So Cal "Goo929 Memorial Cruise" Calico Ghost Town

[SoCalCindy]

I just sent out an email to all of our chapter members asking if they would like to participate in a "Cruise for Goo." It would be a great tribute to Pete! ... to have a buncha fun in his honor.

[Blanche The Avalanche]

  I was thinking of this very same thing while e-mailing you Cindy, just now.... But I didn't mention it...
 I would be interested, if not working...

 Rita

[SoCalCindy]

Good news. I'm starting to hear back from people already.

[SoCalCindy]

Have any of you been out to Calico Ghost Town? I've been trying to think of someplace interesting to go... That is not overly crowded with a ton of traffic. Someplace that will be easy for all the AVs to stay together while traveling. We could meet in San Bernardino and cruise to Calico. It would be about 1.5 hour drive from SB to Calico.
Hmmm...Calico Ghost Town

Down in the San Diego area is a scenic route and Cabrillo National Monument. It is the best time of year to visit there. The whales are migrating at this time....
Cabrillo National Monument

A few people have mentioned Anza/Borrego... I've never been out there myself... Will there be stuff to do for those who don't wish to go offroading?
Anza/Borrego SP

Just throwing a few ideas out there...

[tractman]

Those all aound great Cindy. Maybesome of us Northeners could tag along.......
Tractman

[avking]

Have you considered Pismo Beach? Nice off-roading on the beach and dunes, and a lot to do for those not interested in off-roading.

[SoCalCindy]

Thanks for the suggestions avking

I have thought of Pismo and Glamis too. Those would be great places for an overnighter cruise...
A bit to far to travel in one day for the folks coming up from San Diego. This cruise will most likely be a day trip. Not enough notice or time to plan an overnighter this time.
I will definitely keep Pismo in mind. I love it up there. You can bet on it. We'll be up that way in the future.

Tractman... any of you and all of you are welcome to tag along at anytime! We'd love to have you.

So Cal Homepage &  New Forum

[SoCalCindy]

By the way.... my personal preference for the "Cruise for Goo" is to visit Calico Ghost Town. It would be a nice leisurely drive for us all and get us away from the busy cities. I know several members would like a chance to get offroad... I'm looking into that too... I'm sure there has got to be some places to get off the pavement in Barstow or Victorville...

On the other hand... "Hooters" and the "Museum of Neon Art" have also been suggested! Who knows?

I know Pete would be happy no matter what we do. As long as we get together and have a good time!

[openminds]

I am really starting to hate my e-mail, I get the stuff I don't want but not the stuff I do......

What date are we talking about? Calico sounds fun. Just not on a Sunday, Traffic will be a nightmare. We have a pretty full calender, but missed the last so must show on this one. (I hope).

Let us know.

Jonathan & Heather

[SoCalCindy]

Hi Jonathan & Heather! Happy New Year!

The date we are talking about is Sunday, January 19th.
This is the date when the most people can attend.

I think... the plan so far will be to meet in the a.m. in San Bernardino. Cruise out to the "Ghost Town" see the sights, take pics, and eat lunch together. Then everyone can head back towards home.

I'm hoping we'll be outta there early enough to miss most of the heavy traffic coming back from Vegas and Laughlin. Since it is a Sunday... traffic could be an issue on the way out... but...again, hopefully we'll finish up early enough..to miss some of the traffic and everyone will get home a decent hour.

I hope you both can make it.

That's all I have for now... We've been discussing it in a little more detail over at the So Cal Forum.

[SoCalCindy]

Okay! It's official now!

We'll be cruising on Sunday January 19, 2003 to Calico Ghost Town. We'll be meeting in San Bernardino in the a.m. Exact time and location coming shortly....
From San Bernardino, we'll be cruising together approx. 80 miles to Calico. We'll see the town, take pics and have lunch together then head back outta town....Possibly stopping for some offroading opportunities.

More details to follow...

Southern California Chapter Homepage

[SoCalCindy]

You should have gotten an email... But just in case here is a copy...

Southern California Avalanche Chapter "Goo929 Memorial Cruise"
Calico Ghost Town & Optional Offroading Adventure

Cruise Details: Please read entire email I'll try to keep it short & to the point.

WHEN:  Sunday, January 19, 2003 9:00 A.M.
MEET LOCATION:  McDonald's at 3230 WAGON TRAIN RD, PHELAN, CA 92371
We'll meet in the parking lot in/around McDonalds. The location is approx. 8 miles past the (north) 215/15 Junction. On (north) I-15 (Barstow Fwy) exit SR 138 Silverwood Lake/Palmdale. Turn right at off-ramp, and quick right again onto Wagon Train Rd. McDonalds is visible from the freeway on the right...there's no way you can miss it. There are also gas stations right next door if anyone needs to fuel up.

From McD's we'll cruise together approx. 65 miles to Calico Ghost Town.
Calico Ghost Town 36600 Ghost Town Rd. Yermo, CA 92398
The folks at Calico sent me some discount admission coupons, so...
Entrance Fees:
Adult (16 and over) $5/person
Youth (6-15) $2/person
Children (5 & under) Free
Lunch at Calico Ghost Town: You can pack your own lunch or buy lunch at:
Old Miner's Cafe - burgers, and deli sandwiches, ice cream, soft drinks & beer.
Lil's Saloon - Beverages, pizza, baked potatoes, hot dogs, nachos...
We could do a tailgate lunch at the AVs like we did on the Angeles Forest Cruise?
There are several optional attractions at Calico with fees of $1 to $2.50...

After exploring the town and havin' lunch together, you have the option to go do some offroading in the AV. Owen (jst4f) has located an area very close by called "Dagget Wash Trail." It's a looping trail that provides scenic views of the desert and old mines.
Owen says, "It is a level 3 trail, which means that high clearance 2WD drive trucks are OK but 4wd is preferred. Everyone should have no problems, especially in a group." It should take approx. 2 hrs. to complete the loop....

If you prefer not to go offroading, you can continue to explore the town, head home if you need to, or I am looking into some other close by "attractions."

So there you have the details, if you have any questions or comments, etc. you can contact me via email or cellphone. Looking forward to seeing you all again, and meeting those who I haven't met before! It will be a good time! OK! I know you're all wondering...so far it looks like we'll have 13 -14 AVs at this event. Anyone else plan to join us? Let me know...

Note* For some reason, Mapquest & Expedia are not giving complete accurate directions to these destinations. I have checked and double checked the addresses and they are accurate. Go figure? As I said before. McD's is visible from the freeway.

Southern Califorina Chapter Homepage

C-Ya There!  
Cindy AKA SoCalCindy
Phone number removed

[SoCalCindy]

Here are the details about the Calico Optional Offroading Adventure....

From Owen (jst4f)

Hi Everyone,

Cindy asked that I send out to everyone more details
about the optional off road adventure as part of our
cruise to Calico Ghost Town.  This is what I propose.

The Calico Off Road Experience

We will start at Calico and travel about 8 miles on
paved road to Daggett, which is at the Pendleton exit
on US 40.  From Daggett we will travel on Ord Mountain
Rd, a.k.a. Daggett Wash Trail for a total of 15.3
miles (14.9 miles are unpaved).  This trail will wind
through the desert scenery along Daggett Ridge.  The
reason this trail gets a rating of 3 (on a 1 to 10
scale) is because we will be traveling in a wash where
the sand can be soft and there can be rocks up to 9
inches.  High clearance 2wd should have no problems
especially in a larger group.  Obviously, 4wd is
better.  Total driving time is estimated at 1 to 2
hours, depending on how often we stop.

This trail ends at Camp Rock Road CRR).  Those who
have had enough or need to get back home can follow
CRR to the left and back to US 40 (about 10 miles).
CRR is a wide and graded dirt road.  For the more
adventurous, with extra time, we can turn right onto
CRR and start on the Rodman Mountain Trail.  This will
take us past a lava flow, Petroglyphys (about 900 of
them) and on to a primitive road through Box Canyon
and then back to US 40.  This loop will add another 30
miles to the trip.  This trail is also rated at a 3
with the primitive road being the challenging part of
this trip.  Those who want to see the lava flow and
Petroglyphys can back track to CRR and back to US 40
without going into Box Canyon.

If you are wandering if I have been on these trails
before.....no.  So we might get lost or have to stop
and think about where we are.  I do have pretty good
maps of the area and books providing detailed
directions, including GPS coordinates.  These are the
same books and approach we used this summer in CO when
we went off road and we made it back, on time and in
one piece.  Not knowing exactly where we are going
adds to the adventure.

I will make copies of directions for the three off
road options and bring them to Calico.  I plan to do
the complete trip through Box Canyon, time permitting.
I just may not get past the Petroglyphys!

Owen “jst4f” Thomsen

Thanks Owen! Sounds Great!

[Blanche The Avalanche]

   EeeeeeHawww! Just three more days.
 So much to, so little time....
  1st oil change
  Wash & Clean Blanche really good
  Go to Trader Joes
  Charge batteries for video camera and RC AV.
   ect. ect. ect........

 Rita

[Sunburst 2500]

Looking forward to this event gotta finish my new mod tonight. see you all sunday i should be up there by 8:30 or so as i will be having mc donalds breakfast before we go. See you there.

[SoCalCindy]

Bring a FRS radio if you have one... If you don't there will be some you can borrow.

[avking]

Well, I have some bad news. I am not going to make it tomorrow. My wife had a accident yesterday and her New Beetle rolled over a couple times. She is ok, but the doctor said she needs to take it easy for a few days. The car looks like a total loss, but my wife is ok and thats all that matters.

I was so looking forward to showing off and breaking in my new lift. Well, I guess we will meet you in Snow Summit in March. Have fun and be safe.

[XRover]

Avking,

Very sorry to hear about your wife  

Please tell her to follow doctors orders and get better so we can all get together in the future.

How did the accident occur ?

[avking]

She hit a slick patch on the road going about 50mph and overcorrected. The wheels hit the curb and it just rolled, twice. It is amazing how she walked away from it. A little whiplash and a slight concussion. Lots of aches and pains, but nothing to serious. Hats off to the folks at VW. I am a little surprised the side air bags did not deploy, but it turned out ok without them.

Thanks for your concern. We really hope to make the next meet.

Avking,

Very sorry to hear about your wife  

Please tell her to follow doctors orders and get better so we can all get together in the future.

How did the accident occur ?

[SoCalCindy]

avking... I just got your email. I'm so glad your wife is OK! How scary! We hope she feels better soon!

We'll see ya both next time...

[Lightning]

So how was it? Where are the photos?

[chevroletavalanche]

Here you go:

http://www.socalavalanche.com/Jan2003.html

[SoCalCindy]

I also wrote a description of the day's activities for those who are interested...Here.

[TexAVfan]

Please visit the pics thread for information and viewing on this cruise - pics are great.
Goo Memorial Cruise Pics