sandawg

After returning from my summer as a host at a Washington campground I am anxious to get out to my "second home",  halloween to see a lot of people I haven't socialized with for some time.

 The Wildcat is ready to go, I am ready to go, the trailer is ready to go. Food is in the freezer, booze in is the trailer and I'm ready for a change of pace.  Hell.....why am I still working at my age?

It is strange for me not to have a sand rail. That doesn't mean I'm not looking for one.  The biggest mistake I ever made was to let go of the one I built and had running so well and enjoyed so much.  I just have to get something so I can go on my favorite runs with Neal Rideout. He is the man as far as I'm concerned. A close second is Pete Greep.......He's always second because I can't drive as fast through the dunes as that "young stud" can!

At any rate hope to see a bunch of friends at Dumont this year!!!!!!!!!

Hell, I can't complain. I'm still upright and doing what I enjoy. Unfortunately, the "gig" at St. Anthony Dunes is over but I have a new adventure coming up this year in Southwest Washington and a small "quiet' campground where I can enjoy my time without working 24-7 for 6 months straight without a day off. It just got to be too much for this old man. Time for a change and some time to explore and enjoy  myself in a totally new setting, for now. To all, have a great 2017. 

NEWS FLASH

Sema Action Network
California Bill to Undermine Off-Highway Vehicles Program to be Considered on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 
Legislation (S.B. 249) has been introduced to allow funds collected for California’s Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMRV) program to be spent by other agencies on unrelated programs and never reimbursed.
You Can Shape the Course of This Proposal
Request opposition to this legislation by using the following SAN website link for an overview and lawmaker contact.

http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/  It looks like a real issue to me. YOu will have to follow the interior links to get the whole picture.

 

This is an interesting topic. While I was in Idaho there was a rental guy at our Campground  that served all three campgrounds.  He rented quads and      Side by Sides. He did well enough to fund his business and make a living for his family. His contract demanded a $1000 deposit and permission to charge the peoples credit card for all damages for over the $1000 deposit. He also had a relationship with the local court judge and had an iron clad contract. Motor Cycles were off the grid because of the liability. A lot of renters have never ridden on Dunes the size of St. Anthony or any other sand for that matter.

For the last season I was there he had 10-14 side by sides wrecked or totaled, but because of his contract was able to stay in business.

He worked hard and kept his equipment in great shape. He also had a friend with a shop that stocked parts and had experience enough to fix his equipment in a timely manner. (Hansen Performance). I'm sure you have heard of them. Less that a mile from our campground.

Anybody willing to do this at Dumont for the time available to ride?.  St Anthony only had 6 months to operate too. Somebody brave with an interest in being in business for themselves should do it  No pain no gain. Hard work and some business smarts will help you make it.

I think that the law actually applies to flashing blue lights. Maybe someone from California can verify this. When in Idaho it was only flashing or blinking blue lights. But of course we are talking about California.

Enjoy, Sorry I won't be there to meet you!

It was in the high 80's this last year. We had a long heat spell. If your thinking about Idaho Dunes RV don't wait to long to make your reservation. The place is hopping and fills up quick. Go to their website at idahodunesrv.com and watch the reservations so you'll know when to jump.

To both of you. FYI. Don't know where you are planning to stay but the Sept dates of the 1-15 include Labor Day and the UTV invasion at Idaho Dunes RV Park. Better not wait too long to make reservations at Sand Hills or Idaho Dunes RV. Egin Lake, BLM campground doesn't take reservations so it's 1st come 1st serve. Good luck on that one. Late July can get pretty warm up there. The UTV invasion is a huge event and at IDRV you have to reserve early and chances are that you will be dry camping as the other sites sell out very early I was General Manager at IDRV for 4 years. I'm doing something else next year.  Good luck and enjoy the largest, baddest dunes in the country.

Outstanding!  Happy Holidays to all!

 

For Verizon, anywhere that has line of site to Ibex pass north of Dumont road will get you good reception. There is a tower at Ibex. Just got to get past the hills and yes on the bluff past Vendor row is awesome for reception.

On ‎11‎/‎20‎/‎2016 at 7:44 PM, ynot said:

Pat, yes Don and Ellen did clean the bathrooms as part of their pay and employment with the BLM. They have not been able to find anyone to do the host position so an outside contract was done. I see nothing wrong with that. Remember Don and Ellen were receiving about $800.00 each per month, living rent free and had their water and fuel supplied to them. They were warned about being BLM employees and accepting gratuities and after three written warnings it still didn't sink in so they were let go. Plain fact, they were an asset to the dunes but if your going to be employed by the federal government than you play by their rules.

Terry, my email was in reference to being the host at Dumont. I asked them if they were considering ever having a host again and if so I was interested. Ironic....right?

Since I'm back now I guess I should get into this conservation again. I went to Dumont Halloween weekend nd didn't understand something. There were two or three rangers or sheriffs sitting out at Comp Hill most of the weekend. I was confused why they didn't really patrol the flats where everyone is camping and Trophy Trucks, big and little rails, quads and sXs's were constantly racing all over the place and in fact did it right next  to where we were camping close to B/R 4.

On another point a while back I e--mailed the BLM Manager and asked if they were ever going to consider a host at Dumont.  No response to my e-mail. I guess they are just to busy to reply to a simple e-mail question.

Your government employees at work.  And now they are paying an outside contractor to clean the bathrooms. Didn't Don and Ellen do that as part of their Host duties for a very little part of their puny pay???

 

Talked t o YNOT yesterday and he has one and seems to love it. He's still in the break in stage but says it hauls.

Thanks Pete. Hi Steve. I emailed Nevada OHV yesterday to start that process.  See Ya!

Here's one for the Legal Eagles out in DDR Land. My Arctic Cat is registered in Idaho and has a restricted license that allows me to drive on any road except a Hiway. Do I still need a non resident tag for Dumont?

I'll be there Pete.  Have a qualified "Nurse" available if I come into your camp. You young folks party way beyond my capabilities nowadays. Really looking forward to seeing you and Anna after so long. It's a shame we live so far apart LMAO.  I sold my rail so I'm' a side by side guy now.  I can watch you guys have fun now. More time to drink and watch the girls at the "Hill"

 

P.S. Wishing I still had my rail!,:-(

 

You'll  spoil all the good gossip Pete. I have to catch up after being gone to Idaho for nearly 7 months.  Looking forward to getting back to Dumont and all the cool folks on here.

Pete is exactly right.  The only problem with using "Slime" is that is may well tarnish alloy or aluminum wheels. Berryman's is a great choice another option is Amerseal.

Not sure I understand the "entitlement" response but anyway.

A couple of years ago "Rocket" and his wife drove from Orange county to attend one of the meetings that Terry speaks of in Barstow. I also attended from Las Vegas riding over with Terry.

Bob, may he rest in peace, was a retired police Lt. in the City of Orange. He went to Dumont regularly and did for many years. He looked forward to being helpful and making some suggestions at the meeting as the issue of enforcement had already come up.

As he was recognized by the manager chairing the meeting, he prepared to make some suggestions based on his many years in Law Enforcement. Both to help BLM and it's policies and his fellow duners.

He was seriously baffled that he got literally cut off and was not able to present what he had spent many hours putting his questions and suggestions together, in a format that would be polite and possibly helpful.

The prior manager would at least listen to suggestions even if they could not be done. Bob left very upset and confused that he wasn't allowed to share his thoughts.

Here's another one for your folder on the field manager in Barstow Terry. I called the office on

Thursday to try and see if I could enter on a day pass on Saturday. NO one answered the phone and I was told to leave a message. I did but never got called back.

The purpose of my day trip was to find some of Bob's friends that knew him from his many trips to

Dumont over many years. I knew many of them didn't go on here or read facebook and would appreciate

hearing about his unexpected death.

I went over early Saturday morning and stopped at the fee station to plead my case to not have to pay the full weeks fee when I was only going to be there a couple of hours. got several "sorrys" but

"that is the policy".

One of the ladies at the gate recognized me from my many trips that always include a trip down from

our perch on the bluff to say hi to all of the workers I and Bob knew. I asked where one of the

regulars was that I know and, he knows me and was told he was working the late shift and was told he wouldn't be "authorized" to let me in on a day pass or a visitors pass that I have seen issued before for short visits.

There were comments by BLM personnel made, that they really should have a day pass at Dumont like

they do at another BLM run OHV area from the Barstow Office.

I could go on but it came to the point that I paid the $40 bucks for entry into Dumont and was gone

in less than 4 hours after finding and contacting 7 people that appreciated my efforts.

I sure hope for Katrina's future management assignments she learns that there are grey areas in life and business and not everything should be based on what is in a book or are always black and white.

When exiting I stopped and asked for the person at the gate to mark the time I left on my receipt and he wouldn't do it.

Manage by fear, come on now!

what fit?

I should have put it in bigger, it is in the tag line. arctic Cat 1000X 4x115 bolt pattern

Set of 4 wheels and tires for the sand. Extreme buffed rear paddles and 2 front STI tires. Includes 4 stock wheels $300 Dollars, Henderson, Nevada. College and 95-515 area.

i guess you gotta do something when your Artic Cat has been in the shop for as long as his has.... Seems like a decent way to spend some time.

It's back with a brand new complete motor, finally. And Neal, Don't blow my cover sad story about being busy all the time! Terry, "desirable" not "Dirty old man".

You are not the only one to complain about the way Barstow BLM handles the Dumont Dunes Area. They fired Don and Ellen for a couple of infractions but they would have done something about that hazard and probably prevented that injury. I don't look forward to Dumont ever getting back to where it was a few yeas ago. Thanks to the BLM for putting a women into the management position that hasn't got a clue where Dumont could be instead of where it is now.

Can you believe that she couldn't find a source for financing of the Dumont Clean Up because she didn't want to buy a few hot dogs and some water. Was it the overtime she would have to pay the folks that came out to help?????

Her comment as I hear it, was she couldn't find it in the manual, to pay for the clean up.

I've had it with Dumont management!