I just want EVERYONE to have a good time
I guess I need to explain my last post....
No, you won't be turned away if you don't have a CB. Everyone is welcome. BUT:
When I wrote the "Trail Equipment" article I got a lot of conflicting opinion on whether a CB should be required or not. My first thought was that it shouldn't be required, but strongly advised. All of the "oldtimers" were of the opinion that it should be required. I went ahead and wrote the article saying it was required, while still of the opinion that it shouldn't be a deal-killer for a run.
The very next run I went on there was a group of three J**pers that could not negotiate one of the obstacles we did, so we agreed to meet back at the entrance to that part of the trail about 1/4 mile to the north. None of those Jeeps had CBs, and within 200 yards of the thick woods they made a wrong turn, got involved in some other group that had a guy in mud, and we waited and waited and waited until I struck out to find them. On a single afternoon run, we wasted nearly two hours of it trying to find that group that was only 200 yards away from us. If they had CBs it would not have happened. Gee, imagine that, those oldtimers knew what they were talking about. What a concept.
All of the rest of us had to worry about where those J**pers were and wait to find out what happened. This was a mere one afternoon run, so time was critical. Instead of tackling new obastacles, we wasted a large portion of all of our time that day dealing with those who chose to come unprepared in dis-respect of the value of our time and instead chose to burden an entire group with their non-planning.
I am traveling about 1,000 miles one way to attend this run, using up the only precious little vacation I have left this year. If you don't have a CB, you could cost me a half day or more of what I came out for, if you get in a similar situation. And don't say it can't happen. It can happen to ANY of us (me included). Ask the Truckhaven group what happened to Wendy, and thank God she did have a CB. Who knows what would have happened if she didn't. A boy just DIED in Moab after he got lost because no one could communicate with him.
We are going to strictly enforce the "make sure there is someone in your rearview mirror" safety rule which will hopefully prevent anything from happening, but the CB is like wearing a seatbelt in case the unexpected happens.
We've got vehicles worth several thousand dollars, are using vacation time to get out there, we're spending lotsa $$$ to campout, plus hotel, food, fuel, etc etc etc and my question is: what is so hard about spending another $20 on a cheap magnetic antenna and either buying a cheapo CB or borrowing one from Rob and/or whomever else in our group will gladly loan out? I do not see the problem.
A lot of work went into the "Trail Equipment" article. I wrote it, but am not necessarily the author. The collective experience of many with years of fourwheeling under their belts is reflected in that article. Much discussion went into the items in the"Required Items" section. No, you won't be turned away if you show up without a CB, or a spare tire, or water, or anything else on that list probably. You can even show up with 2wd, and I'll bet all of us will still welcome you with open arms. That's how we are.
When you need one of those items this weekend you'll learn that I wasn't the one who was being inconsiderate to ask you to bring them, but rather it was you who was being inconsiderate to ruin two dozen other people's day by not taking the trouble to spend another twenty bucks for an antenna and asking for a loaner, or not bothering to get a good spare, or forcing us to strap your 2wd over every obstacle, or whatever else the situation that comes up may be. The point was made that it was an advantage to the driver to have a CB. My point is that it is even more of a disadvantage to OTHER drivers to not bring a CB.
Everyone is welcome on our run. I am only asking that proper preparation is made by every participant in consideration of all the other participants who are also attending.
I just reread this and it still sounded hard. I am sorry, it's just the way I feel. Many of us are coming a LONG way for this and I just want everyone to be considerate enough of others to be prepared enough to allow everyone to have a great time.
[Edited by GJarrett on 08-30-2000 at 05:16 AM]
. I was planning on bringing a few spare handheld CB's but my plans were thwarted due to losing a few ebay auctions at the last second 
- I might just hit the road this evening, instead of waiting until tomorrow morning.
