Topic: 50th Annual Desert Safari

[Rocksurfer]

Planning on going? The Spinnin' Fours will be there and I'm working out the details to be there that weekend. Sign up now, and get in on the biggest offroad event around.


Website:
http://www.tds4x4.com/


Registration Packet:
http://www.informedvoter.info/tds/registrationpacket2012.pdf

[IMMUDDY]

Have not been to this. May have to try to make it this year. Thanx for the links.

[4XFlyin]

How is the wheeling there? It seems like it is just rolling dirt hills and open desert. Is there any crawling. Any body got pics to post up?

[4XFlyin]

Looks like fun. Found these pics.

http://nowhitefenders.com/tierra_del_sol_mar_7_2k9.htm

[Rocksurfer [OP]]

How is the wheeling there? It seems like it is just rolling dirt hills and open desert. Is there any crawling. Any body got pics to post up?

There are alternate routes to the main route, you can get as wild as you desire, not much in the rock category but plenty of off camber, hill climbs, narrow washes, etc, etc, to keep your attention even if you have a built rig.

[Rocksurfer [OP]]

Looks good for me to go this year, I haven't been there since '06 when I moved to AZ., I can't wait!

[HDcruiser]

I'll be out there too...   

[iNfErNaL]

How is the wheeling there? It seems like it is just rolling dirt hills and open desert. Is there any crawling. Any body got pics to post up?

Whatup George ? . Alot of people think it's just that including a couple of guys I know nut there is alot of fun to be had there . There are very few rocks but you have to know where they're at . Lots of off camber fun spts , lots of scary hillclimbs , washes , notches , overall fun desert wheelin that you can make as interesting as you want . There is a new obstacle course that has some pretty cool spots as well . Overall its a great event to go out and support . There is a HUGE raffle that takes place on Saturday night too . . . This will be my 13th year in a row that I attend , hope to see you there .

[iNfErNaL]

Thanks for posting this Ron . Hope to see you there

[Rocksurfer [OP]]

I am in, got the time off and going to get my pre-reg in. Truck will still be stock but it is a Toyota. Doesn't look like I'll be getting a 3rd member in time..... I wonder what Vince has hiding in his garage?

[bigarms23]

im in if i can get the time off of work

[Rocksurfer [OP]]

...and then catastrophe strikes, Rocks For Brains has surgery scheduled on the 1st. He broke his clavicle and they need to do surgery to fix it, they can't do it till then because he's been taking Ibuprofen or it would be tomorrow. He's a confirmed no go and I am now a maybe go depending on his condition.

[fordh8r]

I'm going!  Can't wait! I haven't been on this run since '06...    See you all there! 

[Rocksurfer [OP]]

Still keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well with the surgery, been just as long for me. The last time I went they were still in the wash, a much better spot I think we'll see though.

[fordh8r]

They're not in the wash any more? Same turn off and all though, right? Are they just further in than before?

[Rocksurfer [OP]]

No they are not on Marina Drive anymore, they are on S22 and Holly Rd. The last time you were there the land was still privately owned but has been handed over to the BLM and they manage use now. The 1st couple years they moved the entire event to Superstition but have recently gone back to the Truckhaven location but the camp is now off the highway.


Here's the directions through our clubs bb...

http://spinnin4s.50.forumer.com/thermal-truckhaven-alternate-t450417.html

[fordh8r]

Saved in GPS, Thanks!    Looking at that map, didn't Borrego Salton Seaway used to be Marina? Marina continues directly across the highway there. Not that it matters...just wondering.  8)

[fordh8r]

Also meant to ask, do they still have the VFW tent or something like it that serves food all day?    Or will we need to bring all our meals in with us? 

[Rocksurfer [OP]]

Marina Dr. is a loop so there are 2 crossings one ending at S22, they still have the VFW breakfast at their building.

[fordh8r]

Marina Dr. is a loop so there are 2 crossings one ending at S22, they still have the VFW breakfast at their building.

Ok...that makes sense.    I found the TDS Facebook page and it sounds as if they have a so called Food court there now. 

[Rocksurfer [OP]]

Mobile "Food Courts" or a better word Roach Coaches scare me. No quality control except for the owner of it. Sometimes I wish I'd never learned what I have about food and food service, now there are some high-end coaches but still there is no grading system for them except in LA and even then it is very minimal. Even today when I enter a restaurant I do a mini visual inspection for even the littlest missed details, sometimes it drives me nuts that I do this.

[fordh8r]

Mobile "Food Courts" or a better word Roach Coaches scare me. No quality control except for the owner of it. Sometimes I wish I'd never learned what I have about food and food service, now there are some high-end coaches but still there is no grading system for them except in LA and even then it is very minimal. Even today when I enter a restaurant I do a mini visual inspection for even the littlest missed details, sometimes it drives me nuts that I do this.

I'm not sure (because that wasn't implied) if, in fact, they are 'Roach Coach' type vendors.  I knew in the past the VFW had a tent there and they were cooking on site. I guess I just had a similar idea of that with the other vendors that will be there. That said, I hear where you're coming from in terms of their 'Bill of Health' to operate a food service let alone a mobile food service.

 The way I look at it is...until I do get sick, the cleanliness level must be 'Acceptable'. By 'Acceptable' I also know that no place is or is likely to be 'Perfect'. Otherwise we'd all have to have our food prepared in a surgery room and I think it's fair to say we all know what hospital food is like.    I just can't imagine that any vendor wouldn't take at least minimal measures to ensure against any foodborne illnesses to their clients to protect what good business name they may have.  Sometimes even a little prejudice comes in play when you look at who is operating said 'Food Service'. If the guy looks like he just got off his shift as a refuse collector (garbage man  ) and is wearing his wife beater t-shirt with open air arm pits I'm not likely to place an order. But if the guy looks reasonably upstanding and professional, I'll likely stand in line for a meal. Granted, that may not be the most accurate method of choosing but it probably does help.  Besides, that's where drinking plenty of alcohol comes in to play...kills everything. 

[Rocksurfer [OP]]

Been so long I forgot about the tent, I thought you were talking about the Sunday morning breakfast.

I've seen some pretty scary mobile vendor vehicles and how the food is handled in them and then some pretty clean ones. There are some key things that I see that either make or break them for me, temperatures cold or hot are very crucial in food handling. Open containers, with food in them and no real temperature controls to keep the foods cold will breed bacteria rather quickly and not achieving the proper cooked temp will only make things worse. Then there's access points a clean tight closed environment which means holes in walls and such where bugs can enter. When I see random holes drilled in the walls of these vans for cords and such those are open invitations for bugs. If you notice even the average motorhome is set up with this in mind.

[fordh8r]

Totally agree!    I just hope not to see such things or we'll be making more trips to the nearest store for our own goods.   

[Rocksurfer [OP]]

Can't wait, hopefully everything goes well with the surgery today and I'll be heading out on Friday!!!

[fordh8r]

YES, hope all goes well with the surgery!  We're leaving tonight after work! Hope to see you out there. I'm hoping to catch up with Infernal down there too. We'll likely camp with him so I should be easy to find since my rig won't be there this trip. 

[Rocksurfer [OP]]

Things went great I am kicking back at TDS place is packed found a spot off of Holly Rd plenty more room for all to come out and have some fun.

[fordh8r]

We're camped along the fence to the right of TDS HQ near the base of the hill climb area of the large playground. If you enter the playground area, and you see the tire pile in front of you, you can see our camp about 200 ft down the fence. 8)

[Rocksurfer [OP]]

Oh well I didn't check back here till now, we had a great time during the event but I didn't like the announcement that was made on the future direction of the event, kinda left you hanging on the future of TDS. I didn't win at the raffle, could have used some new shoes for the 4Runner, the fireworks were awesome but it seems I parked my truck in the line of fire and not only was it littered with shell debri but I got some burn marks on it too, no biggie for me but I'm sure there are some Jeeps with holes in their soft tops.

Here's a link to the few pics I took, they are on fb so you have to be a member to see them.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.285224234882208.66857.142698029134830&type=1

...and don't forget to click the Like button

[fordh8r]

...and don't forget to click the Like button

Done!