Maine, anyone???

[Eagle]

It was about this time a year ago that we were planning a campout and trail ride for the Acadia National Park/Mount Desert Island region of Maine. No wheeling in the national park, of course, so we actually went a bit north of Ellsworth for a nice ride through the Maine woods, followed by a clambake at the campground.

A few things have happened since then. Tozovr (RJ Clayton) has sold his XJ. Worse news, his parents have sold Bass Harbor campground, but the campground is still there. Maine is still beautiful in the autumn.

I've been noticing a few more screen names from New England on the forums recently, so I guess it would be appropriate to ask if we have any significant number of people who might be interested in doing this again. It doesn't have to be Mount Desert Island, of course. That just happens to be an area I know my way around slightly as a result of many visits to Acadia.

Dunno if I should do this as a poll. For now, I'll just ask people who might be interested to chime in and say so. If you have a preference for a location other than Mount Desert Island/Acadia, please mention that as well. And what weekends between now and late November would be good for you.

TIA

 

[sidriptide]

i have alot going on between now and turkey day but if there is interest, and the date falls favorably on my schedule i'd like to make it... last years event fell the weekend after i got back from Moab and i was pretty spent after that trip...

 

[Moto]

That was an awesome time last year, and I would be more than willing to go again, but all depends on the exact date, I have to work it around the Redsox schedule, ie: Late october World Series time ( Crosses Fingers) and if that happens my butt will be somewhere in Boston. But if it is a week or so earlier than last year I should be good to go. Are there any plans for wheeling like last year? Also without RJ and the luxuary of having the campground and local connections, if we go as late as we did last year how is the food situation going to work out, I know that most of the lobster pounds were closed and RJ pulled it off quite well with getting those lobsters and having the equipment for having a little cookout type atmosphere.

 

[Eagle]

Last year we missed the commercial lobster pounds by one weekend. It was fun doing it ourselves, but it's much easier to be at a place where you can change your mind and go back for s'mores. If it looks like the interest is there I'll make a couple of phone calls and find out how late the pounds in Trenton and Southwest Harbor will be open for business.

There are lots of campgrounds on the island, including two in Acadia itself, so finding a place to sleep should not be a problem in October (except for the tempresture, of course).

 

[88woody]

I know that i have been away from the group for a few months (let's just say that life got in the way) My XJ will be going for a paint job the second week of October. If it was after that I'd be up for it.
BTW is this an official trail ride, or can non-embers come along.
(there is a guy near my work that has a sweet '90 2-dr XJ, always muddy)

 

[88woody]

Also, if we do any wheeling, my rig is still stock. I do have front tow hooks, however.

 

[copperhead]

I'm up for it, although I work Sundays now. i can still make a late Friday/Saturday gathering, or simple Saturday. Don't know which jeep I'll have, hopefully the 4X4 will be finished. Never realy had the chance to use 4wd.

-Copperhead

 

[sidriptide]

i'll answer for eagle here.. ALL events are open to ALL XJ/MJ owners, regardless of membership.. however, non-members are not allowed to bring any guests in NON-XJ rigs.. this does not mean that you cant bring the family car and hang with us though.. or even grab an empty seat for a trail run.. having a bunch of friends show up in toyotas kinda defeats the whole purpose of running it as a event... also AFIK there isn't any hard core wheeling in that area and that would not be the intention of this run anyways.. more like a 2 day meet & greet with some scenic trail rides... i've only been to Maine a few times and look forward to my next visit....

 

[Eagle]

I know that i have been away from the group for a few months (let's just say that life got in the way) My XJ will be going for a paint job the second week of October. If it was after that I'd be up for it.
BTW is this an official trail ride, or can non-embers come along.
(there is a guy near my work that has a sweet '90 2-dr XJ, always muddy)

If it happens, it will be a chapter event, not a national event. Full safety rules will apply to all vehicles that go on any trail ride portion of the event ... unless we decide to just do it as a meet-n-greet weekend.

Since you are a member, you can invite a friend along, even if their vehicle isn't an XJ. And the NAC policy is that we allow XJ owners who are prospective members to attend two events as a "get acquainted" process. After two, if they don't join they're not allowed to attend chapter events.

You mentioned front tow hooks, but the safety regs call for adequate front AND REAR tow points. Rear can be a hook, a Class 2 or Class 3 hitch, or (unlikely) a winch. If you need to review the full safety regs, they should be posted in the NAC Fest 2004 forum under Events, and they should also appear somewhere in the Moab forum under Events.

 

[88woody]

Yes, I have a Class 3 hitch in the rear, tow hooks (Rusty's) out front. Recovery strap, fire extinguisher, spare parts, etc.
BTW, I picked up an aftermarket gas tank skid plate at the junkyard for $15!
The skid is about .150" thick, and no dents. I also picked up a set of beefy nerf bars for $30.

 

[CLb33fyXJ]

I would be interested in a ride up there too, just as long as i can plan it in advance. i am kinda familiar with the acadia area, and have hiked most of the trails in the park, its a beautiful place. i wouldnt be opposed to heading to the rangely area though, i always wanted to take a look at baxter park and hike Mt. kahtadin. Hopefully this trip will materialize!
Chris

 

[Eagle]

A couple of us are talking about doing something in northern Maine, maybe for next year. At the moment, I think Baxter and Katahdin are too far. Millinocket is quite a drive north of Bangor, and then the park is beyond Millinocket ... I've been there. Another problem is that nobody is familiar with the area, which is not a good start to planning an event.

But do stay tuned. If the interest is there, we'll make it happen ... just not at this time.

 

[CLb33fyXJ]

Rgr that, acadia is a great time as well and id be happy to head up there as well.
Chris

 

[TekkaMaki]

I'm not sure I could make it this year, the only weekend I have free in Oct is the last one, Halloween. I would :heart: to go to Maine for a weekend event though, maybe next year! :sunshine:

-Bic

 

[Art Triggs]

This sounds like a nice trip, I wish my life was my own, but Oct and Nov are pretty busy already so I'm back to doing short little local trips.

 

[xj87]

sounds like fun may be i can make it but need a date to see

 

[Moto]

Any word on this becoming a reality?