On February 21st, we kicked off the 2009 driving
event schedule with a great fun run through the Far East. The Far East
of San Diego, that is. This event is known as our Mountain and Desert
run and its scenic, long, sometimes fast, and always fun. Did I
mention it was long? We had to ask Bret to shorten it by 50 miles or
so, but it still seemed like about 200 miles. Thanks go out to Bret
Gann for planning and organizing a great run. We started out in Rancho
Bernardo, taking HVR out to Ramona, then on to Santa Ysabel, up Mesa Grande,
past Lake Henshaw, through the bone shaking badlands of Borrego and then up
the nausea inducing switchback of Banner Grade, on into tranquil (until we
arrived) Julian, CA. Bret had arranged for our private use of an
entire roped off parking lot behind the American Legion. Without this,
parking would have been very tough for a busy Saturday Morning on a picture
perfect day in this popular tourist destination.
There were 10 cars participating with 17 People: Bret Gann and Judy,
Ralph and Pat Suarez, Ron and Carol Ketcham, Kerry Maguire, Klaus
Schoenherr, Glen Chancellor, Mike and Leigha Becker, Marshall Smith and
Christine Hall, Buzz and Fran Rehman and Leon and Arlan Rower |
In the sandy paradise of the Anza Borrego desert, the ATV is king and dust
is everywhere. But Panteras are thirsty too, so the ATV's, buggies and
motorcycles parted to make way for several of the Panteras to suck down a
few gallons of the precious petrol. After fueling up, Klaus' car
refused to start, but it turned out to be nothing more than a simple loose
batter cable. It was tightened up and we were off again.
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