Hallowharrie 2008

Thanks to everyone for making this a great event. Like any good Italian, I was so concerned with the cooking, that I left my camera behind. So I will have to rely on others to provide the photos. Here is my brief summary of the events.

Thurs 10/30: Met Mark at the I95 rest stop outside of Laurel, MD around 6:30 AM. During the drive down to Uwharrie, I was amazed at how well his first generation Trooper towed his boat. In many stretches we were doing better than 70 mph. The 4.77 gears as well as the heavy duty torsion and stabilizer bars really helped. Pulled into Arrowhead Camp Ground around 2PM and was greeted by the Bama Boys.

After setting up the tent and decorations Bud convinced me to go for a nice little ride, which turned out to be Wolf's Den to Dutch John to Rocky Mountain Loop. When we got to the first bypass at Rock Mountain, Tom asked which way we should go and I foolishly said the right would be more interesting. Well . . . Tom got up but when I tried I ripped off my rear bumper and hitch. After picking it up and stuffing it the Trooper, it shifted back just as I closed the rear door. The result was a broken rear window. (So much for a night run.)  After resuming the run, we headed past Kodak Rock, where I kissed the Trooper Tree with the White Trooper's rain guard.

Fri 10/31: When I went out on the lake with Mark, we were greeted by the morning dew.

After the sun burned off the dew, we were able to see the fall colors and even spotted the DirectTV blimp (obviously shooting a documentary of Hallowharrie 2008 ).



Then it was time to work on the Trooper. I was able to reattach the rear bumper sans hitch and with Jerry's help put in a rear window donated by Mark. Thanks Jerry and Mark!



After the repairs, it was time to get down to the serious business . . . no not wheeling . . . . cooking! So I grilled about 35 shrimp/apple/pear Kabobs. After the kabobs were all grilled, it was time to get down to the other serious business . . . eating. Between the kabobs, Mike's Jambalaya and pies I was stuffed. Joe rolled it around 10 PM and it was time for a reunion with Aussie and to meet Hitch. A bag of jerky helped with that and gave Joe time to eat dinner.

Sat 11/01: Had breakfast with Jerry, Leland and Joe before the morning ride. Several asked about the trails, and I kept telling them to stay away from Daniel. So of course, the ride was up Daniel. 

I don't know what was more surprising; the fact that a stock first generation Trooper running 235s was able to get up to the top or the fact that a VX tried. 

In any case, Joe's spotting got everyone up. 

The only real excitement was Leland's attempt when he demonstrated balancing a Trooper on 2 wheels. Jerry said he looked out the passenger window and could touch the ground.



Here are a couple of videos of the group going up the second ledge.

Video 1

Video 2

After we got to the top, Eli developed a coolant leak. The design of the Raider required a little modification to get a replacement heater hose attached. I suggested that we use my Dremel powered by an inverter. Joe thought that was too much bother and cut the tube with a hacksaw blade held by a needle nose vice grips.

Once the Raider was repaired, we headed down the back side of Daniel for a nice leisurely return to camp.

After the run it was back to the lake. When we got back, it was time to get to more serious business. So we headed to Zeno's and stuffed ourselves. How anyone was able to do I night run, I'll do not know. I was barely able to make it over to Van's fire to warm myself while I drank some tea. And I am the Italian!

Sun 11/02: Tore down the camp site, said my goodbyes and headed back to Maryland with Mark while some of the others took another run.

Arrived home just in time to drink a few brews while the Super Bowl Champs destroyed America's Team. A fine ending for a great event.

Link to information on Uwharrie National Forest.