GSMTR 2008

Sorry to disappoint, but don’t have any big stories of major carnage or broken parts!
In spite of this, as far as I’m concerned this trip was a major success and had a great time!

Sunday morning everyone showed up on time at our caravan meeting spot. Met up with Luis from Orlando and Bill on I75 just south of Ocala. Brought my friend Troy as a rider and trusty photographer, winch puller and occasional rock stacker. It was a smooth trip up. Bill took us the back way through the Tennessee. Never had seen the Tellico side before and was a nice ride and a treat. We arrived at our campsite by the river just in time to set up before dark. There was just Bill, us, and a group from Kentucky 50 yards down the road. People were scarce at this time. Apparently the rump rangers showed up on the weekend and put the fear of god into people by writing a slew of tickets for varying reasons including open beer, having coolers out, confiscating beers & liquor etc, etc. Many people vacated because of this and went to Crawford’s. We arrived after all this, the rangers never came back all week and never had any problems.

Monday morning we made the trip over to Crawford’s to register, etc. Monday afternoon hit the trails. A quick ride in trail 5, then did School bus. There were just two vehicles, Bills and mine. Although the trails were slightly wet, the conditions were perfect for a newbie. First of all I had Bill as a mentor, secondly there wasn’t anyone else on the trails. I had to get winched like three times to make it up School bus. Got late, went back to camp.

Tuesday we left camp early to hit the trails. We planned it to be a leisure sight seeing ride and Bill showed me around to trails previously unvisited. Drove in trail 6. We visited and walked Slick Rock (now closed). Still early enough to wheel some, did School bus again. This time made it up through all the obstacles without winching or stopping. It was my most exciting moment of wheeling so far. Drier trail conditions and more momentum helped. After making it near the top and past all the obstacles, got in a slight predicament.
Slid off a small rock face to the side of the trail. We found ourselves in a precarious condition leaning at the edge of a drop off, rear axle between a rock and a stump. Winching or pulling weren’t an option. Stuck! Finally was able to wiggle a chainsaw in enough to cut the stump.
Bill finally got a challenge. He found a crevice to play in. It looked totally impassable to me, but he came inches from making it. Got to watch him put Bad Bettie on her side, righted himself back up on his own, put three wheels off the ground a couple of times.
Will post pics below.

Near the end of the day made it up to Helicopter pad and Guardrail. Bill did both easily. I made an attempt at helicopter, and made it only with winch assistance.
We were on the trails from early morning to late in the day. It was our best and longest day of wheeling. The whole day only encountered a few vehicles at helicopter and a group that was parked at Faines Ford to hike to the waterfalls, which we did too.

Wednesday morning we got up early and ran Upper 2. Uneventful, but a nice run. We did however for the second time during the trip get the feeling of teetering once.
Didn’t see another vehicle on the trails at all. It was a great morning of wheeling.
Got back to camp around noon. The Kentucky group had left. Not a soul around. Hardly anyone ever drove by. We decided to pack up and go to Crawford’s and set up. We set up camp in the afternoon. It was then when most people started arriving.

Thursday morning Bill and I finally had some company to wheel with. We met up with the Dixon’s, Luis and Archie and Bob. All Florida people. Five 40’s and one 60. We left early enough to get the jump on everyone else and were the first group to get to School bus. The conditions were wet and difficult. There was a light rain the whole time. Bill was in the lead and of course he didn’t have any problems making it up. A winch fest ensued for the rest of us .A few other groups were behind us. Looked like everyone decided to hit School bus at the same time. It was a much different atmosphere than previous days. I was concerned we were holding up other groups, but they were all winching and having a rougher time than us. We went ahead and completed the trail.
Bill took us to the “Crack” . Kind of like the crevice, but even more challenging. We watched Bill, “Just Bill It”. Very entertaining. Just don’t have pictures of this effort. Will come up with some later.
The other groups turned around and winched back down. We missed out on the afternoon rock garden contest at Crawford’s, but ended up having a full day of it on the trails.

Friday, there’s not much to report. Stayed at camp. The Friday raffle was well attended. More people arrived Friday. They gave away three sets of tires AND a winch. Sorry to say Florida people didn’t win much of anything. Luis did win a remote control FJ Cruiser.
Saturday morning made the 11 hr drive home without incident. The H55 kicked ass on the highway. Was able to cruise easily at 70 MPH.
Sorry not many pictures to post. Everyone else took pictures but me.