2009-07-10: Carrizo Mountain Night Run

[BorregoWrangler]

With my wife and one of her coworkers in tow, I met up with BlueFJ and SDnative in Alpine around 7:30, friday evening. Soon we were on our way towards Ocotillo, battling the strong winds along the freeway. Dropping down into the desert we really noticed the temperature change. Although it was in the mid-90's, without the sun beating down on us, it didn't feel too bad at all. Once off the pavement we all aired down and continued on through Painted Gorge and on up the narrow, rocky shelf road to the summit of Carrizo Mountain. Once at the top we all relaxed and took in the view.

Sunset along interstate 8.


BlueFJ wondering why I can't go any faster.


Seasonal gate at the entrance to Painted Gorge.


Up at the top.




Looking out over El Centro and Mexico.


We got home sometime after 2am. There are still a few trails out there I haven't explored yet. I'll have to wait until cools down a bit for a day trip.

[OLLIE]

I saw your post on this run about an hour before your meet time. I almost told my wife I had to go to work so I could sneak out and join you all. I'm jealous. I'm Jonesing to get into some dirt soooooo bad.

[BlueFJ]

This was a great night run. Thanks for leading it, John. It was nice to see everybody again. I didn't get home until almost 3:30am!

[sdnative]

Thanks John for putting this run together. I had a bunch of fun.

[BlueFJ]

Great pix guys! Hindsight being 20/20, I think next time I'll bring my camp pad and curl up in the back of the FJ... I was fighting off sleep like crazy on my way home.

[sdnative]

I was fighting off sleep like crazy on my way home.

Me too. I had to stop three times to get out and walk around.

Did you have any trouble going through the border checkpoint? Mine went something like this:

BP: Howdy, how you doing?
Me: Great thanks.
BP: (looking at my dirty vehicle, then in the front windows and working his way back, and calculating in his mind how many illegals I could fit) Where you coming from?
Me: Ocotillo
BP: Ocotillo, huh? (suddenly looks interested) What were you doing out there? (implying at this hour).
Me: Four wheel driving.
BP: Really? (with doubt in his voice, as he looks over my vehicle again)
Me: Yep. Myself and two other vehicles.
BP: I see (looking at his fellow officer). (after a few seconds) OK, have a nice night.

He must have figured anyone with that many electronics and antennas has to be clean

[BlueFJ]

Mine was,"anybody back there" (officer looking in the back of my vehicle)
"no sir, just me"
"have a good night"
"you too"
All she wrote!

[BorregoWrangler]

I'm sure you guys passed through there before I did.

BP: Wow, you guys out off roading in the summer? (He didn't look too surprised but was noting the lack of doors on the Jeep.)
Me: Yep, Ocotillo. Good thing we decided on a night run!
BP: Looks like fun. Have a nice night.
Me: Thanks, you too.

I was going into zombie mode as we neared home. Glad you guys were able to make it. Didn't want to be out there alone at night and pull an "Ollie".

[OLLIE]

Glad you guys were able to make it. Didn't want to be out there alone at night and pull an "Ollie".

OK.... That's a bit below the belt.

If my misfortune causes the people here to learn from my mistakes then you can razz me all you want.

We still need to get the flag pole up there.

[BlueFJ]

Glad you guys were able to make it. Didn't want to be out there alone at night and pull an "Ollie".

OK.... That's a bit below the belt.

...or is that "over the edge"?