We did not know what to expect. The forecast was for warmer weather with the possibility of freezing rain. Please no freezing rain! We met up at the IGA in Darrington. As time passed more and more rigs showed up. When all was said and done we had 21. We had a short drivers meeting then the first group headed out. It was an interesting group with some very built Super Sammi’s, and a few others plus a full blown unicorn. That is right a CJ7. Anyone who wheels a CJ these days is a stud in my book. (of course I have no bias)
Continue reading “Hangover Run Jan 2020”Tonga Ridge Xmas Tree Run Dec 2019
Joe, Steve, Ken, Ryan and I all decided that we would meet up for breakfast at 7:30 AM in Monroe at the Buzz Inn. After breakfast we headed out to the trail to meet up with anyone else that planned to go. We got to the trestle around 9:10 or so and aired down. We waited until precisely 9:28 and everyone was asking what we were going to do and I said that since I was the leader that we shall go! We did a quick driver meeting and headed up the hill. It was just us 4 rigs at that time.
Continue reading “Tonga Ridge Xmas Tree Run Dec 2019”Clam Shack Build Oct 2019
For the past few years Operation Shore Patrol has been held at the Tidelands Campground in Copalis Beach WA. Dave, the owner of the campground has been really good to us and accommodating our group to the point of breaking some of the campground rules that are normally in force. So it was when Dave asked if there was any way he could get some help with building a new clam shack for guests there were several people from the Rainer Ridge Rams and the Timber Tamers that said they would be happy too. A date was set for Oct 12th when everyone would converge on the campground.
Continue reading “Clam Shack Build Oct 2019”Operation Shore Patrol Sep 2019
Keep in mind – it’s the trip, it’s the beach, it’s the friends, it’s the shared meal, it’s helping make the beach a cleaner place, it’s the jokes, it’s the fun, it’s the leg-pulling, the sound of engines, the heritage of wheelers being wheelers together – Operation Shore Patrol is overall – THE EXPERIENCE!
Continue reading “Operation Shore Patrol Sep 2019”Jeepcast Trophy Challenge Support Sep 2019
Given a choice of a romantic dinner at Skippers on two for one fish and chips night or spending the day at JTC (Jeepcast Trophy Challenge) Wendy chose to spend the day with me at JTC for our anniversary. All kidding aside it is the spending time together that is important and I can’t think of anything I would rather do than spend time with family. What an awesome day we had even if it was not a traditional anniversary.
Continue reading “Jeepcast Trophy Challenge Support Sep 2019”Gallagher Head Lake and Van Epps Pass Sep 2019
We scheduled this run a week prior and had 12 rigs signed up to go and ended up with 7 actually showing up. There were 3 meeting spots for this run. 7am at Bothell Shell station, where Travis in his red JKU and candidate Ken in his Tan TJ showed up to meet us. We then caravanned to North Bend to meet the rest of the crew, which was Moose and Mary in their TJ, Jon and Heidi in their JK, Curt and Wendy in their JKU. Hopping on the freeway we went… next stop Cle Elum to meet Chris in this Yellow XJ.
Continue reading “Gallagher Head Lake and Van Epps Pass Sep 2019”Twin Lakes and Walker Valley Aug 2019
Twin Lakes:
Travis, Ken and Ryan and I decided on a whim to go up to Twin Lakes in the Mount Baker national forest. Not sure if this would be an official Tamer run, But Travis and We are Tamers and Ken is a candidate.
We met up at the Shell station in Marysville at exit 88 at 8am and then traveled the two and a half hours to Twin Lakes – practically the Canadian border.
Continue reading “Twin Lakes and Walker Valley Aug 2019”Idaho Back Country Route Jul 2019
While racing sailboats we use to say that the race was won or lost before you even left the dock. Meaning preparation is extremely important. In the case of a BDR (Backcountry Discovery Route) it is the same. Preparation for an event like this takes a tremendous amount of time and research. Where to stay and what routes to take even what BDR to run.
Continue reading “Idaho Back Country Route Jul 2019”Manastash July 2019
What better way to celebrate the birth of a nation than by practicing that freedom in the forest of the PNW. So it was that Cassidy, Melissa, and I planned to go camping at Riders Camp and perhaps do a little exploring of Manastash in the Jeep. The invitation to join us for all or any part of the planned 5 day excursion was sent to some friends and the Tamers which resulted in a few taking us up on the offer. So it was that early in the morning on 7/3 Melissa, Cassidy, and I left the house heading out to Riders camp in order to hopefully secure a good camp site big enough for everyone that said they were going to join us.
Continue reading “Manastash July 2019”Liberty June 2019
It had been about 19 months since the family and I were able to get away on a weekend camping trip. It was my fault really since I wanted to build the Jeep, but with that mostly done it was time to reap some of the rewards of that effort. So it was that Melissa, Alex, Cassidy and I left about 9am Friday for Liberty and the Williams Creek campground in an effort to secure a good camp site for the weekend, but it was not soon enough because when we got there we found just one spot that would work for all of the people we knew were on the way. We made the best of it and because we had great campground neighbors it all worked out in the end.
Continue reading “Liberty June 2019”Walker Valley Mar 2019
At the club meeting, Thursday prior to the club run, we asked for volunteer to lead the group. No one raised their hands so I said sure I would do it! But seeing though I am a 2nd shift worker we would start at 10am, LOL. I got a few hmms and haws and I double checked if anyone else wanted to lead but no one stepped up.. Ok cool.. 10am it will be.
Continue reading “Walker Valley Mar 2019”TT RRR Snow Run Feb 2019
It was a scenic drive up to our meeting place at the Nooksack Market Center in Deming. Everyone stated to trickle in around 8:30ish. Those who needed to fuel up did and the rest of us lined up in a sided parking lot. Since this was a duel club run everyone mingled around checking out each other’s rigs and introduced themselves.
Continue reading “TT RRR Snow Run Feb 2019”Walker Jan 2019
There was no write up but there were some fabulous pictures. Perhaps there is a modeling career in the works for a few people. I see potential!!!
Continue reading “Walker Jan 2019”Tonga Ridge Jan 2019
Well, there were some folks among the Timber Tamers who really wanted to go on the Hangover Run on New Year’s Day, but for various reasons weren’t able to. So, the request went out for another snow run to make up for that for the folks who couldn’t go on the Hangover Run. (Great idea, Jon Holzwarth!!)
Continue reading “Tonga Ridge Jan 2019”Hangover Run Group 2 Jan 2019
We started off getting to the Darrington Shell station about 9:35 am. The meeting time was 9:45 am and depart at 10am. Everyone had lined up across the street in the empty lot and it looked like a lot of people.
Continue reading “Hangover Run Group 2 Jan 2019”Hangover Run Group 1 Jan 2019
There were two groups for the Hangover Run for 2019—the “Big Dogs” and the rest of the folks. The “Big Dogs” were the people who were foolish enough to get up too early after New Year’s Eve to try to be the first (or highest) up the mountain in the snow. The rest of the folks were smarter than us, and took a more leisurely time about getting out of bed.
Continue reading “Hangover Run Group 1 Jan 2019”Iron Goat Dec 2018
I wanted to check out the Iron Goat area for quite some time now. It had been a few years and I heard reports of new gates being put up and heli skiing goings on etc. So I rounded up a couple other Tamers and off we went.
Continue reading “Iron Goat Dec 2018”Tahuya Oct 2018
Saturday morning turned out looking more promising for the Timber Tamers monthly trail ride to Tahuya than last year: this year it wasn’t raining! The weather forecast predicted sunshine and a high of 65F. (Well, that didn’t happen—high seemed to be upper 50s, and the marine fog didn’t burn off until about 2:30 PM!) At least the weatherman got the part right about no rain! As it turned out, there hasn’t really been rain in Tahuya since last spring, so the trails were all pretty dry. If we’d had rain like last year (when it rained ALL. DAY. LONG., the difficulty would have been a lot greater for today’s ride!)
Continue reading “Tahuya Oct 2018”
Walker Work Party Oct 2018
Another Work Party at Walker Valley OHV started off on Saturday October 13, 2018 without a hitch! Sadly, it didn’t quite last that way. Continue reading “Walker Work Party Oct 2018”
Big Horn Jeep Jamboree Aug 2018
So you want to go to the Bighorn Jeep Jamboree. My experience at the 10 annual Bighorn Jamboree near Dayton WY. Continue reading “Big Horn Jeep Jamboree Aug 2018”
Rig Tech Check May 2018
It is a Saturday afternoon, the sky is blue, the day is warm, and the top is off the Jeep. As I drive out to Ed and Katie’s home for the Tamers Rig Tech Check and BBQ I am grateful once again that I own a Jeep. Once a year the Tamers do a BBQ\Rig Tech check where we get together and brag about our rigs, eat BBQ, and look at each other rigs to see what we can learn and might want to incorporate into our own ride. Mostly we are just hanging out together and having a good time in each other’s company. Continue reading “Rig Tech Check May 2018”
Moonshiners Swap Meet Mar 2018
I was not going to do the swap meet this year but at the last minute plans changed and I decided to go and just hang out with friends. Continue reading “Moonshiners Swap Meet Mar 2018”
Hangover Run Jan 2018
The alarm clock going off, with birds singing and the sounds of the babbling brook near our house and the sun peeking out…. Oh wait That was the dream I was having…. It was more like the alarm BLARING, still dark out and everything totally frozen including the babbling brook. Hell it wasn’t even light out yet and the moon was still Bright n full. In any case when we get up to an alarm clock in my house it is almost always because we are doing something fun that day. Today was going to be no exception. I was in charge of the first group going to Tonga Ridge today. The goal was to make high point and get the Hangover trophy. Continue reading “Hangover Run Jan 2018”
Hand In Hand Dec 2017
It was a slightly different run than usual – although there were 2 trail rigs in the parking lot – Chris and Ashley’s Xterra and Shawn’s (hope I got you right) Christmas-lit-sparkly TJ in all of its illuminated glory. Continue reading “Hand In Hand Dec 2017”
Tonga After Xmas Run Dec 2017
A few people had the opportunity to hit Tonga during the week when there are very few people around. Looks like it was a good time.
Christmas Party Dec 2017
It was time for the Tamer Christmas Party. Per usual there was a big dinner followed by a few awards for memorable events during the year and a white elephant gift exchange. Here are a few pictures from the event. Continue reading “Christmas Party Dec 2017”
Christmas Tree Run Dec 2017
I had sent out a reminder/detailed description including maps to the whole Timber Tamer group and it even included a Tamer Turn (U-turn) in the directions. How it got in there I don’t know, but no one said anything… LOL. Continue reading “Christmas Tree Run Dec 2017”
Holiday Donation Dec 2017
Each year the Tamers take up a collection from members and then match up to an agreed upon amount the collection. All of that is then donated to a charity that the Tamers have agreed upon to support. This year the donation was given to Hand in Hand which is a local organization that helps children and families who are in crises. http://www.handinhandkids.org/ Continue reading “Holiday Donation Dec 2017”
Macys Parade Nov 2017
If you ever want to enjoy our state highways with very few people on it I would suggest the day after Thanksgiving at 5:30 AM. NO Traffic! After getting up, at 5:00 AM, leaving at 5:30 and making a few wrong turns in downtown Seattle we arrived at the Convention Center. Continue reading “Macys Parade Nov 2017”
Elbe Nov 2017
Elbe Hills is kinda like going to grade school in the old days, depending on who you are, what you wheel and whether you’ve been learning anything from your homework. You (1) might get an education; you (2) might get a spankin’; or maybe you (3) just get to hang out in the teacher’s lounge for an afternoon and go have a smoke. Continue reading “Elbe Nov 2017”