Hobo Article Feb-March 2002

Hobo articles represent the previous month's activities, and are published in MHJC's "Jeepers In The New's"

Wahooo! Spring is here!!,,,,,, ok well……… at least on March 21st it is. We all know the truth about late winters in Colorado don't we. Though we need the moisture in the mountains, I'm sure some of the usual snow opening dates may be earlier this year. Ken Kordes (our Patrol Leader for 2K2) hosted the January Hobo Meeting on the 10th, and a few Hobos set out to Left Hand Canyon on January 26th. . Jason 'Milkman' Brew (XJ) lead Chris 'Colonel' Potter & sons (CJ7), and Greg (TJ) from CU, around the Left Hand OHV---for some 'gettin' out fun. Chris Potter then hosted our February Hobo Meeting on the 7th.

On Groundhog Day,,,,,Saturday February 2nd, 2002, the HoboJeepers joined the rest of MHJC showing our rigs at Aurora's Fire & Ice Festival. Organized by MHJC's Patrol 14, there were about 20 MHJC vehicles in a 'Jeep Show' as part of the festival's activities. Patrol 12 was represented by Tom Allen and Brian & Margie Hoag. The HoboJeepers who attended and showed, were myself (CJ-with my jeepin' sidekick Molly), Paul 'Weiszguy' Weisz & son Brett (CJ7), Ken 'Toolman' Kordes (61 Ford), Marc 'Nugget' & Kristen (who is expecting in March!) Gilbertson (CJ7), and Chris 'Colonel' Potter & sons (CJ7). Jed 'Clampett' McCleeland dropped by to check out the fun for a while also.

We were up bright (well,,,it was pretty dark) and early in the morning, to meet each other near Hampden & I-25 at 6:45am. It was mighty cold! With just a slight breeze, even the 8-degree reading felt bitter. But, the adrenaline seems to have kept me warm as we headed off to Aurora Reservoir to the East. We arrived and set-up in a parking lot along with many other people like the Aurora Fire and Police, The Mile-Hi Snowmobile Club, the fruitcake slingshot, the climbing wall, and many others.

Around 9am, people were arriving for this free and fun winter event. The sun didn't seem to arrive though till the end of the day, but at least the winds were calm. 9News was there early too, and interviewed Tom Hester during the Saturday morning show, as we all predicted 6 more weeks of winter and saw the shadow from the ground-hog (ground up-hog) Nick Carter stuck in the sand.

There was much to do at the festival,,,,,,,,,one could par take in a dog sled or hay ride, climb a wall, fling a fruitcake, listen to some speakers on hawks, chow on a turkey leg, check out the many booths, listen to the live band, try your hand at ice fishing (fishing contest), warm up to a huge bonfire, or if your crazy,,,,take a 'Polar Plunge'!!

Ahhhhh yes, as most of the sane people were downing jackets, hats, and gloves (and even long johns), some couldn't resist a chance to increase the heart rate to extreme levels. At high noon, the 'Polar Plunge' was safely supervised, and judged. Hot tubs were provided to bring up ones body temperature after the initial shock. I stuck to staying above the ice, and checked out a seminar on ice fishing (they guy actually caught one while demonstrating!).

A fun day by all (though not on the trail), but still a great way to break that 'cabin fever', while also getting a chance to charge up my Jeep battery! You can see some photos of the day on our website. Thanks to Patrol 14 for entering MHJC in a Jeep Show, as got some good exposure for the club. Yep, nice to 'get out' and enjoy Groundhog Day at the lake with good friends.

The 'Winter issue of 'Jeep News' finally came out near the end of January! Back in September of 2001, I received a call from Maggie Patton of Jeep News. She said they were going to be out in Colorado (they are based in Michigan) to do some articles on people who drive Jeeps that have unique stories to tell. She found our website and liked the special relationship Molly and I have for Jeepin'. Jeep News is a magazine put out by Daimler Chrysler for all Jeep owners who purchase a new Jeep. It's a well-done magazine, and centers its focus on Jeep owners.

On October 17th, Molly and I headed up to Alice to meet with the whole crew for a photo shoot around noon. We had a quick lunch then it was off for the trail! There was Maggie, a Jeep News Rep, a photographer, and her 2 assistants. It was pretty cool, I felt a little like a celebrity (though Molly was the real celebrity) as the photographer burned off rolls and rolls of film. We 1st went up to Yankee Hill, and she had me stop on the hill almost near the top (on a rock of course), shooting off to the west and the Front Range in the background. It seemed like forever as she took picture after picture as I had my foot on the brake to the floor! She then had me take my full top off, and I donned the 'summer look' on top of Yankee Hill, and took more shots (all of which didn't make it though).

We then went over to below the Rock House on the trail up to Kingston Peak and took the one on the large page (above). Finally we went up to the Rock House where the one of Molly was shot (below). We tried to get to the upper pass, but the snow that fell the week before was piled up to deep. They followed me in a stock Cherokee rental. It was a lot of fun seeing these guys from Michigan enjoying our own backyard, they just loved the scenery! If you don't get the magazine, I added the article to this newsletter, or you can also see a better copy of it (though, they still have the Fall issue up) as a .pdf file at Jeep's website (www.jeep.com), go to 'News and Articles' and scroll down. Hey,,,,,,,,maybe someone from Purina or Alpo will have a Jeep, and see Molly in one of their commercials?!?

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