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Remember
when…?
During
the Fawl Crawl I had a great experience, which took
me back to when I first started off-roading with this
club. I have to say it'll probably be the best memory
I have from that fantastic day. I'm not sure anything
can beat the feeling of watching a new Jeeper conquer
a tough obstacle their first time out. I was fortunate
enough to be part of one such moment during the Fawl
Crawl. In a day filled with good memories, nothing
can touch the one of the little TJ that made it through
Victoria's Secret.
I
think the guy's name was Jeremy, though I could be
wrong. I do know he's related to Eddie or Sue, and
they had a hand in getting him out for his first full
run. See, we are really a family.
It's
always a pleasure to see someone who's naturally skilled
at off-road driving run a trail in a stock rig. The
real treat, though, is when you learn this guy is
on his first run!
Sure
he banged the gas-tank skid crossing the stream. Most
of the trucks touched down something and it was a
tricky entry
Sure,
just after the river crossing he got stuck on a slippery,
muddy uphill section. But then again, Kevin Beard's
very capable rig crab-walked up and down the same
section, unable to get enough traction to actually
change direction.
He
was game to try it all - the best attitude for a new
Jeeper.
FLASHBACK
- It reminded me of my first run - stock Cherokee,
bald A/T's and no clue what to expect in the February
snow in a place called Beaverbank. I recall the group
airing down and me saying nah, I'll do it if I need
to. I needed to within 30 minutes…LOL
I
remember the faces and people who impressed me with
their skills, machinery, support and bravado. Bill
and Wilma crossing the stream, Jason "SexRack"
gamely following Bill and Wilma in his stock YJ -
damned if he didn't make it, too. Dave, my spotter
and the look of shock when I popped up over the icy
edge of the river - pointed straight at him and revving
the motor to 3000 RPM's on the ice. Craig Steven's
valiant effort to offer me a Jeep 101, but instead
showing me how to get a Cherokee stuck…LOL …and
everyone else who grabbed my truck and rocked it around
while I was one wheel in the air!
That
run was the first time I ever saw anyone get a Rubicon
stuck - it was Len. At the end of that day, I began
to realize what a great group of folks I'd hooked
up with. Everything I shook my head at, we'd made
it through. Trust your spotter, trust your Jeep…
FASTFORWARD
- All of that flashed through my mind after what I
had just witnessed - the biggest smile on someone's
face that I'd seen in a while. You see, a few minutes
earlier, Jeremy (damn I hope that's his name) was
standing next to me when I spotted another Jeep through
an off-camber mud-mogul on this outstanding trail.
At
this point the look on his face was something south
of a smile. I just chuckled. I knew he was impressed
by what the others had done. I could relate to the
butterflies I was sure he had, as he knew his turn
was coming up. Then a saw a mask of apprehension pass
over his face as he turned and saw his Jeep next in
line.
I
walked back with him and gave him a low-down on what
he'd experience. You'll flop this way, then that way,
then be pointed skyward. Don't watch anything but
your spotter - here's what the hand signals mean -
got that? Ready? Great…chill out a minute and
let the adrenalin cool off.
OK,
dude, just like we talked about - slow, steady, stay
high…more gas…steer right…GAS…watch
the tree…and by the way, you're done! That's
when I saw that HUGE smile break out. Running stock
with aired down BFG A/T's he'd made it through the
spot that stopped some of the built up rigs that day.
And boy was he shocked to learn his front tire was
8 inches off the ground on the last mogul.
WOW!
To
many of us, those days are behind us and our rigs.
But I have to say, if you ever have the chance to
help someone share that first moment of mastering
the terrain ahead of them in their own Jeep - take
it. It's one of the best feelings I know.
Remember
that? I do…and it's still a thrill, even through
someone else's eyes.
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