Visit #4: The Real Silent Hill (Centralia, PA - Underground Mine Fire) with Our Jeeps
12-16-2008, 03:36 PM
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Visit #4: The Real Silent Hill (Centralia, PA - Underground Mine Fire) with Our Jeeps (All my photos were taken with my Nikon D2x with a 50mm 1.8 Nikkor lens. I had left the ISO at 800 from a shoot the previous night. White Balance was left on Auto. Aperture Priority)
So we had a great turnout for the Centralia trip on Sunday, 12/14. We met at Quadratec and began our journey to Centralia at 11:15am. We arrived in Centralia around 1:30pm after taking a food/bathroom break. We explored the old portions of Centralia, including areas that have obvious signs of mine subsidence. There were some Russian people from New York who had an RV and a wardrobe, they were doing a photoshoot in the middle of this area. Some people ventured into one of the 3 cemeteries in town. In total we had 5 XJ’s (Cherokee), 1 YJ (Wrangler), and 1 Chevy 1500 pickup:
Me (Photo by Tommy B):
The group then headed down to the closed portion of Route 61. We parked the vehicles in the middle of the roadway and headed off exploring the woods nearby. We found quite a few very active area’s where the mine subsidence had definitely shaped the landscape. There were some vents at the north portion of a valley where the temps exceeded anything we could tolerate. The heat was hot enough to melt boots! We returned back to our vehicles where Tommy B decided he wanted to jump his Jeep. He did this twice and got some good air. Unfortunately his best air was on the first jump, which was not documented:
We left the closed portion of 61 and decided to do some wheeling. We found a few good trails that occupied our time for a good 2-3 hours. At the very end of the trail I ended up getting stuck pretty bad. I was in between two trees and couldn’t get out. I had to use my winch (first time) to side pull myself out of there. I ended up winching twice:
So we had a great turnout for the Centralia trip on Sunday, 12/14. We met at Quadratec and began our journey to Centralia at 11:15am. We arrived in Centralia around 1:30pm after taking a food/bathroom break. We explored the old portions of Centralia, including areas that have obvious signs of mine subsidence. There were some Russian people from New York who had an RV and a wardrobe, they were doing a photoshoot in the middle of this area. Some people ventured into one of the 3 cemeteries in town. In total we had 5 XJ’s (Cherokee), 1 YJ (Wrangler), and 1 Chevy 1500 pickup:
Me (Photo by Tommy B):
The group then headed down to the closed portion of Route 61. We parked the vehicles in the middle of the roadway and headed off exploring the woods nearby. We found quite a few very active area’s where the mine subsidence had definitely shaped the landscape. There were some vents at the north portion of a valley where the temps exceeded anything we could tolerate. The heat was hot enough to melt boots! We returned back to our vehicles where Tommy B decided he wanted to jump his Jeep. He did this twice and got some good air. Unfortunately his best air was on the first jump, which was not documented:
We left the closed portion of 61 and decided to do some wheeling. We found a few good trails that occupied our time for a good 2-3 hours. At the very end of the trail I ended up getting stuck pretty bad. I was in between two trees and couldn’t get out. I had to use my winch (first time) to side pull myself out of there. I ended up winching twice:
12-16-2008, 03:37 PM
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Like I said, I ended up sliding down a 45* angle into a ditch. My front bumper was up against a tree. My rear bumper was against a tree. I was stuck. First time using my Superwinch LP8500. That thing saved my BUTT! Here are two photos of me winching... lol (Photos by Tommy B):
And of course, on the way back, we had the obligatory Sonic stop:
And the rest of my album is here:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/g.../6833084_KFkqv
Friends albums as well:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/g.../6841974_SBtGf
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/g.../6841973_wkDZm
I've want one for a long time.Trending Topics
12-18-2008, 07:04 AM
#13
I miss my XJ's very capable off roaders for not alot of money and you dont really care if you bash it.... My 88 had a 3" lift with 32" swampers lockers f&B and a 91 with 7" lift with 36" swampers with lockers.
vid of the 88 in action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-tz5...layer_embedded
vid of the 88 in action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-tz5...layer_embedded
12-18-2008, 02:19 PM
#15
Sweet offroad pics, looks like a blast out there, especially crushing through the ice 
Few pics of my JK in action here in TX, we're hoping to hit Colorado or northern NM first of the year.
Barnwell Mountain (TX)
Padre Island North, TX
Few pics of my JK in action here in TX, we're hoping to hit Colorado or northern NM first of the year.
Barnwell Mountain (TX)
Padre Island North, TX
12-20-2008, 10:49 AM
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I am Jeep obsessed. I feel like a 'tard driving around this little XJ now though. It's only 2" lift and 29's.
Jeep-wise I've had:
-'90 YJ - 4" lift, 33" Mud Rovers, front/rear bumpers, etc., etc.:
-'91 XJ - 5.5" lift, 33" Super Swampers, replaced with 33" Mickey Thompson MTZ's, front winch bumper, rear bumper with swing away tire carrier, D44 rear, HP30 front, NV3550 trans, newer 4.0L swap, etc. I sold it to a buddy of mine in the military and he loves it.
-'91 YJ - stock and needed too much work
-'93 XJ - Current one that I am debating to sell for a YJ or TJ
Here's a vid of my '91 XJ doing a small off-road course:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEMw2q5MTrk
I really miss that XJ.. I spent COUNTLESS hours doing the lift, trans swap, axle swaps, engine swap, etc.. ughh... blood, sweat, time...
Pepe: That is a SICK JK! I love it! Great job. Want some Quadratec stickers? ;-)
I work for a Jeep Aftermarket Parts company called Quadratec (http://www.quadratec.com) and I LOVE my job. I work in the Photo Studio and Web Department. It's kinda like a kid in a candy store. It's real bad! :-X
Jeep-wise I've had:
-'90 YJ - 4" lift, 33" Mud Rovers, front/rear bumpers, etc., etc.:
-'91 XJ - 5.5" lift, 33" Super Swampers, replaced with 33" Mickey Thompson MTZ's, front winch bumper, rear bumper with swing away tire carrier, D44 rear, HP30 front, NV3550 trans, newer 4.0L swap, etc. I sold it to a buddy of mine in the military and he loves it.
-'91 YJ - stock and needed too much work
-'93 XJ - Current one that I am debating to sell for a YJ or TJ
Here's a vid of my '91 XJ doing a small off-road course:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEMw2q5MTrk
I really miss that XJ.. I spent COUNTLESS hours doing the lift, trans swap, axle swaps, engine swap, etc.. ughh... blood, sweat, time...
Pepe: That is a SICK JK! I love it! Great job. Want some Quadratec stickers? ;-)
I work for a Jeep Aftermarket Parts company called Quadratec (http://www.quadratec.com) and I LOVE my job. I work in the Photo Studio and Web Department. It's kinda like a kid in a candy store. It's real bad! :-X
Last edited by HibachiZ28; 12-20-2008 at 10:58 AM.
12-23-2008, 09:20 AM
#17
Pepe: That is a SICK JK! I love it! Great job. Want some Quadratec stickers? ;-)
I work for a Jeep Aftermarket Parts company called Quadratec (http://www.quadratec.com) and I LOVE my job. I work in the Photo Studio and Web Department. It's kinda like a kid in a candy store. It's real bad! :-X
, I've used Quad a few times for smaller things, bigger items I use Northridge4x4 for the free shipping. I'm trying to get Jack Link's to sponsor my Jeep, tough bunch though, but I love their jerky and having a Jeep named SASQUATCH I figured it'd be cool. Sounds like you've had a few Jeeps as well, they're a blast 
. 
12-23-2008, 10:07 PM
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awesome. my friends mom used to live out there.. its pretty neat to know that there is coal on fire under the ground..
it reminds me of my last trip to Paragon before they closed..
aaron
it reminds me of my last trip to Paragon before they closed..
aaron
