9/23 - 9/24/2005
Oak Ridge VA4WDA Annual Trail Run
Oak Ridge was great! I'd like to know the final number of how many people showed up, but 247 Jeeps were registered. Thank goodness the trails were dry! Everything ran smoothly and kudos to the planners for a job well done.
Debbie, Jay, and I arrived Thursday afternoon. The VA Four Wheel Drive Association run at Oak Ridge did not start until Friday, so we had some daylight to kill. Jay headed to camp and Debbie suggested we head to Crabtree falls for a relaxing ride through the woods. And that was what it was. Everything went okay, but, as the day progressed, I noticed significant play in my steering. So much in fact, that it scared me to drive on those backcountry roads. I made a mental note to call a Jeep dealership early on Friday and get in there ASAP!
Friday morning we hit the staging area at Oak Ridge. (I called Jeep as soon as I got there and made an appointment in Waynesboro for 1pm that day.) There were A LOT of people there and there were impressive displays of all sorts of four wheel drive vehicles. We had stock and extremely modified vehicles. I just had a great time checking everyone's junk out. We got on the trails and had an uneventful day, which I had to cut short, leaving at 11am, to get to Jeep. Turns out my track bar was loose. I could kick myself for not checking my bolts before heading to the stealership. So, one hour of labor later, I was on my way back to Oak Ridge to hang out for the evening.
Saturday was even bigger than Friday!! Everyone was there!! The trail ride that day was great! We hit that one big rock in the river (I wish I knew the names of these trails...) and I went WAY over it this time. I got to a point on that rock and just thought, "Uh..maybe I shouldn't have gone quite that far over, okay breathe and go sllooww..." I made it over with this HUGE grin on my face. I wanted to do it again, but could not. The second obstacle that made me sweat was minutes from the big rock. The two larger Jeeps in front of me hit the bypass. I eyeballed the hill and said, "No way!" Cory (bless his heart) was behind me, in his relatively stock Jeep and said, "I'll do it!" Ooookay. So I pulled up and he handled it like a champ!! (Go Cory!) When I saw him, I knew I had to do it and I did, thanks to Cory's example!! After that, nothing posed a problem for me. I didn't get stuck at all and got over CJ-5 Hill on one try. I was sorry to see the day end.
On Sunday, I was supposed to hit GW to do some more wheeling with Lennox, but we were so tired, that we just headed back home. We got home about 1pm and were both beat, but the experience was worth it!
Thanks to all who worked instead of wheeling and those who took time from their busy lives to plan a great weekend.
To see the photo album of this trip click here or use the "General Photos of Stuff" link to the right.
Debbie, Jay, and I arrived Thursday afternoon. The VA Four Wheel Drive Association run at Oak Ridge did not start until Friday, so we had some daylight to kill. Jay headed to camp and Debbie suggested we head to Crabtree falls for a relaxing ride through the woods. And that was what it was. Everything went okay, but, as the day progressed, I noticed significant play in my steering. So much in fact, that it scared me to drive on those backcountry roads. I made a mental note to call a Jeep dealership early on Friday and get in there ASAP!
Friday morning we hit the staging area at Oak Ridge. (I called Jeep as soon as I got there and made an appointment in Waynesboro for 1pm that day.) There were A LOT of people there and there were impressive displays of all sorts of four wheel drive vehicles. We had stock and extremely modified vehicles. I just had a great time checking everyone's junk out. We got on the trails and had an uneventful day, which I had to cut short, leaving at 11am, to get to Jeep. Turns out my track bar was loose. I could kick myself for not checking my bolts before heading to the stealership. So, one hour of labor later, I was on my way back to Oak Ridge to hang out for the evening.
Saturday was even bigger than Friday!! Everyone was there!! The trail ride that day was great! We hit that one big rock in the river (I wish I knew the names of these trails...) and I went WAY over it this time. I got to a point on that rock and just thought, "Uh..maybe I shouldn't have gone quite that far over, okay breathe and go sllooww..." I made it over with this HUGE grin on my face. I wanted to do it again, but could not. The second obstacle that made me sweat was minutes from the big rock. The two larger Jeeps in front of me hit the bypass. I eyeballed the hill and said, "No way!" Cory (bless his heart) was behind me, in his relatively stock Jeep and said, "I'll do it!" Ooookay. So I pulled up and he handled it like a champ!! (Go Cory!) When I saw him, I knew I had to do it and I did, thanks to Cory's example!! After that, nothing posed a problem for me. I didn't get stuck at all and got over CJ-5 Hill on one try. I was sorry to see the day end.
On Sunday, I was supposed to hit GW to do some more wheeling with Lennox, but we were so tired, that we just headed back home. We got home about 1pm and were both beat, but the experience was worth it!
Thanks to all who worked instead of wheeling and those who took time from their busy lives to plan a great weekend.
To see the photo album of this trip click here or use the "General Photos of Stuff" link to the right.
Labels: jeep, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Estates, rubicon, Tidewater Fourwheelers, tj, va four wheel drive association, VA4WDA
posted by Michele at 9:02 PM
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