2008-08- 23/24 SummerFest @ Big Bear

[BorregoWrangler]

Awesome! Yes, we had a blast. Now that we've been introduced to the area, we'll have to make a few more trips to explore more trails. Well, here's some of the pics we took while at camp and on Jacoby Canyon, Heartbreak Ridge and White Mountain.

The Discovery Center was closed when we got up there so we'll have to check it out next time.


Big Bear Lake


On the way to camp with BlueFJ.






Puffy plants!






Home away from home.


In good company.








Matt spotting.

[sdnative]

Nice pics as always. I had a really good time on that Saturday run. Thanks for posting those. I want to see the video Jodi put together as well.

Did Dave grow or did his FJ shrink?

[justjodi]

Please people; stop posting pictures of my posterior. It really isn't my best side, butt I'm working on it!

Thanks,

[BorregoWrangler]

Please people; stop posting pictures of my posterior. It really isn't my best side, butt I'm working on it!

Thanks,

Oh I know you were just doing that on purpose!

Lets see some more pics, folks!

[justjodi]

Does anyone have any experience with video editing who can give me some instruction/advice?

Many thanks,

[Cnynrat]

Did Dave grow or did his FJ shrink?

You know, I was wondering that myself.

Just to echo the other comments a little, it was great to see some old faces and a few new ones up in Big Bear this past weekend. I hope everyone had as great a time as we did.

The run Saturday was great fun - kudos to SSC and StevesKJ for leading us through most of it. It was really interesting to both watch and have a brief ride up the tough section of the Pontiac Loop in Bruce's Pinzi - just an amazing vehicle.

Friday and Saturday night campfires and potluck dinners were a good time as usual and gave everyone the chance to get aquainted/reaquainted as the case may be. We had an impromtu dutch oven cobbler "bake off" thanks to Scott and Tom. In the end I think the real winners were all of us who got to taste the results.

I realized driving home yesterday that I didn't pull my camera out all weekend - too busy having fun I guess. Fortunately Autumn has saved the day with a bunch of great pics as usual.

[gon2srf]

I want to say thanks again to Dave and Jodi for organizing and hosting SummerFest and a big thanks to Larry for covering the cost of camping! I had a great time seeing old friends and meeting several new ones. The weather was fantastic all weekend, low 80's during the day, hi 40's at night. Although there have been several thunderstorms in the mountains recently, the dust out on the trails got so heavy at times, a water truck would have come in handy. Even so, there were lots of wild flowers to be seen and the forest looked healthy and recovering from the recent fires.

The group campsite at Big Pine Flat had a big fire ring, 6 picnic benches, two huge barbeque's, running water and a clean vault toilet. I thought the site was especially good because it allowed each of us to setup camp with our vehicles right next to our tents which avoided hauling tons of gear typical at most group sites.

Several of us arrived mid afternoon on Friday and proceeded to set up camp. The group at this point included: Cnynrat, NotaMog, Gon2srf, Jesusgar and ibhsbz. Later that evening StevesKJ and SDnative who were staying in Big Bear stopped by to visit. As the night progressed we had an impromptu potluck, sharing Tri-tip, Italian sausage, bratwurst, marinated veggies and more. Jodi and Crystal wanted a fire as soon as the sun set and Jodi provided entertainment by splitting 2x4's with an ax, narrowly avoiding the loss of several digits in the process.

As usual Manuel brought lots of big firewood and we shared stories around the campfire past midnight. The stars were out and a good time was had by all.

Saturday morning we awoke early and after coffee and breakfast BorregoWrangler (John) his wife Autumn and friend Matt arrived along with BlueFJ.

After Dave did some communicating via ham (?) with FJ-Ollie, CruiserLarry, and Jaytil who had another run planned. At about 9:30am we headed out to meet SSC, SDNative and StevesKJ in Holcomb Valley.

Early on ibhsbz who had just done some major mods to his pre-Tacoma split off to run John Bull with the TTORA group and stretch his new legs.

SSC led us through several trails I had never done before and I think he did an outstanding job in choosing the trails and leading the group. The trails were scenic and challenging but not over the top. Thanks, Steve. Later in the afternoon, SSC and SDNAtive split off to run other trails.

Leaving out specific trail names we proceeded to cover 74 miles of trails with 10 rigs from 9:30am til approx. 3:30pm. These trails included some medium level rock gardens which everyone handled without much fanfare. We had one first timer (Juan) along. Juan (friend of Jesusgar), in a stock TJ with wife and kids aboard survived a 6 hour cruise through some pretty intimidating trails and managed to come back smiling. I can't think of a better group to be with when starting out.

After the run we split up, with many going into town for supplies. Once back from the trail run I arrived at camp to find CruiserLarry and Jaytil setting up. Ollie had to head back home so we never saw him, but major thanks are due for coming up, going on a run and dropping off the stickers and cards.

After everyone returned from town, drinks were flowing and preparations for the potluck began in earnest. TomS with friend Bruce arrived and after greetings and a cold one they set up camp. The smell of Carne Asada, Spicy Chicken and other yummies were wafting in the air and samples had to be tried. There was so much great food and besides the delicious main dishes, some of the highlights were Crystal's Cole Slaw, Bruce's beans and Tom's Peach Cobbler. Just outstanding.

Thanks everyone for coming along, contributing to the potluck, sharing stories and allowing me to partake. This was a good beginning for OAUSA!

(pics to follow)

Holcomb Valley








Fire Damage




Some recovery


NotaMog aka Bruce






Jesusgar arriving with firewood!


Jesusgars kids playing


Juan's wife and kid's.


Crystal and Jodi


Pat and Dave, BBQ




Jodi and Gon2srf


Pat: Cold beer, warm fire.





Saturday morning cooking breakfast


Jesusgar aka Manuel


BlueFJ aka Craig airing down


Rolling out


Wild flowers


Following SSC on Jacoby


SDNative


Scenic




Cnynrat


Juan....New rig


BorregoWrangler


NotaMog


BlueFJ


StevesKJ....Very boring shot cause Steve rules










Can I take your order, sir?


















John and Craig


Manuel and Juan


Matt and John


Autumn


Tom and Bruce's (the other Bruce) rigs


Jessica


Pat


Crystal and Suzie.. a little blurry, sorry.


CruiserLarry, TomS and Bruce


Connor and Jay


The most modded FJ in America


Dave breaking down camp.


Some shots on the way home.




http://s102.photobucket.com/albums/m85/ ... fest%2008/

[sdnative]

I want to say thanks again to Dave and Jodi for organizing and hosting SummerFest and a big thanks to Larry for covering the cost of camping!

....

SSC led us through several trails I had never done before and I think he did an outstanding job in choosing the trails and leading the group. The trails were scenic, challenging but not over the top. Thanks, Steve.

....

Thanks everyone for coming along, contributing to the potluck, sharing stories and allowing me to partake. This was a good beginning for OAUSA!

times 1x10E6 (thats a million for you non-nerds out there)

[OLLIE]

I apologize for not being there for the entire event. I am disappointed for not being able to stay and see everyone but my copilot wasn't as trail friendly as I'd have liked. I had planned to stay for the start of the potluck then bail after I'd given eceryone my thanks and shaking a few hands. My son was eating it up and my dog managed not to get sick for a change (even though DaveK and Larry stuffed him with food on our stops). I have no doubt that as my son gets older I'll have a dedicated trail partner. I took him out Sunday even after a day of total seat time on Saturday and he just says "more bumps daddy, more bumps".

I had a hectic weekend. From Friday through Sunday i put oven 750 miles on the BugEater. On Friday I drove north to Westminster, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, Torrance, then back to San Diego. Saturday I went to work at 3:30am then picked up the wife and kid to do the Big Bear rondevous. Sunday I was at work at 3:30am to be on the trail on Otay Mt by 9:00am to show my friend with his new FJ the ins and outs of his new Toy. I got home at 3:00pm on Sunday and my son and I sat on the couch to watch TV and we crashed hard.

I'm glad this event went well. I can't thank Cnynrat enough for all the time and effort he put into planning this event. The board members asked him to take the lead in organizing this event and the level he took it to surpassed our wildest expectations, especially considering the fact that our first event was originally scheduled to be Borregofest. Speaking of Borregofest, it time to start planning...

[ssc]

You guys and gals are the best! When the weather breaks I hope to put together a run out in Havasu.

Regards, SSC