11 vehicles,17 people and 2 dogs attended this Run.
A couple of us got a little late start, but that was ok, it gave the rest of us time to socialize at the meeting spot, and have some morning Bloody Mary's, Screw Drivers, and a couple Red Beers...
Once Everyone was accounted for, we headed out. This is where radios would have come handy. It woulda been nice if we were able to have a radio in each vehicle, but unfortunately on this trip, we did not have enough. But we did ok getting out there together after a couple roadside stops to regroup.
The main entrance to the area of course was still barricaded. So we just took another trial out to the area of the river we planned to be at.
Once there, most of us splashed thru the water and put on quite a bombarding show for the people who were already gathered out there. Was quite entertaining watching the children run for cover... "Hahaha!" Not sure if everyone saw that.
After setting up our little area to chill at by the river for the afternoon, most of us decided to go up to Needle Rock. This was almost a costly decision which I'll elaborate on later. ;o)
So, off we went with 7 vehicles out on the trail. We ended up in the middle of the road "that was closed" and headed toward Needle Rock. At the end of this road, there were a few more barricades again saying that the road was closed. "Blah"...
Passing the barricades, we were in! We were not the only ones either. Some ATV riders came along too. Anyway, while out there, we played around in the water in that area, and Bad Andy put on a great show in the mud. Yes, he got stuck!
But, luckily, my Jeep was there to pull him out! ;oP
After 1 broken tow strap, partially breaking a 2nd tow rope, and a few VERY muddy people, he was finally freed!
Ok, Ok, Ok! So my Jeep did not succeed in pulling Andy's Jeep out! I regretfully have to report that Robert and his F250 was the strength we needed to pull Andy's VERY buried Jeep out of the mud. ;o) Thanks Robert! And sorry about your broken tow strap... Mine is no good now either due to this event. Time for a winch!
So after playing in the area for about 20 minutes or so, we gained an additional Jeep to the group! This Jeep was white with a large star on each door... Yup! It was the Sheriff!!!
He was none to impressed by our extracurricular activities in the area...
We were told by Ociffer Friendly that we could Each be written citations for 3 reasons!
1. Evading and disregarding a posted traffic barricade... 2. Trespassing, due to the fact that there were posted traffic barricades... 3. Wreckless driving!!! WTF???
I'm sure he could have added to the list, but we won't go there since he didn't... ;oP
So he gave us 2 options. Take the trial across the river about 13 miles out, or take another trial out that leads 11 miles to Bartlett Lake. I did not like those options, and nicely asked him for an escort out on the main road that was closed. After nicely asking him twice for break, he agreed, and said Everyone had to line up, and get going NOW... We quickly complied! ;o)
He actually ended up being a very cool guy.
So back to the rest of the group we headed...
We played around on some little hill climbs, and then had the pleasure of hooking Andy up to Robert's F250 to pull him off of a high-center situation. :o)
Some damage was added to his truck due to this little mishap... "The price we pay for the games we play" I suppose.
Upon regrouping with the rest of the gang, Judy was non too happy about the fact that we took off with his Jack Daniel's... Ooops!
We hung out for a little longer, had some lunch and were soon approached by the Forest Ranger. "Crap!"
We were given the lecture of keeping the vehicles out of the river, and he was soon reminded that we were the same group that was out there about 7 weeks prior. ;oP He then asked us to show him our day permits for each vehicle to be in the area. "Crap again!"
Oh, but wait! Robert had one!!! Hehehe... After displaying his from a previous outing to the area, he was informed of it never being validated, and that it was not valid for this day as well. A larger fine could be written up for that. "Crap Crap!" Hahaha...
We were told we had to either, go back to town to get one for EACH vehicle, or leave. So needless to say, our day was cut a little short. It actually worked out alright. It was 3:30pm, and it got us back into town at a respectable time, and we then hit Kobalt for some after Run cocktails.
There ya have it! That was our day on the "Needle Rock II" Run!
