Southern California Cruise #4 Nov. 02

[SoCalCindy]

Here's a link to a few printable maps of Joshua Tree National Park.

Joshua Tree National Park Maps

The Adobe Acrobat PDF map is nice. It's identical to the one in the brochure they give you at the park entrance.

[Supermobile]

I'd like feedback from those like myself who will be attending:

Some are planning on bringing FRS two-way radios, which are good for communicating for a distance of
a couple of miles.

But for longer distances, I am wondering if those who like myself have onstar with personal calling - would you want to private message each other now with your Av's phone number too?

Maybe someone gets lost or is running late or something, it would be a way to communicate.

I would be willing to give my Av's phone number to a fellow Av club member.

Thanks.
Supermobile

P.S. If nothing else I am curious how many in our chapter subscribe to the personal calling feature.

Do you have it?

I always make calls from my vehicle anyway, so I cancelled my cell phone!

[Avalanche Bob]

SoCalCindy,

In case the emails don't make it:  Count us in on the Nov. 2 meet.  We have a Z71, so we'd really enjoy the opportunity to do the off-road tour.  Put us down for a camping spot at Joshua Tree.  We have an 11'x11' tent, and will have at least 3 people, possibly 4 or 5 if my sons have friends who can come.  Looking forward to a fun meet!  Thanks for all the time you've put into organizing it.  We really appreciate it!  

Supermobile,

Love your chatting graphic--its one of the best at the site.    (Looks like me at night way too often lately, though.)

We don't have OnStar or an FRS radio.  Will have to get by the old-fashioned way:  CB or cell phone!    

[Supermobile]

Looking forward to meeting you, Bob.

This will be the first time I have met anyone in
the club too, seeing as I just got my Av last month.

Should be fun!

[bshef]

Hey Fellow Californi-AV,ian's.
Wow! I haven't "signed on" to this site in sooooo long. Can't believe what I've been missing.
Count me in, along with my son.
We'll be camping too. Do we have a head count on campers? Anyone else bringing kids? My boy is 9 y.o. and loves to make new friends.
Any experienced rock climbers in our group? We would love to climb some of the rocks in JT.

Cindy- Let me know if you need anything contributed!
We'll see you at T-Rex @ 9am! How bout some breakfast in Cabazon?

Go Angels!
Brad in HB

[SoCalCindy]

Hi Brad! Welcome Back! We're all glad you'll be comin' along too...

There are several in the group who will be bringing their kids along and camping out. I'll put you down for camping out.

[SoCalCindy]

Hey Gang...Our list is growing...Here's an update.

This is what I have so far as a headcount.

These people plan on attending...

Wind4Power/SoCalCindy Camping
Aegis Camping
RV8Pilot ?
Tunahunter Camping
MagicMtnDan Camping
openminds Camping
Supermobile Hotel
ttrama ?
Avalanche Bob Camping
bshef Camping
King_Avalanche Camping
RCinSoCal Camping

Possibly...But Still Checking....
CA-AV
bcchen

Did I miss anyone? I will keep updating this list.

[Avalanche Bob]

Bshef,

My sons are 12  and 9, and love to meet new kids when we go camping.  I'm sure everyone will have a great time.  And I'm looking forward to meeting the folks behind all these CAFCNA posts!  

[SoCalCindy]

My girls are really looking forward to camping out. They are 12, 8, and 8.

Also, If anyone would like to see some photos from So Cal's previous meets...I've put some from each meet on my personal website.

www.Wind4Power.us

[RV8Pilot]

Hi SoCalCindy:
Looks like a real event is brewing  

We may have a change in plans, so you better put me and my wife as a "?" for camping...we may have to head out late afternoon  

If anyone out there wants to use a FRS radio, I'll have two with me and will be happy to loan out one for the day...let me know when we meet in the AM.

[KING_AVALANCHE]

It looks a go    for Stephen and I for the trip, and we WILL  be camping    The only problem for me is that I do have to work that day. I am still negoating with my supervisor as to when I will be able to get away from work. I am really hoping to be able to see     the wind towers but will at least be there for camping   .
 I will update my ETA for the  meeting areas as I am able to find out.
                            Mike

P.S. For those with kids, My son is 6 and loves  
   new friends!!  

[Tunahunter]

Sure does sound like this is shaping up...I'll be bringing my daughters (5 and 9), they can't wait to camp.  Odds are good that I'll also have another Av (and it's owner) with me.  A friend from work,  who knows about this site but thinks he's too busy to be involved  .  I think him and his fiance will be tagging along - they have a blue Z66.

Also, my offer to provide Albacore Tuna steaks (and maybe some yellowtail) for dinner for all on Sat. night still stands.  Does that sound ok with everyone?

Chuck

[RCinSoCal]

Count me in! I'll be bringing my 8 yr old boy, my friend and his 12 yr old boy.

We'll try to grab some firewood before we come out, as there's none in the desert. We'll also bring (dust off! ) our climbing gear. It's been several years since we've been out there, so it will be fun to get up on the rock again Friday, and Sat pm (we'll be camping there Fri night, too.)

To all the campers it's a good idea to bring some water. There's none to be had in JTNP proper, though it is available in our campground area (Black Rock) from what I've read*.

And we have to watch the kids around the cactus. There's lots, and lots of types. It's also a good idea to inspect the tents and bedrolls for scorpions before turning in at night. Not trying to scare anyone here, just pointing out what's out there. Common sense + knowledge=a good time.  

I only wish we had a batch of home brew to share with all. We're about to start one up; bad timing on our part   We'll bring the last 7 or 8 of the most recent batch for everyone though.

Re communications, anyone who wants my OnStar # when we're out there is welcome!

Thanks for all your hard work, Cindy.   This should be fun!

*Neat link to lots of JT info; scroll to bottom for various categories:    http://www.joshua.tree.national-park.com/info.htm

[SoCalCindy]

Hope you decide to join us RC.

Just wanted to let folks know about the campground us campers will be staying in....
Black Rock Canyon Campground.

This campground is by reservation only. There are 100 campsites.  The campground has running water and flush toilets. A real luxury out there.
I have 8 sites reserved which can accomodate 2 vehicles, 2 tents, and 6 people per site.

The campground is a part of JTNP but is located outside the park entrance. Here is a description from NPS.

"Black Rock Canyon...
Located in the northwest corner of the park, the road to Black Rock Canyon dead-ends at Black Rock Campground. Campsites are located on a hillside at the mouth of the canyon surrounded by Joshua trees, junipers, cholla cacti, and a variety of desert shrubs. Spring blooms usually begin with the Joshua trees in late February followed by shrubs and annuals through May.
This quiet, family campground is a good introduction for first-time campers. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring with rest rooms and water nearby. If you forget to bring your firewood, shopping facilities are only five miles away in the town of Yucca Valley. Campsites vary in size and can accommodate both tents and RVs. A day-use picnic area and dump station are also available. For horse owners, a separate area is provided for overnight camping or staging a ride.
Campers register and pay camping fees at the nature center located in the middle of the campground. The staff at this small visitor center can help plan your hikes and sightseeing. Maps, books, nature guides, and childrens activity books may be purchased there.
The hills behind the campground offer a variety of hiking trails including the Hi-View Nature Trail. The interpretive guide for this trail, available at the nature center, identifies the vegetation along this scenic 1.3-mile walk. For those looking for longer trails, Eureka Peak, Panorama Loop, and Warren Peak take hikers to ridge lines overlooking the often snowy peaks of San Jacinto and San Gorgonio. The trailhead for a 35-mile section of the California Riding and Hiking Trail is located at Black Rock. Backpackers can register at the backcountry board here for overnight wilderness trips.
But you dont have to hike to enjoy the Black Rock Canyon area. Wildlife sightings are frequent in the campground. Visitors often encounter ground squirrels, jackrabbits, and cottontails. Frequent bird sightings include cactus wrens, Gambels quail, great horned owls, jays, and roadrunners. A serious birder might be rewarded with a glimpse of a Scotts oriole, pinyon jay, or LeContes thrasher. More elusive species such as bobcat, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, desert tortoises, and mule deer have all been seen in the area. As the sun sets, listen for the singing of coyotes living on the outskirts of the campground.
Please do not feed wild animals in Joshua Tree National Park. People food is unhealthy for them and they can become aggressive and harm you."

Since this is desert...of course we'll have to watch out for critters and bring plenty of water. Thanks for bringing that up RC.

[openminds]

Hey TunaHunter,

Your offer for the Albacore is what sealed it with the wife to go.

We have a little charcoal grill, which I am sure will be better than trying to use the fire-pits. But won't be big enough for everyone. Hopefully some more come out on the trip.

Can't wait for Nov. 2nd.

Things for all the kids to do? Cin, did the area look bicycle friendly? Alex wants to bring his bike.

[SoCalCindy]

Looks like we're going to have a nice crowd for the cruise and camping too... and its still early! Cool! You can check the post on page 6 of this thread to see who plans on coming...I've been updating it regularly.

There's been discussion about having a BBQ dinner at the campground Sat. Sounds like a great idea to me

TunaHunter: said he'd like to bring Albacore steaks and maybe some yellowtail.

SoCalCindy: I'll bring a bunch of soda and some hotdogs & buns for the kids. I'll also bring plates, napkins, and eating utensils.

Supermobile:[/u] We will bring chips and cookies.

Maybe someone can bring some kind of a salad, maybe a dessert, etc. or whatever you like.  Let us know if you'd like to bring something by posting or PM me...and I'll keep updating this post.

I also will be bringing a small travel size propane grill along.

[SoCalCindy]

openminds

Things for all the kids to do? Cin, did the area look bicycle friendly? Alex wants to bring his bike

We never thought of that idea while we were out there. I know that there are trails specifically for mountain biking and stuff. But, I'm not sure if thats what you had in mind. But, he can ride around in the campground areas for sure. My kids would like to bring their bikes too...but I'm not sure if we'll be able to fit 'em all in the AV...we'll see.

[Tunahunter]

Openminds, good idea on the charcoal grill....I'll bring mine also, and it's a small one as well.  The good thing is the Tuna only takes a few minutes to cook, so we can grill it in batches.

I'll try to fit my girls bikes in as well.

I'll be out of town all next week with limited access to a pc, so if I don't reply to anything don't worry...I'm still a go for the 2nd.

See ya,
Chuck.

[Supermobile]

Cindy and all:

We will bring chips and cookies for everyone.

(Enough for everyone).

We are driving up from Vista Friday night and staying in Palm Springs so that we will only have a short hop
to the Dino's meeting place.

[Supermobile]

We just bought a pair of FRS radio units last night
at Costco.

Since we can only use one of the units during the meet, we would be happy to loan the other one to
anyone who doesn't have an FRS, who might want to be able to chat amongst the other Avalanche drivers.

Just let me know.

[SoCalCindy]

Here's a map showing the location of the Dinosaurs in Cabazon, CA.
located off Interstate 10. Exit I-10 using Main St. Exit.

[Supermobile]

Kool map, thanks.

Hmmm, I was just looking at that photo
of that long-necked dino earlier....wondering...., let's see, if we get four Avalanches to back up to the big
boy, one for each of his feet,  do you suppose he could climb aboard and we could give big barney a ride out of there?

Nah..

He probably enjoys it as he is, having people walk around inside of him and shop.  

Forgive me, my imagination ran a little wild there.  

[SoCalCindy]

While I was getting some directions on mapquest today...I noticed that in addition to street maps...you can also view aerial maps of the location you are looking for... I thought it was kinda neat! Of course I had to see if I could locate and aerial photo of my neighborhood...and sure enough it was there. Again...I say Neato!

So anyway...to match the street map above, here is an aerial photo from mapquest of our meet location at the Dinos in Cabazon...

[SoCalCindy]

Supermobile

Forgive me, my imagination ran a little wild there.

Its Ok Super! I forgive you! It happens to the best of us.
My Favorite Quote:
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" -Willie Wonka

[Lightning]

I am thinking that I may coming out there on Saturday morning from San Diego. Is anyone else driving up from San Diego, if so do you care to caravan?