June 1998   Newsletter for The San Luis Obispo County Four Wheel Drive Club
Editor Debbie K.

How bout some music to read by-

Views From A New Member Or Remember When?

I had approached one of our newer members and asked if he'd share his thoughts about the Spring Thing and the club in general. I was curious what we were doing right & what we might improve on. Its nice to hear the story from someone who's just getting a handle on things and hasn't already done it a gazillion times. It also reminds me that though its been explained before (i.e. trail difficulty, directions etc.) there's usually someone new that hasn't heard it before and the details need to be gone over. Though we strive to bring the new people in sometimes we forget or assume . We've the biggest welcome mat around but sometimes it doesn't hurt to shake it off, making sure they see it says WELCOME. Heres the short article Joe wrote. If you enjoyed the campfire- Joe and his friend Joanna brought it out. Mark B.

So far I've been very impressed with the personnel of the club. That was originally what prompted me to join this particular club. After attending the first meeting, I felt like it had a good set of members. My opinion still stands. Very helpful and honest with me, and nice to be around.

As for the spring thing itself, I enjoyed it, although I didn't really know what to expect. At 11 AM Saturday my starter went out, so it was a bit of a scramble to replace it, S10 blazers being such a pain to work on. In my hurry, I neglected many things. I forgot plates and silverware, but generosity covered for my forgetfulness. I didn't spend much time near the fire because I had forgotten a chair, but I did feel welcome when I was there.

I enjoyed the night run, but I wish we had done a little more challenging stuff, but then it was late and a lot of us were tired, so I understand. I didn't know, and still don't actually, what the overall plans were, so I didn't end up going on another run Sunday. I was also getting lower on gas. I would have to say that, as a new member, information on our trails is sketchy. If I had known that all we were going to do on the night run was drive up a dirt road to the top of the mountain and drive back, I would have waited for the next day to go on a more challenging run. Of course, I don't know anything about more challenging runs, other than Mark B's advice that I not traverse the stair-steps in my blazer. To date, the hardest thing I've done is Lopez Canyon last November, and that was fun, but my blazer's is not yet up to more challenging than that.

I wish this issue had been made more clear, although I probably would have understood better had I spent more time at the fire. Perhaps a description of our trails and the difficulty and location could be written up. I am interested in finding out just what my blazer will do, but I also can't afford to get it bashed up. It's my only driver to Poly and back. I'm sure other new members would like to know more about our trails, while old members would be bored spending meeting time talking about what they already know.

In closing, I did have a fun time. Everyone that I talked to was not only nice but also fun to talk with. I enjoyed chatting on top of Pine Mountain with our little group probably more than anything else on the whole trip. The Los ChiChi's (?)(Land of Mounds) trail was steep, but not challenging, and the part of pine mountain that we traveled was just a bad dirt road. I'm hoping to do more this summer when I get new tires, and hopefully a locker.

Thanks for a good time,

Joe D.

EVENTS CALENDAR

JUNE

06/06/98 Weekend After Run Sunday 9:00 Santa Margarita Gas Station
TrailBoss: Todd P. Stair Steps Clean-Up and Run

06/20/98 CCORE Fun Day- Poker Run Saturday Turkey Flats
TrailBoss: Will H. Need Volunteers to Run a Check Point

06-26/98 to 06/26/98 Hume Lake Details in Newsletter
TrailBoss: Will H. Please Call to RSVP

JULY

07/04/98 Templeton 4th of July Parade and Pool Party
TrialBoss: Will H. 9:00 Hoovers Templeton (north end of Templeton)
Bring your Super Soakers to keep the crowds wet and Jeep Decorations
Theme of the Parade: Heros of the 20th Century

07/04/98 4th of July Sand Drags- Oceano Beach, CA Sponsored by CA4WDC, Inc.
For Info: George W. Gold Coast Club

07/98 Swamp or Strawberry Run (to be announced at next meeting)
TrialBoss: Jim Z

07/23/98 to 07/26/98 Jeep Jamboree Rubicon
TrailBoss: Ray M

AUGUST

08/15/98 to 08/16/98 Coyote Lake
TrailBoss: Randy P.

SEPTEMBER

09/05/98 to 09/07098 Labor Day Weekend- Dusey-Ershim (if trail is open)
TrailBoss: Randy P.

09/98 Hollister SVRA Safety Clinic


OCTOBER

10/17/98 Colony Days SLO4WD Booth
TrailBoss: Jennell T.

10/98 SLO4WD Fall BBQ& Vehicle Show - Friss Camp
TrailBoss: Ray M.

10/31/98 Fright Nightopen

Well- if you were there I think you'd agree, our efforts to get as many members to-gether for some socializing, 4-wheeling, BBQ eatin and just hanging out around the campfire was what a lot of other folks also thought was a good idea. Our prez, Ray M. has been wanting to do something like this, and he hit it on the head!

Brief highlights of the weekend-but first I want to thank the good folks who volunteered and followed thru on the individual events, making this a GREAT & FUN weekend for all!
Thanks to the following

• Jesse H -Well he had volunteered to trail boss Garcia, but due to mechanical difficulties ... though he did "catch us up". I know he would have been there if he could and I appreciate his effort.
  Sat Garcia Ridge Run Sat morning-coffee & breakfast were the first order, & while some were airing down & packing lunches, more members began to show up. Originally 2 runs had been planned Sat. but since we were doing Pine for the night run most decided for Garcia, so Pine Run was abandoned. There were 28 folks with 3 kids in 16 rigs. After sitting at the Ranger station for awhile I figured we had no trail boss, so I volunteered to be "substitute Trail Guide" until he showed, off we went. Garcia was really nice, still green with a few minor challenges. Making it to the end we spent bout an hour having lunch & Yaking at the clubs planted table. The first climb out was the place to stop and watch others, every one made it and onward we rolled. Quite a bit of trash was picked up though most of it was old, probably washed up from the rain. I hadn't been on Garcia in almost a year -it was very interesting -actually a very enjoyable trail ride. We were back in base camp bout 4:00 where the charcoal was lit and lawn chairs unfolded.
• Kathy P -for heading up the SAT Potluck BBQ-we fed 43 folks! This was the main focus of the event and we had more food than could be eaten. IT was Great! Kathy coordinated this and it couldn't have been better. The club supplied the beef & chicken with members bringing out an unbelievable amount & variety of side dishes! Maybe we should have held a contest for the best side dish. I know Avanetts SIX! Home baked pies would've probably received a blue ribbon. The most awesome treat was to actually see 43 folks lined up waitin to dig in!
• Randy P w/ Ray M helping -for tending the coals. Whooping out some fantastic BBQ'd Tri-Tip! & also chicken for the Sat BBQ. They also served up some great BBQ'd sausage appetizers whilst we all hungrily waited to feast.
• Joe D & Joanna C -For hauling out their horse trailer full of firewood for the weekend (with Randy P thankful for a cleaner backyard) We had us a Campfire! There were approximately 30 folks camping Sat night and they Enjoyed it. Most of the evening was spent enjoying the fire , swapin lies and other stories. No matter how enjoyable the trail, it always seems to be the campfire time that makes a weekend...
• Ray M -trail boss for the Pine Mtn. Night Run. After the BBQ most were content to sit and enjoy the company & the fire but about 9:00 a few brave souls (16 & 5 kids in 9 rigs) ventured out. Ray found the "HOLE" in the trail, which he was extradited from and then we found a washout most decided wasn't worth risking without trying to fill. So with superhuman strength and speed Todd backfilled the wash and threw in his spare tire for good measure. We continued on to the top (after retrieving the spare), spent an hour watching the stars and gabbin. We returned back via Los Chichas Trail (which I kant spell or pronounce); re-dubbed to "Land Of Mounds". Some very tired 4-wheelers were greeted by a still blazing fire at 2:00am and tumbled thankfully into our beds.
• Jim & Cindy B -Sunday Vehicle & kids games. As most had to leave early Sunday the games were decided to be held some other day. Of the remaining group 4 went over the "Land of Mounds" while the rest played in the sand at Turkey Flats. About 3:00 Sunday afternoon we made ice-cream! 10 of us enjoyed the ice cream, topping off a perfect weekend.
• Last But Not Least -thanks to all the SLO 4-Wheelers who made the effort, brought out Great food, camped over, pitched in to lend a hand or were able to squeeze in a couple of hours just to come out and join us. Great food, Great fun, Great company! It just don't get any better! All in all a great fun weekend.

There's talk of making this an annual event (we called this one the 1st) -but there's also talk of doing it again later this year -so if you had way to much fun or couldn't make this one - there's more coming...

Mark B & navigator Margaret; Trail Boss for the SLO 4-Wheelers 1st Annual "Spring Thing" 1998

The CA4WDC is an association of clubs, just like ours, made of folks just like you and me.

• As new members you'll receive a membership card, way cool decal,and a dash plaque.
• You'll also receive monthly publication of the In Gear. This contains information about club activities, legislation, upcoming events, trails, 4WD products, classifieds and lots of other great 4WD related topics.
• Eligibility to participate in all Association events

The CA4WDC is one of the largest of its type in the nation and YOU can be a part. Through it we are recognized on a national level. The Association gives us the voice to speak up and be heard. If you wish to do anything to protect your sport, enhance the 4-wheelin activities to be enjoyed by all then JOIN now. If your a 4-wheeler then this is the single most important 40.00 bucks you'll spend this year! I belong and so should YOU!

Contact Mark B. or simply print out the On-Line form, fill it out & mail it to Mark B. (mail directly to CA4WDC if your NOT a SLO 4-Wheeler) or use the form in your SLO 4-Wheeler newsletter. But DO IT SOON!

SLO 4 Wheelers General Meeting Summary June 3, 1998

• President, Ray M opened the meeting about 7:05 PM and asked for self-introductions.

• Secretary, Kathy P announced that the minutes are printed in the newsletter. The sign in and update sheet was circulated and we had 34 adults and 5 kids present at the meeting.

• Treasurer, Brian E, is in the process of taking a new job, and is moving. The board approached Al & Judy J. and asked if they would consider that responsibility, and they graciously accepted!

• CA4WDC Director, Mark B, announced that California Sate Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs dues are due by the end of June. Dues are $40.00.

• Events Director, Randy P, led a lively discussion about The Spring Thing on May 23, 24 & 25th. Ray took the brunt of the razzing for driving into a big hole after having been warned by at least three people. Mark B headed up the event that turned out to be one of the best runs we've hadyet. Mark prepared a summary that indicated we had 58 in attendance. He counted 43 in the chow line at the potluck BBQ on Saturday night. The day run was to Garcia Ridge and there were 16 rigs with 31. The night run on Saturday night to Pine Mountain Road and back via "The Land of Mounds" had 9 rigs with 21. Sunday, 5 rigs, 8 adults went back to Las Chichas. Overall there were 31 4X4's, 2 support vehicles, and 3 trailers.

  June's run will be to Hume Lake with Will H on June 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th. Will gave a great "video report" on the particulars of the trip. Some of us will be there Friday through Monday, you may opt to take ashorter version and arrangements can be made to join up with the group. Contact Will in advance. We will be meeting at Millwood at 8:00 on Saturday to begin the trail runs. Sequoia is about a 3.5-hour trip from here, and Will plans to do 3 or 4 trails. Buck Rock is under several feet of snow right now and it will be a gamble weather we can get on it or not, there is promises to be some great 4 Wheeling. Be prepared for cold weather, bears and lots of fun. It looks like there were 8-10 families interested at the meeting, and a couple more that weren't there.

  June 20th the CCORE group is planning a Fun Day and Poker Run at Turkey Flat. Contact Will H for more information.

  July 4th we'll be participating in the Templeton Parade and swimming party Will H's. October ?

  We had such a good time at the Spring Thing, we are interested in having another one in the fall. Fall Thing doesn't sound right…be thinking of a name for it.

• Land Use Liaison, Will H attended the CCORE meeting this month. Will was in Yosemite. We will cover the information he brought back next month. Remember the 24 hour line will tell you which trails in our area are open.

• Membership Director, Dave H reported status of current member families. He is in the process of updating the membership list and will have a new phone list in the newsletter.

• Newsletter Editor, Debbie asks that contributions to the newsletter be in a timely manner, by Sunday PM

• Ways & Means Brian & Jennell T ran the 50/50 raffle and the lucky winner was Ted Miles.

• Under Committee Reports,
  
  
  • Promotional chair, Lynn S, circulated a signup form for T-Shirts. Using this as a guide, he will be placing an order next week. Call him if you want shirts before Hume.

  • Safety chairman, Jessie H was in Yosemite.

  • Avanette Z brought in the Scrapbook. Ava has kept the scrapbook up with current pictures every meeting. We have a new scrapbook to fill.

  • Telephone Kathy P called about half of the club to remind them of tonight's meeting.

  • Virtual Committee Chairman, Mark B asked if of the kids could name the tune that our website plays. Not even the adults could, so get on the web and listen!

• Old Business: Incorporation is still pending. It was tentatively decided that if the attorney doesn't have it done by September 1, that we will get our retainer back and make another decision at that time.

• New Business: The Gold Coast 4 by 4's and the Los Osos group are interested in publishing a joint events list. Randy P was given the information on that, and he will pursue it.

Board of Directors Meeting will be at Randy & Kathy's, Tuesday, June 23 at 6:00 for dinner and 6:30 meeting. If it's not raining we'll BBQ. In fact, we'll BBQ even if it isn't raining. We'll have ice cream if it's not raining.

Respectfully Submitted, Kathleen P.

FOR SALE