To reply to the hardtop soft top question, I am going soft! Not like anyone cares but once the sign of summer came, I switched out my hard top. With any chance of a nice day, I go topless. Even if I am at work, I could decide to take the roof off and not worry about if I have help for the hard top and/or place to store. I think I will make a custom clover patch(door/window carrier) for the trip.

 

I've decided against the trailer...just try to pack lite. I'd rather not be restricted to certain areas.

 

All, I spoke with 1BADJK & Rugbyduck this weekend and the plan is taking shape. Rugbyduck won't be able to make it down until later, but we will be meeting in Bend at 4:30pm on Friday 6/22.

Still need to decide on a location, but I'm thinking it should be somewhere south of town off 97. A mall or restaurant parking lot easily reached off of the highway. Will post that later, as soon as I have decided on a good spot. 1BADJK, you had a suggestion, but now I'm not sure where that was. Feel free to chime in...

Access per the USFS web site to the China Hat campground:

from Bend, 29.6 miles south on U.S. 97, then 26.4 miles east on Rd. 22, and then 5.9 miles north on Rd. 18

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centralorego...chinahat.shtml

1BADJK has posted a link to a good map of the area. There are outhouses at this campground, but it doesn't sound like there's water.

EIGHTball and I will be leaving for Bend sometime in the morning and likely arriving earlier. tradewindjk and 1BADJK will be joining us before the 4:30pm meeting time, Rugbyduck will likely join us 'round 10:30ish at the camp site.

I'll have cell with me and CB on channel 5 (sound like a good channel?). I'll post proposed points of interest, stuff to see... etc... separately in just a sec.

 

Well, there's quite a bit to see down there. I'm actually wondering if we can see it all in one trip, but a good reason to go again. I'd like to keep this as open-ended as possible, but here are a few good places nearby and to see while there:

1. Ft. Rock... of course!
2. Pine Butte - there's a nice ride up to the top and a visitor's center that is free. From what 1BADJK's told me, it's a fantastic view.
3. Crack in the Ground & Hole in the Ground.
4. Lost Forest - trees growing where it seems they shouldn't be.
5. Derek (sp?) Cave and other lava tubes to explore.
6. Sand dunes - for those that want to run their JK's on some sand... Flag required.
7. A Rock Crawling park - 1BADJK told me that Skyjacker is having a competition there in Sept. Could be worth checking out!

I'm sure I'm leaving something out, but what I propose is that we discuss it here initially and then firm things up once we get there. For those coming earlier on Friday, we should go to the campground, get setup and then we can find a place to run for a little before sunset and plan on being back to camp and have dinner before Rugbyduck arrives.

On Saturday, we can get an early start after breakfast and go to a few of the places we decided on. From what I understand of the area, most of these sites are close enough to camp that we can either go back for lunch or pack it and keep going and head back later for dinner.

Then on Sunday, we can get up early again, run until early to mid-afternoon and head back to our respective homes after that. Sound okay?

Oh, yeah... here's a little Wiki info on Ft. Rock: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Rock_(Oregon)

 

My suggestion for where to meet would be at Wal-Mart on the south side of town. It is where 97 business and 97 hwy both meet...you can't miss it! Just a thought...although I won't be meeting there.:toung:

 

Signs of summer??? Just kidding! I'm "SURE" it will be summer when we go to Ft. Rock. I will be taking my torx sockets with me, just in case I decide to remove the whole hard top... Yeah, folks at work have been chuckling at me... I seem to have developed a "Jeep tan", although it seems to be fading quickly.

 

Good suggestion! Thank you. Sound okay, folks?

 

Excellent Location.. Can't miss it even if your on the wrong road.. Got my vote..

 

I think it's decided then! We'll meet up at the Bend Wal-Mart.

Here's a link for the store locator:

Link

If the link doesn't work for some reason, here's the address:

Wal-Mart Store #2075
20120 Pinebrook Blvd
Bend, OR 97702

See ya there Friday, 6/22!

 

Last weekend to get ready.. Should we get a jeep head count.... Chime in if your still going...