November 1, 2005    The Official Newsletter of the New Mexico 4-Wheelers    www.nm4w.org

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Meeting was held in room 407 in the Heights Presbyterian Church.  Mark Werkmeister called the meeting to order at 7:00 sharp.

Guests:  We had many!!!  Welcome to all of them!!!!
            Steve & Danette Collins – ’05 Rubi
            Ed & Robin Redman – Isuzu Trooper
            Jack & Dolly Newcomb – ‘05 Unlimited
            Robert Gill – ’93 Jeep Cherokee
            Heath Hislop – ’86 Sami

Members Present:  Berglund, Bontly, Bove, Brady, Chapin, Duggar, Eklund, Gjerning, Greven, Hurt, Kennicott, Lavy, Markham, Meier, Don Miller, Norton, Patrick, Rodacy, Tanner, Turpin, Whiston (Frank G & Frank R), Wolf.

Secretary’s Report – Lauri Rector:  It was immediately moved & seconded to dispense of the reading of the minutes of the September meeting.

Treasurer’s Report – Paul Thompson (not present – but all of us printed and brought his email with us so that we could report on the balance):  Current balance is $2,393.42 and does not include raffle money from September meeting.  It was asked if the payment of SWFWDA dues had been paid, which should be about $700.  It was agreed that they have most likely not been paid.  But, Paul should have the proper forms and the list of members so that he can send them in with the check by the end of October.

Vice President’s Report – Jeff Rector:  Fines for Laurye Tanner – she promised us Gumbo on Thursday of the Silverton trip and she didn’t show up and many “went hungry” that night.  25 cents per person was suggested for the fine.  The sheriff fined himself for oil pressure line that broke and leaked oil all over.  Mary’s fines are being held until she’s present.  He explained the points system again.  He has forgotten the purpose of the points – but the president explained it. 

Trip Chairman’s Report – Jason Lavy:  Tom ran Red River; 14 vehicles on Saturday to Goose Lake and 13 vehicles on Sunday to Greenie Peak.  No breakdowns, no fines.  Fall colors were pretty good and there were a few deer. 

Wolfie and Bontly talked about the Silverton trip since Peeples and Thompson were not present.  This trip covered 2 weekends, plus the weekdays in between.  Wolfie was there for the first half of the run and the 1^st weekend was nice weather, clear, but cold.  Wolfie missed the rain, but then came back to pick it up when the weather nicened again.  He and Joan visited relatives that live in Colorado.  Bontly was there for the last half of the run and he reported rain for 2 days and sunny for 2 days – it was cold.  Black Bear was good.  Paul helped out a lot with leading the trails.  Chuck pushed himself way too hard on this trip.  Chuck’s daughter came up for both weekends in a row.  Tanner’s were not able to make the trip, but appreciated the cake, and the phone call to Carlos to “sing” Happy Birthday, which may have contributed to his trip to the Emergency Room for high blood pressure the next day.  ;o)

Cibola Search & Rescue (CSAR) 4X4 training – Wolfie & Pat Brady put this program together.  Seven members of Cibola Search &Rescue showed up.  The event was over early in the day.  See article elsewhere in this issue for more details.  The NM4W had the CSAR participants do a lot of the demonstrations themselves so that they would learn.  Then Pat showed off and climbed a tree with his Jeep.  Thank you to Desert Rat for the high lift jack and tow strap they donated for us to use in the demonstrations.  And to Auge’s for letting us use their property for this training event (we would have had to buy insurance to use the Cibola Forest land). 

Mary & Craig Turpin ran an impromptu trail ride to the Rio Puerco with the some balloonists that were in town for the Balloon Fiesta.  The balloonists were French Canadian and most of the attendees were from the local virtual clubs (you can check their discussion boards for more details?).  One of the balloonists was heard talking about God and being protected.  That’s what most of us would be saying being up in the air in a wicker basket suspended by fabric filled with hot air!  Their horizons were broadened by the Rio Puerco obstacles.  They want to go up in a balloon at the Puerco next year.  Word is spreading among the balloonists and this could be bigger next year.  All drivers had the opportunity to go up in a balloon before the run. 

Fall Quarterly starts tomorrow.  So, if you’re at the meeting tonight, you most likely aren’t going.

Glenn is leading the Caballo Lake run on October 22^nd.  He is trying to get them to open the back area of the camp area.  They will be leaving the campgrounds at 8:00 am for an early start for a long trail and a long day.

Werkmeister is leading a work weekend run November 12^th & 13^th at Gordy’s Hill.  Bring all of your work tools, gloves, and water.  He will determine which trails are worked on, depending on what vehicles show up.

Mark Wolf will lead Sage Brush Flats on November 19th.  This is normally our New Year’s Day run.  It’s what keeps the old folks from drinking too much or trying to stay awake to bring in the New Year. 

Mark Wolf wants to do something New Years at Gordy’s Hill.  I’m thinking that a bonfire and a few beers and ringing in the New Year at 9 pm and then going to bed could be fun.  There should be more details to follow.

Tom Hurt volunteered to lead the annual Christmas Tree Run on December 3^rd.

Director Environmental Affairs Report – Bob Norton:  He will not be attending the Fall Quarterly in Clayton this year due to gas prices and the cost of motels (he did go to Montana this summer and no one can argue the cost of gas right now).  He said that Clint will send pictures and articles from Clayton.  World Wide access issues – Permits required in Africa and New Zealand.  The French will prohibit 4X4 on streets and on any road that 2 wheel drive can go on.

Colorado access news; this is just starting so we need to be sure and participate. Grand Mesa, Uncompaghrie, and Gunnison areas – the word is out that anti-access groups are pushing wilderness alliance core reserves to not allow mechanized and motorized vehicles in the areas.  Forest Service considering parts of their plans.  GMUG planning team has 5 management themes that are being looked at.  Theme 5 is their back-country theme for trail constructions and timber harvesters. 

Theme 3 is being called their recreation theme.  Go to Blue Ribbon web-site www.sharetrails.org – link on their home page to read all about it.  These are the major areas of the best scenic four-wheeling in Colorado.  So, if you enjoy Colorado, you need to get involved (at this point, we are not sure that the Tanners like to go to Colorado – they could have driven their truck up there and brought the Gumbo to us).  When it is done, it will be the guidelines on how we recreate. 

Jason Lavy spoke on the Moab BLM.  They are reviewing their 5-year permit options.  First option will leave all open for permit and Arch Canyon & Hotel Rock will be added.  In the second option, a whole lot of trails would be closed.  The third option is that no permit be offered.  This option means that there would be no Easter Jeep Safari.  Jason has a letter that we could use, modify, or use as a template.  If you use his letter or write your own, get it in by the end of the month.  Bob Norton also has information on this. 

Last month, United motioned and agreed to raise dues by $5 per person starting in 2007 – which will affect the dues we pay in 2006 as a club.  SWFWDA dues structure also changed due to United’s dues increase.  Some clubs don’t understand what United does for them.  United has a good legal staff that represents us.  February 22–25 is the SWFWDA Winter Quarterly meeting in Las Cruces (a.k.a., the Chile Challenge).  This is a good event.  Maybe it won’t rain this year.

Program Chairman’s Report – Leon Duggar:  He has found another gift Certificate – 4- Wheel Parts $25 gift certificate.  He has dash plaques, patches, hats, and t-shirts for sale after the meeting.  Raffle tickets – 6 for $5 or $1 a piece.  This is still the same whether you buy $10 or $20 worth of tickets – some people just can’t grasp that concept.  We need to order more shirts as Wolfie has bought all the XXXXXL sizes.  He has a pricing chart so that you can put in an order if you want to.

Historian’s Report – Laurye Tanner:  See Laurye’s article elsewhere in this issue for the current link to snap fish.  She brought a slide show of pictures of Silverton.  Send her your pictures – call her 1^st if you email a lot of them or don’t know how to make them smaller. 

Webmaster & Newsletter Editor – Glenn Bontly:  Has nothing to report.  

Old Business:  Laurye Tanner:  Would still like to get a calendar made up and sold at summer quarterly in ’06.  Several people said this is a good idea and that they would be willing to buy one.  She has talked to Auge’s and they will help, she wants to make sure that the club wants to do it.  Leon will make calls to see if we can get sponsors.  Sidekick does a calendar like this.  Leon thinks that we can do something like that.  Manufactures are inundated with calls for sponsorship and hard to get help.  Maybe we can get enough help from local business. 

Mark Werkmeister:  Need volunteer to head up the committee for summer quarterly.  All you need to do is make sure that things get lined up, such as caterers, port-o-lets, etc.  You should have committee people that will actually do all of the work.  Please consider as to whether or not you could do this for the club. 

Leon Duggar:  Last month it was reported that Cedro Peak was being torn up.  It’s not Cedro Peak, it’s a firewood cutting area and it was ATVs and such.  Marcia talked to the Rangers and they know who did it and they knew it was not us.  Perception is big part of things.  If you see any body tearing things up (it was Wolfie) it needs to be reported.  Stop in and say Hi to your Rangers and BLM people, let them know who you are.

New Business: A late arriving guest:  Robert Gill, has a Jeep Cherokee – being built.

Wolfie needed to offer something more to the meeting - Officers do a lot for the club and some people have been around for a lot of years doing work behind the scenes.  Wolfie wanted to give Sue Brady a big THANK YOU for setting up reserving the room at the church for our winter club meetings.  Thank you Wolfie for bringing this up so that we can also show our appreciation!!!! 

Carlos Tanner found out on a web site about a play called Four Wheel-Drive – a play about masculinity.  It plays on Friday, November 4^th and Saturday, November 5^th at 8 pm; and Sunday, November 5th at 10 am and 2 pm at the Kimo Theatre.  Maybe we will get a group together for the Saturday showing and have dinner before the play begins. 

Volunteers to host meetings at the church:
            Jason & Sara Lavy – November ‘05
            Craig & Mary Turpin – January ‘06
            Keith Chapin – February ‘06
            Cliff & Jeanne Meier – March ’06
            Mark & Joan Wolf – April ‘06

Phil & Ilene Rodacy have graciously offered to host our holiday party in their home on December 10^th.  Let’s all try to be on our best behavior that evening.

Mark Werkmeister had a prospective Associate Member – Kevin Cutler.  Mark Wolf motioned that he be voted in as an associate member and it was seconded.  No discussion needed.  Kevin resides in Houston, Texas.

Jim Huff in Las Cruces has volunteered to lead us on trails if anyone is interested.  Just contact Tom Hurt and he’ll contact Jim. 

Meeting adjourned at 7:48 pm.

Winner of the 50/50 raffle and the gift certificate was Heath Hislop.  We’d have a problem with that, but he had a whole bunch of tickets.

Greetings from Minnesota!  Yes, that place where they think ice fishing is great winter sport and eat deep fried cheese curds.  I am up here for a week of training amongst more lakes, trees, and brightly leaved hard woods than I have seen in almost twenty years.  It is good to get away from New Mexico once in a while.  It reminds me of just how different places can be and how appreciative I am of where I live.  Sometimes it is good to step back to reflect on where you are and consider just how lucky we are.

I feel the same way about the New Mexico Four Wheelers.  I have been a member of our club for many years now.  In fact, I don’t even know how many years, but do know that my daughter who is now driving was a toddler when we first attended a meeting.  Looking back on where the club has been and how the club has been for all those years is worthy of, at least, occasional reflection and feelings of appreciation.  Here are a few thoughts: 

I remember how friendly people were at that first meeting and first run that we attended.  It made me feel comfortable almost immediately and was a large factor in encouraging us to return again and again.  Have fun with your old friends because they are important, but take the time to meet the guests and “new” members.  Share your fun with them, encourage their participation, listen to their ideas, and welcome them to the larger family of NM4W.

Our club works because we all love four wheeling and don’t let petty politics get in the way of having fun together.  A lot of clubs have a lot of fun, but many also get sidetracked by the almost inevitable squabbling that tends to happen anytime you put of diverse group of people together.  I don’t know if we are just lucky, or if it is because our club makes a conscious effort to remember why we are together and tries to keep the “politics” in perspective.  Whatever the reason, don’t change it, because it WORKS!!!  I can’t think of another single 4WD club that has been as free of the divisive issues, words, and deeds as our club has been.

Our club has been, and continues to be, composed of great people.  Not just great four wheelers, but great people…people who really do behave like they care about the club and each other.  If you are very lucky, you can find that kind of behavior in other organizations and institutions, but it isn’t really very common.  I feel really fortunate to have found it in our four wheeling club.  One only has to look around at the short histories or long, sad storied of other clubs to know that we have something different and special in the New Mexico Four Wheelers.  Don’t forget to thank each other for it at least occasionally.

See you at the next meeting!

Mark

PS--Just what is a deep fried cheese curd?

The bright blue skies and gorgeous fall colors couldn’t have been better during the three days of Silverton that Mark and I attended.  The only thing better than the great outdoors was Carol Kennicott’s warm berry cobbler delivered to the South Mineral Creek campground on Tuesday night!

On Monday, eight vehicles headed over Ophir Pass.  It was easy-to-moderate wheeling, and we were fortunate to have no wind at the top of the pass.  After the requisite photo ops, we continued west through “Old Ophir”.  After much of the town was wiped out by avalanche years ago, the “New Ophir” settlement was built in a more sheltered area.

Even though it had been several years since traveling these roads, trail leader Paul Thompson remembered several neat places, including the Ames Generating Station.  This was the world’s first AC generating power plant; it even pre-dated the Niagara Falls plant.  Paul also took us to a hidden waterfall that was a short hike from the road.  There was quite a bit of cascading water, considering this was the dry season.  We enjoyed a leisurely drive back to camp on Last Dollar Highway, where we gawked at trophy homes, massive rockslides, and more brilliant fall colors.

Tuesday’s equally enjoyable run was to Kendall Mountain just south of Silverton.  This trail offers great views of Molas Lake, Hwy 550, the town of Silverton, and high peaks everywhere you look.  Chuck and his friend Doty shared the history(?) of how a railroad car ended halfway up Kendall Mountain; the engineer had a long night at the bar and got lost.  After taking in the views from Kendall, some of us took a side trip to Deer Park.  There we "oohed" and "aahed" over more stands of bright yellow and orange aspens and enjoyed lunch at the famous school bus.

On Wednesday, Mark and I headed on to Montrose and Basalt to visit family and friends.  Sounds like we got out of Dodge just before the wet weather hit.  We thoroughly enjoyed our few days of camping, sightseeing, and hanging out with the NM4W gang.  Thanks to Chuck for getting this on our calendar a year ago and to Paul, Mary, Chuck, and Ethel May for setting the stage for terrific runs, meals, and camaraderie.

This year’s trip to the Silverton area was planned and anticipated for over a year – ever since Chuck Peeples suggested in July of last year to schedule a visit timed to catch the fall colors in the San Juan Mountains.  His idea was to spend a week or more at the South Mineral Springs campground, and host club members and guests for whatever days their schedules would allow them to attend.  The event came off as planned during the week of September 18 through 25.  Members attending for all or part of the week were Chuck & Ethel May Peeples, Mark & Joan Wolf, Paul & Mary Thompson, Phil & Carol Kennicott, Jeff & Lauri Rector, Justin & Nina Simenson, Nancy Crowley & Rod Martin, Glenn Bontly, and Guy Conway. In addition, the Peeples hosted guests Jimmie & Debbie Farrell, and Dody & June Roberts.

We started the week on Monday with an easy drive over Ophir Pass, along the south fork of San Miguel River and Last Dollar Road, and across Dallas Divide to Ouray.  We made stops at the Historic Ames Power Plant and a secluded waterfall on Wilson Creek, ate lunch overlooking scenic Wilson Mesa, and paused for an ice cream cone in Ouray before heading back to our campsite over Red Mountain pass.

Tuesday took us up on Kendel Mountain with its spectacular views of the town of Silverton and the surrounding area.  We proceeded to nearby Deer Park for a relaxing stop for lunch.  After returning to Silverton, a smaller group added a side trip to the site of Buffalo Boy mine and tram house before returning to camp.

Phil Kennicott led on Wednesday through Gladstone, Hurricane Pass, California Gulch, and Placer Gulch to the Sound Democrat Mill.  We took our time touring the partially restored mill with its preserved jaw crusher, stamp battery, and Wilfley tables.  Part of the group headed down to Animas Forks and back to Silverton, while the remaining vehicles proceeded into Picayune Gulch for lunch, and on to Maggie Gulch to visit another well preserved stamp mill.

It rained Wednesday night and Thursday, so some of our group stayed close to camp for the day.  But a few hardy souls braved the weather by first driving to Ouray for breakfast!  When the skies cleared a little, we made an excursion into Governor Basin.  The rain and clouds made for some enjoyable scenery, but few opportunities to explore, so we made an early retreat to shopping in Ouray and Silverton.

Friday was our day to take on the challenge of Poughkeepsie Gulch.  The preceding day’s rains made the famed stair steps a slightly tougher-than-normal obstacle for most drivers.  Jeff was the exception, as he chose a difficult line and made it look relatively easy.  Everyone else took the “easy” route and climbed the ledge, which still proved challenging.  We proceeded to Lake Como for lunch and then traversed Hurricane Pass.  At this point, some vehicles returned to camp through Gladstone.  The rest of us descended Corkscrew Gulch, where Guy Conway pointed out an easy-to-miss side trail to an old pipeline and suspension bridge across Red Mountain Creek.

The finale for the week came on Saturday with the ever popular Black Bear / Imogene Pass loop.  The steps and switchbacks on Black Bear, combined with the waterfalls and vistas of Telluride below, made this trip a memorable one for everyone from veteran to first-timer.  During our final rest stop after descending from Imogene Pass, we were treated to a close encounter with several White-Tail deer that approached our location with little acknowledgement of our presence.  It was a fitting end to an enjoyable week exploring the high country of the San Juan Mountains.

In all, it was a hugely successful week of good company, great wheeling, and fantastic scenery.  The timing was perfect, as the fall colors were just starting when we arrived and progressed to full splendor by the end of the week.

Tom Hurt organized his annual trip to Red River on September 23-25, 2005.  Friday the 23^rd was mostly used for travel to Red River.  Tom camped at his usual spot in Mallete canyon, and most of the group joined him there.  Beth, Kimberly, and I stayed in a RV park in town, while a few others stayed in motels.  The turnout was good and we had a lot of guests.  Attendance was as follows:  Trail Leader: Tom Hurt, 1976 CJ-5.  Members: Whiston, Frank, Beth, & Kimberly, 2004 TJ Unlimited; Greven, Erwin & Jeannie, 1998 TJ; Meier, Cliff & Jeanne with their Grandson, 1998 TJ; Woodard, Jeffery, 2000 GMC Jimmy.  Guests: Hurt, Andy, 1970 CJ-6, Rio Rancho NM; Wendler, Chuck & Isela, 2005 TJ, Santa Teresa NM; Huff, Jim & Nancy, 1993 XJ, Mesilla Park NM; Newcomb, Jack & Dolly, 2005 TJ Unlimited, Abq NM; Redman, Roger & Karen, 1999 Trooper, Placitas NM; Solnitzky, Bill, 1998 ZJ, Rio Rancho NM; Adams, Mike & LaVada, 2003 TJ, Mcalester OK; Miller, Wingo, 1997 TJ, Mcalester OK; Sparkman, Dave & Jaime, 1989 YJ, Rio Rancho NM.  Other Guest Passengers: Hurt, Jimmy, 1971 C101 Jeep (in the works), Rio Rancho NM; Stephenson, Bill, Abq NM; Lance Byron, Abq NM.

Saturday, 14 vehicles lined up at the Mallete Creek Park for the Goose Lake trip on free fishing day.  Tom held a driver’s meeting, everyone aired down, then we all went through town to the trail head.  Tom got on the radio and suggested a line to the right across the river, to stay in more shallow water.  At the driver’s meeting, Tom passed out leaflets that he had gathered that pointed out some history corresponding to numbered markers along side the trail.  We worked our way up the narrow trail, passing old mines and weathered structures along the way.  Most of the aspen trees were brilliant yellow.  Lucky for us, the only traffic that we had to contend with were ATVs.  At about the half way point, Tom found a place that we could get all 14 vehicles off the trail for a 10-100 and to look at some old cabins.  Once everyone got their rest, we headed on up the trail where it got a little more rocky.  All the stock vehicles had to watch their line a little more closely to avoid scraping the undercarriage or hanging up on a diff.  We finally reached the lake where it was windy and cold. Tom and a few others drug out their poles, but had no success.  Others ate lunch and hiked around to take in the beautiful scenery.  The group kind of split up on the way down so that we could take a short side trip to one of the area mines.  Tom told us about it and how tight the area was.  It was definitely a good call to not bring 14 vehicles there at once.

That evening, most of us gathered at the park for a potluck dinner.  The weather cooperated and it was a wonderful evening.  The food was excellent and it was fun getting to know all of the new guests in attendance.

Sunday, the group met at the park again for a run to Greenie Peak.  The group was a little smaller that day and Tom promised that it would not be so rocky.  As we gained altitude, the aspens were brilliant gold.  I think that this area was at its peak for color.  Once we got to the top of the mountain, we stopped to take in the near 360° view.  Once again, it was very windy, but the sun was out and it did not seem quite as cold as it was at Goose Lake the day before.  From there, we continued to a couple of mines and looped back to the trail that we came up on.  Once we got back to town, most of us packed up and headed home.  Thanks again Tom, for another wonderful trip.

Saturday, October 8^th, found 11 NM4W members gathered for some 4X4 training for seven Cibola Search & Rescue (CSAR) personnel.  Members present were Joe Abbate, Pat Brady, Marcia Duggar, Ed Kausche, Phil & Carol Kennicott, Chuck Peeples, Jeff Rector, Phil Rodacy, Justin Simenson, and me.  I had been contacted in August by one of the CSAR members, through Derren Owen of Desert Rat Off-Road, to perform some training.  I immediately contacted Pat Brady to help me come up with a training agenda.  After a few iterations, we finalized it.

I then sent Sam Williamson of CSAR the agenda for review.  He sent it to his group and we then decided upon a date that worked for all of us.  October seemed to be the best month and October 8^th landed as the best day for us all.  I had also contacted Robert Auge of AUGE’s to ask him if he could use his property for the training.  Without hesitation, Robert agreed and also offered to make some copies of the 4X4 101 training booklets that were used for the training.  This was a big help!  Desert Rat Off-Road donated a Hi-Lift jack accessory kit and a tow strap to use for the training.  Wow!  With all of this help it was hard to be unsuccessful!

The NM4W members led discussions for various topics and answered questions as they went along.  The group seemed to be very interested and offered up some personal experiences and also asked some good questions.  We then went through some basic, necessary tools when going off road.  We showed them the portable air compressor, tow straps, and the Hi-Lift jack.  Ed talked about winches and showed them the differences between synthetic ropes and steel cables.  Marcia talked about skid plates and showed them what rocker panel protection is all about.  Joe gave a talk about cooling, communications, and gears.  Phil Kennicott gave a talk about fire extinguishers, pull straps, and transfer cases.  Then it was on to the demonstrations.  For this, Pat asked the CSAR members to volunteer to perform the demonstrations themselves or use their vehicles for the demonstrations.

First there was a Hi-Lift jack demonstration using the jack as a winch for both straight pulls as well as side pulls when a vehicle finds itself off the edge of the roadway.  Pat showed them how to connect their vehicle to the jack and how to work the jack slowly until the vehicle worked itself back onto the roadway.  Most members (both CSAR AND NM4W) found it be very enlightening!  Pat then had them try a few tire placement tricks.  These included tire placement when driving over an obstacle, clearing an obstacle, and driving through a ditch.

I think that all who attended gained some knowledge about the sport and began to appreciate the things that a lot us take for granted.  We four wheelers tend to get jaded by our experiences and vehicle modifications.  It’s nice that someone who uses their vehicles for a broader range of general conditions can appreciate what our vehicles are capable of.  Of course, Pat just had to show off his vehicles capability by crawling up a tree!  Thank goodness it was private property!

Look for volunteer information forthcoming to assist this group in their future efforts.  Hopefully, they never have to come looking for one of us!

What a totally awesome trip we had down to Caballo the weekend of 22 – 23 Oct.  Unlike last year (when we went in mid-November and got rained on, sleeted on, snowed on, and blown around by Artic-like winds), the weather this year was absolutely perfect (lows in the 40s, highs around 80, a light breeze, and lots of sunshine).  We had 14 full-size people, one miniature person (Kimberly), and one large dog (Della) riding in 8 vehicles.  Frank & Beth brought their 2 cats, but they (the cats) stayed in the motorhome all weekend.  Everyone arrived sometime on Friday.  The Whiston Families got there first and were able to get the Camp Host to open up the private area in the back of the park for us.  Other participants included the Thompsons, Grevens, Meier (just Cliff), Duggars, guests Steve and Danette Collins (in their TJ Rubicon), and myself.  Cliff told everyone that Jeanne was sick, but we think she just didn’t want to drive over Palomas Gap again!  Steve and Danette arrived late and stayed in a motel the first night.  But on Saturday night, they camped with the rest of us.  They simply threw their sleeping bags on a pair of really nice cots and slept under the stars!  Reminded me of the Hole in the Rock trip from a couple of years ago.

I warned everyone in advance that it was gonna be a long day.  Standard departure time is 8 am for this trail, and everyone was ready precisely on time, even Kimberly.  The air down spot is on the other side of Caballo Dam.  Unfortunately, the Government saw fit to close the dam to vehicular traffic, due to the high risk of terrorist attacks and the threat to our national security, of course.  So we took the long way around.  Throughout the day, being the good leader that I am, I introduced the group to several new roads and points of interest along the trail.  Then we . . .

Okay, I’m pretty sure they aren’t going to let me get away with this.  The truth be known, even though I’ve been on this trail for the past 3 years in a row, this was the first time I’ve led it.  It’s normally about 80+ miles round trip and it’s not an easy trail to lead, as I found out; Wolfie does WAY better than I ever will on this one.  Despite the fact that I made half a dozen wrong turns, and abandoned the entire group at one point and got myself totally lost for nearly 30 minutes, I partially redeemed myself by finding a “local” who was able to show us a shortcut back across the river (a good 10 miles south of T or C), and got everyone back to camp at a record-setting 4 pm!  Mary Thompson thought I should receive a little credit for being a “male person who asked for directions”, but Deputy Sheriff Leon suggested that I bring my checkbook to the next meeting anyway.

The funnest part of the trail for me is near the beginning, crawling through the rock-filled canyon.  I suggested for a future trip that we spend the first half the day crawling up the canyon, have lunch, and then crawl back down.  Unlike last year, the trail was totally dry this time.  No problems, no breakage, no need even for a strap. 

Our Saturday evening potluck was terrific.  We had a good variety of food, and lots of it (as usual).  I have to brag a little bit here.  I brought homemade Posole and Red Chile (that a friend taught me to make), and got several compliments on it!  :o)  We spent the remainder of the evening around the campfire.  We reminisced about past trips to this trail.  The most memorable was 2 years ago, a trip I’m sure Chuck Peeples will never forget.  We remembered him blowing a trailer tire on the way down, having tranny problems not too far into the trail, breaking a front leaf spring on the shelf road down from Palomas Gap, running out of gas on the way back to the camp area, and finally “flipping” his steak off of his BBQ grill and onto the ground!  Chuck took the “dirty” steak into his camper, and came back out shortly after with 2 hot dogs.  There was TOTAL silence!  And then last year.  We had a newbie on the trail in a stock TJ on her FIRST trail ride.  The weather made for a very challenging trail, even for the experienced drivers in well-equipped vehicles.  She was in WAY over her head!  And when we stopped for lunch, and most of us were freezing while we munched on our cold sandwiches, Daniel and Martin Juarez pulled out a huge BBQ grill and proceeded to cook up for themselves some burgers and dogs!

I really enjoyed the weekend, but I’m hoping next year that Wolfie will be available to lead the trail!

If you were at the October Club Meeting, you already know that the Tanners were planning to bring Gumbo to Silverton, but were not able to make the trip due to a myriad of mechanical problems.  It was either Wednesday or Thursday that Laurye called and left a frantic message on my cell phone.  I called her back later that day . . .

Laurye:  Glenn, it doesn’t look like we are going to make it to Silverton.  The Jeep brakes went out and it’s in the shop right now.  I don’t know what’s wrong or when it will be fixed.  And there are problems with the trailer; Carlos has been working on it, but I just don’t know.  We are so frustrated; we were so looking forward to this trip.

Glenn:  That’s terrible, Laurye.  But do you know of anyone else coming up that can bring us the Gumbo?!

Actually . . . Laurye was the one who asked ME if I knew of anyone who was coming up with whom SHE could send the Gumbo!  This is one of the things that Mark is talking about in his President’s Report.  Despite the crappy day the Tanners were having, they were concerned that they were somehow letting us down.  The fact is, we missed you guys way more than the Gumbo . . . except maybe for Jeff.  ;o)

For those of you new to the club or those of you who are just cruising our web site; we have slide shows of our runs on the Internet.  The new web site address for the club pictures:

www.snapfish.com/share/p=209201129853142045/l=64064901/cobrandOid=1000111/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB

It will change every time I add new sideshows.  There are now 14 slide shows to view.  If you do not want to personally register with Snapfish, you can use nm4wphotos@earthlink.net as your login, and jeepers as your password.

For those who are taking pictures on our trips, please e-mail me at lauryetanner@earthlink.net, or give me a CD of the pictures you have taken.  Please let me know the name of the event and who took the pictures.  Remember to save your originals.

I have taken over the collecting of the aluminum cans for the club.  Bring your aluminum cans (CRUSHED) and any other aluminum to the meetings, or bring them by U-Joints Inc., or my house.  I will take them to the recyclers and collect the money.  They give more money for crushed cans, and more money the more weight you have.

Tom Hurt
Home: 994-2515
Work: 345-2666

Aluminum Cans: Our club saves and recycles aluminum cans.  Money from the sale of cans goes into our club treasury.  Please bring your crushed aluminum cans to each meeting, and somebody will take them to the recycling center.

To Our Guests: If you attend a club meeting or event and provide us with your e-mail address, you will be added to our guest e-mail list, and will receive monthly notifications of when the Trail Tales newsletter is posted on our Club web site.  If you are interested in becoming a member of the New Mexico 4-Wheelers, please contact one of our officers for membership requirements, or visit our web site at www.nm4w.org/join-the-club.htm.

Trail Tales on the Web Site: In a continuing effort help save natural resources and to control costs, you are encouraged to read the Trail Tales newsletter on the Club Web Site in lieu of receiving a hard copy in the mail.  Around the first of each month, the current issue of Trail Tales is posted at www.nm4w.org/newsletters.htm and an e-mail notification is sent to all club members.  In addition, a minimum of 2 years of back issues of our newsletter is also available on the web site.  So if you want to help “save some trees”, please send an e-mail to TrailTales@nm4w.org stating that you do not need to receive the hard copy of the newsletter.  Thanks for your participation in this program.

Submission Due Date: The Trail Tales is published on the first of each month.  Submissions for each issue must be received by the Editor not later than the 25^th of the prior month.  Submissions can be sent to TrailTales@nm4w.org, or Trail Tales, 21 Rattlesnake Ridge, Tijeras, NM 87059.

Please see the Events Schedule Page

Trail Tales
21 Rattlesnake Ridge
Tijeras, NM 87059-7440

TrailTales@nm4w.org