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Archived Newsletter |
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February 2003
For more trip information, see TRIPS. |
CONTENTS |
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RED ROCK After an enjoyable Wednesday and Thursday, pre-running our Saturday Red Rock adventure finally arrived. By 9:15 everyone was at Ricardo Campground off Abbott Road and ready to go. Thirteen vehicles (no bad luck here). We left the parking lot at 9:28 am, which is rather unusually early start for a FITS run. We proceeded under the highway and into Iron Canyon, then Nightmare Gulch. This is one of the most scenic sights of the entire run. At the beginning of the canyon we had a couple vehicles get hung up on a large rock in the middle of the trail. Straps were brought out and we were soon rolling again. After about 45 minutes we encountered the steep rocky climb out of the canyon. Two vehicles had to winched up the hill, one by Todd's Suzuki who had made it without any problem. The shame of it! Ric, in the only vehicle without a locker, took the Banzai approach and made it without any problems until he got to the top and was stopped by a very large rock against his front bumper. His was one of the two vehicles that the rock took an intimate liking to. We arrived at Cudahy's Camp just in time for lunch. Within 45 minutes we were moving again and on our way to Burro Schmidt's Tunnel. Many of the guests and some of the newer members had never seen the tunnel that took Schmits nearly 38 years to complete. After an hour or so of exploring, the tunnel through the mountain we were again on our way. We proceeded cast on EP 15, past Colorado Camp onto EP 11, then south to Red Rock-Randsburg road, By 3:20 everyone was aired up and on their way home or back to camp. I would like to thank my daughter Elaine, son James, Jon & Dale Rice, Donald Clevenge for their help on the pre-run. I would also like to thank Casey for her help in making my NEW RV into a motorhome. Members present were: Bob Kinsey, Bob & Pat Matula, Rd & Suzy Schaffer, Andy Vique, Jay & Ellen Jimenez, Donald Clevenger, Brad Quick and daughter Sara (OK Brad, I know it's spelled Serra, I just had to do that. -ed), Ric Jones and guest Steve Smurlo, Todd Simpson and trip leader Dennis Sullivan with Casey Bearden. Guests were: Lloyd Masuda and Phyllis Thompson, Robert Lloyd, James Sullivan with son Tyler and daughter Devyn.
A PLAQUE FOR JERRY MacDONALD On the 29' of December a -small delegation of FITS members paid a visit to Jerry MacDonald. They presented him a plaque designating him a permanent member of Fun In The Sun FourWheelers. Since the day Jerry joined the club, he participated in nearly every run, enthusiastically joined in pre-running and lead many runs. Until his health prevented it, he attended every meeting, picnic and casual get together the club had to offer. In all the years of his membership he could always be counted on when no one else could. With the plaque, we honor his service and show our appreciation for his continued dedication. We miss him on the trail, but will continue to include him in all our happenings and by receiving a newsletter and standing invitation to drop in on us whenever he wishes. Thanks, Jerry! Members presenting the plaque were: Mike & Carol Kelly, Rick & Suzy Schaffer, and Jim Bays.
ACHEY-BREAKY If you are planning on doing this run, there is free camping at the Slash X Cafe, and there are several motels in Barstow so you don't have to make it a one day thing. This area has some very interesting trails that will require lockers and skill, and will challenge you. There are also a lot of fairly easy that are interesting for the beginner. In any case, you will find that you can spend days in that area or it's a short drive to Calico and the canyons that attract Jeepers from all over for their beauty as well as their history. We will be leaving the Slash X for the trails at 9:00 sharp, so leave enough time to arrive before 9 if you are making it a one day ordeal. I will be checking with the BLM to see if areas that we used to bike will be available to us, as there are places east of there that are nothing short of awesome for off-highway Inn! Hey, don't forget the potluck thing! If a pot-luck isn't possible, there is the Slash X and several other restaurants in Barstow.
NEW VICE PRESIDENT Jay Jimenez is our new Vice President. We would like to thank Jon Rice for the great job he has done as V.P., and to Jay for volunteering for that position.
BLUE RIBBON COALITION The club has decided to join the Blue Ribbon Coalition, which is the #1 organization fighting for our access rights. The annual dues for the club will be $100, and individual membership is $20 a year. I highly recommend the individual membership as well. They can use all the support we can give.
Jay Jimenez did a bunch of research and found that we were once a Delaware Corporation, but our incorporation had lapsed. Jay got all the papers to be a California corporation and we will be proceeding with getting incorporated. If anyone has any knowledge in this area, please give Jay a call.
The call is going out to all of you that are interested in doing the Rubicon this August. Several members have been doing it with The Main Divide 4wheelers, but last year they decided to quit leading the run. There is some talk about them starting to lead once again. Whether they do or not, several families will be making the run. If you are interested in going, give Dale or Jon Rice a call.
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