Ever have one of those trips you have been planning for months, but when the time comes to actually go you find out that you haven't finished half the items on your 'must do' list and you are left scrambling to get everything done while trying to head out the door? This year the TTCW was moved up almost a month ahead of the previous two, no doubt part of a nefarious plan by the oranizers to throw us off. Well it worked and for some reason my mind refused to acknowledge the change and went on preparing as if I had a month to go. This also affected my co-pilot who was unable to join due to work obligations after a two week fishing trip. A last minute check over on my team mates TJ revieled a problem with the Transfer case that required a rebuild while I was trying to find a new co-pilot. Living 60 miles away from the SJ meant that I couldn't just drive over and do any prep work during the work week that was further extended by a H1N1 flu outbreak at the office. Once up north the camper was loaded, the trailer hitch was nowhere to be found, I never got around to replacing the U-Bolts on the drivers side but they have held up for years so shouldn't be a problem, some food and water will be needed, etc. etc. etc. The end result was running 6 hours behind schedule and still having to pick up a club member with nothing better to do for the weekend on the way and the GPS knew exactly how to get us to our camp site. All was well.
Except the GPS thought it knew a short cut and I wasn't paying enough attention to realise I turned up the wrong road. So intead of the nice mostly paved path into the camp site it was an hour pluse drive up over some scenic outlooks and climbing down roads with one foot ruts with the camper and the trailer on back. 'The trailer is plenty solid, we built it strong just in case I put myself in this sort of situation' I tell my co-pilot as I feel the tralier slide into a rut and drag it's way along. Finally we arrive and tech is still open for checking in. My fellow team member is still nowhere to be found, last message before loosing cell reception was that the tech had tacken a few hours longer then expected on the transfercase and they were installing it and hoping to meet me by midnight. It has been a long day. Cook up some dinner, have a beer and turn on the heater and it's time to go to sleep.
We made it and checking in:
The morning has arrived and still no team mate. There are a couple more tents setup next to the camper then when we went to sleep but not the vehicle I am looking for. With the drivers meeting quickly approaching my co-pilot (Dustin) and I jumped in the vehicle and headed down the road in a mad dash for cell phone reception. While reception was found Matt and his brother Peter failed to pick up their cell phone. Well, nothing can be done at this point so we dash back for the drivers meeting. Less them a minute after we park the errant TJ pulls in behind me. With the late arrival the previous night they decided to stay one camp site further to the east but they had heard me driving by looking for them. It was described as "like a motorcycle, only smaller", so they knew it had to be me. With the drivers meeting completed we had time to make up some breakfast and prepare for being on the road for the next 24 hours. We lined up, picked up our instructions, and off to find out what was planned for us this year.
