On January 1, I announced via my Instagram feed—if you’re not following me, there please do. It’s @joefarace—that I would be taking a hiatus from blogging to focus on my personal photography. That hiatus has come to an end and I’m starting to blog again but there will be some changes going forward.

As part of this website, the blog will continue to focus on photography-related posts but will also include posts about cars and car-related subjects and maybe car-related products, depending on how the blog evolves over this year. These new posts will also be more personal; something that occasionally occurred in the old blog but will be happening more frequently here.

There will not be daily posts. Google’s algorithm suggests you must post something every day on a blog in order for their search engine to pay attention and move you up in rankings. Sorry Google, I’m only going to write posts when I have something to say, not just to fill space.

While this blog is free to access, it’s not free to produce. There are domain and server costs associated with producing it including the software that runs and protects the site. My Webmaster must be paid for keeping this and my personal site/blog up and running and free from the inevitable issues that plague all on-line enterprises. There will be some sponsors here but not just personal sponsors as so many manufacturer-paid bloggers have, but sponsorships of the blog itself that (I hope) will cover the cost of operation.

The main reason for creating my original blog was two fold: As photo and book publishers imploded depriving me of a traditional outlet for reaching photographers, I wanted a creative outlet for my writing but more importantly wanted to let my original readers know I was alive, had images to share and something to say about this pursuit we all love.

So welcome to the new blog; I hope you enjoy what you find.

PS. If you’re wondering what these images have to do with today’s post, stay tuned…

The 2014 Trail Teams Ultimate Edition shown at SEMA is a special edition of the FJ Cruiser with a limited production of 2,500  and ends its production at the conclusion of the 2014 model year. The FJ Ultimate Edition pays tribute to the iconic Land Cruiser FJ40 of the 1960’s, which the FJ Cruiser draws its DNA, inspiration and design.  A white painted front grille surround and newly developed “Heritage Blue” paint are reminiscent of the classic FJ40.

A race-inspired Toyota Racing Development (TRD) off-road suspension was developed and tuned for the Ultimate Edition. The new suspension includes Bilstein race shocks with increased damping, articulation and high speed stability. The front shock assemblies are 66mm with new TRD race coil springs, which raise the front of the FJ just enough to level out the stance and improve the approach angle.  The rear shocks are 50mm and are equipped with remote reservoirs to decrease damping fade.

A newly developed TRD front skid plate, made from one-quarter-inch thick aluminum plate comes standard on the Ultimate Edition. The TRD stamped front skid plate not only looks great,but improves approach angle and provides an increased level of underbody protection. TRD 16-inch bead lock wheels with BF Goodrich A/T KO tires, rock rails and roof rack complete the exterior.

The Ultimate Edition FJ Cruiser is only available in 4×4 and comes standard with Active Traction Control (A-TRAC), Crawl Control (CRAWL available with automatic transmission only), Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) with off switch and electronically controlled locking rear differential.  In addition, the Toyota Star Safety System is standard.

With sales of more than 200,000 units sold since 2006, the FJ rides into the sunset leaving lasting memories of one of the most iconic vehicles in Toyota’s rich SUV history.