article_lonepine2007

Back in January, I received a strange e-mail from Greg Rardin titled "Crazy Idea". Evidently, when Gene Condon of the RBC in California was in Texas for Buggy Blast IV, he extended an invitation to the Texas Manx Club to California and spends a couple of days riding buggies in the high desert. So Greg got his crazy idea when the Manx Club announced the Lone Pine run, he e-mailed me and wanted to know if I wanted to tag along. Needless to say, by that evening we had two airline tickets booked to Las Vegas.

You see, Gene came to last years Buggy Blast in Salado and even though he enjoyed the cruises, he was somewhat surprised at how differently we use our buggies in Texas. With nowhere to ride "off road" in Texas, most of our Texas buggies have evolved into "street buggies". California however has a lot of public land and the majority of California buggies have remained street legal but built more for "off road". After a 4 hour flight to Vegas (via Midland), a 5 hour car ride to Lone Pine, CA, and on 6 hours of sleep, we hooked up with Gene and a few other buggy enthusiasts for a couple of days in the high desert of Death Valley National Park.

The first day we traveled about 220 miles in 10 hours. First we drove north to Big Pine, California and took a right into the mountains. After an hour or so we came out of the mountains into Eureka Valley. We stopped for a break at Eureka Dunes. These dunes were in comparison in size to Enchanted Rock in the hill country, the are @600feet high, base to peak. After the break we headed to Dedeckera Canyon. To get to the other end of this canyon we had to climb a rock ledge that was only 71" wide and very steep. All the buggies took it in stride.

I was impressed! At the top of the canyon we broke for lunch and pondered our descent into Saline Valley. The primary road for the next 20 or so miles was basically a dry wash loaded with small sharp rocks. In Saline Valley we stopped at a natural hot springs. This was amazing. It was hard to believe that in this vast desert we would come upon such a wonder. (Hey David, you forgot about the next 2 oasis…complete with nude sun worshippers!) We left Saline Valley behind us as we climbed out via Grapevine canyon. A couple more stops to refill gas tanks from the "jerry cans" and then we were heading home. We rolled back into Lone Pine dusty and tired, but still looking forward to day two.

Saturday started with a show and shine at Boulder Creek RV Park in Lone Pine for a quick car show. By 9:30 we were on the trail again. After entering the valley we then started our climb up through Lippincott Pass past the old Lippincott Lead mine. For me this was the most challenging part of the whole trip. We drove up the mountain on some of the narrowest switch backs I have ever seen. Some of them were so washed out that a Billy goat wouldn't attempt them. Our first main stop was at a place called "The Racetrack". This was a huge salt flat that had rocks on it that supposedly moved across the ground without assistance. (I know, I don't believe it either) After lunch we headed out and shortly after that we had our first major breakdown. An electric fuel pump on one of the buggies started giving out. After a couple of taps with a hammer, it was good to go.

It wasn't long before we came to a place called "Tea Kettle Junction". Here it seems it's a custom to hang a tea kettle on a sign for good luck or something like that.

As we got ready to move on, the Don’s fuel pump went out again. After a couple more taps with a hammer, it was good to go. But only for about 50 feet! After the fourth set of hammer taps, we decided to tow the buggy back in before it got too late. The tow strap was hooked up from Gene’s Gadget and Don’s buggy. Believe me, towing the buggy for 60 miles at about 50 miles an hour down a wash board gravel road was an adventure (especially for the passengers of the buggy being towed!) Surprisingly for the trail conditions, we had very few breakdowns. I think a total of 4 flat tires, a loose king pin, a broken weld and a bad electric fuel pump.

Not bad.

That evening we had a Cinco de Mayo themed pot luck dinner. We had some great food and fellowship, all joking and telling stories about our adventure.

All good things must come to an end. The next morning after a 5 hour car ride through Death Valley back to Vegas, two shuttles to the airport, and a stop over in San Antonio, we were back in Dallas.

It was a great experience to see how buggies are driven in different parts of the country. I would recommend this experience to anyone who gets the chance. It was nice to meet other people who share the same interest. Even if their idea of a buggy ride is just a little bit different.

And to think it all started with a simple e-mail!

David Head