Harvest Special 09

by Joe Levanti

The Harvest Special is LIOR’s annual fall pilgrimage to northern Massachusetts for two days of wheeling fun. The Columbus day weekend gives us an extra travel day and some of the best vistas as the foliage is at peak. The weekend was supposed to be nice, but cold, clouds, and rain greeted us.

We meet at the Oxbow Resort at 9 am for the drivers meeting and left for the Florida Road trail shortly after. Eight trucks started the trek but by the time we made it to town for gas John C. reported his Toyota was running hot. Inspection brought the diagnosis of fan clutch. John stayed behind to fix the rig while his boys jumped in with others for the day. Jaycee took us the short way which consisted of dirt roads that might give a cute ute type vehicle a challenge.

Florida Road itself must have had the DOT come through and make it easier at the obstacle spots. Rocks moved, removed, and stacked in a way making the big rock climbable by most of the crew, and the tree that used to wedge you between it and the rock was gone. Some dislike all the rocks and bumps on this road; this guy kind of likes them and the ride they bring. Not far up the trail someone noticed that the leaf spring shackle broke off the frame on Mark’s maroon YJ. Off to the side we all pulled and out came the welding equipment from Bob’s Howler. Bob did a fine job welding, but once finding out Roy is a certified welder he let the big guy finish the job while others huddled around the Howler’s V8 for some warmth and had lunch.

By the time the group approached the second obstacle the rain had increased making the slanted rock ledge slippery. Once again the obstacle was made easier by removal of the large tree. I guess one too many a person tilted into it on the off camber climb and cut it down. Even wet all made this obstacle with just some uncomfortable wheel lift. The rest of the trail was finished without incident and after a quick side trip to the East Portal of the Hoosic tunnel we headed out to wheel a couple of slick trails that lead up a mountain side to a beautiful sunset. The only incident occurred when Bob was negotiating an obstacle and the Howler ran out of propane shutting off and leaving the vehicle tilted so steeply that Zach could have licked the rocks. It seemed a quarter in that boy’s pocket would have flopped the truck.

Sunday we awoke to a cool day and clearing skies. After a nice breakfast a smaller group headed out to meet Jaycee at the Hill. The Hill is more like a slick steep mountain that requires momentum and wheel speed to ascend its steep climbs. One long climb stopped Warren and Mark, each requiring the strap and a pull, while Andy had to winch a long way up another climb and Jimmy blowing a tire bead on his ascend. Toward the top the fun rocky hard stuff begins. The trail is one obstacle after another with each participant making a section that denied another. Somewhere in the rock and mud Mark broke a bead but it was quickly inflated with Jimmy’s on board air. We descended the mountain on the same trail that brought us up and by the time we hit the road all were pleased with a great day of wheeling with a great group of wheelers and no damage or breakage.

Special thanks out to Jaycee our guide and Todd and his wife for the generous use of their property. Till next time. Keep wheeling, have fun, be safe.