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Friday night I arrived late, after setting up camp, a campfire was in order.
It was cold Friday night. Saturday morning there was frost on my
trailer!
A quick breakfast, a cup of coffee, and I got the rig ready for
anything that might come up.
The main reason I came out this weekend, was to support FOJV.
The military has plans to take this area for their use. A devoted
group of people have organized an effort to keep Johnson Valley as a
dedicated OHV.
Any one who enjoys the freedom of the outdoors and the use of
recreational areas for weekend fun can support the movement with
their input. Check out www.FOJV.org
After the meeting we all spread out to spread the word. Over at
Cameron's camp, this buggy was getting ready for trail action.
Mercedes Unimog Portal axles. Front...
and rear.
While hanging around Cameron's camp, Jason, Tony and Justin showed up and
invited me to run Jackhammer with them.
Jason was right, I didn't come all that way just to hang out at
the lakebed.
To Jackhammer then!
A bobbed and dove-tailed bed, no doors, no glass and big meats. I
like the sectioned tailgate.
Jason's rig is sporting a new bare metal look. Apparently rattle
cans are at a premium these days.
If you didn't know, you wouldn't think this is actually a trail!
The shackles aren't cooperating. Either the perches need to be
moved forward or mount the shackles further back. Building
rigs takes guess work and experimentation. Half the fun.
It still tackles the tough stuff!
Tony's clean first gen on the rocks.
Tony's rig needs more dents !
Right around here, Joe goes for the cover shot!
Bam!
Amazingly, he just drove it back on it's wheels. Nicely done.
You can still see a little oil burning off from Joe's flop. Means
dry lake in the background.
Tony's rig spit out a slip yoke at this
obstacle.
Just gotta' unbolt the yoke from the flange, slip it together,
bolt it back up and you're back in business.
There is this gnarly climb out of Jack to get to the exit of the
trail. The rocks are loose and on dirt, and the ridge is narrow with
a huge drop off. I led the way and next up is this little linked and
coiled Samuri!
Think it isn't much of a climb? Can you make out the trucks at
the bottom?
It's a climb!
Justin and Nick follow.
This was Nick's first time out wheeling. An e-ticket ride, huh Nick?
Followed by Jason.
There is also a turn at the top that Jason doesn't like, so he came straight up.
Tuffy waits for the rest to catch up.
Justin's rig, The Sami, Joe's Runner, Tony's clean first gen. and Jason's
sheet metal ride all at the top.
We all made it. Now for the ride down and to the mailbox at the end
of Sledge Hammer. That'll take us to the drop out.
For some reason, we always have to pose at the mailbox.
A good day on the trail with no carnage. Well a slip yoke and a
flop, but really nothing major. I had a ball, and I was glad they
had me come along.
After the drop out and on the way back to camp, I spotted Cameron's
rig on, wait a minute, that's my trailer!
Um, hello!? Cameron broke a Dana 60 spindle, and back at camp
looking around for somebody he knew with a trailer, he saw a trailer
belonging to somebody he knew.
Obviously the lock on the hitch doesn't do much to discourage the
determined from getting what they want. He just pulled the pin on
the hitch and took the whole assembly! Guess I need a locking hitch
pin. And a pit bull with an attitude chained up back at camp!
The day was too short, and Justin and Jason head home after a
'just out for the day' run. It's always good wheelin' with the
Brawlers.
It's been awhile since I've had the opportunity to wheel the
Hammers, and I really enjoyed the weekend. I got to wheel with
friends, see the Milky Way and the constellations by the light of a
blazing campfire and support the Friends of Johnson Valley.
Back at camp, I topped off the day with a couple of cold ones and
a pan of whatever was in the cooler. Not bad for camping out! I ate
the whole thing too! I invited Joe and Jen to stay for dinner, but
they graciously declined. They had some Tri-tip to cook. Jeez, I
don't eat that good at home.
After dinner I checked in on Joe and Jen. Their group was heading
out to run Sledge Hammer. It was already 9 pm or so, and I always
enjoy the night runs.
It was probably 1am by the time we got back. By then I was
definitely ready to hit the rack.
Friday night was cold in the tent. Remember the frost on the
trailer Saturday morning? I didn't relish the thought of freezing my
toes off again.
Earlier in the day, Cameron offered a bunk in his fifth wheel. I
didn't think twice about taking him up on his offer.
Until the next time. Drive safe and take care of each other.
Trail Runs
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