LOCKWOOD
VALLEY JULY 27, 1996 Victor, Steve and I decided
that we would meet the club at the Gorman exit instead of
driving 40 miles (so Steve says) out of our way. We left at
5:30 a.m. and meet Victor on the 5 freeway and Beach Blvd.
We made pretty good time and got to Gorman before anyone
else. We got gas, since my lead foot was in it, (so Steve
says). At about that time the other Roughwheelers got there.
We had breakfast while waiting for the Lancaster crew.
Victor and Gary decided that we go see the tower first
instead of going straight to the creek. We got rolling,
sorry I mean moving, down the freeway to the next exit when
we lost Hector and Ginny. We saw the Rockcrawlers on the
way, some even got confused when we pulled over to wait for
Hector & Ginny and pulled over with us. We finally got
moving and gave Hector the normal Roughwheelers crap about
getting lost before we even got started. We had thirteen
vehicles in all, including Lion who had to drive since there
were no open seats. He said he had to show us all how to
drive. Jim, Cheryl and their baby, plus the dog, Blacky came
up with the Lancaster crew. We went to the tower and looked
around at the beautiful scenery that was set out before us.
Everyone thought the tower was pretty cool. We started down
the other side towards the creek when we heard One Eyed on
the CB. He found himself a new mine and a Mama bear and her
cubs. Since he was alone and no weapon he decided that
checking out the mine wouldn't be a good idea. We made it
down the hill without any problems and Paula even drove the
new jeep on its first run. At least till we got somewhat
down the hill that is. We started into the creek, while
overhead the sky was getting a little gray. I got to the
first tough spot and looked around for a little help. I knew
that I could do it since Steve did it last year. Finally
Pappy asked me if I knew what line I wanted to take, I told
him the right and he said, "Yep." I started up and slide to
the left and got Stuck. See I have no problem saying that I
got STUCK not like some other people I know. Jim strapped me
up and I thought that I would be a nice girl and let Steve
drive at least once on this trip. Jim pulled that jeep right
off, while Steve steered, without any bumps or scrapes.
Henery had a little slippage but made it up without any
help. Tumble Weed went the easy way. Everyone started asking
when we were going to have lunch, so we stopped and had
ourselves a nice little spot with sunshine. I was trying to
figure out who would write the trip report when I asked
Pappy to pick a number between 1-100. He told Nancy the
number and went around to everyone and had them pick a
number. Paula almost got out of picking a number, but I
wouldn't let that go by. And no I did not even come close to
picking his number. But the person who did, I won't men-tion
any names (Ginny) said that since she was a passenger she
wasn't going to write it. Since I am such a good sport I
said that I would write the report. We got to the next tough
spot, and what do you know, we had thunder, lighting and big
rain drops. Jim almost got a little carried away when told
to stop, if he hadn't, he could have put his jeep on it
side. Henery wanted to try a different spot than the rest of
us, but kept spinning his wheels on the same rock. He
finally went up the other way. I was thinking about going
the easy way and decided not to. Victor was telling everyone
to turn left as soon as we got to the top, we had to turn
left as soon as he said or else in the hole we would go,
most likely on our side. After about the third or fourth
time (I lost count), I was up and Victor was yelling at me
to turn left. I did, but a little too fast and hard and
almost ran Victor over. He couldn't get his feet to move
fast enough. It started pouring at about the time Hector
went up. Of course he had to show us all how to do the
harder side. Up he walked, grinning the whole time. One Eyed
was talking to the Rockcrawlers and telling us that the 4
bangers were going to have a tough time getting up Miller.
We spaced the 4 bangers out between the six cylinders. It
stopped raining once we got out of the canyon. We got half
way up the hill when we ran into Fun In The Sun club. They
were having mechanical problems. We finally got passed them
after what seemed like a long wait and made it to the top
with out any problems. I don't know what the Rockcrawlers
were talking about, it didn't seem too tough to me. We
finally headed back to town after some of us played on the
jeep course. Even Jenafer drove some. We said good bye to
everyone and took off. Those of us who take the 5 all the
way home left the ones that take the 405. Keith wanted some
of our M&M's, so Steve and him passed a jar between them
going at 70 MPH. He got his M&M's. It was a great
run.
Carol don't call me Cheryl.