matic spike in activ-
ity, as we were lucky
to have mild weather.
The Wasatch Front has
many trails close down due to
snow but not this year.
We had 15 rigs and hit many of the sites.
The highlight was the campfire at BFE.
November was our club skills rally won by
Blaine Johnson, one of the newest members.
The December Christmas party was well
attended as the spike in activity created a
good influx of new members.
new President, myself, Micah Platt; Devin
Baumgardner (VP); Patrick Devaney
(Treasurer); and Brian Passey (Secretary).
Great group and we are always looking to
help and go have fun.
are in the Salt Lake Area!
ber trip to uninhabited Portsmouth Island at
the Outer Banks was a blast. The group
was lucky to have secured cabins for the
trip, as the weather couldn't decide to be
Arctic or spring-like. We pretty much had a
22 square mile playground to ourselves for
beach running, fishing, campfires and explor-
ing. Even the hour-long ferry ride over was a
treat. We're all watching nervously for any
new regulations that might threaten to close
access to this remarkable place.
National Forest was our last statewide gath-
ering of the year and was an incredible
time. We sent out a large team of members
to assist in trail repairs on Saturday and fed
them well with hams, fried turkeys and tons
of fixin's on their return to camp. The rain
didn't keep all of us from hitting the trails
after dark, although one member had to ask
Santa for a 200-mile tow home and a new
front diff for his 100. Our red clay soil really
gets slick when it's wet and it taught its les-
son to another unlucky student that night.
BOD is completing elections right now and
should have some new blood this year. The
events calendar is bigger and broader to
accommodate our varied interests. Long-term
projects are set to be unveiled. Longer-term
projects are meeting goals and creating
memories. New members are finding their
way into the fold. Offseason wrenching days
are being planned to help members get
some major repairs done. New trails and
ORV parks in neighboring states are being
scouted for future trips. RC crawlers are
becoming second hobbies for many of us.
overall character of the typical ONSC mem-
ber but two examples are worth mentioning.
Right now there are plans being finalized for
2015's first HAMOM (Help A Member Out
Meeting) to assist the new owner of a 40
who has limited free time by knocking off a
huge list of repairs and base lining. People
are traveling across the state to help a guy
they might not even know simply because
it needs to be done. Many of our vehicles
have benefitted from this type of thing that
goes beyond a typical wrenching party.
of our three trucks was stuck in an icy water
crossing, at night, in below freezing temps.
The rescue had to wait until daylight for safe-
children who were all far from home. A near-
by member and his wife were nice enough
to open their home for lodging and meals
and also babysitting while the extraction was
made the next morning. Other members had
heard of the situation and were gladly on
standby if needed. Good people, every one
of them.
more than just a club of folks with Toyota's. It
might also account for the members of other
clubs who look forward to any chance to
attend one our events. The TLCA is full of
good clubs with good people who share
similar interests and are always willing to
help, so our story is not unique but it does
bear telling as a reminder to be thankful for
the local clubs and the umbrella that ties us
all together, Toyota Land Cruiser Association.