he left camp he stopped me again and repeated it. So we headed out

to the elusive Black Hills Geode Beds. After we found the beds we

again changed the mountain. Some oohs and aahs followed and after a

while my boss, I mean my wife said he lets go to Blythe for an early

dinner. Of course Dick asked me if I knew the way back to which I

responded, "Yeah I got it".

The trail out there seemed pretty easy but somebody must have eaten

the breadcrumbs because on the way back we got lost. I figured the

best thing to do was keep my landmarks in sight and I followed the

path less traveled and we made it back to the main trail. 7 miles

west of Blythe some elderly woman in a Nissan Pathfinder buried to

her axles was almost standing the in fast lane waving people down. I

pulled into the center divide to see if I could help. She had

nothing for me to strap to except said axle so I got into town and

talked to a CHP officer that made a call to a tow truck driver and

when we headed back out to camp she was gone. As we got back on

Wiley Well Rd a Suburban and a Park Ranger passed me doing about 45

mph, so I waved to the Ranger @ 45mph myself and off I went. Less

than a mile later "officer Poncherello" who was doing at least 50mph

and raising more dust than I was, saw me and slowed and hit the

lights. I didn't get a ticket, karma for the elderly woman I think,

but he smacked my pee pee in front of my loving wife and 2

thoughtful girls, and as we pulled a way all 3 laughed at me.

When we returned to camp the group decided to run to Pebble Terrace

to look for Jasper, Sea Sponge and Petrified Wood. Crazy Tom Ryan is

no slouch and decided to see how far a stock TJ could fly. All we

could see was his daughters red hair flying and the yellow TJ rear

end looking at the sky. As we approached Pebble Terrace Crazy Tom

kept us entertained. I loved watching him have a blast as his wife

and daughter cheered him on.

As the sun set we decided it was time to head back to camp. Dick

asked if someone else wanted to lead the group back and Juliann

bravely took the lead. Its dark at this point and lights on and dust

flying we headed home. Juliann has a nice lifted Unlimited and

decided it was time to climb over the mountain instead of follow the

path back. To no ones surprised Crazy Tom followed. I was 3rd in

line so I stopped when I saw them leave the trail. I called out on

the CB which camp she was headed to and when she laughed and started

coming back I took the lead (please cue the Raiders - Autumn Wind).

Now as mention before I have traveled to The Opal Mine more than any

member on this run, except Dick, thanks to a cat and the crying

beautiful brown eyes of my youngest daughter, by the way I got big

brownie points, she told me I did. The rest of run was pretty normal

and as we rolled into camp I hear Juliann over the CB say, "did you

just hit that tree?" As I get back to where Crazy Tom parked his TJ

under a tree and under some sage brush Dick is already pulling them

out. Sue and Renee are laughing so loud the whole camp can hear it.

For the last night we decided to have everyone invade Debbie and

Ken's; I mean Jumpy and Robbie Raider's camp site while we enjoyed

some of Tom and Sue's homemade red and white wine… so the next

morning, after the best sleep I have had in while, we all awoke and

gathered up our stuff. As we left 1 by 1 my family said goodbye to a

great bunch of people. Thanks Dick for an awesome time. My family

and I have got some great memories and some new friends who will be

getting back together soon.

Camping stats:

5 TJ's

Most fitting camp name - Crazy Tom

Pulled over most by the same Ranger – Dave

Driver most likely to create a trail (at each run I might add)-

Juliann

Said, "look at this!" the most – Debbie

Most likely to break his hand with a hammer – Ken

Fastest to hook up a tow strap and chain – Dick, he had to 3 times 1

for our fire, thanks

And last but not least I would have to say our most memorable saying

for the trip was from Dick when he said over the CB "this is Dick, I

am in the rear!"

Thanks again Dick for an awesome weekend!