Everyone met at our place at 10:00...there would be five ATV's; Earl (Allison decided to stay home today), Eric and Janet; Fred and Terri, Steve, me...and of course, one jeep. After introducing Cec and Alan to everyone, we were on our way.
We are going on the same ride we took on January 9 to Dripping Springs, Apache Chief Cabin and Hogback trail, but it's one of our favorites and we thought it would be a good one to take Alan and Cec on.
Along the way there is a geocache that Earl and Allison hid on our last ride. So we thought this would be a good one for Allan and Cec to find...we gave them a quick lesson on our GPS's and I gave mine to Alan and Steve gave his to Cec. They found it!Terri, Earl and Fred taking a break while they wait for us to find the geocache...
A few minutes later...and about 20 minutes before we should be getting to Dripping Springs, we ran into a couple of fellows on motorcycles. One of them had had an accident...he couldn't put any weight on his right foot and was in excruciating pain. Gee, the one day Allison, a nurse, doesn't come with us...but Earl's brother Eric has industrial first-aid training....and...good thing we have a jeep along with us on today's ride! They had just gotten the injured fellow into the jeep when a park ranger in a pick-up truck came along. First of all, it's very unusual to see a ranger out here...and secondly, he's in a pick-up truck...not a lot of maneuvering room on these trails for a pick-up! But...very good timing! Steve refrained from taking any pictures at the scene so as not to embarrass the poor guy. Hey buddy...smile...you're going to be on our blog! (Haha)
Steve went down to let the Ranger know that there had been an accident, so the Ranger ( who happened to also have EMT training) came and spoke to the injured fellow...who wasn't real happy that it happened to be the same Ranger that had recently given him a speeding ticket! Fate, I guess!
The Ranger managed to get his truck turned around and we all headed to La Posa North LTVA...Earl rode the injured fellow's motorcycle and Cec rode Earl's quad.The Ranger had radio'd ahead and the ambulance and Fire Rescue arrived just as we did. Here they have just removed the injured rider from the jeep and onto a stretcher.
The other rider...in yellow just happens to live in Comox and the injured guy is from Campbell River both on Vancouver Island not far from where Earl and Allison live in Royston, BC.
Earl rode the motorcycle up to the entrance kiosk where it was going to be left until it could be picked up...Cec followed on Earl's quad to pick him up. She really enjoyed riding a quad again...can you tell!
It was going onto 1:00 by the time we were ready to head off again...
We were amazed that Allen and Cec had no problems with the terrain or keeping up in their modified jeep...
Lunchtime at Dripping Springs...
There were lots of ATV's, side-by-sides and jeeps out on the trails today. Dripping Springs is a popular spot to stop...
Steve, Cec and Alan...
Off to see the petroglyphs...no point in duplicating pics from the previous visit here :-)
Cec and Alan (in front) talking to Eric and Janet...
We had to wait for another group to arrive at the parking area for Dripping Springs before we could leave...
Time for a break at Apache Chief Cabin...a group of jeeps were there waiting for us to come down the trail before they could leave...
Cec and Alan signing the guest book inside Apache Chief Cabin...
Another group arrived just behind us...the jeeps are finally on their way...busy, busy area!
Another traffic jam on the trails...we're waiting for a group to come down before we can start up Hogback Trail...
And we're off!
The group we passed are down below...
Earl hid another geocache up here on our last ride...we're looking for it...and finally find it!
This spot is one of my favorites...such a great view (especially when the sun is shining). Group photo time...Steve, Cec, Alan, Earl, Fred, Terri, Eric and Janet...
A flag has been added to this memorial since we were last up here...our group is in the distance...
Quartzsite in the distance...upper right...
Down at the bottom of hogback trail, we came across a couple in a jeep that had blown a tire...right at the top of the trail...so we all stopped at the bottom and the guys went up to lend a hand. Here is Alan driving his jeep up, managing to get around the broken-down jeep...
It was almost 5:00 by the time we got home...another great day out on the trails! Cec and Alan went back to their place to grab some firewood for a campfire...and Earl brought over his. We haven't had a "real" campfire since New Year's Eve. Left to right....me, Alan, Cec, Eric, Fred, Terri, Earl and Allison...
A little later Art (from across the street) joined us as did another couple we met on our Alaska trip last summer, Rob and Joyce (along with their dogs Marco and Polo)...so good seeing them again too! Eventually everyone said goodnight, leaving Cec, Alan, Joyce, Rob, Steve and I sitting around the fire until about 9:00...just like old times in Alaska!
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