Last month I gave an Ultimate Thank You for those that helped with the Ultimate
Adventure, along with the caveat that, yes, I'm sure I forgot a few people and groups. Honestly, I figured that with all the coverage of the event most everyone would be mentioned at least once, and maybe twice! But alas in the hurried pace in which we work, some notable people and events went by the wayside, and are now mentioned with my utmost apologies.
Most memorable for sure are the two Texas Highway Patrolmen who saved us from ourselves at 80 mph-when we should have been at 60. Around 3 a.m. the rolling hills of the Texas panhandle have the mind-numbing effect of an errant roller coaster which slows and speeds up at the most inopportune time. The officers could have read us our rights and the trip would have been over then and there, but we reconfigured our driving style and still made it to Missouri on time.
Not mentioned enough was the Ozark Jeep Thing club members who groomed trails and prepared the Southern Missouri Offroad Ranch for our opening venue. They even made way for the BFGoodrich semi to make its appearance, then cooked us a grand barbeque once we slithered back from the killer trails. The Ozark Mountain 4x4 club was also in attendance for support, and we thank them all for the help.
The Dirty Underwear Gang down at the Outlaw Adventures park also made way for the BFGoodrich trailer, and spent time on the trail and led us around, while showing us what to do and what not to, yet still found time to smoke brisket all day so once again we could chow down after a breakage-filled day on the trail. Camping at the park was incredible with the bugs and birds humming and singing as we wound down our evening next to a bonfire the size of St. Louis.
We all know what a thrash it is to get a rig ready for an event, but Slim Williams of the Rock Creek Offroad Park (formerly Green Acres) was a day behind reality when we showed up. After we dined in style courtesy of the BFGoodrich trailer crew, the whole contingent of Ultimate Adventure gearheads descended on Slim's shop for an all-night thrashfest to make sure he had a Jeep to wheel in, which he deeply appreciated. Alas, an unforeseen steering issue sidelined the Jeep, whereupon Donnie and Patty Hargrove of the Fort Worth/Dallas Four Wheel Drive Club took over trail-leader duties and showed us how to thrash, break, and flog the trails of Rock Creek.
But finally, thanks to all the readers who tracked us down along our way to greet us in parking lots, grocery stores, gas stations, and on the side of the road. You guys and girls are what make the magazine, and it's our honor to write for you. If you want us to bring the Ultimate Adventure to your town or wheeling area, or even if you want to join us next year, drop us a line at www.4wheeloffroad.com, and we'll start organizing for the greatest off-road trip in the world-Ultimate Adventure 2006.