Ray & Darlenes 78 CJ-7

Hello Wheelers,

I have been with the club for a few years, I have not had too much time for the club in the past 2 years.... I am currently overseas. I do enjoy reading about all the new members, and from my friends of the SLO 4-Wheelers. I am always interested in hearing of the activities of the club.

I really wish I had my Jeep over here, there are miles of desert, and it would really be nice to drive on the base. Many of the bases are a little torn up, and the Jeep would be the ideal, I would rather drive my Jeep than the Hummers.... But most the time, I get an SUV, or mini truck. At least they are 4x4, the desert is a harsh environment.

I just wanted to write and say I enjoy hearing from friends, and any news from home. I also wanted to say I am still a member of the club, I am just unable to attend at this time. It is good to hear from so many new members, I look forward to meeting many of you when I finally return home.

My name is Ray, my wife Darlene, and my daughter Whitney have been members for a few years... I have a rough, beat and dented 78 CJ 7 for the most part, it has been over a few trails, it is tucked away in the back yard, I have been considering a rebuild, a new frame, and fresh paint. I do plan on just driving it when I return.

Welcome to the new members, hello to my old friends, I always enjoy a good trail run with my friends of the SLO 4-Wheelers, I will be back sometime, I am out here keeping an eye on the activities.... I am trying to stay out of trouble, just doing what is in front of me... So far, so good. Hope to see you soon, I miss being home...

Favorite trail?
I can't remember back that far.... How long ago was that trip to Coyote????
You were there????

I have always enjoyed running the back roads when I was a kid, my grandfather had a 69 Land Cruzer a lot like Dan's, you remember the blue and white 2 tone paint many of the cruzers had.... I thought I wanted a Bronco, but Darlene's Dad had an old Willies she drove around, so we bought the Jeep....

I have really enjoyed the old CJ 7, it is like a part of the family. I love my Jeep, I have spent many hours with it, hell I talk to it now and then. It still has not answered, but it may one day... It is hard to explain, but that bend, beat, rolling machine is one of my favorite things on this rock... Darlene & I have had quite a few good trips in the old beast... Whitney too, but as it goes My little girl is not so little anymore.

I always like Coyote Lake, but it might not be open yet, I am going to be back in June for a little while... Whitney is graduating from High School, I guess that is some indication of how long it has been, she was just a kid when we first started wheeling with the Slo4Wheelers..... She was just a rug rat when we hit the last run to Lockwood Creek be fore the re-route.

That was a good time, really cold though, Frank and I woke up, and stood "in" the fire pit, Whitney was burried under a pile of blankets, I was frozen, it was cold. We had a great time, it was a good day.

So to end the story I would have to say Coyote Lake would be my choice of trail, but there are way too many to list, I enjoy all of them... Darlene and I are headed to Alaska for a couple weeks, we are going to rent a Jeep and go on a guided Jeep trail... I am sure it will not be the same, but it is a Jeep... We will see...

Have fun, and I will check in time to time... Looks like I will be here for a little bit yet, our work is not quite through... Our boys and girls are doing a great job over here... I am glad to help, it is a tough deal over here. The kids are working hard. Maybe we can all come home soon...

Ray M.