Here's a Jeep story for you...

This actually took place many years ago. But as timeless as these 4x4 vehicles are, anybody who has owned a Jeep will recognize the excitement and sense of adventure that took place on the day a Jeep I was riding in ended up in the ocean.

Jeeps are some tough and rugged off-road machines, that's for sure!

Jeep tours are similar to Jeep rentals, but they're different in that tours are usually highly organized and structured. There is just enough flexibility built in to a Jeep tour that enables you to enjoy some offroading while you're seeing the sights.

Depending on the Jeep tour, sometimes a professional tour guide is at the wheel of the Jeep, and you are merely a passenger. Other times, you have the option of driving the Jeep yourself. 

Did you know that you can rent Jeeps of various types at most of the national rental car companies?  However, the only nationwide rental car company that I know rents Jeep Wranglers is Dollar Rent-a-Car. They have Jeep Wranglers available in most states.

To find other car rental companies that let you rent 4x4 Jeeps that you can take offroad (or not), you'll have to dig a little deeper. Jeep rental companies are typically small, mom & pop shops. And, unless you know what to look for and where to look for them, they can be much harder to find.

So, if you're interested in renting a Jeep (for on- or offroad fun!), check the following list of Jeep rental agencies. It's organized by state...

I wrote awhile ago about that amazing stretch of roadway called Tail of the Dragon. 

The Dragon's Tail has 318 curves in just 11 miles, so it's no surprise that there are some tragedies and mishaps along the way.

Many of them are memorialized on the "Tree of Shame".

I was going through my collection of digital photos and realized that I haven't shared the photos from our road trips along the 'Tail of the Dragon' yet.

The Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap, with 318 curves in 11 miles, is America's number one motorcycle and sports car road. Source

It's definitely a daredevil stretch of roadway. (For example, check out these Tree of Shame photos!) But that's not why we go there. We go there for the scenic views and a fun ride in the Jeep with the top down.

I'm sure the motorcyclists hate us for that, because we just get in their way when they're trying to take the rapid turns... fast! While we're not the only car on the road... vehicles other than motorcycles are definitely in the minority.

That said, there have been a bunch of fatal wrecks on this particular road, and I remember reading that most (if not ALL) of the deaths occurred while the drivers were headed NORTHbound on Highway 129. Hmmmm....

For the most part, what makes this road unique is the number of sharp (very sharp!) turns within a very short stretch of roadway. They say the Tail of the Dragon is like a roller coaster ride -- but better -- because you are in full control behind the wheel.

Here are some highlights...

Jim and I have been to Land Between the Lakes a few times for offroading in our Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Turkey Bay ORV Area is the Land Between The Lakes' designated area for off-highway vehicles.

If you're thinking of going to Turkey Bay soon, here are some of the best links, directions, maps and videos to help guide your offroad trip.

Have you ever passed a dirt trail and wondered, “Where does that road go?”

With the growing popularity of offroading, more and more people are seeking the answer to that question -- which means the need for off-highway safety and etiquette training is more important than ever. Especially for Jeep owners who sometimes push the limits a bit more than most when they're off-road.

Although many people use their Jeeps as a daily driver for on-road transportation,each and every day new Jeep owners are tempted to brave the occasional dirt road or even try some rock-crawling. But most people don’t realize that even driving on a smooth dirt road will require different techniques than driving on pavement. To top it all off, more intense offroading requires an entirely new set of skills that you simply can’t learn by watching a video.

Now there is an accessible, convenient and affordable provider for off-highway driving instruction: Sedona Jeep School.  If you live near Sedona, Arizona (or you're looking for a reason to take a vacation), I'd encourage you to get some insider tips and 4x4 driving instruction from the pro's at Sedona Jeep School. Lynnette and I did.