The membership ran its annual anniversary run on Saturday, August 17. I don’t know of the particular variety of Jeeps that attended. There had been over 100 signed up on the membership’s website. All I do know is that there have been a heck of plenty of Jeeps on the path!
I volunteered to guide the 2nd group, which left the air down spot at 6:30 AM. We could be half-hour behind group #1 and 1 hour forward of group #3. Another group got here up by Turkey Creek and that final group developing the Lake Pleasant path departed at midday.
I solely took a few photos since we had been decided to not get bunched up on the handful of obstacles that allowed the extra adventuresome an opportunity to attempt their off-road expertise. For some on the run, this was their very first time with the membership. For others, it was their first anniversary run (I missed final yr’s).
I arrived on the air down spot in time to catch the primary group, simply earlier than they left.
Here is among the people that had been in group #2. I took this about 10 minutes earlier than we had been prepared to go out. Several extra automobiles arrived after this was taken. I used to be glad to see my previous pals and lots of new faces on the run.
Now, what made this whole run only a bit completely different than some other Jeep run I had ran was our “Eye-in-the-Sky” member, Mike Connor (aka, Uncle Mike). Mike had contacted me a day or two forward of time and advised me he wouldn’t be capable to make the run on Saturday….BUT….he was going to attempt to fly over the primary leg of the path simply after we left at 6:30 AM. Mike is a ham radio operator, as am I, so we used our 2 meter FM radios to coordinate the air to floor image taking. The above image was taken a couple of miles north of Lake Pleasant and previous to us getting off the gravel street and onto the path going to Crown King. Too cool, Mike!
Mike made a number of passes on our group. He caught a few of us sitting nonetheless whereas we waited on the standing of auto with a flat tire. You can inform we aren’t transferring….there may be NO mud!
OK….right here I’m giving the “Hey Mike….I’m down right here” sign as he buzzes the group one more time. I’ve taken numerous pics of my Jeep and however have by no means had one snapped from a low flying plane.
Here is certainly one of group #2 at “The Ledge”. I consider I caught Brad Taylor right here in his inventory YJ when he obtained a bit of hung up on the ledge. He obtained unstuck when a few the opposite members managed to leap on his bumper a couple of occasions and get the tires hooked again up with the bottom.
I wish to say because of all that helped make the run successful. Everyone was on their good conduct (and I’m certain for some, that was fairly an effort! LOL) But actually, it was an excellent household run. I sit up for seeing a lot of you on the path once more and hope you may make subsequent yr’s anniversary run. I’ll certain attempt to be there!
Remember…..TREADLightly!
