38 replies to this topic

[DirtyDog]

We finally got this "XP Rally" together just over a week ago and agreed to meet in the Eastern Sierra on Green Creek road just south of the town of Bridgeport, CA. After some confusion driving up and down Green Creek road trying to find people and locate a good spot, we finally got it all together and found a fantastic spot. Thanks to new member jcbrandon for showing up early and helping us locate the perfect spot. On to some photos:

Green Creek:


Excellent spot - private, on the creek, with plenty of shade and sun:


For reference here is a shot from above of the entire area we were in (I duct taped my camera to an eagle). This spot is the immediate right as you are going up the canyon and cross the bridge - the turn is just past the bridge. Note lots of open space for just about any sized group (middle right you can just make out the white tops of our campers):

[DirtyDog]

Marc showed up with his bad machine and I think it's safe to say that everyone was very impressed with this thing:






I'll have more photos and info on the XPcamper in the following weeks.

[DirtyDog]

Fire time:


jcbrandon earning his WTW stripes in record time:


Cocktail hour:

[DirtyDog]

We were lucky enough to get to look at a 2012 prototype Dodge with the new supercharger:


Went on a hike this day and I'll just include one shot in here and then we'll get back to the rally

[DirtyDog]

So this next part...... I'm not sure I remember everything that went down but I do remember carrying at least poor soul back to their camper in a state of extreme inebriation (not naming any names of course!). Although few memories were intact, I was able to gather some photographic evidence that painted a (fuzzy) picture of the night before:

Amazing food of all types (seemed we had a few chefs in camp):




Aha, booze! Was that the problem?

[DirtyDog]

The good news is we didn't lose anyone:


XPmarc shows me how a real chef uses the Partner stove:

[DirtyDog]

A seriously great time was had by all (we stayed at the spot 2 nights) and on the third day a smaller group headed up to Bodie. Bodie picnic area:


Bodie:

[DirtyDog]

Bodie:

[DirtyDog]

After Bodie we parted ways with XPmarc and my stalwart wandering buddies Marc and Dick agreed to accompany on a tour of Nevada mining towns (thanks guys you are good sports!). We also picked up some random dude in a GM that wanted to hang with us but the road through Bodie that continues into Nevada is a pretty rough 4WD trail so GM guy didnt last too long (I hope he got out ok):

[DirtyDog]

Road from Bodie into Nevada. This road is a lot rougher than it looks:


Our destination for the day was the ghost town of Aurora. We camped at a mine near the site: