After having over 100-degree temperatures back home, we did not expect the rain and hail storm that greeted us in Colorado. In fact, there was so much rain that mud slides closed down Highway 70 twice that week (and all of the eastbound I-70 traffic right was routed through Fairplay, where we were staying.) But even that didn't deter the Two Rivers Jeep Club from having a good time. At least 13 of our members (and families) came out for this event. The hardier half of the group camped in the muddy field where the vendors, registration, and dinners took place. The smarter half of the group camped at the motel and campground.

We had arrived early enough to run a few trails before the majority of Jeeps got into town. Wheeler Lake, Mt. Bross, Mt. Lincoln, and Twin Cone Peaks were a few we tackled. We could view over 20 miles of mountains surrounding us from one peak. Then, on the first day of group trails, we chose Chinaman, just outside Buena Vista. Our leader happened to be the guy who won a Jeep at last years raffle. " Lucky Dawg " , as he was named, took us through a boulder patch up into the mountains. After driving through the " wash " and several hoop-de-doos, we came upon some large boulders to climb. Toumbstone and Woodpecker gave us a good show of air on their driver's sides. During lunch, someone made a " modification " to Frenchie's Jeep. We heard him say over the radio " I know what you did, I just don't know who did it! " I bet it drove him nutz! Well, if Frenchie ever sees this, we've now narrowed down those involved in the mystery! After lunch, we did some off-camber slaloms through the aspen and pine. Then, just before the daily rain started, our tail gunner lost his brakes. He drove a Bronco, using only hand controls. Frenchie strapped him down the rest of the way, and they did enough trail repair to get back to camp. The next day we chose to do Radical Hill. It included some narrow shelf roads and tight switchbacks. We passed through lots of pines, old gold mining camps and finished our trail at the Breckenridge watering hole.

The last couple of days some of us chose to go out on our own. Carl called us 'The Magnificent Seven', since there were seven Jeeps in our group. We headed over Georgia Pass to Glacier Ridge, drove over the Continental Divide, and did some famous Two Rivers trail repairs on Frank's Jeep. He and John had to head back to camp, so we were then the 'Fantastic Five'. We drove past more old mines and reached SOB Hill. This was a great challenge of loose boulders and an off-camber steep climb. The hill also curved around the mountain through the trees for nearly a half-mile. We bumped into another group of rebels, most of who were trail guides on their day off. They said they'd heard of us from Illinois. We seem to be developing a reputation wherever we go!

That night they held a raffle under the big-top tent. There were so many prizes that we were there from 7 p.m. until midnight. Everyone won something. By the next morning Frank had his Jeep repaired and the Magnificent Seven again took a trail on our own. This time we did Lower Chinaman, an extension of a different day's trail that the guide did not want to take us through. It was fun, with a couple of good tight boulder climbs. Carl was determined to get a picture of his Jeep on some big rocks and Dave made him feel very happy when his rear diff got caught and Carl strapped him up.

We took, among other things, a trip over Black Bear to Telluride. The first part was OK, but later we got caught in the rain - again!

Black Bear was great even in the rain - but we have to return and do it when the sun is shining. On the way back we took Imogene and I think that's even prettier than Black Bear.

We wound up spending a few days looking for a place to retire on the western slope but found nothing so did more wheeling instead. After going to Grand Mesa and getting really ticked because of all the road closures, we took Land's End Road down. We finally saw some sun and took a real neat forest road into the mountains to the west. (I'm sure that'll be closed soon, too!) The weather was nice for the trip back home. Wouldn't you know it!