Jacki Maybin
Mission Viejo, CA
Selected as a 2017 Ladies Offroad Challenge Special Participant
"Jacki is a Wrangler lover who finally 'got brave enough' to go by herself to a Jamboree where her entire world opened up. She has been on many trails, her confidence growing with each outing, and is willing to be the passenger on any trail. She has made it her mission to get her two special sons, one with autism and one with PDD, out on the trails with her. Jacki's hobbies include jeeping, hiking, camping, spending time with friends and having fun with her kids."
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A word from Jacki:
I have two sons with varied disabilities: one with autism and the other pervasive development disorder (PDD). I have to approach situations often differently anticipating a possible obstacle and plan for it "just in case". I've been truly blessed to have to slow down and appreciate all of the gifts and accomplishments surrounding my sons. They don't see themselves with a disability because I've never sat down and told them what they can't do. I've always focused on finding their interests and helping them reach a goal towards them being the best version of themselves. My oldest wants to be a video game designer and tester and my youngest likes to write and direct videos as well as wanting to create and design. Luke also now is building confidence and showing enjoyment for volleyball and archery. I believe special individuals are often limited by others lack of expectations and dreams. I, as a mom, just have to be super creative and think outside the box. Being Noah and Luke’s mom is the best gift ever. I have become a better person by learning from my growing sons. I call them differently abled not disabled. Their prior elementary school started kids young learning about others and had a whole week devoted to Abilities Awareness week instead of disabilities awareness week. It’s easy to spot a disability too often but miss the special ability that makes special kiddos shine. If off-roading allows me to safely get my boys in my world in a way they feel safe (inside my Bumble Bee) I will make that happen forever. The more people that spend time around my boys become aware and ask questions the better equipped we all become. Off-roading is the first place I've been able to really share what I enjoy doing and them being willing to try it with me. It’s all about baby steps and encouragement along the way.
Tell us about yourself:
I am a 54 year old Wrangler Lover! I finally got brave enough to go by myself to a Jamboree and my world has completely opened up. I have now made it my mission to get my 2 special sons (autistic and PDD) out of our home to go see the trails with mom. My hobbies are Jeeping, hiking, camping, spending time with friends, and most importantly, having fun with my kids.
How long have you been offroading?
I have joined others as a passenger for over 25 years. I got my first Wrangler after renting a beat up one in Kauai. I fell in love and bought one within 6 months of the trip. That was back in 1990. I have had 4 Wranglers over the last 25 yrs. Most of my crawling and traditional ‘off-road’ experience has been in the past 2 years.
How did you get into offroading?
I grew up camping and taking road trips with my parents. I have always loved the outdoors. Off-roading has been a way to get to nature that hasn’t been touched by skyscrapers and pavement, the way that nature should be! So having a vehicle that makes that possible is really a no brainer for me!
Tell us about your vehicle:
Bumble Bee is the best! My son Luke decided that she was a girl. She is a 2015 Jeep Wrangler JKU Sport. I bought her stock, and she is my first NEW Jeep. I’ve added Rockslide Engineering Sliders, Teraflex Swaybar disconnect, upgraded stock shocks and coils to Rubicon, added 1-inch Teraflex spacers, upgraded to 33-inch BFGoodrich KO2 A/Ts, plus ACE Engineer EvapSkip, EVO Oil pan and transfer case skid. Most recently I have added a WARN Stubby Bumper and WARN Zeon S 10,000lb Winch. Overall I added a total of 3-inches in height.
What has been your favorite offroad experience?
I think my favorite one was the one that got me hooked. It was the 2016 Big Bear Jamboree at Jacoby Canyon and White Mountain. My vehicle was totally stock, and I was crawling, climbing, going off-camber, and I thought to myself ‘wow, I had no idea I could do this!’ I know guys that I had ridden with but I didn’t see any gals. I still don’t see enough ladies out there and I want to change that.
What was your most exciting offroad achievement?
My most exciting experience to date was when I was invited by my Jamboree guide to join his group (which were all very modified) on Gold Mountain and Little John Bull. I felt scared, but he knew my abilities better than I did! I got stuck one time, and I now know that he let me get stuck so that I would get over my fears. I completed both trails, and I have been on cloud nine ever since!
What excites you about offroading?
I love pushing myself a bit, but mainly I love just getting to enjoy nature. I love that you can go to some place five times and the weather continues to change the trail so it’s always a new experience. In the last two years I have really loved getting my boys out on the trails to experience the outdoors!
What do you think is the most challenging aspect of offroading?
For me, it’s the fear of breaking something that I can’t fix or afford to replace. Bumble Bee is my daily driver, so I can’t afford to have her out of commission! If I had a ton of spare parts on the trail with me, I would be all over and willing to try even more! I admit that I am always very anxious to try something and end up flipping over. That thought is really challenging.
Which aspect of offroading do you think is the most fun?
Hands down it’s the amazing friends I have made. As a single mom I don’t have the same life style, so I don’t really have the access or the ability to really make friends. I have been, as well as my amazing sons, overwhelmingly accepted by everyone in our off-road community. I have made some forever friends that will always have my back.
What does prepping for an adventure look like in your world?
First I have to consider the situation for the boys and adjust my planning accordingly. The most rewarding thing is when it all goes smoothly and they smile. The smile factor is my priority in preparing for adventure, everything else falls under the Girl Scout training: pack accordingly, plan for the unexpected, check everything, check it again, and have the positive adventure attitude.
What is on your offroading bucket list?
So far my list consists of exploring more of Moab and the Rubicon Trail (for me personally). For Californians, doing the Rubicon is like a right of passage in the off-road world. Sedona is also way up there on my list. My goals are to get and do all Jeep Badge of Honor trails, so far I have done two.
Tell us about who you go offroading with:
I am almost always in my rig alone or I have my boys with me. I have my monthly family fun run, that honestly changed my world with my boys. Brian and Mirrya Cole are familiar with Autism. They took the extra time to reassure me to bring the boys with me the first time. I tear up writing this because they really helped me bring what I love into my boys’ world. I also go out with my Jeep club (Lost Jeeps SoCal) who also embrace my boys.
What is a piece of advice you have been given that you instill in your offroading adventures?
The best advice I have is to trust your rig. It’s more capable than you think. A stock vehicle can do more with an experienced driver than a modified vehicle can do with a clueless driver. Listen to only one spotter, and stop or pause if you need to!
Do you have anything else you would like to add?
The main thing about me is, I love to smile. I just celebrated my 10 year anniversary of being Cancer free. Life should be lived fully and without any regrets. I love giving back and sharing joy. I don’t have any traditional free-time fun like most do, having Autism in my life. However, my life is amazing!
Click here to see all the 2017 Ladies Offroad Challenge Entries.
