Overland Bound Inland Empire Meet-up Journal

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

1

OVERLAND BOUND INLAND EMPIRE MEET-UP JOURNAL 2019

2019 CALANDER OF EVENTS

*

JANUARY

*EVENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

BEE CANYON TRAIL / DAY RUN -17 RIGS

FEBRUARY BIG BEAR / FAWNSKIN / DAY RUN - 19 RIGS MARCH

TDS DESERT SAFARI / 3 DAYS OF CAMPING / TRAIL RUNS - 10K+

COFFEE MEET-UP ON 16TH

APRIL

ALABAMA HILLS / 2 DAYS CAMPING / TRAIL RUNS

MAY

OVERLAND EXPO WEST / 4 DAYS CAMPING / TRAIL RUNS

JUNE

BIG BEAR, “GOLD FEVER TRAIL”

JULY

COYOTE FLATS

AUGUST

NIGHT RUN / FULL MOON / 2 DAYS CAMPING / TRAIL RUNS - LAKE HEMET

SEPTEMBER OB WEST RALLY OCTOBER

JEEP BEACH FEST / PISMO BEACH 3 DAYS CAMPING

NOVEMBER MOJAVE ROAD DECEMBER YEAR END MEETUP - PLAN FOR 2020 OVERLAND BOUND INLAND EMPIRE MEETUP CREW DOMINIC: CLIFF: DOUG: BRENT: TERRY:

2

951-531-4781 909-904-4427 949-433-7605 951-990-9820 619-843-0191

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

| OB # 0158 - LEAD | OB # 3539 | OB # 1232 | OB # 12526 | OB # 9706

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

WHAT WE BELIEVE

Overlanding is a movement. It’s a mission.

It isn’t elitist, and it doesn’t matter what you drive.

It’s for everyone who feels the call of the wild, and anyone willing to go find it.

JOIN THE OVERLAND BOUND COMMUNITY

Outfit & Explore with other like minded people passionate about the outdoors and exploration.

Let the journey begin. www.overlandbound.com ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

3

OVERLAND BOUND INLAND EMPIRE MEET-UP JOURNAL 2019

JANUARY 2019 BEE CANYON TRAIL

IT’S HOW YOU DRIVE!

STORY BY JACOB CLINE

STORY BY JACOB CLINE

Nicole and I’s first overland meet-up was extraordinary to say the least. Some of the highlights of our day was meeting so many people with so many different stories of how and when they first started overlanding was terrific. Also to find a group that has developed the same drive and passion as we do is remarkable.

The Bee Canyon trail was a fun run and with 19 of our rigs going up at the same time we definitely made our mark on it. Know it does not matter what you drive….it’s how you drive!

4

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

17 RIGS LEADER: BRENT

PHOTO BY JACOB & NICOLE

PHOTO BY JACOB & NICOLE

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

5

OVERLAND BOUND INLAND EMPIRE MEET-UP JOURNAL 2019

6

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

PHOTO BY BRENT >

< PHOTO BY JACOB & NICOLE

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

7

OVERLAND BOUND INLAND EMPIRE MEET-UP JOURNAL 2019 PHOTO BY JUSTIN MARTINEZ

FEBRUARY 2019 BIG BEAR / FAWNSKIN

HAVING FUN WITH OTHERS WHO ENJOY THE SAME

STORY & PHOTOS BY JUSTIN MARTINEZ

STORY BY JUSTIN MARTINEZ FEB. 16TH, 2019

This meetup and trail run was special in many ways. I was looking forward to this because of the wet winter experienced living here in SoCal compared to the hot dry conditions we recently went through. The chance of snow was high and the thought of hitting some snow covered trails with this fantastic group was

8

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

19 RIGS LEADER: CLIFF

PHOTO BY JUSTIN MARTINEZ

PHOTO BY JACOB & NICOLE

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

9

OVERLAND BOUND INLAND EMPIRE MEET-UP JOURNAL 2019

“No man can live this life and emerge unchanged. He will carry, however faint, the imprint of the desert, the brand which marks the nomad; and he will have within him the yearning to return, weak or insistent according to his nature.

For this cruel land can cast a spell which no temperate clime can match.”

10

- Wilfred Thesiger

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

PHOTOS BY DOMINIC MOSCHETTI

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

11

OVERLAND BOUND INLAND EMPIRE MEET-UP JOURNAL 2019

Every manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life ends the same way.

Adventure is worthwhile Adventure.

PHOTO BY JUSTIN MARTINEZ

12

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

all I needed to want to head out. There was an incredible amount of rigs this time around. A good surprise. There was plenty of snow, frequent breaks to enjoy the sights of the mountains, opportunities for great photos of the group and our rigs.

Although plans hardly ever works out perfectly as are planned, the changes along the way provided more opportunity for us to come together to overcome obstacles.

Especially when we have to work together whether it was due to downed trees or vehicles in tough spots. An all day excursion with friends and new members was enjoyable to say the least. And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about. Having fun with others who enjoy the same and being there for each other to not leave anyone behind.

PHOTO BY JUSTIN MARTINEZ

Terry somehow finds himself in ditch, on last few miles of the trail. With just a shovel, set of max tracks, tow rope and one tug the recovery was super swift.

PHOTOS BY DOMINIC MOSCHETTI >

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

13

OVERLAND BOUND INLAND EMPIRE MEET-UP JOURNAL 2019

THE NOT QUITE BIG BEAR, BIG BEAR RUN

< PHOTO BY JACOB & NICOLE

STORY BY JACOB AND NICOLE FEB. 16TH, 2019

This run was our second Overland meetup! It taught us the dynamic characteristics that Mother Nature can always bring to the table. We’d say this trip wasn’t as smooth in comparison to the Bee Canyon run, but that’s what made it special! It didn’t matter whether someone got stuck in the mud. It didn’t matter whether or not someone had car trouble for a brief moment. It didn’t matter whether, not one, but two trees blocked two different trails we tried to take. Everyone stuck together. Everyone kept a positive mindset and most importantly, had fun. That’s what it’s about! There are going to be times where nature will throw a wrench in your plans, but it’s how you adapt to those wrenches that will determine the outcome of your trip. Even though we never quite made it to Big Bear, it still ended up being a beautiful day surrounded by beautiful people who share the same passion of exploring the outdoors!

14

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

< PHOTO BY JACOB & NICOLE

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

15

OVERLAND BOUND INLAND EMPIRE MEET-UP JOURNAL 2019

16

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

17

OVERLAND BOUND INLAND EMPIRE MEET-UP JOURNAL 2019

MARCH 2019

57TH ANNUAL TIERRA DEL SOL DESERT SAFARI MARCH 1-3, 2019

THE DESERT IS A SPECIAL PLACE

PHOTOS & STORY BY DOMINIC MOSCHETTI OB MEMBER #0158

STORY BY DOMINIC MOSCHETTI - OB #0158

It’s Thursday Feb 28, 2019 and I’m wide awake thinking about the upcoming days at the 57th Annual Desert Safari hosted by Tierra Del Sol Four Wheel Drive Club of San Diego staged in Ocotillo Wells. The safari is the longest running off-road event in the nation.

At 3:30 am there’s quiet stillness. The world is just waking up and I’m eager to get on the road. While most people load their gear the day before, I however, always seems to load in the wee hours of the morning under the moon light stars all while trying not to alarm my neighbors. I’ll like to think there’s something about being stealthy or maybe I’m just a big procrastinator.

18

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

10,000 + RIGS LEADER: DOMINIC

My morning goal was to get to Ocotillo Wells early and rope off a large enough area to accommodate up to 8 rigs. The highway was wide open and I got there in record time. However, I was not able to get our desired location, yet it all worked out with our second choice location. Without knowing it, I set up right next to other another group of local Overland Bound members whom I’ve never met. This is why I enjoy these events—you just don’t know who you’ll meet.

Over the next few days we played at Truckhaven 4X4 Training Area. The area consists of 22 colorfully named obstacles spread across 30 acres. The obstacle difficulty range from beginner, intermediate to advanced with names like the Little Twister, Log Jam, Little Wupdido, Get-er-Done Gulch,

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

19

OVERLAND BOUND INLAND EMPIRE MEET-UP JOURNAL 2019

“Oh the places you’ll go.”

- Dr Seuss

Little Rubicon, Get Tired, Chutes & Ladders and Gage Keeper to name a few. The training area is a great safe place to get to know your rig, test yourself and know your limits.

With so many trails, washes and off shoots, we spent most of our time in Borrego Badlands and Four Palms Spring areas. One could spend a week here and not take advantage of all the trails. With so many options and directions one could surely stretch their rigs and test our own limits with each new trail.

There where no major issues on the trail, with only one trail maintenance when a rock got between Cliff’s brakes and the dust shield cover, of his GMC which was an easy fix. I myself got hung-up on a rock water fall in which the max tracks came in handy for the recovery.

As for the details of each run, I personally had a few pucker factors moments. I hope you would make time next year to attended this great event with friends and family, because the desert is a special place.

20

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

ANZA-BORREGO WILDFLOWER SPRING BLOOMING FIELDS PHOTOS BY DOMINIC MOSCHETTI

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

21

OVERLAND BOUND INLAND EMPIRE MEET-UP JOURNAL 2019

22

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

23

OVERLAND BOUND INLAND EMPIRE MEET-UP JOURNAL 2019

APRIL 2019 ALABAMA HILLS APRIL 26-28, 2019

THE ADVENTURES OF AN UNADVENTEROUS CAMPER

PHOTO BY DOMINIC MOSCHETTI OB MEMBER #0158

by Alison Wright I can call myself unadventurous because that’s truly my nature, I don’t like traveling off the beaten path, not any beaten path. I don’t like dirt under my fingernails, I like flush toilets, my toes don’t like shoes, they prefer flip flops and after a day camping in dirt a long hot bath was calling their names. Oh wait! Not only did I not have a bathtub but I also had no running water let alone hot water!! I’ve done the camping thing for years and years and my plan was hotels and room service, but the husband, Mr. Wright, had other plans. He decided to build a off-road, or overlanding rig, I jokingly call it his mid-life crisis! He joined Overland Bound in 2016 and quickly became involved with the Inland Empire Group, doing their monthly meet-ups and attended 2 of the Overland Rally’s

24

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

10 RIGS LEADER: DOUG

at Bald Mountain with our son. No guilt there for me, you two go have fun and do some father son bonding.

That totally works for me. But year 3, I was asked to go months in advance if the passenger seat just happened

It had the 3 most spectacular walls of rock! If you stared at the formations long enough you could see a loaf of perfectly sliced whole wheat bread, a little daschund laying on its back or the head of a T-Rex. We won’t even get started on the most AMAZING display of starfilled night skies!

to be empty. “Well” sure I say “Why not!” fully expecting that I wouldn’t have to go. Well, was I disappointed when my plans came to a screaching halt and I found myself co-pilot for this trip. I can’t say I was hooked, but it was fun. Fun enough that I started going on the monthly meet-ups. The first one I went on I just stayed in the truck, using the cold as an excuse, but it was mostly because I didn’t know anyone. Then I did the Ocotillo Wells Tierra Del Sol trip and started to feel the excitement! I know you are probably wondering about Alabama Hills!

On April 26th, 9 rigs met up at the Pilot gas station

Yes, that’s a loaf of sliced bread! If you don’t see it just humor me and say you do!!

on the 395 just outside of Adelanto and caravaned to Alabama Hills, if your wondering where that is you hang a left half way thru Lone Pine. Before you know it you are being welcomed to Alabama Hills Recreation Land. Talk about amazing! God was really showing off His ability to create some of the most spectacular landscaping! We met up with Monty Sauser who had picked a nice little boxed-in canyon for us to spend the next 3 days in.

Not only does Alabama Hills sit at the feet of Mt. Whit-

Oh yes! God provided a cleft in the rock to hide the most amazing porta pottie Mr. Wright bought for me, just so I could have all the comforts of home!!

ney it also boast of the over 800 movies that have been filmed

there.

As

we made our trek down Movie Flats, our tour guide, Mr. Wright, pointed out the various movie set locations for some well known productions, quite

It’s so hard to spot the little daschund laying on his back, in person you could see his little nose and ear but you can see his little leg bent at his elbow.

(Do daschunds really have elbows?)

PHOTO BY AILSON WRIGHT

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

25

OVERLAND BOUND INLAND EMPIRE MEET-UP JOURNAL 2019

honestly I was so dazzled by the rocks that I was only half paying attention. From there we made a quick incline up the mountain to the Mt. Whitney Portal.

Boy oh boy, we were in for such a rare treat, not only was there at least a 20 degree drop in temperature, but the Mt. Whitney snowpack is slowly melting and our eyes beheld the most beautiful waterfall. (Okay, so I’ve not seen many waterfalls so it was just Wow Amazing to me!)

The Mt. Whitney Portal was definitely the highlight of the trip for me. So you might be wondering where the unadventurous camper comes in, well let me tell you.

The Saturday run was up to a local ghost town Cerro Gordo, the most well preserved ghost town in California. The mine ultimately produced 4.5 million ounces from a hole 1150’ deep with 7 levels of tunnels, totaling 37 miles. I have to tell you, I don’t do roads that are only wide enough for one vehicle at a time, but I did it, not too much anxiety there. It was the next stop, Reward Mine. So we were the first to arrive as Mr. Wright led this trail,

PHOTO BY DOMINIC MOSCHETTI 26MEMBER OB #0158 IS NECESSARY ADVENTURE

husband and son took off with only the lights from

to drive their vehicles, at least the ones that could fit,

their cell phones. No, I didn’t go, are you kidding

into the big black abyss, with the possibility of never

me, I walked 20 ft into the entrance, I’m sorry my

being seen again! When I was asked to go I said “Oh

personal preference is hotter the better, can I tell

Hail No” Nope, No Way, No flipping way am I or

you it was flipping cold in there. Anyways my fero-

my poor injured dog going into the big black abyss

cious Doberman, CJ, is known for being a couch

and since CJ couldn’t walk the truck was staying out

potato, her feet were so tender by this time she

of the big black abyss! That battle was won!! Haha!!

opted out for any more adventures using her own

Some of those crazy butt guys did it though.Some of

legs and chose to stay in the truck, and somebody

the bigger rigs that couldn’t make it backed into the

had to stay and watch her!! Seemed like I sat there

mine entrance for the great poser photo, you would

forever waiting for everyone else to come up the hill.

of thought they were just exiting the mine!! It was an

By the time Dom and Cliff got there I had no idea

amazing weekend all in all and I can’t wait to return

how long Doug and our son had been in the tunnels.

to Alabama Hills for more exploring. But next month

They took off with the flashlights, yes they were bet-

is the Overland Expo West in Arizona so Alabama

ter prepared. Not long after that they come walking

Hills will have to wait for another time.

out but just the two of them, they said they reached a Y in the road and didn’t know which way the guys had gone so they came on back. Yes, my mind went there, I’m going to have to go into the abyss and drag their butts out of there!! I was quickly distracted by the arrival of everyone else and watched as they all disappeared into the big black hole. An eternity later they all emerged with the excitement of only what I can describe as crazy men, they were going

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

27

OVERLAND BOUND INLAND EMPIRE MEET-UP JOURNAL 2019

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.- Psalms 19:1

ALABAMA HILLS AT LONE PINE, CALIFORNIA IS AWESOME.

< PHOTO BY CLIFF BENNETT

STORY BY CLIFF BENNETT - OB# 3539 APRIL 26-28, 2019

What a great place to camp with Overland Bound friends and family. The place has a great history of movie, TV, and film productions, particularly of the old westerns. A quick trip to the Film Museum in town provided us with an amusing and eye-opening history lesson. When you go there, you must visit the Film Museum.

Movie Road, (the central road through Alabama Hills) brings you to the many places for primitive camping.

There are places hidden in among the huge formations of granite rocks that have been carved into rounded shapes and piled in arrangements that are baffling. We camped in a nice box canyon that Monty Sauser recommended. He has camped here prior and knew it would provide good shelter from the wind and be secluded. It was a wonderful quiet place. The camp fires at night was fun to experience. The weather on our trip was very comfortable, warm to almost hot during the day but shirt sleeve perfect in the evenings. I slept really well and found the mornings not cold, just right. We picked the right weekend.

Friday and Saturday, the group of us went exploring. We first traveled the length of the valley and looped around and up to intersect the Whitney Portal Road that took us up to the Whitney Portal trailhead where we saw a beautiful waterfall. Saturday, we visited Cerro Gordo ghost town and mining area. We found the trail to be seemingly much steeper coming down then going up. Then our journey took us north to Manzanar

28

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

Reward Road and we traveled east into the eastern mountains that overlook the Owens valley and the dry lake, and to the Reward Mine. The mine is large enough for our smaller vehicles to drive into, so, Dom, Brent, Terry and Danny drove their rigs in to the mine to a depth of about 100 yards, where they were able to turn around and drive back out.

The rest of us just walked in and out. Sunday, everyone except Monty and Cliff left to go home.

Monty was staying until Tuesday and Cliff returned home on Monday. Monty and Cliff also visited the Manzanar History Center on Sunday.

PHOTO BY CLIFF BENNETT >

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

29

OVERLAND BOUND INLAND EMPIRE MEET-UP JOURNAL 2019

30

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

Dougâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rig Photo was feature on Overland Bound - West Facebook Page with most votes.

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

31

OVERLAND BOUND INLAND EMPIRE MEET-UP JOURNAL 2019

MAY 2019 OVERLAND EXPO WEST MAY 16-19, 2019

AND THE SAGA CONTINUES… THE ADVENTURES OF THE UNADVENTUROUS CAMPER

PHOTO BY ALISON WRIGHT

by Alison Wright It’s such a catchy title isn’t it? The Adventures of the Unadventurous Camper, that was definitely me when this whole thing started. I hate to give up all the drama that my title promises…so I won’t!

What a blast I had at the Overland West Expo at Fort Tuthill in Flagstaff, Arizona. Overlanders and vendors from all over gather for this 3 day event. Serious and non serious Overlanders can stroll acres and acres of booths promising all the latest technology that will make your journey into the outback easier and your load lighter. At least that was what I learned at my first ever Overland Expo. I was super excited when I saw one of

32

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

19 RIGS LEADER: DOM

the Hellwig vehicles, not that I know anything about suspensions, or their products but I do know about the Hellwig family, we ran in the same circles and attended the same church in the same little small town of Exeter, Ca. so I made sure to walk by their booth.

Mr. Wright was there to see the makers of the Teton X out of Utah. He’s on the hunt for a trailer that he can pull behind our 4Runner that offers the lowest weight capacity with as many comforts of home to satisfy me. Day 1 we strolled thru the event, scoping everything out making mental notes of things we really liked. It’s our goal to outfit our truck making the most of our space, weight capacity and really meeting our needs when we are out on the trail. We know that we are going to need to replace some of our gear and we only want to do it once, so purchasing the best quality is of utmost importance to us, so we tried to not be those spur of the moment buyers, I think we did pretty good!!

The weekend had 2 highlights for me, one wasn’t bigger than the other and they both included women! If you know me very well you would know I’m all

“I became so entangled in this young women’s life, if you haven’t watched Lifestyle Overland, I can’t think of a better way to binge watch TV!”

about women, I think women are amazing and I met 2 of them this weekend. The first one was Sarah McCuiston from Lifestyle Overland, she’s become a bit of a star in our household, you to Kevin, but since I’m writing the story it’s more about Sarah! If you read my first adventure you would know that this girl (me) wanted nothing to do with tents, scary roads, dirt and no hot water, but somehow Mr. Wright convinced me into watching a YouTube Channel about a young family of 3 and their journey from the Southwest United States to the remote Arctic lands of Northern Canada and Alaska. I became so entangled in this young women’s life, if you haven’t watched Lifestyle Overland, I can’t think of a better way to binge watch TV! I know a lot of credit has to go to Kevin McCui-

The Woman, the legend!

Sarah McCuis ton and I

ston and his storytelling, capturing amazing video footage of some places that most of us will never

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

33

OVERLAND BOUND INLAND EMPIRE MEET-UP JOURNAL 2019

see unless you’re in an off-road vehicle. But I became

ble in our 4Runner and will give us at least as much

captivated by an amazing young woman, wife and

comfort as possible in a tent or camping out of our

mom who did what most of us would probably only

truck. We knew our big purchase was going to be a

dream of, well, if it’s your kind of dream. Her and her

fridge so we went back on day 2 and talked to Sarah

husband sold it all in 2018, took their daughter and

more about their SnowMaster fridge, we had seen

headed on the journey of their lives. Obviously, their

her video and recommendation but before pulling

journey has had many trials and obstacles, from my

the trigger we wanted to hear more about it. It was

vantage point it was rain, seems like they had a lot

so exciting seeing the inside of their rig, I know it

of rain! Their home was their 4Runner and Turtleback

sounds so funny, but it’s the truth!! I loved meeting

Trailer with a roof top tent, in the rain! We look for-

Sarah; I think she’s the real deal!

ward to their new videos posted weekly. Mr. Wright told Sarah it was like when we were kids waiting for

I did learn that when it comes to overlanding I have a

the Brady Bunch to come on every Friday night! I

lot to learn. Gear is really important, like I said, light-

saw a woman who was humble, transparent, respect-

weight is so important, but you want quality too. Un-

ful and loving. What I saw was a woman who wasn’t

fortunately, you have to pay for quality so research is

afraid, heck in most of their travels Sarah is doing the

really important. Mr. Wright, well not only do I call him

driving while Kevin is editing videos, I think, or may-

the gadget man I also call him the king of research!

be he’s napping, lol!

And he’s been doing a lot of it lately. We are not sure what we will eventually pull, whether it is a Turtle-

I doubt very much he was napping, the view had to

back, The Bean, The Teton X, Bushwacker, Overkill

be spectacular, I’m sure if he wasn’t editing he was

or the super plush not entirely made for overlanding

behind a camera. Did I tell you how amazing his

but The Oliver which is his favorite. We do know that

footage was, OMG, their episode on Denali and the

whatever it is we had better really, really like it, Sar-

Aurora Borealis, it’s a must watch and Alaska in our

ah said they got 10 miles to the gallon driving their

4Runner is now on my bucket list. If Sarah can do it,

4Runner pulling a Turtleback trailer, 10 miles to the

so can I and I want to! I can’t believe I’m even saying

gallon! In one of their videos they ran out of gas and

that, 8 months ago I was all about hotels and room

had to use their stored gas, that’s why it’s important

service now I’m excited about shopping for items

to be as light as possible, just for the gas mileage! I

that are lightweight, take up as little room as possi-

asked Sarah about the expenses of overlanding and

Loved our tent, kept us dry, warm and cozy during the rain nd 27 degree weather but it’s time for something simpler to use, we won’t get rid of her, but she is going back on the shelf for another occassion.

And, I just had t o share the next thing! my own private toilet. The restrooms were super clean I was told, I’ll just used my own!

34

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

she said it was fuel for sure. When your vehicle is all armored up (yes, I’m learning the verbiage!) with recovery and survival items there is only so much weight you can pull behind you. So we need to make some changes. Our tent and sleeping arrangements are the first makeover. I loved our tent, we had lots of weather, rain and wind and it was cold. We found out that the tent is really waterproof, you can tell how well battened down it was. Have you ever heard of Mr. Buddy? I met him on Saturday night when the temperatures dropped to 27 degrees, I fell in love, Mr. Buddy is a propane heater. I might add that Mr. Buddy kept our tent so warm and cozy! Unfortunately, our current tent takes up so much room, and….when everyone was done setting up their camps we were still working on ours. One of the vendors we visited was Gazelle Tents. These tents go up in no kidding 90 seconds, I was so impressed, we didn’t even give this a second thought, made the purchase and got 2 free t-shirts, and everybody loves free right! Our Gazelle is in the mail and we are anxiously awaiting it!

We ended purchasing a SnowMaster fridge, it was really a tough call between the Dometic and the ARB fridge, we trusted Sarah’s opinion, they had used one of the other brands and with the traveling they did Sarah recommended the SnowMaster so the SnowMaster it is! Mr. Wright had dual batteries installed earlier, back in the day when he was secretly building his rig. One time he purchased and installed the ARB awning without my knowledge and just waited to see how long it would take me to notice! It’s not that I was opposed to his building his off road vehicle; I just didn’t want anything to do with it! Not anymore, I want to know it all. I was at the gym just yesterday and ran into someone who asked if it was mine, when he started looking around it and under it I thought I wish I could say it has this kind of suspension and this and this and this! I could say “Hey, look at this cool SnowMaster fridge!” He was green with envy,

his Tacoma was a slow build, but he had some cool plans, hoping one day going off the grid! Oh, I’m all side tracked, but while I’m here I have one more story. It’s about the snorkel. Because I didn’t care about the build and didn’t ask to be involved, Mr. Wright did whatever he wanted, so when I dropped him off after the snorkel install I have to be honest I just cried!

Ask my daughter, the first thing I did was call her up bawling “You are not going to believe what he did, he put a snorkel on it!” I gave him lots of grief for that so I can’t say much to all the people who have made fun it, needless to say I’m over it now, I love the build, I love the way it looks and I love all the comfort that it brings when we are out on the trails. We gets lots of looks, lots of thumbs up, lots of compliments and when we are loaded up for a trip, we look pretty badass! Yeah, a little side tracked…where did I leave off?

Oh yes, we were shopping at the Overland Expo! So we purchased the Gazelle Tent, SnowMaster Fridge but we still needed to work on our sleeping arrangements. We are currently sleeping on a Coleman queen size air mattress and Mr. Wright has a huge canvas sleeping bag that probably weighs 10 lbs at

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

35

OVERLAND BOUND INLAND EMPIRE MEET-UP JOURNAL 2019

least not to mention all the space it takes up. We dropped into the Big Agnes booth and learned all about their sleeping systems. Super cool colored down sleeping bags with the flex sleeve that holds a light weight, insulated pad. The pad and the sleeping bag probably weigh a whopping 4 lbs taking up very little space. A trip to REI is in our future just for one more look and feel before we pull that trigger. I have to say there is nothing cheap about buying good gear; we want to make sure it’s exactly what we want! We also swung by the Goose Gear area, if you are going to permanently install a fridge in your vehicle you might as well put it on a platform with a drawer system, right?? I like the idea of having a drawer pull out from under the fridge that holds my 22” camp partner stove that is on my want list.

Sorry puppies, but we are taking this rig down to a 3 seats, I know we often talk about taking all 3 of you on a trail ride, but the Goose Gear

Some of my favorites...CJ, Scarlett and Hank. platform will come in super handy for storage and

call themselves the Inland Empire Overland Bound

keeping things organized, so we will have to draw

Group, they are all members of the Overland Bound

straws to see which one of you gets to go! I love our

Club, founded by Michael Murguia. There have been

new statement, “That’s a game changer!” We have

very few women that show up for these weekend trips

so many of them and this time I’m a part of the build.

so I was super excited to meet Letty. Her husband

The SnowMaster fridge is a big game changer, no

Terry has been a regular so I was hoping she would

more ice; its dual controlled so if we need a freezer

get bitten by the bug too! OMG, she is so much fun,

we have one if not it’s a big fridge, the Gazelle tent

we hit it off right away, not only does she have a fun

that goes up in no time at all, can’t wait to try that out.

personality but she is a woman of faith too! I’m think-

We also purchased a Goal Zero Yeti 150, it will allow

ing she’s going to be back because they made some

us to keep our cell phones and IPad charged, and it

really big purchases too, that means Terry wants his

was an easy purchase as there weren’t many battery

wife to be comfortable and wants her to come back

packs to choose from. The Goal Zero will charge our

too! Actually, I know she’ll be back, we’ve been tex-

phones up to 15 times before it needs a recharge,

ting this week, we need more women, it just makes

that’s going to be a game

it more fun. The guys are great they are always so

changer too!! Solar panels

respectful and fun to be around, I’m just hoping that

have already been ordered

one day they will bring their wives or find wives (hint,

too.

unadventurous

hint Brent) lol. I told Brent I was going to start pray-

camper is having a major

ing for him to find the right girlfriend! This journey is

attitude change! I can’t wait

sure to continue, the group meets the 3rd weekend

to hit the road! I said I met

of every month some of the trips are local some not

2 women...I haven’t told

so local. Wherever they go I’m Mr. Wright’s co-pilot!

you about the other spe-

Mr. Wright cast out his line with just the right bait on

cial one. I’ve been a part

it and I swallowed hook line and sinker!

This

of this group of men that

36

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

OVERLAND EXPO WEST 2019

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

37

OVERLAND BOUND INLAND EMPIRE MEET-UP JOURNAL 2019

JUNE 2018 MAY 15, 2019

GOLD FEVER TRAIL TO SKYLINE DRIVE DOWN TO CLARKS GRADE

6 RIGS LEADER: DOM

by Dominic Moschetti

From easy to difficult. June’s trail run was a local, quick trip up to Big Bear following the success of Convoy 40 over to Overland Expo West and a change to Big Sur Run. I will reschedule Big Sur for 2020.

Terry, Brent and I went up a day early and camped out at Hannah Flats. Hannah Flats campground is just outside of Fawnskin. Tucked away down a winding dirt road, it’s a family-friendly, pine-covered mountain campground, hosted by a friendly retired couple, that gave way to a pretty laid back and freshly pine-scented night.

Our meet up began at the Big Bear Discovery Center. Gold Fever Trail takes you through the tranquil Holcomb Valley that was once thriving with activity during the gold rush of the 1860’s. The 10.9 miles of dirt road has over 14 historical markers featuring Hangman’s Tree, few Grave Sites, Pygmy Cabin, Grasshopper Quartz Mill

38

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

and Two Gun Bill’s Saloon, to name few, are easy any two wheel vehicle can manage. This trail was such a breeze we decided to take on two more trails, yet not before heading over to downtown Big Bear for lunch. We took Skyline Drive, it’s a scenic loop and is a well maintained dirt road about 9 to10 miles long.

Yet we decide to take Clarks Grade.

A LITTLE HISTORY...“In the early 1900’s, the only way to get to Big Bear was on a series of privately owned, poorly maintained, interconnecting toll roads. In 1915, San Bernardino County took over all of these toll roads and combined them into a single well maintained dirt road that became known as the Rim Of The World highway. This highway began in Redlands and wound it’s way up the Santa Ana river to Clarks Ranch. It then began climbing it’s way up into the mountains on a treacherous section of road known as Clarks Grade, which still exists today as USFS road 1N54. It must be remembered that even though this dirt road was as narrow back then as it is today, it had to handle “traffic” in and out of Big Bear. To do this a timing system was set up with “control station” at the top and bottom of the grade. Clarks Grade was essentially a one way road that changed direction of travel at different times of the day. Any autos that couldn’t complete their trip up or down the mountain within their allotted amount of time, were required to pull over into turnouts to park for a few hours and wait for traffic traveling in the opposite direction to complete their journey.

Eventually Clarks Grade reached the summit and connected with today’s Skyline Drive, USFS 2N10. From here, the old Rim Of The World highway continued west along Skyline Drive past Bluff Lake and eventually dropped into Big Bear Valley just west of the village. The section of the Rim Of The World highway from the Santa Ana river to Big Bear Village was eventually replaced by todays’ highway 38.” (bigbearlakeadventures.com)

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY

39

OVERLAND BOUND INLAND EMPIRE MEET-UP JOURNAL 2019

Coyote Flats Trail in the Californian Eastern Sierras

40

ADVENTURE IS NECESSARY