Thursday we left for the Sample Meadow campground in the Sierra National Forest. It was about a 5 hour drive with the last 1-1/2 hours in the mountains. It seems we live too far from the mountains!

The occasion was a meet/great for Sportsmobile owners and we had a great turn out. Two Sprinters, six 4-wd Sportsmobiles and 1 rental Class C (Driven by a potential SMB buyer, Andrew, from Switzerland and his business partner from France.)

We camped in a couple of groups and had a great time. It got down to 26° F. but during the day was quite warm. At night in the Sprinter it was cold – we opted to use the heater in the mornings to take the chill off. Presley had a great time hiking, eating snow and trying to take in all the smells and sights. He was afraid of the poping wood in the campfire so during that time he slept in the bus.

I don’t think I could have run the heater all night as we were parked in semi-shade and never got a full charge. I may start looking at 6volt AGM batteries to replace the 12volt I have.

The 4wd’ers took off for some real challenging runs while several of us opted for hiking. I had hoped to see some wildlife but we just saw signs of their presence. The other Sprinter (08) took off to see some scenery but had a turbo boost failure and had to limp out of the mountains. I think it may have been one of the inter-cooler hoses but I will make a note here when I find out.

There were too many foo-foo California hunters in the area. I say that because all they do is drive up and down the roads slowly, peering from their vehicles which are often bristling with the guns of too many occupants. (Yes, I hunted for many years in Colorado, always successful and NEVER from a vehicle, ATV, etc.) OBTW, hunting from a vehicle is illegal as were the 2 shots we heard long after sundown on Thursday night. Give me a break!

Around the campfire at night, every one sitting close because of the temperatures, a lot of information and ideas about Sportsmobiles, 4-wheel driving and more was exchanged. I think everyone there learned something.

We had a great bunch of participants and I look forward to next year’s event.

The day before we left, Big Dog, as I called him, (His real name was Cracker Jack) followed a couple of our hikers and their dogs into camp. He had a collar on with name, number and address (of course, we had no connectivity) and a tracking device. Seems he was a “bear dog” used apparently to for hunting bears. I know nothing about that and prefer not too.

He was still there on Sunday morning so Debbie and I decided to take him to his home. We had no way of knowing if his owner was on the mountain or not (turned out he was but lower and a long way from us). He was a blue tick hound dog, very well behaved, and slept all the way to his house.

We got great mileage going and coming and the Sprinter, turning over 30k miles on the way home, continues to be a delight!

And PS, you need to haul your own trash out. Don’t leave it in the outside toilet buildings like some ignorant, stupid, deserve to drive off a cliff at night, idiots.

The new window.

Wednesday I will head to Sportsmobile in Fresno to have the window replaced. Instead of the n0rmal Sprinter glass I am having a CR Lawrence window put in that opens on the bottom. We have that type of window all around so it should be a good match.

I use the trip to Fresno as a mileage check also. Filling at the same station and pump before leaving, and coming back. I will be interested to see if the H44 recall made any difference.

Information on the window is here, http://www.crlaurence.com/ProductPages/F/FW625R_67771.html?Origin=

October 25, there is a meet/greet in Sacramento. It will be at the ARCO Arena at 10am. BYOB and maybe we will barbeque or move on from there to somewhere else. I don’t want to be the only SMB Sprinter there so put this on the calendar and please come!

Well, there will be sightings soon. The Sportsmobiles built for the State of Qatar ( دولة قطر ) are on their way. Yesterday Sportsmobile started loading the first to go and today more trucks come in for the second go-round.

On the way is 1 command center, 2 supply carriers, 2 canine units, 12 SAR personnel carriers and 3 trailers.

Loading took several tries as the carriers were not prepared  (although they had been told numerous times) for a 99″ height. Seems like every time some one doesn’t get the word!

The height requirement comes from the requirement that these Sportsmobile be loadable on a C-130 aircraft. This makes them deployable anywhere in the world.

It was a little nerve-racking watching the loading. To me, the driver did not look that good backing up. When I back up, I only use the mirrors (from years of hauling a bass boat), but I have never backed up on a rolling parking lot so I will cut him some slack.

Will this work? Doesn’t look right.

This worked but tomorrow different trucks will be there in order to carry more SMB’s on each truck.

Inside the people carrier their are seats with shoulder harnesses and a big refrigerator.The vehicles have 12 speeds forward and 2 speeds in reverse.

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Saturday we had a get-2-gether and a lots of fun. We had 5 or 6 Sprinters there, 2 from SMB. We also had 4 or 5 great 4wd Sportsmobiles and one owner with his Sprinter on the production line at SMB in Fresno. Lots to look at, learn about and talk about!

Tony was there with his Lopes 55 Special from Sportsmobile (the red one). That is quite the deal with the stereo system, satellite dish, etc. More on that here http://www.sportsmobile.com/3_bikes.html.

These are some pics silkwan (from a different forum) took – he apoligized for the contrast – too busy talking. Thank goodness someone was taking pictures!

After Saturday I decided to upgrade the bus’s shocks and sway bar. Also, as soon as I win the lottery, I am getting a CJ5 to pull behind our Sprinter so I can join some of the 4wd Sportsmobile parties. :^)

Had there been a contest, no doubt I would have won but there would have been some close seconds. One 4wd was about the same color as mine and just impeccable.

I am hoping the next get-2-gether we will have some different branded Sprinters and maybe a Class C or two.

I think almost everyone learned one thing or another about Sprinters, SMB 4w drives, how-to’s etc. We had lots of goodies, beer, water, etc. but the group seemed pretty shy about drinking so Tony and I helped make up for it. Hey, the kids wouldn’t even take cookies! Next time it will have to be a bbq. And somewhere shady!

Just a reminder . . .

The Baylands, 2775 Embarcadero Road, in Palo Alto, will be the spot.

June 7, 11:00am to whenever you get tired or bored. All SMB’s, and all Sprinters from the bay area. Totally unofficial, with no planning and no respect. However, the event is homogenized, pasteurized and may be dangerous to your heath.

Hiking and biking. Checking out the birds and all. Giants on the radio. Telling lies. Looking at mods. Lots to do!

Hope to see you there.