2009 SummerFest Report

[NotAMog]

Thanks to John (BrusedFJ) for organizing the 2009 SummerFest and to Eric (SDNative) for leading the runs on Friday and Saturday. I had a great time. That will be probably be the extent of my wheeling for the summer so I'm glad we had a couple of good runs.

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I left about 6:30 this morning. I hope I didn't wake everybody up starting the Pinz with a bad muffler. It was bad before I left for the Summerfest trip and I knocked another good size hole in it running Gold Mountain on Friday. Good thing I was planning on replacing it anyway.

John - did you find the extra $20 I left under your windshield wiper. I though you could use some extra to help defray the cost of the group camp reservation.

Did someone pick up my camp chair (blue La Fuma directors chair)? I forgot to get it when I left this morning. It's been a good chair but it wouldn't be worth trying to return it. I just hope that someone gets some good use out of it.

[hmfigueroa]

Bruce,

It was loud this morning, but we know you tried to minimize the noise, by the way you started up and took off. Most of us were not affected much, some did not even notice it. Turnabout is fair play, I know most of us were noisy into the night.

John did get the winshield wiper deposit, and I know that someone did pick up your chair, I am almost certain that it was John.

I was a pleasure to meet you and the others.

John thanks for the effort and stress of organizing, great chicken, and conversation. A job well done

[BruisedFJ]

Bruce, if you're not going to do much wheeling in the near future, you and I gotta get a ride in on two wheels. I picked up my Specialized road bike today and I can't wait to put some miles down. You will be seeing your chair again next time we cross paths.

Thanks Bruce, Hector Adam and Amanda, Larry, Nikos, Scott and Kim, Ben and Jackie, John, Steve and Elma for a great SummerFest attributable to your great company. Eric, I didn't forget you and your family. Special shout out to you for leading us safely deep into Eastern Big Bear and back home safe. Dave and Jodi, it was nice running into you and seeing smiles on your faces.

Thanks DaveK for the help with preparation. Should we thank Red Wood the camp host? Sure, thanks Red.

Brats, Pancakes, Donuts, Kuwait style Steaks with avocado, Coffee, Jazz and Country, fire within the legal limits, no breakage, lots of bendage. Good Times!

Pictures to follow. Just need 36 hours in a day.

[cruiserlarry]

What a terrific weekend Summerfest '09 turned out to be. While the turnout was small, the company was terrific, and we had a fantastic time on the trail and at the camp site. THe weather couldn't have been better - sunny, clear skies, low to mid 70s during the days, high 40s at night, very little wind, and more stars than we could count in a lifetime.

Big Bear is such a beautiful area, and it was fun to run trails on the southeast side for a change. Eric (and family), it was a pleasure having you for a trail leader all day Saturday, as everything went without a hitch. While we did miss Steve (SSC) not being there, at least we had his coordinates to guide us along .

It was an eclectic, fun group on the trail: Bruce, with the unstoppable Pinzgauer, SteveK with his amazingly capable Jeep Liberty (due in no small part to his skilled driving ), Nikos (Sunnygrill) with his monster Jeep TJ, Eric and the Landcruiser FZJ80, noobie (to us, anyway) Jon and his '08 Toyota 4Runner; another newcomer to wheeling and OAUSA, Ben, his wife Jackie, and their first-time-out FJ, our Fest coordinator Jon (BruisedFJ) and his Black Cherry FJ, and me and my Sun Fusion FJ. Honorable mentions to Hector, his son and daughter for hanging with us at the camp, and to Gon2srf (Scott) and his wife Kim, who made the trek up to be with us in Big Bear knowing they had to leave early to celebrate their son Garett's national crew championship. An all-around great group to spent time with in Big Bear .

The trails offered their share of challenges, but no major damage or destruction resulted, makng for a high-spirited afternoon through the wilderness. And the food back at camp, well, this group is never lacking in creative and delicious cuisine. Thank you BrusedFJ, Ben, and Bruce for the fine meal. After dinner, we kicked back to good conversation and great music, varying from jazz to country to ethnic tunes.

After a fine night's sleep, and a quick breakfast, we were off and rolling for home - SummerFest '09 came to a close, now to become another great memory.

Some pics from SummerFest '09:

Jon's '08 4Runner

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Ben and Jackie

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SteveK's Liberty

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Nikos and his TJ

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1 Crazy FJ in action

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The SummerFest '09 Gang

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[gon2srf]

Special thanks to Jon for organizing Summerfest 09. After setting up camp Friday afternoon, Kim and I took a a short hike around camp. There was no shortage of wildflowers and the meadow nearby camp made me feel like I was in Yosemite not Big Bear. Friday night Jon, Bruce, Kim and I spent a quiet evening enjoying the great summer weather and sharing stories.

Saturday morning we said hello to Nikos , Larry and Ben who arrived very late Friday night/early Saturday morning. Due to other obligations later in the day, Kim and I chose to stay in camp and fore go the days run. Kim and I had a great time with and without you all. After everyone departed we spent an idyllic day hanging out in camp, reading, relaxing, hiking and just enjoying a beautiful day in the mountains.

Here are several pics.

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[cruiserlarry]

A few more pics from SummerFest '09:

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[BorregoWrangler]

Wow, great reports and pics from everyone! If I hadn't been laid off work we would've been there for sure. Looks like yet another fun and successful fest event for OAUSA!

[BlueFJ]

Looks like another great OAUSA event. Wish I could have been there. John, sorry to here about the lay-off, hope you find something soon.

[gon2srf]

Bruce, Jon & Larry: Great pics and reports. Sorry we could not make the run it looks like it was a lot of fun. When did you guys make it back to camp?

[sdnative]

Thanks again to everyone who made this weekend so much fun.