Southern California Club Xterra
Southern California Club Xterra => SCCX Xcursion Pictures => Topic started by: Paul on March 22, 2009, 07:30:10 PM
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So though a slight ::) bit of confusion on which date the club was running the Mojave Road Trixie the Wonderdog, Noon, and I their driver found ourselves out this weekend running the Mojave alone!
Friday we arrived at Afton Canyon campground too early - about 1:00 PM and the weather hadn't turned cool yet. It was sitting just under 90 degrees for the afternoon.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave01.jpg)
The site holds 22 campers, has covered picnic tables, a faucet for water, and very clean vault toilets. The fee was $6 a night but since there were no envelopes nobody paid. I included the picture of the small red four door across from us as they pulled into the nearly empty camp ground at the site just across from us. Turns out they were two college aged German students traveling around California. A prettier pair of coeds could not be found. I think they parked next to us for safety ... thinking I was harmless.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave02.jpg)
The camp ground had about 15 people in it by night fall - mostly older "wanderers" types. That night about 9:00 PM an idiot rolled in with his Frontier with his wife, a son and daughter. They were talking back and fourth IN THERE FULL VOLUME OUTDOOR VOICES. They had driven though the completely dark campsite before coming back and ... setting up camp next to the German girls. The father, I'll call him Sean Beale, was either stupid or drunk as he was bullying his two children around trying to set up a circus tent of a camping tent. He spent an hour and twenty minutes yelling at the top of his lungs before I started yelling out the tent window at him ... to no avail.
I put my pants and shoes on and climbed out of the tent and walked up to the campsite of the idiot and scared the living poo out of him. (I am quite the site bare chested I might add). :o I said are you quite finished? He said yeah. I said you've woken the entire campground up with your loud voices and it was now well after 10:00 PM. He said he didn't know what time it was. I said that if he made any more noise that I was going to call the rangers. He said have a nice night to me. I said that possibility ended about an hour an a half ago when he arrived and woke everyone up. I told him not another word? Do you hear me? He didn't respond as his manhood shriveled into nothing right in front of his wife standing their open mouthed and the two kids wild eyed.
So they started talking in indoor voices and we fell asleep. Until about midnight when he started slamming the door as hard as he could, and then set the truck's alarm off twice. Sweet.
The next morning at 6:15 I had to empty the trash ... right in front of his tent. Big trash can.
So he eventually wakes up and as we're cooking breakfast and packing he's glaring at us, puffed out chest, hands on his hips ... every chance I got I walked at him at he turned away ... he still couldn't find his manhood. He was about 5' 8" and a buck sixty maybe. I wasn't worried.
A couple of the other campers come by to chat with us and make small talk about all the noise in the site the night before. They check out my Zodi shower and liked it. So we finish packing and Noon and Trixie walk out of the site while I finish loading the truck. I drive past the guy and he flips me off as I say have a nice day to him - I swear. As I drove away he cursed something at me that my wife heard but didn't understand as he flipped me off again. I turned around and drove past him and he ducked away while I used the rest room.
So we're sitting at the entrance to Afton Canyon waiting for the rest of the club to arrive ... and sitting ... and sitting. We drove down to the water crossing to check how deep it was and made a test crossing. Sean flips me the finger on the way out ... but fails to do so when I return three minutes later! One of the older couples in a 1990 VW mini-van made the crossing and died on the other side. We sat and waited for the club. The old man crosses the water, walks the quarter mile to the camp ground entrance and tells me that he can't get his van to run and asks me to tow him back across the river. OK, why not?
So I have grandpa climb on the slider and we drive back and across the river. I bust out the tow strap, tell him how I'm going to pull him and he asks me to two him to the first camp spot - right across from Sean. Sure thing. We connect to my rear tow point and to his way too small looking tow point and dive into the water - it's pretty deep but the X was able to pull him and me across, up the embankment and around we go to the camp site.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave03.jpg)
So we pull the guys gear out and start working on the trunk mounted engine looking for what we think is electrical problems. I disconnect the van and drive around to park next to him and one of Sean's kids runs out and takes a picture of our truck. Cool.
Grandpa's wife Cindy and my wife are making small talk and Cindy gives her a bottle of home-made wine as a thank you. Sweet couple. As we're working on the van up rolls a San Bernadino sheriff. He says he's looking for Sean Beale. I said oh boy, that I'm not him but I'm likely the source of the complaint. I told the sheriff what when on the night before and the old couple agreed, said that I was a saint for rescuing them from across the river. I told the officer that I was merely waiting on the club to arrive. The sheriff drives the rest of the 100 feet to Sean's campsite and spends twenty minutes talking with him. I eat lunch figuring it's my last hot meal as we let the van air out. The sheriff comes back and I ask him if we were square and he said no problem and that Sean thought I was threatening him. I said if that were true why does he keep flipping me the finger every time I drive by? He said no problem, we shot the breeze for awhile about the Xterra and the Mojave Road which he apparently didn't know much about. He didn't even ask my name nor run my plate but I assume Sean gave that to him. ;D
So Sean and his family walk past us and down to the stream bed. Grandpa calls triple A and asks for a flat bed tow and thanks us for helping. I said he tows me across next time! Noon and I decide to do the trail solo. We drive by Sean once again. He doesn't wave. :-\
There's now a big crowd sitting on the far side of the water crossing afraid to cross. I drop Noon off on the east side, turn around and drive back to the west side so she can take pictures (above) and cross for a fifth and final time. The crowd is impressed. Sean and family have walked the train tracks and are now walking back when the see us and turn around to walk away. We drive pass again and he still doesn't wave. I'm begining to think he doesn't like me. :'(
The trail is just beautiful. The recent rains have things very green and the flowers are in bloom big time. Very little dust.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave05.jpg)
The butterflies are out as are the mosquitoes so bring bug spray next week.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave04.jpg)
The air was clear and the skies were blue
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave06.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave07.jpg)
We made our way though the canyon and out to the Mojave Road Wash where we crossed the 10-12 miles.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave08.jpg)
Shaw pass was the only "tough" place along the trail after the water crossing. The wash is very dry and deep sand so 4WD is nice. The soft sand wants to pull you off the tracks if you wander. Shaw Pass has some lose rocks but not too difficult at all.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave09.jpg)
Past the Pass and it's the Soda Dry Lake which looks like snow from a distance. Along the west side the flowers are in bloom and there are fields of yellow and white flowers blanketing the dunes. As you get close to the lake there is a marker marking the boundary of the preserve.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave10.jpg)
The traveler's hill is still there and we tossed three rocks on the pile for us. A jeep club came as we were leaving and was sort of surprised to see one lonely X out there.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave11.jpg)
We crossed the lake and hunted for shelter out of the wind as it was now after 5:00 PM. We ran across the canyon road which runs down the middle of a very windy wide valley. We jumped on a crossroad and found an old homestead but didn't settle there as it was still too windy.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave12.jpg)
We ended up camping between Paymaster Road and Kelbaker Road along side of a mountain. We cooked up as much Korean barbecue as we could eat and finished off with shrimp cocktails and watched the sun set. There was a large weather front coming in and the skies were beautiful.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave14.jpg)
Off to the north there was the glow from a city which I assume to be Las Vegas.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave16.jpg)
The place was sheltered but still really windy. About 9:00 PM the front passed and the sky began to clear again and made for a nice (quite) evening. No sign of Sean.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave15.jpg)
Come morning we crossed Kilbaker road and started in on the central portion of the Mojave Road. Looking to the west I saw another front of clouds coming.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave17.jpg)
We scouted out the lava beds and started down Willow Wash. We almost got creamed by three pick-ups and a jeep high tailing out of the east. I managed to just barely get out of their way. About another mile down the road and I came to cross roads and an old mine and ranch site. We went to take some pictures ... and I smelled smoke. Looking at the camp site the four speeders had just left I found a nice big camp fire still going full blast - in the wind no less. It took 3.5 gallons of water to put the thing out and a bunch of sand too. Dang is the world full of idiots - second good deed of the trip done.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave19.jpg)
I posed for an HDR photo - you set the camera up on a tripod and take a series of pictures under exposed and over exposed to get a high-dynamic image. The clouds were rolling in and it looked like rain.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave18.jpg)
We made it to the mail box before the rain but boy was it every windy.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave20.jpg)
Signed the log book.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave21.jpg)
The frogs are back! :D I stopped at the dollar store on the way out and they didn't have any frogs but did have turtles. I figured they were amphibians too so why not? I tossed some change in the bowls and added my turtles to the front of the frogs.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave22.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave23.jpg)
It started to rain. Looking down the valley to the west there was nothing but dark clouds blowing in. I thought best about being this far out alone in such conditions and turned back. Besides maybe Sean was still at Afton. ;) We returned the 15 miles back from the mail box to Kelbaker Road though wind and rain. Sitting at the side of the road I estimated the wind at 30 miles an hour with gusts up to 40. Not quite gale force but close enough. The skies were a solid sheet of gray. By the time we hit Baker the weather cleared up again but that wasn't before 25 miles of rain. Next week ought to be out freaking standing ... and yes, we're going again!
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave24.jpg)
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Happy campers. ;D
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/3-09%20Mojave%20Solo/Mojave13.jpg)
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So we took our time and I spent some time taking some flower pictures ... ya' know getting in touch with my softer side (and feeling guilty for destroying Sean's marriage). It was so darn windy that it was difficult catching some of the smaller flowers looking natural instead of wind blown.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Mojave%20Road%20Flowers/MojaveFlower01.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Mojave%20Road%20Flowers/MojaveFlower02.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Mojave%20Road%20Flowers/MojaveFlower03.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Mojave%20Road%20Flowers/MojaveFlower04.jpg)
The Desert Chicory (below)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Mojave%20Road%20Flowers/MojaveFlower05.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Mojave%20Road%20Flowers/MojaveFlower06.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Mojave%20Road%20Flowers/MojaveFlower07.jpg)
Dune Evening Primrose (below)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Mojave%20Road%20Flowers/MojaveFlower08.jpg)
A bed of Desert Dandelions west of Soda Lake.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Mojave%20Road%20Flowers/MojaveFlower09.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Mojave%20Road%20Flowers/MojaveFlower10.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Mojave%20Road%20Flowers/MojaveFlower11.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Mojave%20Road%20Flowers/MojaveFlower12.jpg)
I think this is called Bladderpod (below)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Mojave%20Road%20Flowers/MojaveFlower13.jpg)
And the Indian Paintbrush - we only saw a handful of these near the lava flows.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Mojave%20Road%20Flowers/MojaveFlower14.jpg)
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Nice story Paul. Thanks for the pre-run, I was a bit worried with all the rain this year that Soda Lake could be a trouble spot.
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Nice story Paul. Thanks for the pre-run, I was a bit worried with all the rain this year that Soda Lake could be a trouble spot.
Wasn't too bad - better/drier than two years ago.
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You must not have gotten my reply when you posted you were going to be on Mojave Rd. this last wknd. You didn't miss anything at the offroad show - ~40 venders, done in 1 1/4 hrs. Nice picts - gonna have to bring a better camera, see next week!
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You have quite a tale to tell Paul! And the beautiful pics definitely complement the beautiful narrative story. Quite an adventure you have. Wish I was there... especially for the bbq and shrimp! ;D
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Paul,
How did I know when I started reading this that Law Enforcement would be involved before it was over? I guess it could have been worse: it was it bit before my time, but does anyone remember the last time a single Xterra felt the need to "pre-run" the Mojave Road (more specifically Soda Lake)?
Good story and pics.
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I missed last year's Mojave run so I had to catch up with the rest of you. :D
After the long (LONG) drive home I asked Noon if she wanted to go this coming weekend ... she said why not? She gets to babysit the dog and that's a lot of work so it was her call. The Mojave is one of the best runs we do each year so yeah, why not? Besides I got shorted on the east end of the central leg with Fort Piute and Government Holes.
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Jeez Paul, I wish you would give some of us notice that you're going to "scope out" the upcoming Xcursion site. I might have joined you. Call me if you need someone to acompany you. Irwinb (909)227-4621
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that water crossing looks deep
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that water crossing looks deep
No worries ... at least for the second generation trucks. I went though two years ago stock without issue. That said anything can happen with the stupid low mounted alternator.
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Too bad you had the wrong w/e. Looks like fun though. Enjoy next w/e. Wish i could make it.
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(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll117/03highrider/100_1720.jpg)
The trucks look like this? ;D
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(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll117/03highrider/100_1720.jpg)
The trucks look like this? ;D
No. My wife recalls one jeep and I remember three mid-sized "urban coyboy" mid-sized Ford/Chevy trucks - no bumpers, winches, off-road lights or brains apparently.
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Thanks for sharing Paul!
Always a different experience when 4wd.
I apologise on behalf of all the normal people of Sean's behavior.
I gotta run with you guys one of these days.
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I told him not another word? Do you hear me? He didn't respond as his manhood shriveled into nothing right in front of his wife standing their open mouthed and the two kids wild eyed.
Paul; you ROCK!
Great to see you and Noon and the wonder dog!