! Walk away and get some perspective in the shot. Plan the image out. Take 10 similar shots moving a little each time and adjusting for lighting a little, so one of them comes out good. If you are setting up for an action shot, take some shots in advance to get a feel for how the light is metered and adjust in advance of your subject coming through. Take pics in motion, not just stagnant. No one wants to see your truck parked at a fucking gas pump. Put people in the image, they make it interesting. Get them at candid moments. Always have a camera accessible or know how to get your cell to activate fast for those brilliant shots that only give you seconds to get. Use shadows of the main subject to further captivate the viewer, don't cut them off part way. About 10,000 more tips but I sound like a preachy dick when I drop them all.

I will stop now but here's some pics most of which have nothing to do with 4Runners but a lot to do with this post...

 

Awesome post and pictures! Back when I was first pondering a Tacoma and was on that site, some of the photos posted by the overlanders were absolutely stunning - professionals! More backcountry Tacoma's than 4Runner's? Definitely more soccer mom's driving 4R's.

 

Instagram: limerushtrd

 

Indeed! Best feature on my (cough..phone..cough) camera is the composition grid. Can't imagine life without it now.

 

Pismo Beach

 

Nothing pisses me off more than when I ask someone to take a photo with my phone, I HAND IT TO THEM HORIZONTALLY and then they go ahead and try to take a social media composition vertically.







EDIT: Oh.... and when I have to show them the Cube chart and tell them to use this point on the squares to focus......

 

There's a Facebook live video somewhere of me de-escalating this angry woman who was videoing another officer and ranting at him. I friendly-like yelled at her "turn the phone sideways, no one likes to watch vertical videos!!!" and she started laughing and then just went and sat down on the curb. Like a fucking light switch from on to off.

I did it because no one likes to watch vertical videos, zero shits given about her or the situation. Composition is important, bitch!

 

Haha! I know what you mean. I’m always yelling at the TV for consumer vertical videos to “turn the phone horizontal!”