Southern California Club Xterra
Southern California Club Xterra => SCCX Xcursions => Topic started by: PainRoller on October 01, 2015, 09:35:46 AM
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DEATH VALLEY CONVOY (aka Mr Toad's Wild Ride):
1. Joe and Bro - Trail Leader
2. PR and Fixitguy
3. Bromax
4. Steve C
5. Motorpig
6. Yota
7. KnightRider
8. Danny X (maybe)
9. Mark & Nia
Kramer Junction (intersection of Hwy 395 and Hwy 58) at 11:00 am on Friday with a fully belly and a full tank of gas - READY TO RIDE
We got a little convoy,
Ain't she a beautiful sight?
Come on and join our convoy
Ain't nothin' gonna get in our way.
We gonna roll this X'ing' convoy
'Cross the U-S-A.
CONVOOOOOY!
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Maybe a moderator could move these over to a new thread? Startin' to feel the rumblings of a Threadjack
Boom.
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Don't forget Knightrider...his screen name belongs in a convoy...
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn224/tdfancharles/KnightRider/103_0609.jpg) (http://media.photobucket.com/user/tdfancharles/media/KnightRider/103_0609.jpg.html)
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Can you set a meet spot so we can coordinate commute times from San Diego/Oceanside/Hemet/Mira Mesa, etc.?
Bass Pro Shop (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bass+Pro+Shops,+Victoria+Gardens+Lane,+Rancho+Cucamonga,+CA/Panamint+Springs+Resort,+40440+CA-190,+Darwin,+CA+93522/@34.036564,-119.0138294,8z/data=!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c34a185980b999:0x55a12fc2ca27c64a!2m2!1d-117.527026!2d34.112837!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c0bf454ad257f5:0x826f38b3ddb0a441!2m2!1d-117.4687064!2d36.3393987?hl=en) in Rancho Cucamonga?
It's on the way plus it's Bass Pro Shop.
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It's on the way plus it's Bass Pro Shop.
We might never make it to DV... ;)
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DEATH VALLEY CONVOY
1. Joe and Bro
2. PR and Fixitguy
3. Bromax
4. Steve C (if he can keep up)
5. Motorpig
6. Yota
Meet up time: 9 am?
Meet up places:
Potential stops along the way: abandoned Boron State Prison, Trona Pinnacles
Maybe a moderator could move these over to a new thread? Startin' to feel the rumblings of a Threadjack
Threadjack? Now who the heck gonna jack a thread round here?
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IN!!
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Good meeting spot. See you there.
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Can we make the meet time flexible...say 9-9:30?
"Usually" takes about 2-2.5 hours with traffic from SD.
Sent from Cygnus X-1
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OP updated. 8)
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I am possibly up for this as well. I'll check tomorrow if I can get that extra day.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Depending on what everyone wants to do, I have a couple of ideas. I also hate to be the one guy who objects, but I'm just going to throw it out there that I'm not a fan of meeting at the Bass Pro Store, for a few reasons. For starters, it's not right off of the freeway and is inconvenient to access, especially re-accessing the 15 to head north when we leave (several intersections/left turns on signal lights which will most certainly break our group apart). Secondly, for anyone taking the 215 in the morning (which will be the least traffic route for the SD folks and will be the only route for Motorpig77 and myself), they'd have to backtrack on the 15 or cut across on the 210 to get there, and either option takes you about 10+ miles out of the way. Third, the Bass Pro Store is a place that any one of us (or all of us) can visit on any given weekend, just by deciding to go. Rather than spending hours diverting routes and shopping/wandering around the store (which will likely mean we don't actually get on the road until after lunch), my vote would be to get on the road sooner and spend that time exploring places we don't nomrally have an opportunity to visit. That being said, I understand why everyone loves the store (it is a big kids' playground, after all) so feel free to call me crazy. If I had my choice, I'd say we should meet up at one of the gas stations off of Hwy 138 and the 15 in the Cajon Pass. There are also several fast food restaruants here, in case anyone wants to have a late breakfast.
Here's a few potential destinations with travel times, just to help us decide what's best. These are just observations and suggestions - if anyone is more familiar with any of these areas and routes (especially the locations of gas stations and eateries), please chime in with suggestions!
1) From the Cajon Pass/Bass Pro Shop area to Boron Prison is about an hour and 20 minutes with no traffic. Not sure how much time we'll spend here, but it looks like the kind of place we could easily spend an hour or two, especially the photographers among the group. It's US government property and there might be no tresspassing signs all over. People who have visited the site recently said (via the interwebs) that there are cameras and other monitoring equipment, so we might not make access at all. A bunch of dirtbag copper thieves have vandalized the site over the past few years, so it looks like they're cracking down on visitors. I don't think there are any locked gates or anything, but I guess we'll find out when we get to the entrance and see how comfortable we feel to proceed.
2) From Boron Prison to the town of Randsburg is about 30 minutes. From what I can tell online, Randsburg has a Saloon, General Store, and quite a few little cool shops and museums. We could go here or we could skip it, doesn't really matter. Seems like a semi-popular destination (especially among the off-roading crowd), so it might be worth at least taking a peek.
3) The city of Ridgecrest is 25 minutes north of Randsburg and has tons of gas stations and eateries (both fast food and restaurants/diners). This is probably our best bet for lunch, but it would take us too far north to take the "fun" way to the Trona Pinnacles, and it's about 15 minutes off of the shortest route to Panamint Springs, so we'd essentially be diverting to "go into town." If we do head into Ridgecrest, we can still quickly get to the Trona Pinnacles by traveling east on Highway 178 for for about 20 minutes to the dirt access road.
4) An alternate plan, if we can manage to get gas and food somewhere near the area of Randsburgh or Johannesburg, would be to take the long and "fun" way to the Pinnacles by taking Trona Road to Teagle Wash Road (which is a long dirt road) and cut through the Spangler Hills OHV area. This would be about 15 miles of dirt road driving and could take a little while. But it does look like there is some mild to moderate wheeling involved, and even some old railroad buildings to explore along the way. We would arrive at the Pinnacles from the south and travel through them before eventually coming out at Highway 178.
5) Whether we head into the Pinnacles from the north (Ridgecrest/easier/less time way) or south (skip Ridgecrest/longer time/more challenging way), we basically take the same route from there to the Panamint Springs Resort. It's about an hour and 30 mins from the Pinnacles to the Panamint Springs Resort.
6) There are several defunct and abandoned (or partially abandoned) towns on the stretch of road between the Trona Pinnacles and Panamint Springs Resort that are also worthy of exploration/photography, including Westend, South Trona, Argus, Trona and Pioneer Point. I think we'd be pressed for time once we got to this area, but it's something to consider if we want to skip something else. It looks like there are also some scattered gas stations and diners/eateries in the area, but it would be AFTER the Trona Pinnacles on our journey. If we end up having to skip the prision for access/tresspassing reasons, this could be another option.
So... if our objective is to get to the resort around 6:00 pm, my proposal would be to meet in the Cajon Pass and depart no later than 10:00 am, making sure everyone is gassed up and has a full belly. We'd drive straight to Boron Prison and spend an hour or more there, before departing and heading north. From there, we'd either stop at Randsburg or head straight into Ridgecrest - we can make that decision based on how we're doing on time and how hungry everyone is getting. From Ridgecrest, we'd head east to the Trona Pinnacles (the easy way) and spend a little time exploring and taking cool photos of our trucks looking like they're on Mars. From there, we'd depart and if there's time, we can cruise through some of the weird little towns (we actually already drive through them on the main highway) and arrive in Panamint Springs by 6:00 pm with plenty of time to eat dinner and settle in for the evening with the rest of the group as they arrive.
If we want to skip Randsburg and Ridgecrest and do some wheeling instead, we can find somewhere to get gas around Johannasburg and can spend the afternoon taking the dirt route through the Spangler Hills OHV park to the Trona Pinnacles. We'd have to eat lunch on the trail this way. This way will yield a lot of remote desert exploring, but I'm not too sure there's a whole lot to see out there (since it's all an open OHV park) so it's really more about the wheeling.
What are everyone's thoughts?
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Joe, you havent failed to show us a great time yet, so I'm down for whatever you decide! Looking forward to it!
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Sounds like a pretty good itinerary, Joe. I would suggest Kramer Junction as the rendezvous point. There are three gas stations and a couple of restaurants there. I was just there last weekend for another field trip (went to the Borax mine) and the restaurant/gas station/truck stop on the southeast corner has hearty breakfasts (brunch?) and fuel for reasonable prices. It also only took me less than a half a tank of gas to get there from El Cajon (had to pick up my passenger).
The Boron Prison itself is abandoned, but the radar facility is still active and operated by the FAA, thus all the cameras.
Johannesburg/Randsburg area has a lot of old and active mining stuff and would be a good exploration area.
I say skip Ridgecrest and take the northeastern route toward the Pinnacles, Trona and Searles Valley. As best I can tell, there are a couple of gas stations in the Argus/Trona area, but I haven't been through there since I was in college in the '70s.
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Joe, you havent failed to show us a great time yet, so I'm down for whatever you decide! Looking forward to it!
This.
Joe, just set it up and we will plan accordingly...you are the TL.
I agree that while the Bass Pro Shop is cool, most of the meet spots should have quick access, parking, gas, ice, and food.
Victoria Gardens is a nice area, but navigating the islands of concrete can get a bit crazy.
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What are everyone's thoughts?
Too much in one day for me.
I'll meet you guys up there!
(and no I'm not throwing a hissy fit because Joe made a great point about Bass Pro being totally inconvenient to get to :D )
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Too much in one day for me.
I'll meet you guys up there!
Agree with this point too...
In hindsight (one post later), maybe focusing on one point of interest would be wise?
The goal is to reach Panamint Springs relaxed....and ready for adventure in Death Valley...
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Joe, you havent failed to show us a great time yet, so I'm down for whatever you decide! Looking forward to it!
This!
Joe, just set it up and we will plan accordingly...you are the TL.
And this! Let me know and I will update the OP accordingly.
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Trona Pinnacles looks really interesting.
have to put that on my to do list. :)
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I agree with everything that's been said about too much to cram in and wanting to arrive relaxed. Turning the drive up there into an organized day really defeats the purpose. Truth be told, my brother and I planned to leave early in the morning and 'wing it' up there with some knowledge of cool places along the way. I hate to be like this, but I'm going to stick with that plan.
I'm just going to depart the Murrieta area between 8:00 and 9:00 am and will head straight up to Kramer Junction for an early lunch and to refuel. We'll stop by the old prison for a bit and head further north. I'm definitely not missing the Trona Pinnacles, but everything else is really up in the air and will be decided on the fly based on how much time/gas we have and how we're feeling.
I'll throw it out there again that anyone is welcome to tag along, especially since we're all going the same direction and taking the same overall route. Just know that we won't have a solid plan and could be doing anything from wandering around shops in Randsburg to wandering around in the middle of the desert for a while. :)
With all of this being said, what does everyone think about having a communication plan for the drive up? If we all decide to do our own thing, we should at least have a way to get ahold of someone else in case you get into a jam. At a minimum, we should all swap phone numbers, but having a preset ham frequency and/or repeaters to monitor along the way isn't a bad idea either. Might even make it possible for people to sync up as we get closer to Panamint Springs, or at least monitor each other's progress.
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I apologize if starting this thread caused anyone stress..
Joe, it wasn't my intention to create an "organized" day. I was just trying to coordinate time/place so we all knew where to meet.
Mike and I are down for a relaxing "wing it" trip up to Panamint Springs. So yeah, we would like to tag along with you and your bro. Just let us know what time to be at Kramer Junction.
I think having a preset ham frequency and phone number swap is a great idea. Would using our SCCX standard simplex frequency work?
Again, my apologies to the group :-\
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I was thinking the same thing, Joe.
I'll have my 400dr set to afterburner transmit mode so hopefully I will be able to make some connections.
I think Jordan is going to help me program my radio this weekend with all of the repeaters in socal, so if we pick one of those I should be able to communicate.
I've had the radio for over a year and have still not talked through a repeater :(
OH! I could turn on APRS, too!
Side note: is anyone poor people camping at the Panamint Springs Resort? (tent)
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I apologize if starting this thread caused anyone stress..
Again, my apologies to the group :-\
No stress caused here!
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No stress caused here!
What Steve said X2...lol.
Joes innocent post turns into DV2 Pre-Run!
It's a tribute to how excited we are all to "get outside" and share some adventure....
Sent from Cygnus X-1
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Side note: is anyone poor people camping at the Panamint Springs Resort? (tent)
There are still tent cabins left. across the street.
2 cot and 4 cot tent cabins.
35 bucks and 50 bucks respectively
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I am putting together a comms plan. I have the repeater books, but if anyone knows of some that work best in the area, let me know. I should be posting a draft of it before Sunday. I am putting in two simplex channels - 146.520 & 146.535. We should also consider adding truck numbers to our vehicles. It is easier than trying to remember names and call signs if I see your tires about to go over an edge. Consider them "tactical" call signs.
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I am putting together a comms plan. I have the repeater books, but if anyone knows of some that work best in the area, let me know. I should be posting a draft of it before Sunday. I am putting in two simplex channels - 146.520 & 146.535. We should also consider adding truck numbers to our vehicles. It is easier than trying to remember names and call signs if I see your tires about to go over an edge. Consider them "tactical" call signs.
In visiting the Pacific thread on thenewx, I believe that RobertBils is organizing something for ham radios for the main DV trip...maybe check in with him Tony and see what his plan is?
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It's a tribute to how excited we are all to "get outside" and share some adventure....
This!
Absolutely agree that there was no stress caused! Sorry if that came off the wrong way. :) I'm just looking foward to getting out there! As far as the meetup time - let's say we'll DEPART Kramer Junction at 11:00 am sharp with full gas tanks and full stomachs. That is inline with the original meet-up time for Bass Pro, since Kramer Junction is about 90 minutes from Bass Pro. That'll give us 7 hours to make the 2.5 hour drive up to Panamint Springs, which is plenty of extra time for exploration. Departing with a full stomach will ensure we can make it all the way to Panamint Springs with just some snacks, so we'll only have to find a gas station along the way (which there appears to be plenty of in the Argus/Trona area, as Sage Bromax already stated). My bro and I will arrive in Kramer Junction between 10:00 and 10:15 am to have plenty of time to grab a bite and fuel up. 8)
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No stress caused at all! I couldn't agree with John more...its been a cooped up summer for me and I can't wait to get some dirty under the tires and sit by a camp fire!!!
Jordan / Steve, I would love to get some information on the southern california repeaters so I could program my radio as well. I only have one repeater programmed and want to change that! I'll get a hold of you guys and see what I need to do!
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In visiting the Pacific thread on thenewx, I believe that RobertBils is organizing something for ham radios for the main DV trip...maybe check in with him Tony and see what his plan is?
Thanks. I will check with him.
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I'm really stressed out...
Sent from my XT1095 using Tapatalk
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I'm really stressed out...
Sent from my XT1095 using Tapatalk
You should have posted that earlier, you could have come up here and help me replace some valve cover gaskets and re ground a battery.
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Thanks. I will check with him.
Cool...might save you some time & effort. :)
Sent from Cygnus X-1
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Broke out my Death Valley Jim books and have been doing research pretty much non-stop. I've narrowed it down to about 4,000 places I want to check out on the way up. ;D
Seriously though, there is some amazing stuff out there, I can't wait to go explore! Is it November yet?!?
(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee234/jfanaselle/mms_img-1231185902.jpg) (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/jfanaselle/media/mms_img-1231185902.jpg.html)
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Seriously though, there is some amazing stuff out there, I can't wait to go explore! Is it November yet?!?
Can we "Pre-run" the "Pre-run"??? hmmm
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Shouldn't be necessary. Clearly there's not enough time in a day (or even a week) to explore everything there is to see and do on the way up. ;D
The plan is to keep things easy and close to the highway. Between the Prison, Randsburg and Pinnacles, that'll probably be plenty to do. I just like having other ideas in the back of my head in case something doesn't work out as planned. There are a few cool old sites that I've been looking at as well: Ruth Mine/Camp, Lookout City, and a few other small sites. All of it would be cool to see. Might have to make a weekend trip back out to this area sometime over the winter. :)
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Might have to make a weekend trip back out to this area sometime over the winter. :)
[/quote]
I'll be your Huckleberry......
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Might have to make a weekend trip back out to this area sometime over the winter. :)
I'll be your Huckleberry......
X2 on Winter Trip.
Also........is it NOVEMBER YET?!?!?!?
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I'm not even going and I'm excited for it. :D Take some pictures y'all!
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I might take a few (a few hundred) ::)
PS - is it November yet!?!? ;D
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(http://www.pending.me.uk/cd/gre_1446915600.png) (http://www.pending.me.uk)
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(http://www.pending.me.uk/cd/gre_1446915600.png) (http://www.pending.me.uk)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jK-NcRmVcw
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jK-NcRmVcw
At least it wasn't RickRoll!!
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Count us in on the convoy! 11/6
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Count us in on the convoy! 11/6
I don't think it's an official "convoy" anymore, but more of a "pre-trip exploration session" instead. We won't have a specific agenda, but I've done some research on cool things to see along the way up and we'll play it by ear. I don't expect we'll do much wheeling - mostly exploring cool sites that are right off the highway or on well maintained dirt roads. The only solid parts of the plan are to depart Kramer Junction at 11:00 am and to arrive at the resort around 6:00 pm (maybe 7:00 pm at the absolute latest, but I'd prefer it to be closer to 6:00).
Not sure how many people are still coming along, but I know myself and Pain Roller/FixItGuy for sure. If you want to come along for Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, just be at Kramer Junction (intersection of Hwy 395 and Hwy 58) at 11:00 am on Friday with a fully belly and a full tank of gas (show up early to eat and fuel up, if needed). There are several eateries, gas stations and truck stops at Kramer Junction. I'll post up an exact meeting place and ask for a list of who's planning to come along a couple of days before, just so we don't leave anyone behind (and to make sure we swap phone numbers).
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Joe, I'm still in...the only hiccup for me will be getting my daughter dropped off at school that morning and then hitting the road. But I'm thinking the timing should work out fine. Worst case, I'll meet you at your first destination and we'll have our "Convoy" complete from there! :)
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oh its a convoy alright, yeeeHAW!!!
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I'm good with that, Joe. Meet you at Kramer Junction.
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Hey folks...we are out for the convoy.
Nothing personal, we just realized there are some serious geocaches along the 395 and grabbing 50+ caches will def slow the group effort down.
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/Anza%20Borrego%20Geocache%20Trip%20Nov%202012/DSC_0068.jpg) (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/DzrtX/media/Anza%20Borrego%20Geocache%20Trip%20Nov%202012/DSC_0068.jpg.html)
Look forward to sharing some social sparklers in Panamint Springs on the evening of 11/6. ;D
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im also out of the convoy, we will be leaving later due to work obligations :(
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I'm coming from the north area (Sacramento) so what is going to be the final meet area for everyone to meet
I'm not going to caravan
Unless someone wants to come up to sac and drive back with me lol
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I'm coming from the north area (Sacramento) so what is going to be the final meet area for everyone to meet
I'm not going to caravan
Unless someone wants to come up to sac and drive back with me lol
Double check with ChrisHaynesUSA, but I believe the trail list is full?
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You might be confusing this with the Winter Mojave Road run, JVR. That trip will begin just north of Barstow and will run east across the Mojave Preserve, finally ending up at the Colorado River near the Nevada/California state line. I believe it will be a 3 day trip this year and most people are planning to stay the night in Laughlin after the final day.
This Death Valley trip, unfortunately, has been full for months, and is limited to a small group size. We'll see you in Jan or Feb! (I don't think a final date has been decided yet, they're still working on getting the permits).
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JVR,
regretfully this trip has reached it's capacity.
perhaps next year you could join.
stay tuned
:)
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Sorry I guess I'm on the wrong place
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Sorry I guess I'm on the wrong place
No worries...I think there's room for the Mojave Road Winter Edition?
Sent from Cygnus X-1
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Not sure how many people are still coming along, but I know myself and Pain Roller/FixItGuy for sure. If you want to come along for Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, just be at Kramer Junction (intersection of Hwy 395 and Hwy 58) at 11:00 am on Friday with a fully belly and a full tank of gas (show up early to eat and fuel up, if needed). There are several eateries, gas stations and truck stops at Kramer Junction. I'll post up an exact meeting place and ask for a list of who's planning to come along a couple of days before, just so we don't leave anyone behind (and to make sure we swap phone numbers).
Is it time for this yet?!? 'Cuz I gots no phone numbers from y'all
(https://41.media.tumblr.com/03bf9ca6839e2305728f7deb85d94c70/tumblr_noxwct4zAk1rry4oro1_500.png)
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There is a little restaurant at Kramer Junction called the Roadhouse Restaurant. It's adjacent to the Pilot truck stop/gas station on the southeast corner of the intersection of Hwy 395 and Hwy 58. We will meet in the parking lot just south of the restaurant - there's plent of truck parking. The exact address is 6158 CA-58, Boron, CA 93516. See image below (looking west from Hwy 395 a couple hundred feet south of Hwy 58). The restaurant is technically on 395 but has a highway 58 address for some reason.
The plan is to depart Kramer Junction at 11:00 am with full gas tanks and full bellies, so please arrive early enough to gas up and eat if you desire. So far, I have the following people planning to meet up. If I don't have your phone number, would you please send me a PM with it?
Motorpig77 - might meet us at our next stop, which should be Boron state prison. Will be in touch via cell (have your number)
PainRoller - will meet at Kramer Junction (have your number)
Sage Bromax - will meet at Kramer Junction (need your number please)
Mark1107 - will meet at Kramer Junction (need your number please)
If I'm missing anyone from the list, speak up now! Want to make sure that we wait for everyone and are in communication before hand so we know if anyone backed out. :)
(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee234/jfanaselle/Roadhouse.jpg) (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/jfanaselle/media/Roadhouse.jpg.html)
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The plan right now is to be on the road around 9am, so I may make it to Kramer Junction before you guys take off...if not, I'll shoot for Boron. I'll let you know if anything changes though
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Awesome! Just stay in touch and if we have to wait a few minutes, we will. 8)