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Archived Newsletter |
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April 2001
For more trip information, see TRIPS. |
CONTENTS |
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FITS INVADE PIONEER TOWN On March 24th we all gathered at the Waffle Iron cafe as planned. Besides the fact that 12 of us dropped in for breakfast at once, the waitress handled it with remarkable ease. Great food, to! Around 9:15 we headed out for the trail head to meet up with those who camped or came in from the East. Mike and Carol stayed behind to gather up any late comers. None showed, so we headed out with 17 vehicles, almost 16 when the Kellys didn't see us off the road and drove on past. They went a ways past, turned around, and saw us on the way back. Dennis Sullivan had been camping since Wed. with Andy and Elaine, and had pre-ran it on Friday. Since Andy had to work on Saturday, we'll give him credit for being there, making a total of 31 people, 18 vehicles and 2 four legged navigators. The weather was superb! We left around 10:15 after airing down and all, and didn't have any problems to speak of the entire trip. I had anticipated much more water in the canyon than what we found. Even less than last year. The trail tops out at around 6000 ft. and I was expecting, maybe, a little snow, but none was around. Lunch stop was right at noon at the old mine site. After which, we headed up the loose shale hill to the overlook to Johnson Valley. We then headed for a short detour toward Big Bear to try a little more difficult trail. We found 3N61Y and thought it was the one. It's rated most difficult on the sign. Jay Jimenez remembered coming down the trail at night so wasn't sure if it was the fight one or not. 10 of the 17 vehicles decided to give it a try. Seems like the same trail. We later found it was 3N70Y that we wanted, just up the road. The trail proved somewhat exciting none the less. A little bit John Bull mixed in with a Little Deep Creek. It was fun, but short, We headed back to where the rest of the group was waiting, and headed for Pioneer Town and ice cream. At Pioneer Town it looked awesome! 17 vehicles rolling slowly down the dirt main street, and parking in front of the cafe/bowling alley. Sort of like a cattle drive heading into Dodge (or the Rick Schaffer gang taking over the town). We felt sorry for the poor waitress at the cafe trying to take 29 orders for ice cream cones at once! The poor girl was frantic! 3 choices chocolate, vanilla or strawberry made it a little easier. She was the only one working and tried her best to keep it straight. Actually, everyone was patient and everything worked out. Jerry had the special "s icy stew". He wouldn't recommend it! Most everyone aired up there and headed for home. While airing up, Steve Frank noticed that one of the leaves on his spring pack was broken. So, he went home leaning a little and having to put up with some drive shaft vibration. Suzy and myself, Mike and Carol, Bob and Pat, Jim Bays, and our guests Jerry Filcher & Lyn Simmering all headed for 29 Palms for the night We were to go exploring the next day. Dennis Sullivan joined us that night for a great BBQ dinner. After breakfast Sunday morning, we headed out for the Dale Mining area east of 29 Palms. We found a couple of pretty good trails, one of which Ric Jones lead a run on a few years ago. We wound up on an older, nearly abandoned trail down a canyon that was pretty exciting. At least more difficult than the day before. Jerry Filcher knows the area pretty well so he guided us around to some neat stuff and got us back to pavement. Thanks Jerry! Club members on the run were: Jay Anderson, Jim Bays (Betty stayed at camp), Robert Day & Sally Kinsey, Dave Felando and his cousin Sveto Felando, Steve & Michelle Frank and girls, Jay Jimenez, Ric Jones, Mike & Carol Kelly, John Lee (!!!), Jerry MacDonald, Bob & Pat Matula, Tom Morey with guest Tom Purvis, Rick & Suzy Schaffer, Dennis Sullivan (Andy Vique & Elaine Sullivan on pre-run). Guests: Jerry Filcher & Lyn Simmering, Steve L. Corte, Tim & Larry Buffington with Travis Taylor and Lexie Engle.
ON THE AIR Last year on my Big Bear run, Doug Meyer filmed it for a promo tape for a possible weekly TV program. Well, in spite of it, he did get the program, and it's called 4X4TV, and it airs on Saturday mornings at 7 am on the Outdoors Channel (OUT). I'm still trying to get a copy of the tape from him. It would be fun to show at the meeting. Since I usually can't sleep in on Saturdays, now I'm set with American Thunder at 6 am, Bike Week at 6:30 and 4XTV at 7 and Designer's landscape at 7:30. Start the weekend off right!
POKER RUN There is going to be a poker run at the Slash X the weekend of April 28-29, with runs and a raffle each day. Cost is $20 and they will have 25 mile loops. A BBQ dinner at night is $10 and morning breakfast is $6. I'm planning on doing it on my bike this year.
ARMCHAIR DESERT EXPLORING This summer when it's too hot to be in the desert and you want to do a little exploring, hit the computer and go to http://www.aeve.com/digitaldesert. They have done a great job of putting together photo essays on many places in the desert. They even have good pictures of the Old Woman Springs. Check it out!
BLUE RIBBON COALITION It was brought up at the meeting that it probably is in the best interest to the club to join Blue Ribbon Coalition. They are involved in many law suits to try and keep our trails open, and the more people we have working for us the better. Organizational membership is $100 a year, and individual is $20. We need to more actively support those that are working to fight the "Greenies." If you would like more information, please give me a call.
WELCOME BACK John Lee, who's been with the club for a while, but has been inactive due to various reasons. Recently he paid up his dues and is looking forward to being an "active" member once again. Welcome back John, we are looking forward to seeing you and harassing you about driving an Izusu!
SUCH A DEAL Dave Felando has been tying to get rid of his boat trailer for several months now. At the meeting Rick Schaffer mentioned that he MIGHT be interested in it. The next day when he came home, to his surprise, there was a boat trailer sitting in his driveway with a signed pink slip. Now that's service!!!
30th Annual HI DESERT ROUND UP "TRAILS BY FIRE" May 25, 26, 27 & 28, 2001 The HI DESERT ROUND UP is a California 4 Wheel Drive Association sponsored event held every year on Memorial Day weekend. For several years, it has been held out in Stoddard Valley, about 10 miles south of Barstow California, off Highway 247. It is a popular fun-filled getaway weekend for singles, couples and families who enjoy 4 wheeling, playing games, winning prizes and just going out to relax away from the city out in the desert. Many different types of 4-wheel drive vehicles are brought out each year, such as Toyota Landcruisers, Early Broncos, International Scouts, Jeeps of all kinds, picks of various kinds, and occasionally a Hummer. Each on, Saturday, There are several guided 4-wheel drive runs, each of a different rating, from the very difficult rock climbing for those brave and daring, to the more gentle ride with lots of scenery and some challenges for even the most novice of drivers. Also the Saturday night BBQ dinner is a primitive pit BBQ, the meat will be cooked over hardwood coals for 12 to 18 hours. On Sunday, we offer lots of fun; games for kids with lots of prizes, games for the adults, and drivers in their vehicles. Oh yes, we have developed over the years some very interesting vehicle games which may or may not require a co-driver or special "skills". Overall, it is an action packed weekend with the Saturday night barbecue, a big Sweepstakes Drawing with loads of prizes on Sunday night, lots of trophies, and lots of socializing for old and young, big and small! We invite any and all who desire to get together with other 4-wheel driver enthusiasts and to come out to meet and make new friends, get some off-road experience and best of all JUST HAVE FUN! CA4WDC Safety Requirements will be enforced: Roll bar, Full roll cage or hard top, Working parking brake or Micro Lock, Tow strap or Rope, First Aid Kit, Jack & Tools capable of changing tires, Spare Tire within 3" of existing tires (no temporary spares allowed), Fire Extinguisher with gauge indicating good, Seat belts for all passengers, Antenna(s) must not exceed 54", Adequate attachment points front & rear, ex.- Tow Hooks, Receiver, etc. Battery Hold-downs (no bungie cords). Please call us if you have further questions concerning this event or any other in the future. We are always available to give out information.
HI DESERT ROUND UP
RUN SAFETY REQUIREMENTSPlease check to make sure that you meet these minimum requirements. Click here.
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