PA Ridgerunner Rendezvous 1: BESF Jan 2009

[Haggis]

A Saturday full of snow, ice, frigid winds and dodging snowmobiles, this is how we spent a day during the winter of 2008. It all resulted from me being cabin bound and needing to get out of the house. I suggested to a few folks I had become friends with over an internet forum that we needed to go wander around in the snow and get the hell out of the house. After all the internet dust had settled a winter time trip to central PA’s Bald Eagle State Forest during a blustery January weekend emerged and away we went.

The gang met at the Ranger Station as planned, shot the breeze a bit and consulted our GPS guru, Chris (cshontz) and planned a route. On this trip were such notables as Jay (mtnbike28), Adam (frankinjeep), Al (Al Swopes), Chris and the other Chris (Cshontz) who would later be called Sven because there were to many Chris-es.

We headed out on the first forest road; the snow wasn't very deep only about 6" but it was well packed by the large amount of snowmobile track in the region. With temps in the single digits and a strong biting wind, the snow had a crunchy texture with an icy sheet underneath. Traction at times was interesting but nothing untoward. If the temps had been closer to the thirties the roads would have been very slick.

After a bit we came to a triple fork in the road. The left was gated, the center was the most inviting, the right more mundane. We headed up the center. Of course we only made it up that trail a couple of hundred yards when the trees started closing in on our rigs. With cshontz Chris (who through the rest of this thread will be referred to as Sven) in the lead and me in my LJ behind him, soon the trees were closing in pretty tight against our mirrors.

Al's Superduty weren't going to make it, at least with all the bits it started with still attached. So while "Sven" and I rolled ahead and found a turnaround spot, the rest backed back down the trail so we could head up the right fork. It turned out the right fork was the correct one anyways so it was all good.

 

[Haggis]

On our way on a trail that wasn't going to squeeze any fullsizes between trees we wound our way through the hills and valleys that make up the landscape. Every once in a while we would have to stop and let the numerous snowmobilers pass. I warnedevrybody not to pull off too far off the road as it is far easier to put a snow machine back on the trail than a two ton overlanding rig.

Following this trail and progressing nicely, I started to do my usual gawking out the window and not focusing on the road ahead of me. Soon we came to a hilly rise, "Sven" (remember this is cshontz's temporary name) eased right up over the couple of jutting rocks.

I wasn't paying that much attention and was to close to "Sven" so I hesitated just before I climbed the snow covered rocks. Well it was enough to lose my momentum and the next thing you know I'm spinning my tires and finding nothing but ice for my tires to grab. I had to back up and give it some throttle to get over and in the process fouled up Al's approach as he was comin' up. Worse yet Sven was snapping pictures. They all said they were hoping for a winch fest, but though it was close none was needed.

Around noon we came to a stand of planted red pines; nice, mature trees planted back in the CCC days. "Sven" got out to take some pics and Jay progressed up to grab my ear.

"I know Michelle isn't here to keep you in line, but we got some ladies in the need of lunch." I'm known for skipping lunch; heck there's too much to do during the daylight hours to be wasting time eatin'. But Jay was famished and trying to make it seem like it was Debbie who was hungry. I don't know if that's entirely true, but it makes the story better. Al and Adam (farnkinjeep) whipped out the grill and fried up some hot sausages while the rest of us pulled out sandwiches and such. Adam offered me one of their sausages and since I was raised that it's rude to reject a kind offer of food, I went ahead and ate one. Hot sausage = Good!

 

[Haggis]

We got back on the road and spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the nooks and crannies of the Forest. We passed quite a few snowmobilers, friendly bunch out having a blast on their machines, some of which were worth more than our rigs.

We almost had a winch incident when "Sven" slipped of the road to allow a few snow machines to pass. But to his disappiontment, he drove right out without the need to pull cable. With the XJ back on the track we spent the rest of the afternoon rambling about...

We finally hit blacktop again and we decide to make our way back home. With the temps as cold as they were and with a clear sky, the temps would have been bone jarring upon waking up Sunday morning. Jay, Debbie and I decide to stop and grab a bite to eat before we took off. We ate at a funky little cafe in Millhiem, PA called the Elk Creek Cafe. Sort of a bohemian vibe in a rural town, it was kinda weird but the food and service were good and the price was pretty reasonable also.

Anyway a great time was had and my family was happy to see me late Saturday night when I got home. Anytime I get a chance to spend a day, weekend, or week with this crew I jump at the opportunity.

Photos courtesy of Chris Shontz, Jay and Myself.