ynot

Walt and his sons and maybe my grandson Garret

Pete, why don't you make the day trip on Sunday with us? I can't make the Sat. trip but Sunday is looking pretty good.

I am looking at a day trip for Sunday.

Tim, why would you think I am being defensive? I am just explaining that Vicki for very personal reasons was unable to make the trip. If you would like her to explain to you I will be glad to PM you her e mail address. As far as her decision to stay in that office that is up to her, should she step down? She has been a hardworking advocate for off roaders for several years it would be her choice to step aside and for her own personal reasons that may occur I don't know as yet. Yes I agree that there should be an open meeting each year at a central location where anyone present can voice their opinions and run for office. But seeing that the TRT has 2 meetings a year on Saturdays and we only get a handful of people attending I don't see that we would get a great turnout but I am willing to support the idea as I think some of the other board members would also do. I was and am not being defensive but over the years I have become a little touchy when I hear from people that we are not doing this right or have not done this wrong, we are trying to do what we can and most of the "flack" we get is from people who chose to stand on the outside and cast rocks. Sometimes they hit a nerve and they get a reaction, sometimes it's not exactly said in the nicest of manners but that's just the way it is. I appreciate your thanks as I am sure all the people included do, however there are other people on the board that do things behind the scenes that make them invaluable such as our treasurer Rick Fisher. He signed on to be the Treasurer several years ago but told us right up front that he would not be an active BOD. We accepted because he has ton's of 501C experience and keeps us withn the IRS guidelines and out of trouble. Secondally there has been no other person who has voiced one ioda of interest in taking that position. I hope you understand my position on this. Terry

Tim, since you don't know all the facts as to why the president of FoDD was not there and they are of a personal nature and I will let her explain it when she feels like it. I just want to be very clear, this was a joint venture the first of many to come I am sure. But the clean up was a successful event for 5 years before DDR ever hit the internet. I am not saying that DDR is not a big help and your right without the DDR members the poker run would not have happened. Thats why I approached Pete about doing it this way. I don't think the president or for that many of the DDR members want to get involved in the politics that it takes to be involved in dealing with the federal goverment that the TRT and FoDD are doing. If there any I would love to have them join the FoDD and we will put them to good use. There is no reason why FoDD shouldn't be using the web site that has the most contacts and easiest way to get info out to the duning public but that does not take anything away from FoDD it only adds to it's mission to be the liason between the BLM and the users. We will use any means we can to fight the fight.

I want to THANK EVERYONE who not only volunteered their time and equiptment to make the Annual FoDD and DDR poker run a success but also the vendors who reached into their pockets and the particpants who also reached into their own funds and bought hands. I have heard in the past complaints that Friends of Dumont Dunes is not a big organization but the thought struck me as I was going around to the different checkpoints that it does not matter the size of the organization it matters only that it's members and others respond when the call goes out. I am very proud that people and their families turned out to support this event! Now for my trip report, got out near good ole #9 Thursday evening about 8:30 and were the only ones there. Had a nice evening and got up Friday and enjoyed a nice easy run around the dunes to pick out the checkpoints. Once I picked the spots it was back to camp and some of our group showed up. It was a nice relaxing afternoon of conversation, another nice ride thru the dunes and then dinner, campfire and bed. Sat AM was an early rise and brewed 100 gallons of coffee and get everything loaded and to the registration booth. The event flowed so well with Stacy's organization skills that it let me just ride around and check on things. It was nice to pull up at a checkpoint and see a lot of folks waiting paiently to pull their cards. Once the event was over and the winners paid and raffle prizes given away(again thanks to Performance Rhino) it was back to camp to get the car out and off to the meet and greet. The meet and greet was short as the light was going away quickly, Hey Pete let's dune! Off we go and Pete lead a nice run thru the dunes although we kinda lost a few at Taledga they eventually caught up with us at the North Pole. Sorry Pete your car was acting up. All in all a long but satisfing day at the dunes with good people and great weather! Sunday awoke to some ugly clouds and when I went to get the car out it started raining so I held off for awhile and when it broke up I got the car out and as it happens it really started to rain again. I decided to go for a run in spite of it and I have to say that due to the light rain changing the color of the dunes and the cloud cover it was amazing how easy you could read the dunes. I had a blast and after getting to the NP and back to comp, over to Pete's camp to find them out enjoying the dunes also I was a little cold and went back to camp. Stuck around for awhile but pulled out about noon. Looked like the weather cleared right after we left, oh well it was a great trip. Once again Thanks to all who supported our cause. Terry

That's kinda interesting Stacy considering this article I found in the local paper; http://www.inyoregister.com/content/view/120442/1/

You mean I explained all that for nothing? You must not realize what a lousy typist I am!

Just so you know the checkpoints are placed to make sure everybody including kids on smaller bikes can get to them, also they are placed in envriomently "HOT" spots This is so the experts can answer questions on Sperry Wash and the area's near them and where we can and cannot go Out by the old Railroad is a critical habitat for the lizard and is the out of bounds line for the N/E side of the dunes The 3rd is at the NORTH POLE which is also close to the out of bounds line and the experts will be able to talk about why you can't ride out to the other little set of dunes to the north Last checkpoint is out at the south end of the dunes near the Salt Creek Mountain Range where we will have a bioligist there to advise why we need to stay clear of that area while on our way to the little dunes. I did not want to make this a day long trip, just something "extra" to do for the weekend that can be done quickly or take place within the 4 hour time frame. I hope this answer satisfies why the checkpoints have been chosen at this point in time. These are the areas of highest priority right now.

We could be innovative and have one on friday and one on Saturday? I know I can make the Friday one and depending on the takedown time from the Poker Run on sat. I will try to be there also.

Unfortuntly it may be the only way to get people to step up. We did plan on having bodies to cover as it appeared we had a lot of excitement from the announcement but haven't seen the commitment we were hoping for. I appreciate you standing up and helping and if you think I was harsh I apoligize but you have to do what you have to do to make things happen. Terry

Ok, we are about 10 days from the poker run and we have very few volunteers who are willing to donate a couple of hours to assist with this event. We are not getting any help with tables, chairs and ez ups either. I know from past experience that 10% of all the members of any organization do all the work while the other 90% just b*tch and moan that things aren't the way they want them to be. Well now is the time to stand up and be counted. We want this to come off as a great event and we need some help to do it. It will make a great impression on the BLM and Fish and Wildlife conservation plan if we pull this event off and keep it going to educate the dune users. So it could be a key part of keeping YOUR dunes open.Can you not commit 2 or 3 hours to that? Pete and I and Stacey have already gotten checkpoint sponsers and have the cards, and other things needed for this event. What we are not able to do is do it by ourselves so if you respect this site, the dunes themselves and want the oppurtunity to play there than can I get a show of hands that would be willing to meet at the registration booth at 8:30 AM Sat November 8th for assignments? I need 2 volunteers at each checkpoint for 2 hour shifts. Probably need 4-5 people at registration and finish. so are there 25 people who have what it takes to be a supporter of Dumont or are you one of the 90%'ers? Look inside yourselves for your answer and then please post a reply of your decision for all of us to see who the stand up peeps are going to be. Thanks for your support. Terry

It's not Nevada that's the issue. It's California, there restrictions on pulling double include ; your trailer ie fifth wheel cannot exceed 27' and the towed trailer must have electric brakes andf the whole length CANNOT exceed 65'. If your going to Ca. you may want to look at their laws. They can and have made people drop their trailers in the middle of no whaere and come back for them. I wouldn't want my toys sitting by the side of the road. Just an FYI

First of all welcome to the site! They do not check for spark arrestors unless you get stopped for another violation and they really want to mess with you. Since I am an old guy with a 40' pusher and a big trailer I will tell you that you want to come in your first time before nightfall. Although I have not been out this year and don't know the condition of the flats my suggestion would be once you get up top past the heli pad look to the left. Go down the main road aways till you get near bathroom #10. Look for the rocky ridges that run out to the left, get on one and try to stay on it. Watch for soft spots and remember speed can be your friend. If you have to go through a wash look it over even walk it then go like hell! Out past bathroom #9 is usually a little quieter than closer to the dunes but you have to take it easy with your toys as there rocks and they can be hard on paddles. But the nice thing is that it tends to slow some people down, not all but some. You are going on what I consider to be the craziest weekend at dumont, everybody has been waiting for the season and it seems that a lot of them become partilly "nuts". As you can tell I am old and liked it much better many years ago but it is still fun I just don't go on Holiday weekends. I understand that the dunes have not smoothed out yet and there are lots of razors(typical) for Dumont and lots of witches eyes(unusual) at dumont. Be safe and see if you can hook up with someone else from the site to give you a tour. Good luck and good duning!

Here is the answer I got from BLM on this subject and as I thought the rhino and tires are a personal decision not a requirement of the job nor a goverment vehicle. Here is there response; Thanks Terry, We will see what we can do to make it better. They did give us one list of supplies they wanted when they arrived a little over a week ago. They did get those things. Then this weekend they gave us another list of supplies. This list includes the fencing, etc. and they will get those supplies. They have difficulty understanding that the park rangers on site on the weekend can not just go out and buy stuff. They have the bring the list back here for funding and do a purchase requisition and then someone with purchase authority buys the stuff and the park ranger takes it to them. Its not like a small family business, its a process we need to follow. And it means that they will get the stuff a week after they ask. We can not buy things for their personal vehicles. We pay them a milage rate that is very fair and they should be able to buy the fuel, oil, tires, all the maintenance items for the vehicles that they want out of the mileage rate funding. That is just the way it works for a government agency. We can pay the milage rate, but can not buy things for a personal vehicle. It is harder for some to understand what the mileage rate is for than others. And, just for your general information, they are maintenance workers by their volunteer agreement. The rescue that they do is on their own, and not part of their BLM responsibilities. Lynnette

First thing that comes to mind is that they are not required to have a Rhino and the tires he put on his rhino were his choice not the BLM's. Although I am not speaking for them(BLM) I did send a copy of your post to them. I can't see a way for the BLM to legally purchase a set of tires for a non Goverment vehicle. If they can I would like a new set of paddles. Don and Ellen do a great job and it is much appreciated by myself, the TRT and the dune users. However every year they seem to have a fresh set of "b*tches" I am not saying that they are not legitimate concerns but buying tires was their decision not a requirement for their position. They do get a Stipend for there services. That they go above and beyond is a great thing but again the BLM is required to operate inside a set of regulations dealing with spending. I will pass along any info I get from the Barstow office regarding this. Terry

Fill This Then remember sleeping outside can be a little cold and dirty! Butthead

:B :?:

Pete, I found it in the garage tonight. It's a stock axle for a 95 banshee. I will be home tomorrow till about noon if you want to come by and get it.

Pete I think I have Banshee axle. let me look when I get moving around in the garage tomorrow.

We will assign teams of 2 to man the checkpoints for 2 hours. Then another pair for the other 2 hours. That way you can play, particpate and enjoy the weekend.

It's political but worth the time.

Rick, welcome to the site and to Dumont. You can park anywhere up on the flats and with a little caution your paddles will be fine and the dirt riders will have access to the hard pack. Please become familiar with the out of bound riding areas(map on the front page of this site) The hard pack riders need to stay out of these areas and on marked trails only. You can have a nice ride over to the mines which is partly sand and harder pack. That way all of you can see Little Dumont and the area out towards the highway. You may want to buy your pass ahead of time just to make the trip easier, again vendors are listed on this site or you can visit FriendsofDumontduneas.org for any other help. Have fun and be safe. Dumont takes a little getting used to lots of razors and they will hurt you. If you can hook up with other folks that are familiar with Dumont you can have a great time riding and making new friends. Terry

I had Johhnny Walkers RV order me a set for my old fifth wheel. I had them welded on and they took everything i could dish out. If you looking at harbor freight I will bet they come apart upon the first impact. I can put you in touch with my Ken at Walker's RV if you want?

Pete, I need to get some for the shop and I will make it a point to get some to other places while I am at it.