Graham Family Farm NW

2011 Moses Lake Sand Dunes ORV Run
Report by Clay Graham / Eastern Washington Adventures
Photos by Clay Graham / Eastern Washington Adventures and Ron Palstring.

On Friday September 23rd, 2011 Bubz and I headed to the Moses Lake Sand Dunes for the Eastern Washington Adventures ORV Run. We pulled in around 7:30 PM. Icesis (w/wife & Daughter), Sgt. MC (w/wife) and Guido were already there and had a good camp spot for our group. in the gravel pit.

Saturday morning St.Paulies showed up with his quad, Jeremy Lervold with his XJ and Jeremy Lervold’s friend with his XJ. We all headed out to play on the dunes. Near the yellow Zone Guido’s CJ7 stopped running. The guys in the XJ’s tried to tow Guido’s CJ7 back in. We headed back for lunch. Vince and his son were waiting for us back at camp. When we were gone, Compunerdy and his daughter had unload their RZR and was out looking for us. Everyone showed back up at camp shortly after we pulled in. The XJs could not tow Guido back so St.Paulies went home to get his Ford Thingy.

St.Paulies showed up with his Ford Thingy and headed out to pull Guido’s CJ7 back. We headed out toward the Yellow Zone to play around the Pot Holes. We made it out to the flats and took a break. The two XJ showed up to run with us.

We headed on down the flats for some fast fun along the water. A ways down the flats Compunerdy some how rolled his RZR. They got the RZR back on it’s wheels and then Vince broke down on Icesis’ Raptor. The carbs came loose on the Raptor so they had to tow the Raptor back to camp with Sgt. Mc’s RZR Icesis was driving. Once we got back to camp, we took a break and they worked on fixing the Raptor.

Guido and St.Paulies showed up to camp with Guido’s CJ7. They could not pull Guido’s CJ7 out of the Dunes with the Ford Thingy. They had to pull Guido’s CJ7’s fuel tank twice to get the CJ7 back to camp. Something to do with the fuel pick up tube. St.Paulies headed home to get ready for a wedding.

A few of us headed back out after the Raptor was fixed. We rode awhile then stopped to let the kids go swimming in Moses Lake. It was getting late so we head back to camp. Vince and son, Compunerdy and daughter all head out for home. We had a good barbeque dinner.

Sunday morning St.Paulies showed up. St.Paulies and Icesis (w/Bubz) rode quads I got to drive Sgt. Mc’s RZR with Guido as my co-pilot. We played for an hour or so before heading back to camp to pack up for home.

This was a very fun run thanks to all who came.

Here are some photos of our trip.

Saturday getting ready to play in the dunes.

Out on the Moses Lake Sand Dunes.

Photo by Ron Palstring.

Near the yellow Zone Guido’s CJ7 stopped running. The guys in the XJ’s tried to tow Guido’s CJ7 back in. We headed back for lunch. Vince and his son were waiting for us back at camp. When we were gone, Compunerdy and his daughter had unload their RZR and was out looking for us. Everyone showed back up at camp shortly after we pulled in. The XJs could not tow Guido back so St.Paulies went home to get his Ford Thingy.

St.Paulies showed up with his Ford Thingy and headed out to pull Guido’s CJ7 back.

We headed out toward the Yellow Zone to play around the Pot Holes. We made it out to the flats and took a break.

The two XJ showed up to run with us.

We headed on down the flats for some fast fun along the water. A ways down the flats Compunerdy some how rolled his RZR. They got the RZR back on it’s wheels.

Photo by Ron Palstring.

Then Vince broke down on Icesis’ Raptor. The carbs came loose on the Raptor so they had to tow the Raptor back to camp with Sgt. Mc’s RZR Icesis was driving.

Once we got back to camp, we took a break and they worked on fixing the Raptor.

St.Paulies showed up with his Ford Thingy and headed out to pull Guido’s CJ7 back.

Looking back at camp waiting for a few people.

Vince slid off the trail and got stuck.

Bubz winching Vince out.

Down by the water of Moses Lake.

The kids went swimming.

Photo by Ron Palstring.

The Pizza Jeep.

A nice nice to sit out at Moses Lake Sand Dunes.

Sunday getting ready to ride.

Guido hanging on as I drive Sgt. Mc’s RZR.

Taking a break.

The RZR was close to being out of fuel so we all headed back to camp to pack up for home.

Another great time was had at Moses Lake Sand Dunes. We cannot wait to go back.

2011 Pick Up A Mountain
Report by Clay Graham / Eastern Washington Adventures
Photos by Clay Graham / Eastern Washington Adventures and Sid Hagemeier / Shindig Wheelers

On Friday September 16th, 2011 many PNW4WDA members headed to Jim Sprick Park to set up camp for the Annual Region 4 “Pick Up A Mountain” event. I pulled in around 1:30 PM. Guido was already there and had a good camp spot for our group Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch (a division of Eastern Washington Adventures).

On Friday night there was a lot going on. Check in, raffle ticket sells, Divorce Course, movie for the kids and a campfire.

On Saturday morning there was a Driver’s Meeting and then a group picture with the rigs going out on the clean-up.

The Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch (a division of Eastern Washington Adventures) across the road from Jim Sprick Park and headed up FS1701. We took the same route as we did the three year before. We cleaned up the FS1701/FS530 camp, Trails 4W644, 4W695 and 4W675. The areas we cleaned up were not bad at all.

Saturday evening there was a corn shucking contest for the kids and one for the adults. After that they cooked the corn for the potluck dinner. While the corn was cooking more people tried the Divorce Course.

After dinner everyone headed over to the stage. People came up and old there stories about the strange things they found. The crowd voted on the best story and the best story won.

Next they gave out the “Region 4 Most Inspirational” trophy. For some reason they gave it to me this year. It was nice of the Region 4 members to vote for me. I still don’t know what to say about it other than, “Thank You Region 4”.

Up next was the thing everyone was waiting for all day, the raffle drawing. There were a lot of sponsors this year and a lot of nice prizes.
We want to thank the following for being a sponsor at this year’s “Pick Up A Mountain“:

After the drawing the DJ played music and people danced. There was a big campfire too.

On Sunday morning some of the Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch (a division of Eastern Washington Adventures) members cooked breakfast for the volunteers. We want to thank everyone for the help and donations that made the breakfast happen.

After breakfast everyone packed up and headed home. “Pick Up A Mountain” was a lot of fun. We cannot wait for the next one.

Here are some pictures of our weekend at the “Pick Up A Mountain” event:

Friday evening Divorce Course.

Checking in with Pam.

Saturday Morning Driver’s Meeting.

A group picture before heading out to Pick Up A Mountain.

Next the Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch (a division of Eastern Washington Adventures) across the road from Jim Sprick Park and headed up FS1701

Heading up FS1701 we find the ORV Ranger making his rider work. LOL

We stopped to pick up the FS1701/FS530 camp.

The next stop was at the 4W694 Trail Head to regroup and take a break.

TJ40 has a funny looking chock block. LOL

Waycrazy’s boy wanting to hit the trail.

Hunter’s first wheeling trip and we have him picking up trash.

Hunter and Doc working together.

We stopped at the 4W694 Manastash Lake Viewpoint for lunch.

On down the trail we past the Ridgerunners heading the other way.

Here we are passing through Funny Rocks.

On 4W695 heading to Moon Rocks.

Our group crossing Moon Rocks.

Monster running for trash.

One we dropped down 4W695 we stopped to regroup on FS1701.

Once again the Ridgerunners past us.

We headed down FS1701 and then up FS530. We dropped down 4W675 and stopped at a hunting camp that we had found a lot of trash in the past.

We did not find much trash but we did find a lot of small frogs.

Moving down 4W675 we found just a few cans. here is Odo getting one.

Monster climbing the rocks for a can.

Odo finds another can.

We ran 4W675 onto FS1702 and ran it to FS1720 to get back to FS1701 since FS1702 is closed at SR410.

We pulled into Jim Sprick Park and dropped of the trash in the dumpster that Region 4 had supplied for Pick Up A Mountain.

The Desert Rats came it right after us with some interesting trash.

Need a used toilet?

How about a table?

That is a lot of cans.

Earl hunting with a 12 Gauge! LOL

The corn shucking contest, “Kids”.

She got hungry doing all that work. No need to cook it.

Pam gave the kids a prize for there good work.

Avalanche one first place and Monster won second.

The corn shucking contest, “Adult”.

Josh presents the award to the winner.

Divorce Course “Kids”.

Divorce Course “Adults”.

Sid and Sande.

Time for the potluck dinner.

Stories of the day’s find.

Region 4 Director Earl Nettnin presented me the “Region 4 Most Inspirational” trophy. “Thank You Region 4”.

Photo by Sid Hagemeier / Shindig Wheelers

The raffle drawing was next.

TJ Dave showing his winning ticket.

The crowd checking their numers.

After the raffle there was a dance.

And a big campfire.

Happy couples enjoying the campfire.

Disco is still alive!

On Sunday morning some of the Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch (a division of Eastern Washington Adventures) members cooked breakfast for the volunteers.

We want to thank everyone for the help and donations that made the breakfast happen.

This is a sign that our public lands are staying cleaner.

“Pick Up A Mountain” was a lot of fun. We cannot wait for the next one.

2011 Jeeping Nomads 4×4 Swap Meet
By Clay Graham / Eastern Washington Adventures

On the morning of Sunday September 11th, 2011 the members of the Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch Association met up at Mobile Fleet Services in Yakima to set up the Forest Watch Volunteer Program Education Booth for the 17th Annual Jeeping Nomads 4×4 Swap Meet.

During the day at the Forest Watch Booth we gave out a lot of Public Land eduction, information and maps. We were happy that so many people said they want to do right by the land to keep areas open. The Forest Watch booth received $32 in donations which goes toward the Forest Watch Volunteer Program project fund.

Thank you to all who came by to talk with us. Thank you to the ones who donated toward Forest Watch Volunteer Program. Thank you Jeeping Nomads for donating space so we could have the Forest Watch booth.

Here are a few pictures of the day spent at the 17th Annual Jeeping Nomads 4×4 Swap Meet:

The Forest Watch Volunteer Program Education Booth.

Nice truck.

Jeep parking.

Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch Association members getting out of the heat.

This swap meet brings people closer together as you can see by this photo.

4WheelingPlus.com is a major sponsor of the Forest Watch Volunteer Program. Thank you 4WheelingPlus.com for your support!

4WheelingPlus.com had a small booth with some great deals.

Happy shoppers!

Doug Conner manning the Region 4 Pacific Northwest 4 Wheel Drive Association booth. It is great to have you back Doug!

The Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch Association children getting a free Jeep ride.

Scuba’s old XJ for sale again.

It was nice seeing everyone. It was a great time. We plan to be back next year too.

Friday Night Get Together at The Rec Room
Report by Clay Graham

On September 2nd, 2011 we met up at The Rec Room Bar & Grill in the West Valley Area of Yakima, Washington for the Eastern Washington Adventures Get Together. Normally the GT is held on Thursday nights but on this week we did it on Friday so we could watch the “First Funny Friday” comedy show. On this night the comedians were Susan Jones, Bahiyyih Mudd and Lilly Honsinger. We got a special treat because “The Big Funny” also came and gave a great show.

Here are a few pictures of the night.

We got to the Rec Room early so we could get a good seat for the show later that night.

99 enjoying a fruity beer.

Jeepscum’s family showed up and Tony took our dinner order.

Jeepscum ordered the Dogzilla.

Tiny showed to join us.

A picture of our group having fun.

The night just got better and better. The Free Comedy show was great. We hope to do it again soon.