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A few years back, GLFWDA gave up the 9 mile Devil's Lake loop - close to nothing, not much entertainment value, and our volunteer that had taken care of it for years asked to make it go away.

I received an e-mail today from Paige, the current grant sponsor for Devil's Lake is giving it up. Anyone live or play up that way that would like to take it on? My recollection is that this was not a high-maintenance project, but like our other routes it requires two annual trips per year at minimum, touching every mile of the route. Storm damage, vandalism, etc can require you to make additional trips throughout the year.

It is approximately 37 miles from Atlanta to Devil's Lake, adds a total of 60 miles to your trip if you wanted to pick it up as a personal project and hit it on your way home.  GLFWDA reimburses $24/mile, thats $216 annually vs estimated additional fuel cost of <$150. 

If interested, please let me know vicepresident@glfwda.org

OK so for those of you who didn't believe me before, the Federal Gubment has revised their projections for summer 2012 gas prices down again, assuring consumers that earlier predictions of $5/gal peak summer prices will not in fact be the case.

So if you are following the trend, the Paul and Debbie UP trip was originally scheduled for 2008, but we changed our plans when gas hit $4/gal and we stayed closer to home.

The rescheduled Paul and Debbie UP trip was again cancelled in 2011 when gas broke the $4/gal mark, we went to Silver Lake instead.

For 2012 we said we were going to spend a week in the UP come hell or high water, and summer gas prices immediately were predicted to surpass $5/gal.  Subsequently, Deb took a new job and has no vacation time available this summer, and gas prices are now expected to stay below $4/gal this summer season. 

We are however planning the trip for 2013, so please expect fuel prices to hit $5/gal in the Great Lakes region next year. 

http://www.geneseefun.com/event/detail/440742227/Genesee_Family_Fun_Festival

One of the folks involved in this event is a client of our firm, and when he was in to do his tax return he asked if our club was still around, and if we were at all interested in participating in a car show Memorial Day weekend in conjunction with the Lions' 4th Annual Genesee Fun Festival - Monday May 28, 2012.  Since we do not have our "show and shine" any more I thought it would be a great way to get some exposure, have a little fun, and show those stuffy car show guys that there is a certain j'oie de vive that comes with Jeep ownership!  There is also a parade we were invited to participate in, line up is 10am in the high school parking lot.  He also mentioned that they may add an award class for Jeeps.

Anyone up for a trip to the mounds prior to the show for a little Jeep-style "cleaning up"? 

Jonathon and I are successful applicants in the 2012 Michigan Spring Turkey Lottery.  I only own one shotgun.  Anyone have a 12ga or 20ga that I can either borrow or buy?

Jonathon and I made a trip to the range to pattern my shotgun in preparation of our first ever turkey season.  The weather was nice, and there was a line at the patterning board so we moved down to the 50yrd range to run some rounds through his brand new Merlin .22.  Unfortunately, it is going in for warranty work before the first round has been fired.  So we decided to run some slugs through my 12ga to get the sights set.  After 4 rounds, he decided he was ready for some trigger time.  He gave it back after one shot; he has decided if he is hunting turkey with a 12 ga he needs to get it right on the first shot, not much interest in firing a second!

Tag team effort - my camera, Ed's talents

http://photobucket.com/snofari2012pah

Anybody besides me and Ed heading up?

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*** Technician Classes are forming now at the (DCER)***
Amy & Jeff will be teaching a Technician Class license course beginning February 20th (6 week course from 6:30pm ~ 8:30pm)
The cost is $30 plus study guide, we use the W5YI Technician book. You can also get the book locally at Dentronics.

Registration
You can register for the class by stopping by the DCER office between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday or from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. You may also mail your completed registration form (forms can be found in the fall brochure on the DCER website) with class fees to: Davison Community Enrichment and Recreation, 1250 N. Oak Road, Davison, MI 48423. If you are paying with Visa or MasterCard, you have to option to also fax your completed form to (810) 591-0174. All class and supply fees must be paid at time of registration.

<<Note>>
Dentronics is in Flushing, MI (no website)
6102 Deland Road
Flushing, MI 48433-1135

Phone:(810) 659-1776

It's been a ling time since I didn't hate the way my Jeep feels on the road.  Two trips to the tire shop for balancing, rotation, and a rebalancing.  Two trips to Strobel Automotive/Ironman Offroad in Saginaw to modify my RE track bar and install a set of Zone hydro shocks that have been sitting on my bench since July.  And the result is....I am not currently looking to replace my 5 link withe leaf springs for the first time in a long time.  Looking forward to getting it dirty to see if the custom bend in my track bar gives enough clearance to clear the diff covet at full compression.

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With the changes taking place at DNR (did you know the trail system was moving to the control of the Parks Division at DNR?  http://www.glfwda.org/showthread.php?11 ... #post64706 ) the head of the Parks division is looking for your input.  

Take a minute to complete the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5PJQP5W
and let them know that we need more 4x4 opportunities on state land. It is not a bubble survey, you need to type in a response to their questions. We do not need more sandy, go-fast UTV routes. We have quality ATV and MX riding opportunities here in Michigan, and the growing UTV segment is also finding an increasing amount opportunities as the DNR expands the ORV Route system, but the 4x4 users are not getting any benefit from miles of sandy, thawed out snow mobile routes. Make sure you do not rant or bad-mouth the DNR, but make sure when you complete the survey they know you are not finding quality recreational opportunities here in MI. If you travel out of state with your 4x4, tell them where you go an why.

It's time to step up and be heard!

We are currently trying to get two different 4WD Awareness training classes scheduled here in Genesee County - one through Davison adult continuing ed and one through Genesee County Parrks.  Stay tuned for more details....but if you are interested in attending one of these all day training sessions from UFWDA, June 2 looks like it is firming up for Davison.

Ed already told me about an early sleigh arrival (I thought Santa's sleigh was red not brown, but whatever) with a couple of new diff covers.  Santa delivered a Woxoun (pronounced like ocean) dual band HT to the Ham in the family so I spent some time yesterday working both the 2m and 70cm (440MHz) repeaters in town to see what I could do with 5w of output (vs 50w in the Jeep).  

Did Santa bring anything interesting to your house?


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Save the Date for Lower Peninsula Off-Road Wheeling Adventure

The dates and locations have been set.  Planning has begun.  And - all ORVs and ATVs are invited to a four parks in four days adventure tour.  

The Mounds ORV Park in conjunction with Bundy Hill Off Road Park, Great Lakes Four Wheel Drive Association, Rocks and Valleys Off Road Park, and Silver Lake State Park will host this event (name to be determined soon) on Wednesday, June 13 through Saturday, June 16, 2012.  

Each participating park will offer camping and planned activities for the entire family. Check out each locations social media, blog and website for details.  If you would like to be updated before the information hits the digital wires send us your email address and we will notify you before the rest of the world is notified.  Stay tuned to find out more about this exiting Lower Peninsula wheeling event.  
 
# # #


Hilda McShane
Marketing Specialist
Genesee County Parks
5045 Stanley Road
Flint, MI 48506
http://www.geneseecountyparks.org

810.736.7100, ext. 815
800.648.PARK(7275)
810.240.5467 (Cell)

I got a couple:

For those of you not hiding in the woods trying to ambush Bambi at sunset, 6pm at All Stars tonight!

.

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A two day event - cruise the colorful backwoods with the Trolls on Saturday Oct 8, then stick around Sunday for the GLFWDA fall quarterly membership meeting in Pelston, MI.

For more details....well, watch glfwda.org for information, looks like I need to go post an announcement over there.

The newest phase of the rock crawl are at the Mounds should be complete this week.  Due to the upcoming holiday weekend, Jim Kitson is planning his unofficial grand opening event for September 10-11.  Based on my visit there last week with Jim, this will be a spectator event for those who lack 2 lockers and ride on tires smaller than 35s.  Personally I think you need to be a helluva 4 wheeler to get around this course even on 35s.  

If you have never seen hard core rock crawling before, this is your chance to see, hear and smell it up close and personal.  On our "photo shoot" visit last week, Jim got his 1-ton axled, 6.0l Vortec powered, 39" IROK'd YJ in there and couldn't get back out.  Silly me left my winch on the shelf at home, thinking the only off road equipment we would need was a camera.  It took an hour and a half of stacking & winching & hi-lifting to get him back on the trailer.  Since then the construction crew has added some fill gravel to counter-act the Mounds Mud between the rocks, but it will still prove to be challenging for the big boys.

[Where?]

Where?   Silver Lake, MI
When?     October 1-2
Cost?     Nothing besides your ORV Sticker, camp site fee and recreational passport
What to bring? CB Radio, tow strap, cooler for your non-alchoholic beverages, kids, dogs, camping gear, sunscreen and a parka (It's Michigan after all, it could be snowing that weekend!)

disclaimer - after looking at dates on the calendar, I will not be able to attend

The Sundowners 4x4 Club has once again generously donated their property for a 4WD Awareness Training session.  The basic 4WD awareness training is a great educational experience for both new four wheelers and those who have been around the sport a while but would like to polish their skills.  The cost for the one day training session on October 15 is $35, plan to pack a lunch and non-alcoholic beverages for the day.

For those who have been around the sport for several years and would like to bump their training to the next level, a second day of training will also be available on Sunday October 16 for those who wish to be certified as UFWDA Master and Field Instructors.  Master Instructors receive a second day of training focused on how organizing and running a 4WD Awareness class, plus other advanced topics.  The cost for the two-day program (can't do Sunday without Saturday) is $50

For more information, send me a PM and I will get you in contact with Wayne from the Sundowners for registration information.

Their team won in the Craftsman truck series recently.  $3 shipping on orders over $100 use coupon code 03TEAM07

Their team won in the Craftsman truck series recently.  $3 shipping on orders over $100 use coupon code 03TEAM07