Member
Spotlight:
Don Miller
From the April 2003 Issue of Trail Tales
by Joan Wolf
Out
of necessity, for many people the participation level in four-wheeling and the
NM4W varies over the years. People lead busy lives with a myriad of
responsibilities, commitments, and personal goals. So it’s always a pleasant
occurrence when a seldom-seen member such as Don Miller returns to active
involvement. We’re glad he returned and even gladder he jumped in as club
Secretary after Bonnie Tyler moved to Las Vegas in December 2002. As Secretary,
Don transcribes the meeting minutes and keeps track of club membership and
business matters.
Don joined the NM4Wheelers about five years ago after buying Mark Werkmeister’s 1979 CJ5. Don wanted to learn how and where to use his ‘new’ Jeep and also felt "it’s more fun and safer to go with a group than being out by yourself". The CJ took Don on many four-wheeling adventures, his favorites being Moab Rim and Devil’s Racetrack in Utah, and Black Bear Pass and Poughkeepsie Gulch in Colorado. Last year Don sold the venerable CJ5 to a dentist in Grants who wanted a built-up, ready-to-go off-road vehicle.
Previous off-road vehicles owned by Don were a ’77 Scout
Traveler, ’82 Toyota FJ60 Diesel, ’84 Suzuki SJ-410 long wheelbase, and an
’86 Bronco II. Currently Don runs a ’99 Jeep Cherokee Classic. It features a
4.0L engine, stock AW-4 automatic transmission, Dana 30 front axle, Chrysler
8.25 rear axle, 4.10 gears, ARB lockers front and rear, and 32" Goodyear
tires. The Cherokee also has a Quickair-2 air compressor mounted under the hood,
Tomken fuel tank skid plate, and Don’s homemade rock rails mounted to
welded-on frame reinforcement plates, three per side. Don also constructed the
steering box brace with a M.O.R.E. clamp end.
Don honed his metalworking skills to the point that he built all the bumpers for the Cherokee. He’s quite happy with what he’s got and looks forward to an upcoming trip to Death Valley with Bob Telepak.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Don came to New Mexico via his wife’s parents. Don and Karen met when she interviewed for a job at the Winnipeg camera store in which he was working (she got the job!). After they married and Karen’s parents moved from New York State to Albuquerque (where it didn’t snow), Don and Karen followed.
Their son, Jason, will graduate in May from Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin. As an English major, Jason isn’t sure of his career path, but is interested in joining the FBI when he reaches their hiring age of 25.
Don and Karen have owned and operated a pre-school from their Rio Rancho home since 1985. Don keeps the books and helps with the children when needed. Karen has recently been able to close the pre-school during summer months and enjoy the summers-off perc afforded most teachers. What do Karen and Jason think of four-wheeling? "They like it a few hours at a time", explains Don, "Karen loves Colorado and Utah so when she goes we make camp early."
As much as Don enjoys off-roading, he’s had his share of bad trail days. His worst trail experience occurred in 1984 with the FJ60. He was crossing the bottom of a steep-banked creek bed in Colorado. The winch broke, it was raining, and the water was rising. Fortunately, a couple in a pickup happened by. Unfortunately, they didn’t have a winch and couldn’t tug him up the bank. Don got a ride to the nearest town and found a retired, elderly owner of a 4x4 tow truck who, when Don explained he didn’t need a receipt, did the rescue job for $20.
But the many good trail experiences are what brought Don back to NW4W. The club is glad his participation level is in high gear again!
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