Sno-Blind '99 (or should I say 'Ice Blind '99) was well represented by the Two Rivers Jeep Club through a City Boyz Jeepin' group consisting of: Axelrod and Polly, Spanky, Sparky and Andrea, Rooster and Sandy and Christie, Snapshot's Mark and Claudette, and Rusty and John. Here is our story!

Originally I had planned to leave early Thursday morning and meet up with Spanky and Sparky to have some company for the first time pulling our new trailer, but decided to wait until John was home (supposedly early). Well, as the weather began to change the high winds blew and the rain poured, John was still not home. I was beginning to fear I had made an error waiting for him. We finally left at 5:30 p.m. (rush hour, of course). The winds were very strong and the traffic was heavy, but we did o.k. The only trouble was we couldn't go over 60 m.p.h. as the trailer would begin to sway. It was interesting to be able to predict the winds. When the temperature was 55 the winds weren't noticeable. When the temp was 40 to 45 the wind was howling. We arrived at the Quality Inn in West Branch, MI at 2 a.m. Snapshot arrived at 2:30 a.m. after driving through a white-out! Half an hour between dry pavement and snow!

Spanky and Sparky had signed us all up for the 11 a.m. Friday trail ride (thank you). Our group was only Jeeps and our trail guides were Rich and Jim. The trails were ice….not packed snow with ice, but melted frozen water ice. AT tires with 10 to 15 lbs. pressure helped. Up hills and down hills were the challenge, and momentum was the key. Some of us didn't use the key! (several buck-a-stucks). Even the little hills caused surprises (a buck from me!). One up hill had a deep hole right before the "up", so deep that my low mounted license plate (which I usually remove) received a new look, even with a 4-inch lift. Another "up" had sand on the way up and ice at the crest. When I couldn't make the ice I was able to get into reverse for a more controlled ride backwards to make another attempt (yes, another buck). The second time I was determined to crest that hill, and I did with the tires smokin'! Also, these trails taught the importance of keeping an appropriate distance! We had some non-Two Rivers' Jeeps almost (but not quite) collide on the Camelback. Picture a double hump camel and you're the flea on skis. The group behind us did have a collision. chose to take the bypass and watch from the exit side. Snapshot can attest to the challenge of Camelback…a few bucks here! One other downhill sticks in my memory…coming along a flat and then looking out over the tree tops. Spanky discovered that stopping was more like sliding at the edge of the downhill. He almost went to the right, which was similar to the left except with trees at the bottom. No tapping of the brakes on these hills!!! Gravity takes you right to the bottom. During the day we were along a ridge and it started to snow. Beautiful! We were back in for dinner and a dip in the pool.

Saturday's trail was "The Grid" led by Bob Gaston and tailed by his son. This was the trail Rooster ran on his first trip to Sno-Blind. The obstacle that earned Rooster a double lay-out in Four Wheeler is Drift Hill. The short straw drawn was the first Jeep (all Jeeps again today) to attempt the hill. I had the short straw. Bob had me walk the hill. I was to start half way up, take an icy right turn and go for the top. Didn't have any snow drift to block my way, but the sharp turn on ice, over ruts, would be a new experience. Sooooo, I put on the rear ARB's, stomped on the right pedal, and off II went. Bounced into the turn and put on the front ARB's, keeping up the momentum (kept that pedal down!) and on to the top. That wasn't so tough! Specially on just the front lockers---the rear got bumped off when the front was pushed. Bob, our leader, brought up his Jeep and chopped the ice that I floated over so the rest of the pack would be challenged. And challenged some were. Snapshot needed a strap (aided by Rooster who had him stop in the chewed up sand/ice). Sparky and Spanky created their own run up another side and had snow and sand flying! Toboggan Run was the next major challenge that required a straight shot down. A long, steep down with a run out on a ridge. If you weren't straight at the bottom you'd be off in the snow with a winch ride out. All arrived at the bottom straight. Sparky felt he needed another try, so he went UP the run. Everyone bet against him getting all the way up, but he did it before the cameras were out for pictures. He made it look like an easy, dry hill climb. Way to go, Sparky!

The set of double hills after Toboggan Run had some sand and some ice with a narrow, short ridge between. Snapshot learned how his winch works and Spanky and Sparky learned they could keep a Jeep from sliding backwards by hanging onto the winch line after unhooking from the tree (not by choice). This is NOT a recommended practice! Rooster needed several attempts on the first of these hills (those swampers don't grip on ice)! And I, well, my CJ8 just walked right up both hills. On the way back out we saw 30 or 40 deer in the field. Since we were leaving they were heading back into their woods!

We were back in early from the trail with no major mishaps, due to excellent driving skills and machines! We enjoyed the hot tub, pool and a nap. At the dinner our group received several T-shirts, hats and other raffled prizes. We packed up and headed home on Sunday. After loading the CJ8 further forward on the trailer we had no more swaying problems and kept up with Rooster, Spanky and Sparky until heavy traffic separated us. We had a great time and look forward to Sno-Blind next year.