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Wild West 2002 - August 23 - 26, 2002

Wild West 2002 was the first western US meet for the Chevrolet Avalanche Fan Club.  Fourteen Avalanches and 38 people attended this four day event that explored the southern Oregon and northern California region.  Most of our journey took us through the scenic wonders of the mythical state of Jefferson.

Members started at Crater Lake National Park and spent an entire day exploring the area, including little visited sections.  Then the group headed south to Klamath Falls before crossing the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge to visit Lava Beds National Monument.

While at Lava Beds club members explored ancient volcanoes, lava flows, and crawled into the dark reaches of several lava tube caves, including giant Skull Cave.  From Lava Beds National Monument we said farewell to one Avalanche, two took an alternate route and eleven elected to go on a 96 mile on-road off-road adventure in the Shasta and Modoc National Forests.  While there they saw Arnica Sink, Medicine Lake and scoured a massive wall of black obsidian.

The next day started in the small town of Yreka, California where 13 Avalanches headed west to the town of Happy Camp, California.  From there a group of ten went white water rafting on the Klamath, and enjoyed an outstanding lunch on the river.  The remaining group of 28 went to lunch at the Indian Creek Cafe and enjoyed the icy water and sweet berries found on the Klamath at a local swimming hole.  After a creepy stop in the Hoola Indian Reservation the cruised arrived in Eureka, California, where members ate at the famous Fresh Freeze Drive-In.

On the final day the cruise turned and headed north along the Pacific Coast and explored Redwoods National and State Parks.  The cruise started at the Lady Bird Johnson Grove for a mile hike through stately Redwoods.  Then north to Elk Flats and Fern Canyon for some creek hoping, lunch, and exploring.  The group then continued north along the scenic coast to Crescent Beach where the sun was shining and it was a balmy 70 degrees.  On the return to Eureka there was a brief stop at Trees of Mystery to see Paul Bunion and his Ox Babe, before arriving at the Samoa Cookhouse for a farewell dinner that couldn't be beat and awards.

The pictures below are shown in chronological order and were contributed by nine different members.  This is a partial preview of the pending Wild West Screen Saver.