It was the 18th of September and a nice cool morning. 17 Jeeps got ready to leave Dunkin Donuts to head west, with another 10 Jeeps to follow during the day. Yes, it was time for the VA4WD 16th Annual Trail Ride/Poker Run that everybody looks forward to.
The morning group met at Dunkin Donuts at 9am, had coffee and donuts (Thanks Gus!) and was ready to hit the road at 9:30. We rolled out with 17 Jeeps and 1 car that morning:
Wanderer - John Outlawjeep - Ray BigPoppaG - Gary Landshark - Kenny
Scorp - Leo Feniks – Renee JK Crwlr - Van Halowarmor - Jeremy
Warren D - Warren MattvsYJ - Matt TecDiver - Stan USNChip - Mark
VaRubicon - Bobby Smoke - Donnie Danny Tommy
Jeff Yjrunner - Matt (by car)
Heading
west on I-64, we had a nice convoy going, getting waves as people passed us and
the group stayed together with Wanderer leading the way. On the other side of
Richmond, we stopped for a break at the Rest Area and met up with Pat – PingPong.
We now had 17 Jeeps driving, 1 Jeep on trailer, and 1 car, all heading out on
I-64 to Route 29 South, up and down the hills to Oak Ridge.
We arrived
around 1pm at the site and it was like a bunch of kids hitting the playground.
Everybody headed for a spot to start setting up tents and everything else.
After things settled down, it was time to head to the store for stocking of
food, beverages, ICE and, of course, top off with fuel. As the day went on,
more and more of our club members showed up, even up to 11pm that night.
Everybody helped out in getting everybody set up and we all enjoyed the evening.
TealTJ - Johnathon BESRK - Eddie Kermit -
Dave CBRogers - Carl
BigRedG - Gabe SkyKing - Terry Liferox-
Geneva csm - Shea
M3BRDLY - Avery SlinknStocker - Kim jeepn4lf –
Rick
Friday morning started out early, as we wanted to get lined up in the same line; but as usual, we got separated into at least 2 different 
lines. Well, everybody met different people and we still had a good time. We hit different trails throughout the day: Tanners Mountain - a nice long drive up and down a mountain with a nice little rock garden at the top, and Z-Ditch - to check out the flex in your jeep (no water this time). A few water crossings and rides through the woods and an obstacle now
and then. At the end of the day, we came back to camp in pretty good shape Jeep-wise…(Gabe – 
busted a rear axle shaft, Eddie – overheating, Rick – retired a rear end, Kenny – one fender twice and the rest a
few bumps and dents). But the talk in the morning before we even got on trail was Ray getting a busted lip helping out a fellow Jeeper and had to be taken to the Hospital for stitches. (Thanks Gary!)
The evening went on and everybody enjoyed themselves late into the night. We had a “campfire” going, no heat but the atmosphere was there, and a light that might attract UFOs. Of course much later, or early in the morning, a few people were trying to shoot down the UFOs!
The next morning was a little later since the lines were established. But of course things will change and one group of us jumped lines so we wouldn’t be broken into 3 groups. And off we went through the woods and
cross the streams. A few people tried and even less made some obstacles like Upper 3, but got through Lower 3. And of course we can’t forget CJ5 Hill, since everybody always looks forward to it. Some people will bring on the smoke trying to get up it; some will just drive up it without breathing hard (another obstacle Kim should be proud of making it up without a problem). One of the last places our group headed to was the Rock Quarry, a nice dusty drive through the cornfields
(remember Children of the Corn) and down to a river crossing with not much water but a nice big
rock. Over the rock we went and up the hill, then make a choice - the right or left. Well, the majority went right and a few went left and only one made it - need I say more? Well, at the end of the day, no major damage and everybody got off trail in good shape, and Eddie enjoyed not overheating.
After everybody cleaned up from the dusty trails, we headed down to the fixings VA4WD provided and to buy tickets for the raffle. Course Donnie was popular with a wingspan of over 6’. The food was good and then the raffle started and we did pretty well! After the raffle it was back to camp to enjoy the last night before heading back home.
Just a general rundown of what was won
Set of tires - Geneva Winch - Matt Fire extinguishers - Matt/Dave
Minicooker - Donnie Tent - Kenny Parts washer - Jeff/Leo (given to Donnie)
Car Care kit - Eddie DVD/Shirt - John Air reel - Warren
Hotel Reservation - Leo Strap - Bobby/Leo Sleeping bag - Warren
Sunday morning and it’s time to pack up and head home. Everybody got everything together and then we checked the site before leaving. Off to the gas station and McDonalds for some food before hitting the road
(and of course, just like years in the past, McDonalds had issues. They might get it right one year…)
Everybody said their goodbyes and headed out for the trip home. Just checking around with a few people, it seems that everybody made it back OK and are ready for next year already! See you all there!
