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Archived Newsletter |
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July 2007
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DEEP CREEK Patience and trail etiquette was the theme of the day for the Deep Creek run for 2007. We started with a driver’s meeting that was purposely late so that we would hopefully miss the start of the Big Bear Forest Fest group, who was also running Deep Creek. Evidently, Jay Jimenez thought we could use some more time so he split off and took the “front door road” to Deep Creek. I, on the other hand, led the first half (of the ten vehicles making the run) to the planned route of the “back door” past the dam. It was about 20 minutes later when we again bunched up and started down the trail. We had a good variety of rigs this time. Louis and Karen Villa made their second run with their new JK. They evidently have not allowed any moss to grow under their tires. They have been on a half dozen or so trails, including John Bull and Calico. Jeff Coursey and Joe Nieto made one of their rare appearances and we had a couple of new faces, Ron and Joyce Hirakawa driving a very capable 2005 Rubicon. Also along for the run were a couple of extreme rigs, one driven by Mike Nieto and the other by his friend Garo. We had not gone far on the trail before we encountered our 1st group. I was told earlier that the Forest Fest group was to be traveling up Deep Creek, but they obviously changed their plans and came down the trail. It was a short delay and we were off again. Not too long after Deep Creek, we came up to Dishpan Springs. This is where Jason Bunch, from Tri-County Gear was conducting Rock Crawling 101. We decided that this was a good time for lunch. After Jason’s group went up and another came down, it was our turn for the challenge. Here’s where the extreme jeeps took off over the hard stuff and made it look sooo easy. The rest of us went around the waterfall and made it through easily with some good spotting. We took a 10-100 at Crab Flats and then we took off for the rock gardens. Joe Nieto ended up playing turtle, because he decided to follow the extreme jeeps. With the help of a strap he went up. The rest of us with good sense followed the beaten path to the right. We all made it through unscathed. After the rock garden, there is another rock out cropping where we again needed spotters and good judgment. This time another group waited for us to get through and it was on to the Beaver Ponds and Hanna Flats. Finally 4:00pm and we are on pavement with no more dust. It was a long, tough, scenic day with beautiful weather given to us as a gift. But, I always say, “A tough day on the trail, is always better than a good day at work.” I’m ready for a geocache run. Members present were: Schaffer, Kelly, Coursey, Jimenez, and Nieto.
MEETINGS IN THE PARK Along with the meeting, this month we will have pizza and lot of other goodies. We start at 6:30 to allow extended time for socializing. So plan on attending. Guests are always welcome.
GPS TRAINING On Thursday July 12th at 7:00 I will be giving another GPS training class. Last time I covered the GPS its self, this time I will be covering different software packages and what they can do with the GPS’s tracks, routes and waypoints. I will also cover POI’s (points of interest) and how to find the nearest gas station or restaurant. If you plan to attend please let me know so I can plan accordingly. A Story of Courage! By Jim Bays Sr. Nov. 7, 1976 was a bad day for one Jim Bays, Jr. as well as his Mom and Dad, his wife and kids. An unseen wash and loose soil is bad news for anybody on a fast moving motorcycle. Into the ditch with the Yamaha on top of him, he received a broken neck, crushed vertebras, almost every bone in both wrists broken and a third degree burn from the bikes exhaust pipe. Even though it was five years after coming home from Viet Nam, it was the result of Viet Nam. He had to go fast every chance he got to take his mind off of his '70-'71 tour of duty in the Chu Li area with the 196th Combat Team of the American Division. If it hadn't been for his wife Evelyn, he may never have survived this trauma....as he did three platoons in Nam. Awarded two Bronze Stars and two Commendation Medals for meritorious actions that he never talks about, he never had any occasion to feel sorry for himself...instead he became one of the best Jeepers, off-roading in the Lake Havasu, AZ area. Evelyn would get him into and out of his CJ7 quite often for runs with the Havasu Four Wheelers. Evelyn died suddenly without any warning of blood clots in her heart. Just as his motorcycle friends did...so did his Jeepin' "friends" slowly disappeared. Even this didn't stop Jim from getting out on wheels to open country...on a limited basis. Jim’s daughter, Darleen, took over the job of keeping Jim healthy and making sure he is able to get on his Yamaha Quad and feel the breeze in his hair. "I haven't seen Dad smile so much in a long time" she said. Keeping our lands open is important to people in Jim’s situation, motorized vehicles are the only way they can get into the back country and enjoy life as it should be lived...outside and free !! Being paralyzed from the chest down is a minor problem once on his Quad ! Jim would have graduated from David Star Jordan High School except for Nam.
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