| Well it was the first day of spring! The
Weather was nice, but there was still snow on
the ground. We had 19 Jeeps show up in the parking
lot so we spit into two groups, I lead the first
group and Ken lead the second. This was my first
club run using my new GPS and we had field checked
this run many times to plan a good route to
drive. I mounted the GPS to the dash so I could
look at it and see the arrow following the path
I wanted to take. After a quick drivers meeting,
my group pulled out of the parking lot and headed
for a few dirt roads before really shifting
into 4WD. There was between 4-6” of snow
on the un-maintained roads. We headed down hill
and later up a steep snow covered hill, the
Jeeps that had open diffs had to keep there
momentum up.
We all made it up and turned onto our next snow-covered
road with ease. We had to watch out for a few
rocks that were covered up by the snow. While
we were talking it up on the CB, I told the
group there was a Chevy car in front of me.
I then asked Ben who was behind me what size
tire he was running on the car? He was like
“What car Rich? I said don’t you
see the car?” I think he’s running
33”s, looks like he cut out the Fenders!
But the club was not buying my story.
We were making good time and then it was time
for Lunch. I tried to get the second group on
the CB , but no answer. After lunch we moved
on and came across two snowmobiles out for one
last ride. We moved on, then came to a sandpit
off the road where I saw tire tracks going up
the sand mounds and thought it would be fun
to drive up them. So I headed in and up the
first hill. Everyone must have been thinking
the same thing. We played for a while then Ken
and the second group showed up.
It was time to move on and let Ken’s group
play. We had no problem driving in the snow
and later stopped to look at a covered Bridge,
this road was closed to us but open to the cross
county skiers we talked to. We continued on
and later came across an ATV user. Stopped and
said Hi and then we moved on. We came across
pavement to a few minutes then back on to the
next Snow covered road.
This old road date’s back to the 1600’s
and I later stopped the group to show them some
old foundations, one had a middle fireplace
the other must have been a barn at one time.
And of course the Tomestones. This is a Historical
Cemetery but has no markings on the stones.
One has to stop and think about the people who
once lived here.
We got back in our Jeeps and started back down
the road , when I spotted a wild
Turkey, no kidding I grabbed my camera and took
a picture! Paul saw him too.
By now it was getting late in the day and some
people had to leave. Both
Groups were now one and we were saying goodbye
to those who had to head home.
I was leading now just 9 Jeeps to a road Ken
had found. I think its only fitting that we
call it the cookie trail. Ken had told us about
this one hill we had to climb, so I asked if
Sharon wanted to go second because she was locked
front and rear and had a winch. I started up
the hill ok then hit the steep part that was
snow covered. I pulled out the winch cable,
grabbed a snatch block and tree saver and we
started winching my Jeep up.
After I removed some of the snow, Sharon made
her way up to the top. Then others followed
some had to give it some gas and guys like Mike
just walked up it. Yeah after a half dozen Jeeps
paved the way.
Ken knew the way so he jumped in my Jeep and
we headed up the trail, first down a steep slope,
first gear as slow as possible we descended
the slope. Now down a second hill, the snow
was slippery and we had to be careful. I had
to make a right turn and with the locker in
back My Jeep wanted to go sideways. Then I had
to turn left that trees awful close! I asked
Sharon who came down behind me to winch my rear
end back into place. We ran the winch cable
out and used the snatch block to skid my Jeeps
rear end back so I could make the turn.
Others had the same issues and it took awhile
before we all were through this section. Darkness
was now on us when I looked ahead on the side
of the trail and saw what looked like a Jeep?
Must be just a big boulder no it was a little
Chevy Blazer that someone had drove in and did
not want anymore. It was now just a burned rusty
shell. Just ahead we were back on the main dirt
road, and headed out to blacktop and to the
gas station.
This was a fun trip. I’d like to Thank
the Following People. Ken C., Eric D.,
Mike L., Sharon B., Sandy M., Jereme
C. and Mark S. and I can thank myself
Rich Banfield for I also put a lot of time into
this Jeep run. I’d also like to thank
everyone who showed up to make this Jeep run.
Paul Blue Willys
Roger Black YJ
Earle Red XJ
Ben Black CJ7
Mike Green TJ
Lou White CJ7
Russ Yellow CJ7
Sandy and Rich Blue XJ
Sharon Silver TJ
Andy Brown YJ
Frank Silver TJ
Jereme Blue TJ
Brandon Grey XJ
Marc Tan TJ
Gary Blue TJ
Matt Maroon YJ
Joe White XJ
Mark Blue YJ
Rich Banfield
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