There are a lot of things that Cindy and I love about the all new 2015 Jeep BU Renegade including the way it looks, its sub-compact size, significant fuel economy, stylish interior, great sound system and super comfortable ride. However, Cindy and I would never have bought ours if we didn't look at it as being first and foremost, a real Jeep and one that we could take off-road. Sure, the Renegade is no Wrangler but I don't think Jeep ever intended it to be and really, for our purposes, we don't need it to be. That being said, one of the very first things we wanted to do after getting Renny, our Red Renegade, was to get it out on the dirt and as soon as possible.
With less than 600 miles on the odometer, most of which was a result of driving our brand new Jeep Renegade home from Las Vegas the week before, Cindy and I packed up bags and headed out into the middle of nowhere Nevada to clock in some well needed exploring time in areas we have never been before. The plan was to make a big loop down to the town of Tonopah and back while making stops at old ghost towns, cemeteries, mines and even a dinosaur dig site containing the fossils remains of Ichthyosaurs. Along the way, we would rack up as many miles as we could on dirt and even put our bone stock Jeep Renegade to the test on some rougher terrain. The photos below our from our very first and epic 580 mile trip and I hope you enjoy them.
All packed up and ready to go.
As luck would have it, snow started to fall just as we were about to leave.
Heading east on old U.S. 50 - also known as the Lincoln Highway or "The Loneliest Highway".
No sign of civilization anywhere - perfect!
The only thing behind us is our dust.
Out in the middles of Nowhere Nevada and loving it.
Making our first stop over at the Berlin Ichthyosaur State Park, an amazing two for one destination that's literally hours away from the nearest real town.
Established soon after a small group of prospectors discovered silver in the area back in 1863, Berlin was the smallest of four communities that sprang up to work the surrounding mines. Becoming a Nevada State Park in 1957, the town has been preserved in "a state of arrested decay" and stands much as it did over 100 years ago.
Mrs. Phillips lived in this home until 1907 but the house itself was inhabited by Bill and Mack Foster up until the 1950's.
A look inside.
Bachelor Quarters where a group of Italians lived and is known for putting on a lively 4th of July celebration in 1906.
Check out the old radio and alligator skin suitcase.
Renny parked near the old Machine Shop and Berlin Mill.
This old stove is the remnants of an old boarding house that once stood here and in the background, you can see the old Machine Shop.
A closer look at the Machine Shop.
Some old iron left behind.
Built in 1900, the Berlin Mill once contained 30 stamps to crush the ore being dug out of the surrounding mines.
Renny parked in front of the old Assay Office. The old Stage Shop can be seen in the distance.
Thanks to this being a State park, Berlin has one of the finest collection of old broken glass, porcelain, tin and other historic trash.
Piece of fine china.
An old Crisco can.
Paying a visit to some of the old residents buried in the cemetery at the edge of town.
More pics below...
With less than 600 miles on the odometer, most of which was a result of driving our brand new Jeep Renegade home from Las Vegas the week before, Cindy and I packed up bags and headed out into the middle of nowhere Nevada to clock in some well needed exploring time in areas we have never been before. The plan was to make a big loop down to the town of Tonopah and back while making stops at old ghost towns, cemeteries, mines and even a dinosaur dig site containing the fossils remains of Ichthyosaurs. Along the way, we would rack up as many miles as we could on dirt and even put our bone stock Jeep Renegade to the test on some rougher terrain. The photos below our from our very first and epic 580 mile trip and I hope you enjoy them.
All packed up and ready to go.
As luck would have it, snow started to fall just as we were about to leave.
Heading east on old U.S. 50 - also known as the Lincoln Highway or "The Loneliest Highway".
No sign of civilization anywhere - perfect!
The only thing behind us is our dust.
Out in the middles of Nowhere Nevada and loving it.
Making our first stop over at the Berlin Ichthyosaur State Park, an amazing two for one destination that's literally hours away from the nearest real town.
Established soon after a small group of prospectors discovered silver in the area back in 1863, Berlin was the smallest of four communities that sprang up to work the surrounding mines. Becoming a Nevada State Park in 1957, the town has been preserved in "a state of arrested decay" and stands much as it did over 100 years ago.
Mrs. Phillips lived in this home until 1907 but the house itself was inhabited by Bill and Mack Foster up until the 1950's.
A look inside.
Bachelor Quarters where a group of Italians lived and is known for putting on a lively 4th of July celebration in 1906.
Check out the old radio and alligator skin suitcase.
Renny parked near the old Machine Shop and Berlin Mill.
This old stove is the remnants of an old boarding house that once stood here and in the background, you can see the old Machine Shop.
A closer look at the Machine Shop.
Some old iron left behind.
Built in 1900, the Berlin Mill once contained 30 stamps to crush the ore being dug out of the surrounding mines.
Renny parked in front of the old Assay Office. The old Stage Shop can be seen in the distance.
Thanks to this being a State park, Berlin has one of the finest collection of old broken glass, porcelain, tin and other historic trash.
Piece of fine china.
An old Crisco can.
Paying a visit to some of the old residents buried in the cemetery at the edge of town.
More pics below...