Who else will be there with us? - Page 2

Joe Dillard · #31 03-20-2008, 10:04 PM

For the record - I have NEVER cared for Fstein.

TObject · #32 03-21-2008, 12:27 PM

Joe,

What time to you plan to leave your house for the meeting?

If I am not too late, I think I'll go to your place first so we can go together. My brother wants to come too, but he is not sure yet, he may have to go out of town.

Sergey

Joe Dillard · #33 03-21-2008, 12:48 PM

I'm guessing ~8:30 or so.

I'm going to go earlier than that & take a quick look & get a feel how the influx of people is going.

I don't want to sit in the back - or not sit at all. I may even bring my own chairs & camp out right in front.

Jerry Bransford · #34 03-21-2008, 12:59 PM

So you're going over there and coming back to your house? I was going to try to get to your house around 8am Joe.

Joe Dillard · #35 03-21-2008, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

So you're going over there and coming back to your house? I was going to try to get to your house around 8am Joe.

Jerry, if it takes me 1 minute to drive there - that would be because I took a wrong turn, ran out of gas, and pushed my car all the way there & back.

8:00 arrival here is fine.

Lawrence · #36 03-21-2008, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Dillard

Jerry, if it takes me 1 minute to drive there - that would be because I took a wrong turn, ran out of gas, and pushed my car all the way there & back.

Given this, any reason why you are not simply walking over?

Joe Dillard · #37 03-21-2008, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawrence

Given this, any reason why you are not simply walking over?

I plan to bring some things that I wish not to carry. Plus, I'll possibly have a few passengers.

TObject · #38 03-22-2008, 01:47 PM

Please feel free to choose any pictures you may find suitable from my on-line albums. I also have high resolution files of these pictures available upon request.

JV Thanksgiving 2007
05/05/07 Johnson Valley, Big Johnson trail
Feb 2007, Johnson Valley Rookie_Run
Feb 2007, Johnson Valley Rookie_Pre-run

Jerry Bransford · #39 03-22-2008, 03:10 PM

For those that weren't at this morning’s meeting with Congressman Duncan Hunter, it went fairly well with him being friendly and receptive to our point of view. California BLM Director Mike Pool was there too but it was a little less easy to read his position. Director Pool at least seemed reasonable and receptive to finding ways to solve some of the more specific pro-offroad issues brought up. There were some comments made by a few that didn't set well with the JV crowd (such as one low-life suggesting we get JV on weekends and the Marines get it Monday through Friday) but overall, today’s town hall meeting seemed to go well.

Near the end of the meeting, we made an invitation to Congressman Hunter to do a ride-along with us in JV, and his two aides were supportive. In a conversation I had with Congressman Hunter afterwards, it may be that Hunter sends his son Duncan Hunter Jr. in his place. His son, a Marine Corps Captain, is an up-and-coming politician that is in the early stages of campaigning to take over his dad's office. So that may not be such a bad thing if his son goes and not Congressman Hunter himself. This is Duncan Sr.'s last term in office so we need to groom the incoming heir-apparent too, assuming Duncan Jr. gets elected. So if Captain Hunter is able to see JV as the unique area it is, he can be a helpful friend for a long time into the future should he get elected. At the very least, he will have his dad’s ear on how his trip through JV went.

Congressman Hunter asked me while I was at the podium if I could send him photos of JV showing how unique it is, and why we're so concerned about the possible loss of JV. He has an upcoming meeting the Commandant of the Marine Corps so these photos and information on where in JV they were taken will be used by Hunter to explain to the General that JV is a far more important recreational area than the General is probably aware of.

So my marching orders from Hunter's two aides are that we owe them 20-25 good photos, descriptions of where the photos were taken including pin-pointing them on a map, and setting the date for Congressman Hunter's ride-along that his aide Mike Harrison will be coordinating. Outside, Blaine suggested the ride-along be scheduled to take place before the end of April so it's not too hot out there.

Anyway... pics and descriptions emailed to Congressman Hunter's aide Mike Harrison are first on the agenda. Can someone technically savvy create an easily accessible folder so we can pare them down to the 25 best photos? Along with each photo, Mike said we should include specifically where in JV they were taken. So we need to associate each photo in the batch we send to his office by a number, 1-25, with the corresponding number located on a map.

A good morning overall, and it was good seeing the JeepBBS forum so well represented.

TObject · #40 03-22-2008, 07:40 PM

I am sorry, at the moment we don’t have technical means to let everybody upload pictures to JeeppBBS. And even if we did, what would we do with thousands of pictures after that? The assumption is that folks who are interested in sharing their work already have a website or some kind of on-line album.

I propose that everybody who has good pictures goes through his or her collection, and does the initial selection of especially good ones. Then post links to pictures, so that the best of the best can be selected.

The Congressman’s staff indicated that they are interested in pictures that show why the Hammer trails are unique; pictures of particular rocks that can’t be found anywhere else. They also indicated that it would greatly help the cause if the pictures showed well maintained, good looking vehicles, rather than something that looks like beat-up junk. Last but not least, activates depicted should show responsible use; there shouldn’t be any pictures with people not wearing seatbelts in the jeeps, for example.

ABQ TJ · #41 03-22-2008, 08:34 PM

Well done, everyone! Glad to hear you represented the wheelers well.

Sergey, here's my link to my pics from this past Thanksgiving. Feel free to use anything there you see fit.

http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...Valley%202007/

I know I've only been there once (thus far), but enjoyed it immensely and plan on trying to make it a yearly event for me.

I especially like the couple with the views of the valley in the background...it just looks like a moon-scape to me. I removed the img tags on purpose, so as to not clutter up this thread...

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...7/IMG_0867.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...7/IMG_0865.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...7/IMG_0863.jpg

Jerry Bransford · #42 03-23-2008, 09:39 AM

A few things to keep in mind when offering photos;

Someone is going to have to tie them to a location on a map. So please include, and as specific as possible where submitted photos were taken to make that job as easy as possible.

Remember the criteria for photos includes...

Seatbelt usage
No beat up trashed vehicle, no tube buggies
Unique rock formations or rock types
Family shots are great
Nice looking vehicles
Smiling faces

We're showing important people the uniqueness of JV, not showing them how tough the wheeling conditions are.

speaceman · #43 03-23-2008, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

We're showing important people the uniqueness of JV, not showing them how tough the wheeling conditions are.

Not that I disagree with the points about the photo above, but isn't the point that JV is unique because of the toughness of the wheeling conditions?

There is no where else in the state where you can wheel trails of this toughness for the entire length of the trail.

There are other spots with similar conditions, but their length are a couple of jeeps long, or perhaps a couple of hundred feet.

JV's is different because the rocks start at the beginning of the trail and stop at the end, for however long a particular trail is.

The other point that sets JV apart, at least in the trail sections, is there's nothing much on the trails except for rocks. It's one of the the only place I've wheeled in CA where the only thing you have the potential to ruin is the vehicle you are in.

ABQ TJ · #44 03-23-2008, 10:33 AM

I don't know what trail that was...Blaine would know (or Joe, Sergey, etc.)

Just showing what I felt made the place unique for me...

Sorry...I'll shut up now.

mrblaine · #45 03-23-2008, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABQ TJ

I don't know what trail that was...Blaine would know (or Joe, Sergey, etc.)

Just showing what I felt made the place unique for me...

Sorry...I'll shut up now.

Steve, I think your photos are fine. They were taken on Wrecking Ball.

Uniqueness needs to be shown from all perspectives and we all have different ideas as to what's unique.

TObject · #46 03-23-2008, 01:35 PM

blkTJ · #47 03-23-2008, 08:34 PM

I don't have any decent albums to draw from but it would be great to see some photos showing teamwork between spotter, driver and possibly (dare I say it) stackers.

zman · #48 03-24-2008, 09:02 AM

Really glad you guys are working on this. Was there a big showing from other off road groups as well as the "usual" crowd?

Having them go along on a trip is a great idea. We did that here with the local Forest Service when they were going to close some of our trails. After the run their eyes really opened up to why we want these difficult trails. Keep this run to a few "relaible" jeeps. These guys won't want to watch 10 jeeps do the same obsticle let alone watch trail repairs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

There were some comments made by a few that didn't set well with the JV crowd (such as one low-life suggesting we get JV on weekends and the Marines get it Monday through Friday) but overall, today?s town hall meeting seemed to go well.

You could suggest they have JV from May-September and give us the other months.

BTW, what did Blaine wear?

Jeff Weston · #49 03-24-2008, 09:22 AM

Since money seems to talk, has the economic impact of closing this area been addressed by exploratory committee(s) evaluating this expansion? Offroading is big business, certainly already feeling the squeeze by the lagging economy and high fuel prices. Certainly, elected officials wouldn't want to further disenfranchise their constituents, would they ... nevermind.

TObject · #50 03-24-2008, 03:27 PM

Just checking. Somebody is taking care of the pictures and maps for the congressman's office, right?

Jerry Bransford · #51 03-24-2008, 04:25 PM

I guess that's going to be me Sergey, but I don't want to be the only one deciding which photos to use. I can download pics to my computer but I really need the group's assistance on which photos to use. I also need a good jpg/gif/etc. map of JV that shows perhaps dotted lines for the trails the photos were taken from so I can place the numbers on it to correspond with the numbered photos.

If we can create something like a thread for specific (!) photo nominations and suggested comments attached to each photo, that would be good. I have already emailed Mike the aide at Hunter's office letting him know the pics are on the way and that we suggest the ride-along take place not later than the end of April.

blkTJ · #52 03-24-2008, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TObject

Just checking. Somebody is taking care of the pictures and maps for the congressman's office, right?

we're having a disscussion on a way to do that now... somebody needs to pick the 25. You've got a lot of good ones there sergey. It would be nice to have a number of photos from each trail. we'll also need maps of each individual trail I think along with a overall map of the area. also a little text on each picture.

anyone have a pitcure of a row of Jeeps from behind showing plates from differant states? ie.. texas, arizona, iowa etc...

blkTJ · #53 03-24-2008, 06:34 PM

ok, so I was thinking we should put all this in a book, something like this...

http://www.apple.com/ilife/iphoto/printproducts.html

hard cover or wire bound, not sure. anyway, I'll pay for the book if we can get all the info together. 25 pages, full page picture with map and text opposite. maybe we don't need all the pics full page, then we could do it in less than 25.

Let me know what you all think.

zman · #54 03-24-2008, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blkTJ

anyone have a pitcure of a row of Jeeps from behind showing plates from differant states? ie.. texas, arizona, iowa etc...

Doubt you will find that. AZ is rear only plates and the details would be to small to see. I bet Sergey has some pics somewhere of individuals with out of state plates. Post those jeeps and be certain to note the state that the jeep came from. BTW, would also be nice to include a pic or two of female drivers as well as different vehicles (not just jeeps). BTW, if you need some AZ plate pics I will see what I can find.

zman

Lawrence · #55 03-24-2008, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zman

BTW, what did Blaine wear?

A clean shirt... But you should have seen Sergey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

I don't want to be the only one deciding which photos to use.

As long as you don't include the one with your steering box puking, I'm good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blkTJ

ok, so I was thinking we should put all this in a book, something like this...

http://www.apple.com/ilife/iphoto/printproducts.html

A friend of mine gave me one (softcover medium size) for Christmas with some of the wheeling trips we did. It looks very nice and professional.

As Jeff noted, money talks... Any way we can get some stats on the economic impact to the region and include them in the book?

TObject · #56 03-24-2008, 07:18 PM

What is the status of the map? I know there are already Hammer trail maps in existence. Are the people who created the maps in the loop? Or, is somebody else already working on a new map?

I agree with the book idea. Please make sure to gather high resolution images for the book. If at all possible, do not send downsized web-pictures for printing. It depends on the printer, but usually, 300 DPI images are recommended.

Lawrence · #57 03-24-2008, 07:28 PM

Why not use this one or one from Keyhole?

mrblaine · #58 03-24-2008, 07:31 PM

It occurs to me that each person in Hunter's office has access to a computer and Google Earth.

Don't 4 Wheelers for Christ have the trails marked on Google Earth?

It might be an option to take our website, link to several of the Sledge runs with a marker on GE which would also show the boundary and proximity to the base.

Kat has chronicled runs from 00 to 05 or so on all the trails we run out there and there is a ton of pics.

If the same was done for the other trails, it would be an easy way to show where the trails are in an over view and then what the trails are up close and personal with linked pics.

This would be in addition to the hard copy. My idea is to get more circulation out of the info by letting their office send links to the presentation via e-mail which might reach more folks than a single hard bound copy.

Done correctly, I think it might have the desired impact.

blkTJ · #59 03-24-2008, 07:35 PM

ok so we generally run 8 trails out there... big johnson, claw, aftershock, sledge, jack, sun bonnet, wrecking ball and outer limits. if I'm missing any, let me know.

3 pictures from each trail makes 24, plus maybe one or more of kats flower/wildlife photos. maybe one of back door for the buggy crowd? maybe one of the dunes for the quad guys?

Lawrence · #60 03-24-2008, 08:15 PM

Alright so I am lame. Blaine called me and started talking about Google Earth and I told him I never used it

I just downloaded it and after playing with it a while I found Means Dry Lake. Right around it there are some locations that someone noted (blue dots), like Highway 20, then if you click on it a box with a picture pops up. At the bottom of that box there is an option to upload your pics by going to http://www.panoramio.com/. Not sure how detailed you can get, but this site apparently lets you track your trips and organize your photos with tags on Google Earth. Don't know yet but I think that Blaine's idea might work. The trick will be to overlay the trails and the base boundaries.