The weather report called for rain, and lots of it. Some believe that children who lie grow up to be weathermen. In this case, they weren’t lying, or mostly weren’t…
Saturday’s Tierra Del Sol run, sponsored by the San Diego 4 Wheelers, was a great event despite dire predictions for rain. Most of our group bailed out due to the weather forecast so our turnout was rather light. Hey guys, you’re in MOTORHOMES, not tents. Man up and go 4-wheeling, OK?
Anyway, I rode with Jason in his 4-door JK, aka Party Barge. We were lucky enough to fall about 25th in line, so our 8 am departure went smooth and we were near the front of the run all day. It was sunny, warm, and a perfect day for wheeling. Rain? What rain?
Party Barge performed flawlessly and Jason made sure he piloted her through all of the Red trails and some of the Blue trails. Despite warnings about body damage to larger vehicles, he pressed on and ran the day unscathed. We completed the trail run at 2 pm and spent some time in the vendor area. Lots of food, gear to drool over, and wish lists to make rounded off the event for me. Jason and Allie headed back that night for the raffle, but I don’t believe they came back with any tires or winches.
Our return to camp found Andy & Donna nursing Brian with a broken collar bone. Seems Brian took a spill on his dirtbike and paid the price. Sorry.
Finally, around 4:30 Sunday morning, the rain came and it never let up all day. George & Sherry and Lawana & I took our TJ Unlimiteds on a day trip to some notable spots in the area. First, we headed down Pole Line Road to the Gas Domes. Because of the constant rain, Pole Line Road was like driving on snot and we often found ourselves sideways despite being in 4WD. After the Gas Domes, we tooled around on some more snotty road and finally headed for Slab City.
Slab City is a 640 acre abandoned Navy base just outside of Niland. It’s an off the grid community of squatters, snowbirds, nomads and artists that must be seen. Your first sighting will be Salvation Mountain, an arrangement of hay bales and adobe built upon a hillside. The artist, Leonard Knight, estimates he’s used 100,000 gallons of paint to create the display. Beyond Salvation Mountain is the most eclectic community of motorhomes, trailers, huts, bungalos, sheds, and whatever that you’ll ever want to see.
Upon our return to camp, Glenn & Karen had stories of motorhomes and trailers stuck in the mud while attempting to leave the TDS event. They estimated traffic was backed up at least a mile to get out of the area.
Quite a different trip for us, but lots of fun. See you all next trip!
