HDR

Hi Desert Roundup 2010
May 28-31, 2010

Attendees:
Ric Freymond & Lisa
Damian Smith
Rich & Corky Wohlers
John, Wendy and Spencer Cary
Bill Cavan
Keith, Teresa, Greg and Alex Lyon
DuWayne and Tina Larson
Richie and Kristen Carter
Tony and Nick Fiori
Scott and Sara Evans
Jeremy and Jennifer
Mike Whittington, Beanie, Lucky and Marley

This is my fourth year for HDR and without a doubt, my most favorite. The weather was perfect all weekend long. In fact, Friday night was in the mid 40's...perfect! Days were in the 80's with Monday approaching 90+. Winds were relatively light and cool.
From what I heard from all the others, I think everyone had just as much fun as I did.
We all arrived on Friday. Some of the group arrived early enough to make a run up Pumpkin Eater. Bill and I arrived about 8:00 Friday evening with just enough time to visit some of the rest of the gang and made a few loose plans for Saturday.
After signing in on Saturday morning, we all headed out for Empire Strikes Back. We all made it up with no trouble. At the top of ESB is Ric's Plunge Of Death...A nasty right hand, off camber, decent that if not taken correctly and with help from a few friends can result in a roll over and possible plunge down a steep canyon. Just ask Ric (the POD's namesake). Last year he found out about it the hard way.
After ESB we headed west for some un-named canyon crawling. Around noon, Bill and I headed back to camp for some lunch (we forgot to bring it), and the others got a chance to play on an interesting waterfall.
Saturday evening, following cold drinks and chips, dip, etc. we feasted on Tri-Tip, beans, potato and macaroni salad, chips, etc., etc. Fantastic!!!
Some of us then headed for another run up Pumpkin Eater. John's son, Spencer made his first run up PE in the driver's seat; with a "little" coaching from John, he made it up with no problems. By the time we all went over the top it was well after dark so we headed back to camp, dog tired and ready for bed.
Sunday was games day at HDR. As always, OTR staffed the Teeter Totter. We had plenty of volunteers for set up, working the event and tearing down. Thanks to everyone for their help. I think we took in about $140.00 for Cal4Wheel. Club winners for the games included Keith and Greg Lyon, 1st place in the Stick and Can race (2nd year in a row), Rich Wohlers, 3rd best time on the Teeter Totter and Tony Fiori ramped an amazing 1515 RTI score on the articulation ramp which was good for second place!
On Sunday evening some of us headed back out to the other side of Pumpkin Eater (I think they call it Pumpkin Eater East). After completing PEE, we headed up another canyon until reaching a very challenging waterfall. We found out that a shorter wheelbase was the key to this one. Keith and I made it over the top but Rich, and his F-Toy couldn't make the hard left turn to make the climb. In the process of setting up for the waterfall, I cut the sidewall on one of the new MTR 40's! That sucked big time but we were able to plug it long enough to get down off the waterfall and back to reasonably level ground where we could throw the spare on.
Again, we returned to camp after the sun had gone down...another great day.
The only mishaps over the entire weekend was a simple 1/4 tip over for Ric and my tire.
Monday morning, another beautiful day but time to head for home.
Thanks to everyone for making this such a fun long weekend.