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Archived Newsletter |
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November 2002
For more trip information, see TRIPS. |
CONTENTS |
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TRIP REPORT INSCRIPTION CANYON We met at the Flying J at Lenwood at 9:00. It was good seeing people I haven't seen for a while and meeting new ones. It's been quite a few months since Ric let me ride with him so my navigational skills were a little off. I managed to miss the first couple of turns that we needed to make, but once we got into the dirt all was OK. We had a pretty good mix of people. The 11 stock" vehicles consisted of a Cherokee and a Grand. We had Brad and Siera in his Toyota P/U (I always have fun with her), and all the rest of the vehicles were YJ & TJs. We had 5 club and 4 guest vehicles. The run fro Copper City. Road. to Inscription Canyon was very easy so I was able to doze a little. We had fun walking around looking at the petroglyphs at Inscription Canyon. Upon leaving Inscription Canyon, it got to be a little more fun. We climbed up this one twisty, rocky hill. When Ric was out originally scouting the area he found a trail that looked promising, but didn't have time to take it. Well, this time he did, and it turned out to be the most fun part of the trip. Up, down, and around we went until we got to Opal Mountain where we had lunch. We had a great view of the valley below from the. mine on Opal Mountain. I understand that during lunch, while I wasn't looking a small bird took a bath in my water dish. It's a good thing I didn't see it. Grrrr! After lunch we worked our way across the valley to Opal Mountain Road then on to Coolgardie Road. Road? I don't know why they call it a road, much too bumpy for me to sleep on. Ric took a little side trip up a wash and onto another road that led us back onto Coolgardie Rd, We assembled again when we bit Copper City Road. It was only about 1:30 and much too early to head home, except for Tom who was supposed to be home by 5, so be left and we went and did the Scenic Drive through Rainbow Basin. it's a really neat place with all kinds of different color dirt and some funny formations. We hit Irwin Road at 3:00! Felando would have been happy! We said our final good byes, I got my final pats on the head and we headed home. Home in time for Ric to see most of the Angel game, and for me to get a good nap before dinner. It was a good day, I got a lot of attention and got to go 4-wheeling, what Dawg could ask for more. Along for the fun were members: Jon Rice (without Dale and riding with Rick Schaffer), Tom Pastorie, Paul & Debbie Coursey, Brad and little Siera, and my master Ric Jones (I'm sure glad be didn't find any locked gates on this run). Guests were: Mark Miller, Rick Meredith. Jeff Coursey, Bryan Aksel, Erik Brown and Ben Gillenwater.
THE SAGA OF THE WAYWARD CHEROKEE. You may remember earlier this year I wrote how my Cherokee had been stolen and all, well that poor vehicle has gone to that big dirt road in the sky. My son had driven it to work and parked it out in front. Someone came around the comer too fast, sideswiped it and took off. He immediately called the police and they had the helicopter looking for it but never caught them. Well, the insurance company has declared it totaled (some would say it was before the accident). About a week before it happened, we made plans to buy my wife's uncle's car and sell the Cherokee. We ended up getting more from insurance than if we had sold it. The poor thing had been stolen and in 3 accidents (one while stolen) in 12 months. I think it was time to retire it.
BOOK REVIEW My wife, for our anniversary gave me an excellent book called Backcountry Adventures: Southern California by Massey & Wilson. This book is for anyone wishing to do a little exploring of the area from Independence/Monterey to the north, to the Mexican border to the south, and the Colorado River to the east, the same area that the DeLorme covers. The southern part of the state is broken into 3 regions: Central Mountains. South Coast. Desert. with over 50 trips per region. For each trip they give difficulty rating, scenic rating. miles and driving time, along with directions and GPS coordinates. Included is a history of the area as well as a description, and some pictures of the area. Also included is sections on the flora and fauna of Southern California, along with color pictures. It also has write ups on the people, places and historical interests of Southern California. This is a book that belongs in your library. Mine was purchased at Costco.
PANAMINT VALLEY DAYS Rick Schaffer picked up 4 $25 gift certificates from Four Wheel Parts for the club to donate to the annual Panamint Valley Days raffle. Thanks Rick!
CA4WDC DONATION Since we have a little money in the treasury we decided to donate some of it to CA4WDC. At the November meeting we will determine the amount. We might consider joining and contributing to the Blue Ribbon Coalition as well.
For those of you that want to stay at Calico without a RV, the Courseys are recommending the Oak Tree Motel where they are staying. The phone # is 760 254-1148. Others are RVing it at the KOA.
CB DEAL Radio Shack has their $59 CB on sale now for $39. It's a nice, small unit without a lot of complicated knobs to get in trouble with. I'll probably be picking up one for my Ranger.
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