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Archived Newsletter |
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MAY 2000
29th Annual Hi-Desert Round Up
SCHEDULED EVENTS
For more trip information, see TRIPS. |
CONTENTS |
The Greens are really getting ready for the Roadless Meetings.
Please get involved and turn out for the meetings, we need your help.
The Greens are going to be at the meetings in full strength. For more info click
below:
A FAMILY AFFAIR
by Ric "Lock Gate" Jones
Saturday morning at 9:00 am nine (9) "Soft" Core off-roaders met at Newberry Spring on the famous National Trails highway (Route 66). After a short driver's meeting, we headed up Route 66 for about 8 miles, This was probably some of the roughest road that we would encounter.
We had a number of family members on this trip. The Sullivans were represented by Dennis in his Wrangler, his daughter Elaine, (YJ) and Andy Vique (YJ) with his friend Ed. With me was my son Chris and his girlfriend Kelli Cook, in my Cherokee, and my wife, Pat, and I along with Sandy the Dirt Dawg in the TJ. Jim Carvin was there with his son Jay, who's grown about a foot in the last year (13) in Jim's YJ. Brad Quick was riding solo in his Toyota pickup and a last minute addition was Jay Anderson in his newly lifted YJ. Our solo guest was Sue Trubo in her S-10 pickup.
After airing down, we hit the trail in search of PLF (pretty little flowers),
but none were to be found. We also struck out on seeing any tortoise. I guess
there is a correlation.
We made a short stop to check out a lava flow, then it was up into the "mountains".
Leaving the mountains, we headed down a sandy wash toward an old mine site. In this wash we had our only mechanical problem. Jim Carvin got a flat. The FITS pit crew were quickly on it and he was soon back up and running.
The road out of the wash to the mine site was kind of fun with an unexpected "turn around" by fearless leader.
After exploring the mine site we headed back to the wash. Taking a different trail, we encountered our greatest challenge of the day.
We had a little downhill which was cut out at the bottom, and my TJ drug a bit coming off it. After that, I didn't want Chris going down that with the stock Cherokee, so I rode with him for a go around. While I was riding with him, I had Pat drive back to the wash with the TJ. Everyone else chose to go down, except the stock S-10, who chose to follow the Cherokee. When I got back to the TJ, I was expecting to hear about making my wife drive it, but to my surprise she said it was fun and wanted to drive it some more! What a surprise! She, unlike my son, enjoyed driving in the sand.
She drove back to the pole fine road, and over to the next stop, lunch and to the petroglyphs. There was one little uphill with a few holes that kind of freaked her out and made her decide to call it a day for driving.
During lunch we explored the petroglyphs and marveled at their number and design.
After lunch, we made the decision to go out via Soggy Dry lake, so we headed
south to Bessemer mine road and through the Johnson Valley OHV area to Soggy Dry
lake where we had a chance to play a little. Finding a porta-potty there we
decided on a pit stop and to air up.
After airing up and BSing, we headed for the highway, while Jim & Jay Carvin headed for the hills to play a little.
We hit the pavement about 3:30. Dave Felando would have been happy! We said our byes and headed home.
 Though not a rough run, it was fun and most people got to see petroglyphs for
the first time, as well as play on a dry lake. The weather was perfect, so it
was a great day. Thanks to all who attended. |
If you are going on a run, be sure to let the trip leader know. That way he knows to wait for you if you are late, or if there is a change of plans, he can notify you.
That's the new name of this year's raffle Jeep, thanks to our very wn Kevin Anderson (Jay & Laurie's son).
The other day, Wade Furguson of CA4WDC called and informed them that Kevin's name was selected. The Voyager's program for CA4WDC kids had a contest to name the new Jeep, and whoever's name was selected would win a Gameboy.
Kevin had a "sticker" of a yellow jacket at the dinner table...so.
Wade will be getting a picture of Kevin and the Jeep for the next In-Gear. Way to go Kevin!
Don't forget that Hi Desert Roundup is this memorial Day weekend. This year, we are sponsoring the kids games. We need some volunteers, so, if you would like to help, please give Jon Rice a call.
DONATION
The club is donating a batery power/charger pack to Hi Desert this year.
Willy C. has done it again! This time he made a large tract of land between Kings Canyon and Sequoia a national monument.
Also, the BLM is trying to close a number of trails in the El Paso, Rand and Spangler mountain ranges.
They have tried to push through a series of closures without either environmental documents or public input.
The guise to close the roads has changed. First the BLM staff used tortoises as the excuse, but when pressed they admitted the area is not critical tortoise habitat.
They used the excuse of potential raptor roosting sites. When asked for documentation showing that alledged occasional vehicle use near a roost site disturbed the birds, they were unable to produce it.
Baring an alien invasion, the Schaffers, Kelleys and Matulas are going to be at Lake Isabella over the 4th of July weekend.
They will be doing some exploring around Keysville, and looking for Black Gulch. They may be doing a little river rafting, as well.
If you would like to join them, call Ric Schaffer for more details at (562)427-6083.
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