The Rooster
January 2018
THE ROOSTER A monthly update from the Inland Empire Offroad Association
What’s New We are just about to wrap up 2017 as we do it best, in the dunes! Members will be at wash 6 from December 21 through early January…
Glamis Marathon, 2017: Veteran’s Day through Thanksgiving by Jim Kastle
New Year’s Eve Spaghetti Dinner We will have our traditional pot luck Spaghetti dinner in camp on New Year’s Eve, Sunday December 31st.
MLK Dune Cleanup Weekend Just two weeks after New Year’s, many people will be back in Glamis for MLK weekend and the annual dune cleanup.
Around mid October Janice sent me a text asking if I was going to Glamis for Veteran’s Day. I hadn’t planned to, but I had no objection, other than it would mean buying an additional weekly pass, as I had decided no to buy an annual for the first time since they started requiring them. Janice then replied they would go for Veteran’s Day and stay through Thanksgiving if others would. She said Mike was interested, and a quick check of my calendar showed no conflicts, so I decided to go for an extended trip, of
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around 18 days. This meant I would again benefit from an annual pass. I love being retired!
Upcoming Events • December 22? or earlier to January 2nd: Christmas / New Years at Glamis, Wash 6. • December 30: Omelete breakfast. Bring your favorite ingredient to share and eggs for your omeletes.
On Thursday, November 9th I headed to Glamis with the Fifth wheel and RZR. As I neared Glamis Mike texted that there was no room in our usual spot, so they had to move closer to the road. I was surprised there was any crowd on a Thursday. As I entered Wash 6, I was shocked by the number of camps. There were more camps than on a typical off weekend, and it was only Thursday!
• December 31: Pot Luck Spaghetti Dinner in camp.
Mike and Ray and Janice were already set up. I began to set up and Walt soon arrived
• January 12-15th: MLK Dune Cleanup weekend, Wash 6.
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I got the yellow trailer from storage, and, as always, was relieved to find it untouched since I left it in April. With lots of help from Walt, I got the trailers set up. Over the next two days, several of Ray’s friends, mostly Marines arrived, as did Kris and Doug. I was pleased to be with so many veterans on Veteran’s day Saturday was Veteran’s Day, and we all attended the ceremony at the flag. I have heard about it for years, but had never attended. It was said to be the largest “organic” Veteran’s Day ceremony in the country. I heard estimates of as many as 5000 people in attendance. We civilians were very impressed by the ceremony, in which each veteran in attendance, including the many Marines and Walt from our camp, gave his or her name,
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rank, and branch and dates of service. Every veteran received two flags and a medallion. The feeling of patriotism was heavy throughout the crowd. No one took a knee, and only United States flags were visible. It was a great way to show our appreciation to the vets who have served to protect our way of life. The weather was unusually hot. Hot enough most of us used the A/C two or three days. We went on several side by side rides (Can’t call them RZR rides anymore, as there is an increasing number of Can Ams in the group.) Leading duty was shared by Mike and Ray, and both did a great job. In case you haven’t heard, Ray and Walt both acquired new Can Ams during the off season, joining Jeff Oliver and Jason as well as some of Ray’s friends as happy Can Am owners. Their power is impressive, and I love how quiet they are, at least in stock form. Most report the ride is improved as well, but that isn’t obvious to the casual observer. As I write this nearly a month later, details of the different rides are all blended together, but we had lots of fun, and Neither Mike nor Ray chose to leave the 900s in the dust. Sunday most of Ray’s Marines left. I was surprised how many camps left Sunday, and Monday morning I’d estimate only about 10% of the camps remained. It had been quite warm over the weekend, so lots of firewood was left behind. Those of us who remained, Walt, Ray and Janice, Mike, Kris and Doug, and I, all spent the morning gathering firewood, and we ended up with one of the biggest piles we’ve ever had. When we left after Thanksgiving we packed up all we had room for, but still left some behind. Monday Walt decided 18 days in the buggy box with two birds and hot temperatures was not going to be comfortable, so he took the buggy box back home and returned Tuesday with the much more comfortable toy hauler. Later Tuesday, I headed for home to pick up the buggy, and get a shower and a good night’s sleep in my bed at home. Kris and Doug headed home for a few days as well. I returned Wednesday afternoon and parked the white trailer across camp to save room for who ever might arrive later in the trip. Thursday Jerry and Linda and Don and Shirley arrived with all four RZRs. Bobby and LuAnn arrived, left the trailers, and almost immediately departed, to return early Thanksgiving week. Again I don’t recall any specific details of the rides, but we usually went on one or two a day and covered lots of ground from Osborne all the way to Hill 5 and beyond. On a couple of rides I used the buggy to insure it was ready for P.J. and John’s arrival the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. On one of the rides I was in the RZR, and notice a loud banging noise coming from the transmission or rear axles. I decided not to use it the rest of the trip, and spent some time diagnosing the problem. I feared it was the transmission, but hoped it was the CVs. Thursday Don discovered his water tank was empty and his grey water tank full, with water dripping from under the coach. Why this happened was at first a mystery, but Don later figured out it was operator error, as a faucet was accidentally left running. Problem solved, as the coach was fine, but they had no water. In true Inland Empire style, everyone who had any extra water or a water container came to the rescue, and after a pickup trip to the Brawley ice house for water, the Ford’s tanks were full, and everyone’s water replenished.
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We had campfires most nights, but only for atmosphere, as it was never cold enough to NEED a campfire, but it makes a great place to sit and visit. I believe it was Friday that Dave and Roni Trantham arrived with their beautiful new fifth wheel travel trailer to compliment the buggy box. Jason and Crystal and Jeff and Lavonne arrived, as did P.J., Melissa and the kids, John and Anna Cole, Barry and Terry in their newto-them Fifth wheel toy box and beautiful Ford dually, Bobby and LuAnn, with Kaiden, and Dale and Rebecca with their new PBS sequential trans in the buggy, and Steve and Kimmie from Phoenix along with Steve’s daughter Stevie and her baby daughter whose name now escapes me. Probably our most special guest was Mike’s mom, Nancy. Mike went home on Wednesday and brought her to Glamis Thanksgiving, arriving around noon. I’m sure she thought we were joking as we all complimented her on having raised such a kind and caring son. If you ever read this, Nancy, the compliments were all from the heart and well-deserved. We hope you’ll come back and visit with us again. Thinking of Mike, I’m reminded of his new toy, a 6 wheeled Allis Chalmers Terra Tiger amphibious vehicle that Janice found on Craig’s list and insisted he should buy. Most of us couldn’t resist driving it. It accelerated surprisingly fast, and was a ball to steer. In addition to the vehicle, Mike got boxes and boxes of spare parts, original sales material, and a matching Allis Chalmers trailer. I can’t help but think it would be a hit at a Barrett Jackson auction. Mike had to bring the registrations (one as a boat and one as an off road vehicle) up do date, and he describes a lot of head scratching by the DMV workers. Mike insists he’s going to launch it at Lake Elsinore. I want to be there; or at least watch the video. We had our typical Thanksgiving feast, with Bob’s now traditional pit turkey, compressed this year by Dale’s motor home, from which it suffered no apparent damage; Shirley’s more traditional turkey; and Nancy’s crock pot ham; along with wonderful side dishes 4
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January 2018
and desserts. I loved every bite and again want to thank everyone for their contributions. Our family has had more Thanksgiving meals with the club than with any other single group. I look forward to many more. I’m really thankful that P.J.’s in laws, John and Anna, are part of the club. It keeps Melissa and P.J. from having to decide which in laws to spend Thanksgiving with. Saturday morning we had a very wellattended omelet boil. Again we had a variety of great ingredients along with wonderful King’s Hawaiian rolls prepared by Janice. Don and Shirley donated a twin burner stove that worked great for boiling the water. It is high enough that even the most careless of drivers won’t drive over it! I was surprised that Dale and Rebecca hadn’t been informed of the pot luck nature of our omelet boil. Just to make it clear, each family provides one or more of their favorite omelet ingredients to share, and enough eggs for their family. I’m happy to provide the bags and the boiling water. Please join us! The buggies, Ray and Janice, Steve and Stevie, and Kaiden all made at least one night ride to Olds. It was the nicest weather we’ve ever had for night rides. The crowds were not huge, and the action not too crazy, except for the one time we saw the Sheriff ’s buggy pursue a quad up and down the hill with his red and blue lights and siren! Once the other buggies got there, I spent my time in the buggy, usually on buggy only rides, but we did go on one combined ride led by Ray that was fun for side by sides and buggies. It wouldn’t be a complete trip 5
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January 2018
without at least some repairs. This time John thought he lost a CV just outside of camp, but after being towed in by Barry, he found the axle had just pulled out of the CV. He had it quickly repaired. While working on the car he found a crack in his front end so he spent a little time at the yellow trailer welding it back together. I know I’m missing some of the events, and I’m sorry for that, but 18 days worth of activities are hard to remember! I’m looking forward to Christmas/New Year’s, and have read that Janice and Ray plan to arrive on the 21st [Fire camp duties permitting], so there’s an opportunity for another extended trip. Remember the spaghetti potluck on New Year’s Eve. You don’t need to bring spaghetti, bring anything you think would go well with spaghetti. Let’s go dunin’!
Decades of Duners During the Thanksgiving trip, Mike Bacon figured out that we had someone in camp from every 10 year age group from 1 to their 80’s. Surprisingly, one of the groups with the fewest people was those in their 20’s! Mike Bacon suggested that we get some group pictures in camp on Saturday morning to commemorate it, and here they are:
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January 2018
The Latest “Glamis Plane Crash Site” Many of us have seem pictures and even video posted online recently of a “new” plane crash site in the dunes at Glamis. As is often the case with internet postings, the story varies somewhat from the plane was recently landed during a drug run from Mexico to it is an old crash that periodically gets uncovered in the sand. Many others feel the plane was more recently hauled out to the dunes and left there as a conversation piece and ride destination. What I find interesting is that when asked for GPS coordinates of the location, many people are sharing the location of the old, barely recognizable plane crash that is in the closed area South of Hill 5. Whether out of ignorance or as part of an effort to intentionally mislead folks into a long fruitless trip through the desert, these postings are leading to a lot of people going searching for the plane. Many different people have posted a variety of pictures and video after finding the plane, enough to dispel the possibility that the whole thing was just a Photoshop gag. In a fascinating display of internet conversation, people have blamed those who posted the coordinates for the plane being vandalized. I find it a little hard to believe that only people with GPS units are out to destroy abandoned vehicles in the desert. It seems to me that abandoned vehicles have been desert points of interest since long before GPS units were available, and inevitably some people decide to shoot up, paint with grafitti, dismantle, or otherwise demolish these vehicles. Perhaps that’s why people don’t leave nice vehicles parked in the middle of nowhere… Recent postings claim that the BLM has removed it. Others also claim that they flew it out, so you kind of have to choose what to believe. If you believe everything you read online, I am an heir to an oil fortune and just have to contact the foreign lawyer to secure my inheritance… With that in mind, some reports have mentioned that it is a few minutes Northeast of the swing set, up in the dunes. This is miles closer to popular riding areas than the old crash site coordinates that have been posted. Regardless of the validity of statements found online regarding the plane, I’m sure a lot of people will be looking for it over the Christmas / New Years trip, and our groups will probably be among them. Let’s see what there is to find. -P.J. 7
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January 2018
RC Drone Fun: By P.J. Kastle During the Thanksgiving trip I once again had fun plating with my drone. Some people asked about it, so I figured I’d put the info in the newsletter. My current best one (since you can’t just have one toy, right?) is a DJI Phantom 3 Standard. It was a Christmas present from Melissa last year, and was on sale for abut $350 at Target. They still sell the same model, and there might be some deals around, but it seems to currently retail for $499. DJI has a wide variety of drones to check out, and in general the more you spend the higher resolution video you can take and further you can fly from the controller. The Mavic Pro is even foldable, so you can carry it in a large pocket. The technology in these drones is amazing, especially because it makes them relatively easy to fly compared to other RC aircraft. Check them out, and if you’re super lucky, you might find one under the Christmas tree!
This month we’d like to thank Jim Kastle for writing about the Thanksgiving trip. We know a lot more of you were there and there have to be more stories to tell, and we would love to see them in a future newsletter. If you have anything that you want to share, please send it to me at pkastle@msn.com. We always need newsletter content, so please share what you can. We will publish what content we have and a calendar of upcoming events in every month’s newsletter, and we look forward to your contributions to expand it beyond that. -Paul, Melissa, Allie, and Marshall. 8