Payback to my girlfriend for all her support for me doing the Baja 1000. She wanted to go to Pioneertown out in Yucca Valley. This weekend I would have rather of had been racing; but as it turned out we had an awesome time.
We left Apple Valley late in the afternoon, thinking that we would be in Fawnskin (north side of Big Bear Lake) for drinks and snacks within 40 minutes. Driving up the backside of the mountain range was a blast. Water crossings, mud, ice, snow and oooooh cold. Debbie (girlfriend) is tough, and this was her trip. The 5 open prerunner doesnt have a windshield, while cousin Jeff and Diana had the protection of one in their super Karman Ghia. Though they had to wipe off regularly, Debbie and I just laughed and raced on, stopping at each 15 minute interval to be sure Jeff was coming up. There were trail choices, detours and we did have to double back or bathroom / drink break every now and then. So the 40 minutes ended up taking a couple of hours.
Time ran on and soon we made it to Fawnskin. Shayla at the bar/restaraunt made us feel right at home with hot coffee, humor and Tuaca (apple liquor) for the girls. There was no way we were making it to Pioneertown that night, as darkness was falling quickly. I asked about rooms, and shortly after my chili burger I drove down the road to find the local motel full.... *****, MLK day, a three day weekend..... Shayla called every (and I mean every) hotel in Big Bear. All full. She said not to worry as if it came to it she would put the 4 of us up. Luckily, and really luckily Diana had a relative with a home in BB and we looked her up in the book. She was home, and though they hadnt spoken in many years, we were invited in for the night.
We drank and watched movies till late. It reminded me of meeting people in Baja! Jennifer and John made us feel truly at home.
In the morning; Well Deb and I were up at 7am jonesing for coffee, and not wanting to wake anyone, we took a walk in the 14degree air. No coffee or shop anywhere, I even checked the church! We went back sat on the couch, listened for any household noise from the others and stared at the clock....... Hmmm, what if we are still sitting here in an hour, hour + half, two..... Ok, should I start the car? YES, lets go, and that will wake them. (I left a note and we were off). Yah, right.. after 10-15 cranks the cold frozen vw sputtered to life, then clank clank clank, oil light on. I turned off the motor... Jeff is now next to the car. "your oil filter blew", guess we have to find a parts shop....
Wow, the HP-1 filter blew, it was cold, and I'm a baja guy. Lesson learned. We got it together and headed out. Up the highway, off the road, and backroading south past Baldwin lake. We were airborne and flying along. Only a couple vehicle were seen the whole 80 miles or so to Pioneertown.
Pioneertown is fun and the food; INCREDIBLE!!! Do not miss the bowl of Chile!
The drive back was also super fun, though it was windy and cold. While passing through Lucerne, we stopped at the big rocks. A guy was there eating a sandwich, drinking a beer. He said, "hey theres a couple beers behind the rock there, and a bottle of good wine, help yourselves". Were we in Baja? I was worried about the police since my car is... well not really street legal, but plated.
We hit the 4 way stop in central Lucerne, and there he was "The Man". The HP never turned to come after me after I left the stop sign. Wow, thoughts of Baja again. We left the highway and took the powerline roads back to Apple Valley. What a fun weekend.
I am off to Baja this weekend, and just wanted to share the fun we had. There's lots of fun in our own backyard. Even if were not racing.
http://www.mybaja1000.com
2007 B1K finisher 5/16, 2010 B1k finisher class 5
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Is the bowling alley still open in Pioneertown? A couple of friends and I made the trip from Palm Desert to Big Bear through there once. Nice little day trip.
Great place with offroad access for bikes, quads and cars; check the big California map guide for routes
there is also a hotel there http://www.pioneertownmotel.com/ best to make a restervation, they were all full then night we were suppose to arrive.
http://www.mybaja1000.com
2007 B1K finisher 5/16, 2010 B1k finisher class 5
Looks fun. 36 years in So cal and I never explored that area. Thanks for the insight. My pre-runner is plated plus windshield and about as "street legal" as yours. Thanks for testing the waters.
Jeff started building the ghia-rilla as a high school project in 86 or so. He fabbed the U-joints instead of using cv's, and built the rear quadruple bipass shocks himself, not to mention all the other fab work. It's an awesome car with lots of room above the fuel cel for storage, and a nice prerunner rack that goes over the motor. he's thinking about putting a fiberglass tail on it now and getting coil overs for the front.
http://www.mybaja1000.com
2007 B1K finisher 5/16, 2010 B1k finisher class 5
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