"c4w Crashed the Bash!"

Written by RedRocky

Monday, 02 June 2008 00:46

The weekend of May 17th, Cactus 4 Wheelers Crashed the Bartlett Bash!

After a bit of a slow start, Rick E. and I (Brett) headed out to Bartlett Lake Friday afternoon (May-16th) to secure a camping spot. Once we arrived to the area where the Bartlett Bash was being held this year, we were caught a bit off guard, at not only the large amount of people who were already there attending and set camp, but also the location. In years past, the "Bash" has been on "The Flats" where most everyone can camp right out on the beach near the water. Well due to the high water levels of this year, that area was mostly under water, and wasn't able to accomodate the amount of people expected to show. This year they were set up near the Hatchery area, which doesn't have much of a beach, and is high above the water. At this point there were well over 100 campers and tents already! Space was sparse, and we wanted to be near the water!

So Rick and I decided to venture onward, and find ourselves the perfect spot.

It didn't take long. We turned off the main road about a quarter mile past what we soon named "Rainbow Ranch", and drove down a steep embankment to the *perfect* beach-front cove, right on the lake!

After an hour and a half or so of frustrated tangles, and crossing of tent poles, we were all set! There were fire restrictions in place this weekend, so campfires were only permissible below the waterline, and that's where we were! Besides, what's camping without a fire at night!?!?!

Rick and I each enjoyed a *fabulous* salmon filet dinner on the grill, along with baked potato, and feild greens salad. Absolutely perfect!

We met many people that night due to the fact that our spot became a popular thoroughfare to get from camps that were set up near us on the water, to the "Rainbow Ranch" up top of the hill from us. It was a great time indeed!

Saturday morning.

Rick and I got up shortly after the sun, (3hrs after we went to bed!) and drove up to the top of the hill to obtain cell service to order some ice, and firewood from the group of folks coming to join us for the day and evening. We were unaware of a wood "collecting" law that we had broken until one of Sheriff Joe's buddies took it upon himself to let us know after we packed my Jeep FULL of dead twigs and branches.

Anyway, phone call made, back to camp for breakfast! Our neighbor, Ren, agreed to make us breakfast this morning, due to the fact that he had brought enough food to feed 30 people, but failed to bring a stove, or any other means to cook it! So with agreeing to let him use our stove, he gracefully supplied the food, and the task of cooking for us. Eggs, bacon, sausage links and patty's, and toast. Fantastic!

Breakfast was consumed, and dishes were cleaned up by 11am, and we were soon bombarded by many of our Members who found us by following our paper plate signs to our camp! Judy even drove His 2wd "Tommy Toyota" down the steep embankment, and into the mud near the edge of the water right into camp along with the Jeeps and FJ! That thing hasn't been on dirt since before Charlie's paved their parking lot! This was also going to make for an interesting show when trying to get out!

After hanging out for a couple hours socializing and such, 9 vehicles (8 being Jeeps, and 1 Fj) and 17 people (Judy opted to stay at camp) went for a short 4x4 Run down in Camp Creek Wash. We played around in the sand with the vehicles down the wash a ways, until "Cowboy" Mike's gas tank started leaking pretty steadily. We decided to turn back as a Group, and head to the main road. Once at the end, there was a fairly large hill-climb that Ed in His Fj charged up, with Norman and Ron soon following behind int their Unlimited! Making for a pretty neat photo op while they were up top. At this point we said goodbye to Mike, Marc and a few others, and we headed back to camp.

We floated in the water, socialized and had a nice time together. As the sun set, more of our Group decided to head back home, while 9 of us, me, Rick E., Judy, Shaun T., Mike C., Roman, Justin, Paul and Marcello (with his adorable lil puppy) stayed and camped overnight. We had a GREAT fire, had yet another wonderful dinner on the grill, steak this time, did some camp "hopping" up at Rainbow Ranch to socialize with new folks, and just wander around, and had a great time! Our camp near the water was *very* popular that evening! We had over 50 people around our fire at one point, and then waves of people would cycle thru throughout the night.

Sunday morning.

Waking up shortly after the sun rose, (about 2.5hrs after going to bed) none of us were in any mood to cook breakfast.

It was going to be HOT that day! Our first 100 degree + day of the year! And it was *already* very warm! We All quickly agreed to get camp packed up as soon as we could and get the heck out of there! Shade was not plentiful in this area, and we were ready for showers and bed!

A few hours later.

Camp was *finally* packed and we were ready to go! Thank the Lord for the break we were able to take in Shaun's Honda Element with the a/c!

Now the fun was ready to begin. Rick and I had our Jeeps, and had been up and down the steep embankment numerous times over the past couple days. Shaun and Judy had only come down it with their 2wd vehicles... Gravity was friendly in assisting with that... Shaun charged toward the steep grade in His Element, and made it just half way! Better than I expected! I looked down to set the camera for a second video shot, and before I even had a chance to look back up, He was already to the top of the hill on His second attempt! Success! 1 down, 1 to go! Judy insisted on challenging this hill on His own! After 3 attempts, and a couple innocent bushes later, He handed the controls over to me. I do have to give Him credit though, He did great with the truck being 2wd, and no weight in the back of the bed. I gave it a few attempts, and once getting the front wheels up to the top, and losing traction from there, I had Rick hook His winch to the truck and pull it the rest of the way up. It was getting hot quick, and I wanted to be home! The winching was successful of course, and that's how Cactus 4 Wheelers "Crashin the Bash" concluded...

A great time was had indeed, and looking forward to September's Bartlett Bash, for c4w's "Crashin the Bash II"!

(watch for updates. "Crashin the Bash II" is the weekend of Sept-19th)

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