2007 Trail Jamboree

[Jerry]

2007 Trail Jamboree
July 11-15, 2008

Randy, my son-in-law, and I attended the PNW4WDA
Trail Jamboree last weekend. Jamboree is held at Jim
Sprick Park near the community of The Nile on the
Naches River. Big event, a couple hundred 4x4 vehicles.

Attended drivers meeting on Wednesday night, my Jeep
was making squeaking noise. After dinner we lubed the
u-joints, one was completely dry. Test drove afterwards
and the noise seemed to be gone.

Started out on Thursday morning on the Shoestring
Trail and had to turn back because the squeak returned
and it was loud. Drove into Yakima for repairs, very
hot - over 100 degrees, Dion at Pepin 4-Wheelin' got
right on it and had us back on the road in under an
hour. Stopped at home for lunch, A/C felt so good we
took a short nap. Made it back to camp for dinner and
drivers meeting that night.

Friday we drove the Kaner-Quartz Trail, neat trail,
fantastic scenery. Sponsored by Roberts Jeep of
Auburn, fun group, was with them 3 years ago and
enjoyed their company on that run, too. Jim Roberts
served BBQ hot dogs for lunch. Finished the run with
just enough time for a shower and change of clothes
before dinner and drivers meeting. Guess who was
helping serve dinner? Yup, it was Steve, the head
cook, bottle washer and food server from this forum.
What a guy!

Saturday was supposed to be a shorter and easier run
with ARB's Four Wheel Drive 101 course. Some of the
guys were taking it just for fun. We were told it was a
good session, but little did we know how much we would
learn. ARB's Chris Wood and his assistants, including...you
guessed it again, this forum's head cook, bottle washer,
food server and assistant 4-wheel drive instructor... put
on a fantastic class as they turned the Clover Springs
Trail into an outdoor classroom. Due to a large turnout it
was far from a short day. We didn't get back to camp
until 8:00 PM, but they held some dinner for us. No
shower, dust from head to toe.

Saturday night was the big door prize drawing. ARB,
Warn and other vendors donated some really nice
prizes. It was a good time and we recommend the Trail
Jamboree to anyone who is interested in exploring 4x4
trails with experienced drivers.

My personal thanks to Merrick & Kim Graves and the
other volunteers from the PNW4WDA; to Jim Roberts,
his daughter and the rest of the Roberts Motors crew;
to Chris Wood and his assistants Steven, Steve and
the other ARB guys; and a special thanks to Dion Martin
with Pepin 4-Wheelin' in Yakima for fitting us into his
busy work load.

Jerry
Backroad Drivers Northwest
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/BackroadDrivers/