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Archived Newsletter |
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August 2002
For more trip information, see TRIPS. |
CONTENTS
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TRIP REPORT JAY’S TOUR OF BIG BEAR
This wasn’t a difficult run, but it sure was a FUN RUN! We met at the Forest Service Station on Hwy. 330 at 8:30 a.m. While I was welcoming and signing in our four guests, Laurie passed out our "goodie bags" and Kevin put a magnet on each vehicle with the "Tour of Big Bear" logo. This was a 50/50 fund raiser/poker run, at $10 per hand. A big "THANKS" to Ric "The Dealer" Jones (is this going to replace ‘Locked Gate’? -ed.), for his help! Ric dealt out 24 poker hands ($240.00!!!) At 9:00 a.m. we drove up Hwy. 330 about a mile to 1N09 City Creek Trail turnoff. It was a nice trail from desert fauna to shady trees with several creek crossing that actually had water! We viewed the Keller Cliffs and their interesting rock formations. After about 16 miles we stopped at Bear Creek and dealt another card for our poker hands. We met up with the "Jeepin’ Jeepers" Jeep club, which one of our guests, Rene Diaz belonged to. The other club set out first and we followed behind. After a while a couple of their vehicles began pulling over and letting us pass. It was getting close to lunch time and several of us were really hungry, but I wanted to get up Clark Summit to have our picnic lunch in the shade! Unfortunately the other club had a breakdown with their leader! They were able to get him to the side so we could get by. But that wasn’t the only breakdown. One of the vehicles that kept letting part of our group pass was now in the middle of our group with locked up brakes. With the help of Bob Matula and other members they were able to bleed the brakes and pull her to the side so the rest of our group could pass. Our FITS club did a great job of helping the other club!
After all the festivities we continued our "Tour". It was getting kind of late so we decided to meet and regroup at the Big Bear Discovery Center. Because of the time it was decided to head over to Arrowbear and our cabin for a BBQ and HOMEMADE ICE CREAM! In Fawnskin we passed Tom Morey who was up there on a Freelander’s run. So hearing the call of homemade ice cream, he joined us. We had a great time back at our cabin. The food was delicious, but our friends made it extra special! I hope everyone had as much fun as my family did! A special thanks to everyone who helped bring food and helped clean up. We’re excited for next year! Members present were: Mike & Carol Kelly, Jon & Dale Rice, Ric & PAT Jones, Rick & Suzy Schaffer, Bob and Pat Matula, Jay & Ellen Jiminez, Paul & Debbie Coursey, Bob Day & Sally Kinsey, Todd Simpson, Jim Carvin, Tom Pastore, Brad Quick (Siera), and Jay & Laurie Anderson (& Kevin). Guests were: Paul & Pam DeTilla, David & Kim Rameriz (with David and Stephen), Rene Diaz and brother-in-law, and Paul & Cindi Castillo (2 month old Alona).
ANOTHER NEW MEMBER Elaine and Andy Vique are the proud new parents (and Dennis the grandpa) of Matthew James Vique. Born at 6:52 am on July 16th. He weighed 6 lbs. and 15 oz and was 19 ½" long. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
MEETINGS IN THE PARK We will continue to have the meeting at the park for at least this month. I like to thank everyone for bring all the delicious food, and especially Todd for bring the Carne Asada!
OVER FROM THE DARK SIDE The Kellys have finally come over from the dark side and bought a Jeep! They got a red ‘97 with a tan hard top and A/C. Carol is really going to be spoiled now! They will be keeping the Towota for the rough stuff (for now anyway). Anyone interested in a Jeepster, give Mike a call. Mike, have fun building up the Jeep!
MORE TOUR OF BIG BEAR STUFF The club so appreciated the work that Jay and Laurie did on their "Tour" that they were presented a plaque for "Most enthusiastic Leader" award. I can’t wait to see what you do next year to top it! They had better watch it or at the next Trip Committee meeting they may end up with 6 runs for the year! Good job Andersons! NEWS FLASH! Long time member, who hasn’t been seen for a while, Matt Battaglia, is GETTING MARRIED!! He finally proposed to Beth at Hi-Desert! Congratulations!!!!!
WHEELING IN THE NORTHWEST Would you like to do a little wheeling in the northwest? Try Memorial Day weekend in the Wenatchee National Forest of Washington. Jon and I were headed north on vacation with a little wheeling in mind. We browsed the net in search of 4-Wheeling activities to coincide with our travels. The website for "Four Wheeling Plus" indicated a group of friends would be getting together for a little 4X4 fun. We contacted Ron Dunn and yes, we could join them. Arriving two days early in Ellensburg meant time to explore this beautiful area. Ellensburg is a quaint town in a lovely valley or pasture land dotted with fishing ponds and stands of trees. Heading up into the mountains we drove the main gravel roads in search of the appointed meeting place, Rider Camp. Returning to Ellensburg we called Ron to tell him we were in town and looked forward to meeting him. Because of the extended winter weather Ron was going to do a pre-run the next day. Several trails were not yet open. I volunteered to join him since he would be alone. (So much for doing the laundry.) Ron is a very nice young man and experienced wheeler. He and his trail dog Gun Powder, a black lab/chow mix, led us down some great trails. One of the best trails was still closed. It seems several trees had fallen across the trail during the winter. The rangers were still busy trying to clear the trees. We looked forward to the gathering of friends the next day. Saturday morning ten rigs gathered at Riders Camp. Ron asked if we would take tail end sweep. I gladly accepted. A short distance up a steep hill one of the rigs (Scott & Jeri) started leaking gas around the filler. After several unsuccessful attempts at "trail fixes" Scott decided it prudent to head back to camp. Now being so experienced in the area (ha ha) we returned to camp with them. Scott and Jeri went into Ellensburg in search of parts for permanent fix. With parts in hand and in the middle of a rain shower, Scott made the repair. The remaining rigs had returned by now. We gathered under a tarp for shelter. Here we had lunch and swapped wheeling stories. Time pass quickly. The afternoon run was the first leg of Shoe String Trail. The addition of a shower added to the challenge. We had hoped to go to the top of long steep hill, now a mud hill. Upon arrival we encountered several jeeps headed down. One had a broken tie rod, and could only turn left. He somehow used his winch cable to help control the front end. Watching him come down was almost as much fun as running the hill ourselves. As the hour was growing late, we decided to head back. The same waterfall we ran the day before in the dry, now required a locker in the mud. I hate it when that happens!
KERN COUNTY MEETING I started my day off at the Kern County Supervisors Office where on their agenda was a Resolution to Oppose the Boxer Wilderness. There were only four of us that supported that resolution, Myself, Ron Shiller (High Desert Multiple Use Coalition) Mary Grimlsey and Bill Maddox (Gear Grinders 4x4 club). Seems that a major Sierra Club member had asked for a date extention and so the Supervisor granted that they would not make a decision until Sept. 10, 2002. The Green People stood up there saying how they had contracted all the leaders of the OHV groups and that all the Roads and Trails that are in these Wilderness areas the Green People have made sure that they were either cherrystemmed or not in the wilderness. Mr. McQuiston (Kern County Supervisor) when it came time for his comments made a comment in reference to this asking if Maps were available and the Vehicle Access Communities have been talked to then why did Don Amador (Blue Ribbon Coalition) have to use a Freedom of Information Act to get any type of information about the Boxer Wilderness. Mr McQuiston also had requested 6 months ago when Boxer's staff had visited him to do public town hall meetings so the general public could have input not just a selected few. So the interesting part of this was the very same people who spoke at Kern County Supervisor's meeting saying that everything had been Cherrystemmed or taken out had drove over to the Surprise Canyon meeting to oppose the opening of Surprise canyon even though it was stated that this is a congressionally designated cherrystem from congress. The Surprise meeting had a good attendance from the Bakersfield Trailblazers. Had a couple of of gentlemen from West Coast 4x4 Club and one gentleman from Ventura Axlesnappers. Also Bob Bennet the Central District VP also was in Attendence. The Bakersfield Trailblazers gave the history of the canyon and their adopt-a-trail agreement. Others talked about just the general concept of why the canyon was closed and that it was unjust. The Green people got up and talked about how it was bad for the canyon with vehicles spewing gas all over that part was entertaining since we know that doesn't happen. It was another good meeting and we did a good job.
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We finally reached our lunch stop at the top of Big Bear about 1:30 p.m. we
all gathered together under in the shade and enjoyed our lunch. During lunch,
Kevin passed out prizes to all the younger kids. Then came the raffle prizes for
the "Big Kids". Everyone was a winner! Prizes ranged from gumballs to UCLA
tennis tickets, a satin jacket, and FITS T-shirts! The Grand Finale was dealing
out the final card for the poker run. It looked as though a guest was winning
with 3 Jacks. We made an offer to sell an extra card to anyone for $5.00. We had
a couple of takers, bringing the total to $260! The winning hand went to the
Rices with 3 Kings! Way to Dale & Jon! Our club was a winner with $130!