PNW-2010-Second Annual Chehalis River Valley MV Convoy/Camp-Out

[wsucougarx]

Awesome videos Danielle!!!!

 

[AaronW]

I'm two weeks late!

A scary title most of us fear......I kid, i kid.

I needed some time to take a deep breath, decompress, and relax a little. What an amazing time I had.

It's been almost two weeks since the last M/V's and their fantastic owners pulled out onto the highway. Was i sad to see them go? No. Only because visions of next year are dancing in my head.

I find it very difficult to put into words how amazing this years convoy was. It's equally difficult for me to express to all of you who turned out how much Amber and I appreciate all the effort each of you put into making this a huge success. You wowed an entire town. There is still local hubub about all the "Army Trucks" that came to town.

The size of this yars event more than doubled last year's. I believe we had 24 rigs in the parade. 25 if you count the 715 loaded on Hammer's trailer. I was just finishing the route while those in the rear were just starting! Our (mile long?) convoy after the parade was something to see. The looks, smiles, waves, and thumbs ups make it all worth while. Plus, we get to really get out and drive our rigs.

I learned a lot that will help with planning for next year. For example, one port-a-pot is NOT good enough for 40 people for 3 days! If we double this thing again, I'm thinking 3 restrooms would be a better choice. Sorry for any trouble this might have caused. Also, 20+ vehicles in a single convoy group might be just pushing it. If we have 30 next year, two groups of 15 seperated by 10-15 minutes will be a better way to go. Thanks go to those who helped in the rear and on the radios.

I'm sorry if I didn't get around to talking very much to all of you. I enjoyed seeing everyone who returned this year. Even better was all the new faces. It really takes a group effort to pull off an event like this.

Special thanks go to Mike(wsucougarx) for all the planning help and help with the parade. Special thanks also to Ed(Hammer) and Danielle(jeepn_girl) for all the prep work and tear down. Who enjoyed an elk burger? Thank you to Walter(elkhunter) and his wife Phyllis for the gift of yummy elk and for watching over the campground. I'm sure I've missed some people here. Take no offense. I thank you all. Al(kaiserjeeps), your volleyball is safe and secure. Thanks also to Mike(Medic5050) and Jackie for lighting up the night.

Thanks also to all who have posted pics and video. Maybe these will help bring in more people next year.

The awards. Congratulations to:
Best looking truck-wsucougarx M35A2C (binoculars)
Most unique m/v-mikkelborg M37 (radio set)
Spirit(hard luck)-Josh M35A2 (first aid kit+trophy) (Thanks to Hammer for making the trophy!)

I'll add more here if need be.

'Till next year!.....and see ya at the mini rallys.

p.s. Scott(srodocker), do you have my 1/2" deep well 3/8's drive socket? Did you drop it in the sand you you you long necked bird?

 

[AaronW]

Things I'm working on for next year........

Random thoughts:

Mowing my neighbors ajoining field for more room. He will let us use it.

Asking permission to use the 68 acres behind me for running Armor! How many people would come to see a few tanks be able to play around? Would you pay for a tank ride? It could cost a lot to get one here!

Finding a closer place to take trucks off road. Mud?!?

Tech demos? Tire changing? Proper PMCS?

HAM setup? S-250 or such to be able to talk to the world.

Truck pull? Tug-o-war? Safety first of course!

Geo Cache run or Poker Run?


PM me or post up if you have ideas or can help with any of these for next year.

 

[wsucougarx]

That title got my attention Aaron, whew glad everything is good to go. Excellent ideas for extracurricular activites. I may be able to help in the way of a Ham shack, provided I get my radios hooked up in the 109 before then. I got a 40-50 ft telescoping antenna mast from Brad to mount on the truck.

 

[Hammer]

With all those activities, it will turn into a full blown two day event!

Btw, glad you recovered from your M/V Coma.....

 

[srodocker]

next year my truck should be all radioed out and maybe even my trailer....ugh..projects...and $$$ anywho. mud run would be sweeeeet i think late aug i might be doing one in yelm and this 4x4 park...dan probley told me how to do a PMCS but i forget...3 concussions doesnt help hahaha

 

[AN/ARC186]

I've got the mother of all PA systems I can bring, that's the reason I need to buy your trailer!!

 

[elkhunter]

That title got my attention Aaron, whew glad everything is good to go. Excellent ideas for extracurricular activites. I may be able to help in the way of a Ham shack, provided I get my radios hooked up in the 109 before then. I got a 40-50 ft telescoping antenna mast from Brad to mount on the truck.

wsucougarx hi! I have a friend in Curlew, Washington on the Kettle River (Near the Canadian border north of Spokane ) who is a Ham radio operator and a Viet Nam veteran and has radios(Hand Held) and another home type radio and is fully licensed . He was in a signal corps unit in VN. I'm sure I can talk him into coming out next year for the PN 2011 Campout and Convoy. Also a poker run would be fun and I'm all for that also. Might be able to talk Sgt. Sam into bringing his M62 wrecker out to the event. No promises though! Lookin forward to next years festivities already. Just thoughts for next year

 

[AaronW]

24 M/V's in the parade.....

....and a foreign national makes the paper. Go Figure!

Lewis County News - Page 13

Way to go Rob!

 

[srodocker]

hahaha when we were there i saw the dodge and i was like man they chopped it up...and she goes its not a dodge its a "dinosaur car" hahahahaha

 

[odnorth]

Don't worry Aaron l won't let the fame go to head l'll still talk to you.

 

[elkhunter]

Don't worry Aaron l won't let the fame go to head l'll still talk to you.

Nice pose Rob! Very nice! Eh? Cheers! Walt aka elkhunter

 

[wsucougarx]

Well gees Rob and Dan, look like you two are celebritries now! I knew I should have gotten that autograph from you two when I could. Now it's going to cost me....good on you mates!!!

 

[AN/ARC186]

Well, at least it's better than the last time someone took my picture!!

 

[wsucougarx]

LOL, good one Dan.

 

[quarkz]

Might have been Canada that got his rear in the picture, but the Kids were giving my truck the double thumbs up, that's all that really matters.......

OK maybe it was REO 54, but when I tell the story it gonna be me......

 

[srodocker]

man we need some dates for a mini rally i wont know until hopefully end of this week when i have my surgerys but i'll be out a month a half whenever that is...so i may be deuceless not sure

 

[wsucougarx]

Oi Scott, just get your girlfriend trained to drive you to the rallies

 

[srodocker]

might have too...my wrists hurt which is also why i havent been on much

 

[Josh]

might have too...my wrists hurt which is also why i havent been on much

So many bad jokes.......must resist.......