Desert Run
March 2002
Lake Havasu City, AZ
This was the 3rd annual Desert Run hosted by the Golden K Kiwanis and the Sidewinders
4-Wheel Club. A handful of us had been to the previous two events and must have really
talked it up. There were 18 rigs representing West Coast including prospective members and
guests. Not bad for a club with 33 or so families.
The base of operations was the Lake Havasu Ramada Inn (phone 800.528.5169). That meant
showers, heat and air conditioning for those of us who usually tent it, but we were
separated from the motor homes folks at Crazy Horse Campground (520.855.4033). Although
our room wasn’t too bad, we may need to check into the dry camping at Lake Havasu
State Park at Windsor Beach if we go back next year to see if there is relief from the
Spring Breakers.
Our pre-registration wasn’t as seamless as planned. Daydreamer was one of the
first to get to registration and he ended up picking a trail for Friday and one for
Saturday claiming spots for all of us. The mystery was solved when I got home because the
letter with the list of West Coast attendees was returned to sender. Guess I should have
made one more phone call.
Friday Gerry Ketchum led us through Diamondback and Sidewinder. These are
located in the Standard Wash area and are a natural to run together. It is your typical
dry wash, lots of rocks, tight turns and moderate waterfalls, similar to Shredder Falls
and Calico. One of the waterfalls had a tight right turn at the top. If you made it as a
5-point turn you had a great line. Just a little off and it took quite a bit of back and
forth maneuvering. There was an optional obstacle called the Squeeze and squeeze it did.
Any tighter and Beetlejuice wo
uld have had to back out with the Four
Runner and go around. With such a big group, you don’t get a chance to see everyone
through an obstacle and I can’t remember if Peter and his Cherokee (the other big
rig) went through it or not. We did have one bad break. One rig lost both birfields and a
rear pinion on the same obstacle. Frank must have been a Boy Scout because he was prepared
with spare birfields (although only 1 was installed) and had hubs to unlock the rear
axles. It was good to see everyone pitch in to get him rolling. Toy Boy, the Storms, Ross
the tail gunner and another Sidewinder that I can’t remember his name (and I should
since he was the one that fixed my clutch linkage last year with the foot to his chair and
fuel line) turned around and got Frank out. We had run these trails last year so it was a
good first run for my T-18 install. Everyone is probably sick of me preaching about how
wonderful 66:1 is compared to 42:1. Maybe 200:1 would keep me from scratching the damn
flares!
Saturday we ran Boulder Gulch. I’m not sure if Gerry was just sick of
the West Coast Group or the rumor that he was afraid of scratching the ‘Prom
Queen’ was true, but Warren Breen was the trail boss. This trail is also out of
Standard Wash but quite a ways out. Despite warnings to keep the guy behind you in site,
we lost Warren who was leading twice on the way out, once for a broken ball joint and then
again after a missed turn but eventually making it. Warren had lead a group on the same
trial 
Friday and they had 5 major breaks
including one rig that spent the night so we were a little apprehensive. That soon turned
to pickin’ & grinnin’, pickin’ a line to get through and grinnin’
when you got to the other side. The obstacles were closer together than the day before but
the group made it though cleanly including most through the optional waterfall. Warren
thanked us for having the proper equipment for the trails. Some of the rigs on Friday
weren’t locked and some running 31’ tires. At least they were able to get the
broken rig fixed the next day. Since we got through with the ¾ of a mile or so trail
early, some of us headed down to the desert bar (Nellie G??). It was pretty crowded for
being 5 miles off the beaten path and quite a site for the newbies.
Peter and Pasha did the run to Swansea Townsite, an old mining site. This was a
mellower trail and Peter signed up to keep Pasha a little more active. He got drafted into
being the tail gunner and helping an engine that hydroed. It sounded like they had fun but
Pasha asked "Where’s all the rocks?".
The event included a pool party Friday night. The hors d’oeuves ran out about 6:45
around the same time Katie Beckman (age 1) decided it was time for dinner. With my belly
growling, we didn’t stick around to see if more food was going to be served.
Saturday’s dinner was chicken or ribs followed by the thank you’s and the
raffle. They thanked West Coast for coming with 18 registrations and gave us all a free
shirt. I was really caught off guard when Warren called me up on stage. Short story is I
forgot to say thanks for the shirts, make fun of Warren for loosing us, thank all the
folks who worked hard to make the event happen and even forgot to put in a plug for Toys
for Tots. The raffle was pretty good. I saw a couple West Coast folks with some goodies, a
battery charger, $25 GC for Four West, a case of oil, a couple nights at a resort (golf in
Scottsdale ??). I know there was more but must have burned out that brain cell. We need to
work hard to make sure our Toys for Tots raffle is as good as it was last year. Sunday had
an optional run to the Desert Bar but I don’t think anyone of our group stuck around
for it. I know there is a lot I missed. I knew Vince had gotten in tight with a tree and
saw him working on his top in the parking lot, but hadn’t put 2 and 2 together. I
assume Boondocker’s cooling problems must be resolved because I didn’t hear of
any troubles or see the hood up once. Hope everyone had as much fun as we did.
Happy 29th birthday again Bev!
Lessons learned:
- Better to bug the snot out of someone to make sure all arrangements are complete than to
count on the Post Office doing their job.
- When the group splits into two, make sure both ‘halves’ know the whole plan.
CB radio doesn’t cut it when you’re out there and you never stop worrying about
the broken rig until you see them back at camp.
- If you’re blowing gear oil out the transfer case vent because you overfilled it,
don’t bother to put more in.
- With a big group it is really hard to take pictures, visit with those around you and
spot for other rigs all at the same time. I only took about 12 pictures all weekend and
most were at 1 obstacle. Some of the group I never even saw go through a single obstacle.
- If you don’t know the spotter and don’t agree with what they are telling you,
don’t be afraid to ask for someone you know.
- When asked for a list of names and told you will be called on stage, think about what to
say BEFORE you make the list. If the list isn’t finished when they call you up,
you’ll forget half the things you wanted to say! Don’t forget to thank everyone
who helped out not just the tail gunner.
- Did I mention that low gearing makes the trails seem a whole lot easier?
JohnB