Well, Mark, I've been around a while, but you're right. There are loads of members I've never met because we hardly ever attend meetings. At this point, Coyote Lake is our "annual meeting" of choice. :)

I'm Jenni. Daughter of Randy & Kathy. I've been camping with my dad since before I can remember and 4-wheelin' with him since I was about 5 or so. The first auto I drove was his 4x4 (on the beach...WAAAAY down toward Devil's Landslide back in the day). My great grandpa probably lit the four-wheelin' spark - he and his wife drove from Utah to Detroit to pick up his new Jeep in the 1950s. He had various Scouts which he enjoyed well past most people's driving age ends.

In 1991 I bought my first 4x4, a 1979 Jeep with a rusted out tub, rusted out gas tank, rotted frame (who knew?) but a T-18, 258, Detroit lockers in the rear and the original hard top not to mention a winch large enough to hang a COUPLE of Jeeps from any strong anchor. I liked the idea of getting out and about, but in Utah there were so many hikers it was hard to get away from the "crowds." The Jeep allowed me to cover more area, then hit the trail beyond the hordes. And with so much area to explore there, too, it also allowed me to see more on weekends and after work. Plus, it meant I could continue wheelin' with my parents, who were happy then to replace the backseat with something more utilitarian ( you've SEEN the setup, right?)

My dad and I rebuilt that Jeep from the frame up with lots of help from Brian T. We spent weekends and more than a few evenings stripping it down, sanding, rebuilding and replacing. It got a 'glass tub, stainless hinges, new bearings throughout, all sorts of stuff replaced before we took it on its inaugural trip up Lockwood/Yellowjacket Canyon/Miller Jeep Trail where I led Brian T. and Dad & Kathy through some brush to get the pinstriping over with! ;)

My wheelin' really slowed down with the birth of our first child, Erica, in 2000. The Jeep didn't have a back seat then. And by the time we got around to getting safe back seat in there with seatbelts and roll cage, we'd had our second child (Valerie) and Dad bought his groovy Rubi. That meant it was time for him to find a new home for his '82 CJ. It was hard to say goodbye to the Jeep in which I'd invested so much time with my dad. But we've all seen the '82 in action. It had a lot to offer. So, I sold the '79 and waved goodbye with one daughter on each hip.

Well, my old Jeep has moved to within 5 blocks of me and the guy's taking really good care of it and enjoying it with his own new family. And the '82 has taken the girls out on a fair share of rides. Valerie likes the bumpy parts. They both like the improved visibility, but most of all they like the camping at the end of the ride. My girls know there's no such thing as a camping trip in which they won't get dirty; I think that's the part they like most. Anywhere near water is a major bonus (and a goal). My husband, Steve, joins us now and again, but he's not really that keen on Jeepin' (or anything involving travel, come to think of it). He does, however, enjoy hiking the Sierra, so we'll work toward coordinating his hikes with our 4 wheelin' in coming years.

I joined the club way back when because my parents were members and the people there seemed real friendly, helpful and up for a good healthy laugh. I stuck with the club because some of those same people I grew to know and love remain, too. Even the 3 year old talks about the people she plans to see next year at Coyote Lake. We hope they make it there, too.

Thanks, for inviting us all to reintroduce ourselves. Now, who are y'all? Jenni
'82 Jeep
'96 Husband
'00 Daughter
'02 Daughter