Carl’s memories:
I had a blowout on my trailer about 15 minutes after leaving the Flying J in Alamance County……foreshadowing? The club rented 2 cabins and several campsites. Attendees included Carl and Anna Barclay, Doug Johnson, Mimi Chan, Ron Watson, Dusty Rhodes, John Herr, Ken Carter, Scott Roberts, Devin Terry, Erika Luke and father, Scott Simmons and family, Ryan Sandy and son, and Jeremy Payne. Some arrived early enough for daytime wheeling on Thu. We also wheeled Thu and Fri evening in addtion to Fri and Sat daytime.
The Good Evening Ranch is a beautiful, multi-use facility. Their website gives the big picture, our photo album tells the story of our trip.
Notable events, Anna breaking a bead and the following repair in place. Perhaps we should have moved ahead 10 feet, but we wanted to avoid tire damage. CO2 was used to reseat. My Bronco proceeded to smoke out anyone following me, blew a ring on a cylinder, time for a new, fuel injected engine. I see repairs in the pics, what’s going on there? I also heard “someone” ran out of gas…at night. And that same someone had a gravitational malfunction while donuting on flat terrain!
Full disclosure, on an evening ride, with Mimi riding shotgun, I embarrassed myself pretty good! I thought I would take a bypass while the extremists took a different line. Realizing no one follwed me, I backtracked and took what I thought was the line others took, next to a creek bed. But they all went in to the rocky bed. Driving next to it, on a sideslope, I started to slide. I have little tolerance for off camber, especially when on the low side. I tapped out and called for help. Of course it didn’t look that bad to the bystanders, but I’m glad they could see what I thought of the situation! Thanks to Scott for hooking his winch to my rollcage for stability as I eased through it. —Carl Barclay
Mimi’s memories:
Let’s say it was a great timing for the GER excursion – weather, road condition, dinner/dessert, and most importantly, the company. From the moment I checked into “Miss Kitty,” I felt my heart was already beating at its regular rate.
I could not be more grateful for this trip with ya’ll, in particular, the opportunity to “musical ride- along” throughout the trip – with Erika, to and from the range, then on the trails with Anne, Ron, Jeremy, Devin, and Carl. It was a fresh breath, taking it all in from all the driving maneuvering, navigating various terrains, etc. In fact, I thought it would be a great idea for any amateur, new to wheeling or needing to sharpen their off road skills, just share riding with some seasoned wheelers. Believe me guys, there’s absolutely non judgmental here when I stared at or asked questions about your rigs…your generous and humbling responses (hint hint – Mr Barclay), enhanced the knowledge, and prepped my wheeling experiences to the next level.
As always, there is so much support and sense of togetherness on these wheeling adventures. Everyone chimed in and helped out – a couple of the guys went back to the cabin, and retrieved whatever parts from John’s rig to repair iMPAKS GARAGE’s wheel/tire. Two others rushed back to their campsites in the dark, and fetched gas for the buggy. Everyone shared their tools and skills in securing Anne’s front passenger tire. Spotters were patiently in their cues.
Along from these wheeling extravaganzas, I also found abundance of kindness from range owners/staff. Last time, Papa Gulches did not fine/reprimand me from redesigning Shipwreck. He winched my rig out of the thick mud, then he also gifted me one of their signature “Gulches” stickers. This time, one of the GER chefs brought us one of those big ole 3/16” silver platters packed with fried mozzarella cheese sticks, chic strips, jalapeno peppers, pickles…I was completely in awe. All I told them I was hungry, was traveling light, did not pack suppers because I called the range ahead, made certain the restaurant was open for business so I could count on them for gourmet meals. Lo and behold, upon arrival, we were told the restaurant was out of commission due to the broken AC, and there it was – free food from the house (Perhaps I sounded too pity LOL).
Well, I appreciate all you do for the group. My grateful thoughts for having the opportunity to wheel more responsibly. -Mimi
