Nineteen vehicles turned out for the cleanup—amazingly, not
one piece of trash was found anywhere. Hooray.
We were in two groups, Group One’s goal was to go to the top
of the Princess—Group Two’s goal, to go as far as the cattle trough and watch the others come up the Miller Extension where we would
part company, with Group Two heading west toward the lake.
There were a few problems going up the hills, especially the rutted and eroded steep hill—it’s become more difficult since the last time we climbed it. Debbie Parker was in the back of Group Two driving her stock Jeep with their son’s girlfriend as passenger. This section can be intimidating for anyone especially a novice driver—side-hilly with steep drop-offs. Debbie had a major problem with her Jeep sliding backward and sideways before she could stop. With help from spotters, she was able to straighten out and make the climb. Very scary situation with a very good recovery by Debbie. Henceforth, this hill should be named Debbie’s Hill.
While Group One waited for the second group to catch up Keith Parker was pacing like a caged tiger, worried sick, knowing Debbie wouldn’t
like the hill and didn’t have the experience to handle it. Finally, after a half hour we had C.B. contact and could hear the sound
of engines purring in the distance; then they came into view. Such a relief. Debbie was a bit shaken, but what a gal, she stuck with
the Jeep instead of having someone else drive it.
For those taking the Bob Miller we enjoyed about twenty
minutes of fun watching Tom Sturgis attempt to climb “the waterfall.” Son Bud, was his spotter, and a mighty good spotter he is—they
just couldn’t quite manage the last bit of extremely slick rock. He was so close to the top, but finally decided to take a strap—a
very short, brief tug from Joan’s Jeep, and up he popped. The rest of the extension was, as always, great fun.
Those who had hiked down to watch the action, had their own bit of excitement when they came upon a Gila monster sunning itself in
the middle of the wash bottom. Not wanting to hurt it, they carefully ‘encouraged’ it out of the way using a very l-o-n-g stick. Those
dudes can really hisssss. Richard Meyers remembers seeing one in just about the same spot over the past several years—same one, maybe?
At the cattle trough, Paull Proctor had a fixable tire problem. Once Paull had aired up, we parted company with Phil’s group heading west and Group One pointing toward the top of the Princess.
A few of us chose
to take Hell’s Half Mile with Ken taking the others around and up Hub Hill. After overcoming the challenges we opted for lunch at
a nice wide area just before entering Frustration Rock! Frustration Rock is easier for shorter wheel-based rigs, although still a
challenge. Richard Meyers always breezes right up—no problem for him. JJBlue hasn’t been able to do it yet and always has to skirt
around "the rock."
It was getting so cold, that we ignored Boulder Alley and headed back to Beehive Wash. Since it was still early most of us decided to try and find Group One. Knowing their eventual destination was a stop at the Tyro Mine we left the “Princess Wash” and headed up the back way to the Tyro. No sign of them. Nothing coming through on the C.B.s. Okay, we’ll just drive on down to the Katherine Mine Road until we spot them. We reached the road, still no sign of them. Keith eventually contacted Debbie on his cell phone. They were no more than a mile or so from our location. Once re-grouped, some headed out the K. Mine Road to Hwy 68 and caught up with Ken who had just left our group and was airing up his tires.
The remaining few went back to the Tyro and then on to our starting point to air up and load rigs onto trailers.
It
was an excellent turnout. Thanks to the tailgunners and to all the great spotters for their help and to all of you for joining the
fun. Ellen Hinrichson and Tony Saluta contributed the photos. [Ed]
It
was a long time coming but finally the much anticipated Mohave Road trip came and went.
Hard to know where
to start. Sooo many things to discuss. I guess at the beginning. Friday the 4th, four vehicles met at the AVI at 8 a.m. we had the
“99 cent’er,” then a run to the Maverick on 95 to fuel up. At this point we picked up two more travelers. We started a six vehicle
caravan out to the 40 to get to Afton Canyon Campground. After a side trip on Rt. 66 we finally all met at the Fort Cady Road exit.
Again topped off on fuel and took, what we hoped was, the SHORTCUT to the I-15. Alas!! It was a shortcut. Knocked off about 40 miles
not having to go to Barstow and back up the 15 to Afton Canyon.
Arrived at Afton Canyon about 2 p.m. Holy
Crap! It was HOT!!! In fact I got a case of heat exhaustion and had to sit down a while and drink a lot of fluids. Thanks to Joe Caldwell,
Larry, Oscar and Peggy and Rod who picked up the slack for me. We kept chasing the shade with Joe’s tent cover. Turns out two others
were having a similar problem. Like I said, “It was HOT!!!” I think you get the picture.
By evening two more
vehicles arrived including Karen and Reg. Interesting here was watching Karen and Reg set up their tent on TOP of their trailer. A
good three feet off the ground. We have snake and bug issues??? Waited to hear a “thud” all night to see if they stayed there. No
thud. Because of the heat it was tough sleeping. Finally around three in the morning it cooled off enough to get some shut eye.
Saturday the 5th got up about 5:30, got the coffee brewing, tore down the tents, made some breakfast and started packing up for the
trip. I’m still not 100% but feeling much better. Before long seven more vehicles arrived bringing the count to 15. Great showing.
Had the driver’s meeting about 9:15. Joe Caldwell and Larry became the tailgunners and Phil was my co-leader—at 9:30 we started out.
The Mohave River crossing, which was only about 100 yards from where we camped, was first. It was wider and deeper than the last time
I crossed it. But everybody did okay. It was getting HOT again. It remained hot most of the morning until we finally started climbing
to a higher altitude. The sun was still hot but the breeze was cooler.
Our first stop was the Soda Lake Traveler’s
Monument. We donated several rocks to the pile and each got to read the plaque. What the plaque says is your proof you were there.
Proceeding east we went around Seventeen Mile Point (which is supposed to be halfway between two water points) then past the Lava
Beds. Next was the Mailbox. We all signed the log book and some left objects at the sight.
At this point I
would like to thank Phil for the narrative during the whole trip. Glad somebody knew where we were and what we were looking at. I
was so focused on not getting lost. After all the “CHICKEN” was along on the trip and looking for a new home.
We ate lunch somewhere along here, not sure where. All I knew was people were getting “TESTY” about stopping and eating. I admit,
I did keep things moving, even accused of speeding. Go figure, eight miles an hour—speeding, right?
Finally
gaining some altitude. Getting cooler. We were arriving at the Mid Hills Campground. What a great evening. This was probably the highlight
of the trip. We were all sitting around a campfire after eating and setting up camp. Listening and telling stories. This is kind of
what the trip was about, the comradeship. Awesome evening. We could even sleep—and the stars—unbelievable.
Next morning, the 6th, got an early start at 8:30. Made our first stop at Government Holes. Another water stop for weary travelers.
Mostly known however, for a famous gunfight there. Then to Rock Springs where an army camp was built.
We then
came to a climb-out. Fun here watching some of the guys struggle to get up, but nobody needed to be strapped. Good thing, I’m sure
the “CHICKEN” was ready.
We crossed a long high desert area that seemed to take forever. The view was incredible.
There was supposed to be a “penny can” hanging from one of the trees along the route. Travelers are supposed to put a penny in the
can to help support the upkeep of the Mohave Trail. What we found instead was a plastic water bottle hanging from a limb. Many
stopped to put a penny in the bottle.
We were coming down in altitude and it was getting hot again. I mean
hottest day of the year so far. By this time we were coming to Fort Piute—some of our group cut off and proceeded to finish up the
trip—I took the remaining group to the fort. There we ate the fastest lunch ever. IT WAS HOT!!! This trip had run its course. From
there it was a straight shot to the AVI or the closest gas station.
By the time the caravan arrived at the
AVI there were four vehicles left. This trip ended just in time.
Here is where I want to thank you all for
your support in taking this trip. It was exhausting due to the heat, but you rose above it. I had a really great time. I hope you
all did too. Special thanks to Joe Caldwell, Larry, Rod, Phil and especially Oscar and Peggy. Lastly, did the “CHICKEN” find a new
home? YES IT DID. Seems habits are hard to break. Stop your vehicle, get out, lock the door and voilà!! The keys are still in the
car. In the middle of the desert. Hotter then b-Jesus. With no spare key. If this isn’t “CHICKEN” time, nothing is. Joan, you can
fill in the rest—I won’t tell, promise!
And I thought you were such a gentleman, Bill. Well, as most of you
know, we (at least we ladies) have been programmed to lock our cars the instant we get in or out of our vehicles! That brief moment
of protection could save us from the bad guys, right? It’s become so ingrained into our brains that it’s an automatic response. So,
that’s what I did—simple. I really thought I had a spare key—not. But I have one now, thanks Larry!!!
With much appreciation and gratitude to all you gallant gentlemen who worked so hard in the stinking heat to get the door opened again—Joe
Caldwell managed to finally unlock it—and, Joe, sneakily and with devilish glee, stuck the CHICKEN underneath the windshield wiper
on my car. By the way, I tightly rolled up five $1.00s to stuff down it’s throat, but had to practically decapitate the bird so it
would fit—I felt the major goof rated at least five dollars. Sooo, who will be the birds next victim?? Can’t wait.
Thanks so much for the marvelous trip and terrific report, Bill. And a big thanks to all of you for the great photos—there were over
300! Selecting just a few was very difficult. [Ed]
