I am often told "you should do this or that" to your jeep. And I used to bristle a little, but now I laugh. As I look at all the fabulous jeeps around me on the last offroad trip, I notice how no 2 Jeeps are alike out of more than 50.

Everyone has their own personality showing up on their jeep. Some insist on owning a manual, others insist on automatic. And the list goes on and on of the differences on builds and brands.

I once asked in a jeep club group a question about spark plugs and didn't know I was starting what looked like a war. I had no intention of starting such a heated debate. So what I have learned since that point in time that the best policy is listen to reasons and then decide what is right for me and the rest "to each their own". And when someone is adamant about one thing or another that I should do with my Jeep, I now laugh and actually say out loud "to each their own". I do have "go to" people I can ask without starting a war or even causing an issue.

I love even more the differences of everyone's jeep choices to make their jeep their own. I enjoy asking the owner about their build. And Jeep owners normally are glad to share their build and what makes their jeep an extention of them. They are proud of their builds and normally have a list of things they want to do next.

The build is a process and is fun. Going offroad in a stock Gladiator that has road tires (not mud tires or all terrains), and it handling well, shouldn't be surprising. I shouldn't have questioned how it would handle. If I was in my JKU, there wouldn't have even been a hesitation.

I do have a checklist of items I want to mod on the Gladiator, but with it still completely stock it handled well. I have learned a lot over the last few years of how each vehicle handles and what they are capable of, and what I am capable of.

I am not done testing the limits or with changes to the builds. I hope to not bust anymore windshields. I am laughing at myself on that one.

Even in a rented stock jeep I was able to finesse the sand dunes without having the benefit of 4 wheel drive low. That rental jeep also had stock street tires. So I should have known the Gladiator would be fine too, with street tires.

Muddy Dog Jeep Tales Blog — Lisa Gatewood

I am extremely grateful for the ones in my life who have taught me how to grow, stretch my comfort zone, laugh, and give me support. I am also thankful for a hair clip side gig that allows for many jeep trips, and it is the perfect way to contain the crazy jeep hair into beautiful hair. Here are the links if you are interested in the Jeep Jewelry www.gatewoodsjubilee.biz. or you can go to www.LillaRose.biz/Gatewood for that amazing hair Flexiclip.

The jeep hairclips are available with this Google form or at a show. To get a free video of 9 easy hairstyles and a chance to win a free Flexi Sport, register here: MuddyDogJeepBlog . For more styling videos you can check out my YouTube channel Gatewood's Jubilee .

The Jeep Life = to each their own (previously posted on another blog site)