Eighty Twenty

The number one question asked from friends and family when I return from a trip is:

"How was your vacation?"

For the first time ever, after this weekend, I wasn't sure how to answer.

I finally decided to reply:

"It was 80/20" 

80% EXCELLENT, 20% HORRIBLE

This may be the toughest blog post I've ever written but like all memories, whether good or bad, it needs to be remembered.

This weekend was planned just two weeks in advance. Our favorite mud hole, Ocean Pond, was finally opening back up after some major flooding. If you read about our last trip there, there was an airboat driving in the main hole. Not exactly conducive to 4-wheeling! After a quick meeting of the minds (and kids) we busted our asses to prep for this weekend.

Nate's Bronco needed a ring gear (and bearings and brakes, we found after the fact) The Jeep needed a distributor gear (and radiator, and transmission rebuilt) The Yota was rip roaring ready to go (which is a first!!)

We borrowed a friends 32 foot gooseneck which Nate would pull with the Bronco and Jeep on it.

Trevor would pull Nates 31 foot gooseneck with the Yota and all the 4-wheelers on it.

Jordo would pull the RV

Friday night, they convoyed up to fill everything with fuel. When they returned they swapped the gooseneck trailers from truck to truck. Nate's Chevy did not like the big trailer with that much weight. With the swap done they made another test drive....Nate's truck still didn't want to pull. By the time he hit 3rd gear, the truck would fall on it's face and lose all power. We couldn't chance taking it two hours north. The mud gods were not cooperating with us! It was now 9:00 pm and we were to be leaving at 6:30 am. I decided to go to bed and let the boys figure out a solution.

This was their best option!

My truck with our work trailer (stripped of all racks and sides) carrying the Yota with our bike. Nate's Honda in the bed.

Nate drove Trevors truck with the Jeep, Bronco and his Suzuki. The only thing we had to leave behind was Nate's big Polaris. 

It was Nate and Karissa's birthday weekend, we had struggled at every turn, but we were going mudding!!!

We left our house at 6:30 am with three trucks and trailers and Nates boss following us in his Scion.

Even Mason was glad to be on the road after weeks of prep!

We stopped at our usual stop for some donuts and make sure everything was still good. Nate had lost brake lights & we had blown a right turn signal.....lights are over rated anyhow, let's go!

Why did the rooster cross the road?

Because you're in Chiefland and that's a normal sight.

The gates opened at 8:00 am and we were in line by 8:15

This was a beautiful scene!!

We rode to the back side and Trevor scoped out our spots for the next two days.

Once everyone got backed in, we started the unloading process.

We did minimum set up and kept the bunks closed until the hole closed at 5:00 because of the dust. We got permission from Norman (the owner) to camp there as he's not technically set up to offer camping. There is also the issue of idiots who can't behave themselves. Norman has known us for years and know that we are responsible partyers.

Mason was in hog heaven. Outdoors, water and dirt. Three of his favorite things!! (Norman also does not allow dogs, but made an exception for the same reasons as above)

By 9:00 am there were already a few casualties. 

My boys are pros. When bogging, you always do some 'edge-riding' not only to test your equipment, but also see what the mud is like. This is a natural spring-fed hole so it changes constantly.

Here are the boys planning their attack

Here they are on a test run

After one good run, the Jeep died.

Trevor pulled it in and told me

"The Yota has a bad knock in the bottom end, probably won't last long"

By now we just laughed it all off. We have 2 more motors ready to go in, run it til she pukes! Mark thought the starter went out in the Jeep so Nate started searching nearby for a starter.

The nearest Auto Zone had a starter so Mark and Nate ran into town to pick it up. We sat around and watched everyone else find the big holes

Mason was just hanging around despite the chaos

The hole was filling up fast and people were venturing out.

Nate and Mark returned with a new starter but sadly it wasn't the problem. The guys went back and forth all day trying everything they could think of to fix it. The poor Jeep sat on the sidelines all day.

Time for Nate to get the Swamp Donkey dirty! 

Karissa and I hopped on the 4wheeler so I could take some photos.

I kept waiting for the good slinging pic but that damn little thing is so nasty it just climbs out of everything!

I had to scream at him just to get this shot

"Turn 'em over!!!!"

Time to pull in and give everything the once over and check the temps.

It's Yota time!

The Yota is our "budget bogger." We have very little money in it and it was built mainly as a recovery vehicle. Since Trevor had found that hole above, Nate had to go and give it a shot.

I took all these photos from the comfort of my awning.

FINALLY! He's going to do some real rooting!!

Little did I know, he was still in 2 wheel drive. He swam out, locked the hubs and drove right out.

He then turned around and drove right back through it.

Showoff!

Not everyone was so lucky

The big trucks were cruising along, often pulling out the others.

As this truck lined up to make a run across, he lost a flag

As any good veteran would do, Jordan ran out and grabbed it. Couldn't be more fitting for Memorial weekend.

I finally took my turn in the Bronco

Once everyone was good and dirty, we chilled at our campsite. The beer was flowing, the temperature was comfortable and the sun was shining! 

We enjoyed some taco dip for lunch with our lakeside view

(I spent most of Friday prep-cooking for the weekend. I think that's the only reason they invite me)

Karissa made herself comfortable in my chair

We watched the OP bus give rides around the hole

We couldn't have asked for a more perfect setting. It was honestly one of the best days I have ever had...unfortunately it quickly went to the absolute worst.

Remember the 20 percent I mentioned? Here we go......

Around 3:00 pm we got word that Trevors father had passed away. He had been battling cancer for a few months and was going through treatments. Less than 2 weeks prior, his last scan had come back cancer free, he was now dealing with the after effects from treatments. Those after effects caused him to be dehydrated, which caused him to be hospitalized. Unfortunately he developed pneumonia while in the hospital and was too sick and weak to fight it. We were all heartbroken and it surely put a damper on our moods. We all knew Dad would not want us boo-hooing. Had he been there with us he would have been tearing things up, fixing what was broke and drinking a beer. The ONLY reason my boys have the mechanical knowledge they do is because of that man. We raised our beers in a tearful toast and promised to make the most of our day.

Trevor and Nathen hopped in the Yota to make a run in Dad's honor. As they came around directly in front of our campsite, they hit a rut and rolled the truck. As the wife and mom I can only say I saw it go over. I turned away and screamed, and screamed, and screamed. Karissa held me while I screamed, hyperventilated and dry heaved. Thank God, they came out with only cuts and bruises. 20 or more people surrounded them and they came running to me. I have a few pictures that others took along with a few I took LONG after the fact. I can honestly say it was the worst moment of my life and will be forever ingrained in my memory.

Here you can see where it landed in the mud.

With the help of a sledgehammer and some tie straps to reconnect all that had come loose, she wasn't looking too bad.

We loaded her on the trailer and figured we would call it a day. We were all mentally exhausted. Time for some beer and dinner. The mudhole had closed down and all that was left was our group and the owner and his family across the pond.

Nate's friend Ryan and his son Kaden made it up to spend the night with us and play the next day.

The sleeping arrangements were:
Trevor and I in one bed. Karissa and Nate in the other. Mark on the dinette bed. Ryan and Kaden in one tent, Jordan and Catlin in another.

Bro love :)

I started prepping dinner while everyone lounged around.

The boys checked the hole for glass since both the windshield and the sunroof busted out of the Yota.

(you can just see Norman in his Razor crawling around in the background)

The sun was setting and it couldn't have been more peaceful.

We had all had a hot shower, it was 70 degrees and this was our view. Not a single light (other than our outdoor RV light) the only sounds were the frogs, it is truly old Florida.

Time to eat!! 

We had hot dogs, brats, macaroni salad and steakhouse potato salad. 

We don't mess around when it comes to food, even when dry camping in the middle of the woods!

When dinner was over it was time to give the kids their birthday gifts. Karissas is May 24th, Nates is May 25th. Since they both got the same gift, I decided to give it to them on the 23rd.

They giggled at their Tshirts I had made (from a Garth Brooks classic "Friends In Low Places")

What took them just a minute was to realize that I got the four of us concert tickets for June 6th. I had spent 26 minutes online the minute they went on sale and finally scored seats for a 3rd show that was added at the last minute. The show STARTS at 10:30 pm, in Tampa. It's gonna be a LONG night, but I'll do anything for my kids.

We were all in bed at a decent hour that night, ready for another day of mud therapy.

I woke up around 5:00 and started coffee. Trevor strolled out with Mason and enjoyed the peace and quiet.

We had our coffee and reflected on the previous days events. All the kids were still nestled in bed.

Even Mason soaked in the atmosphere

With the sun finally up and the gates about to reopen for Sunday Funday, I riled up the kids.

This photo sums it up: My Happy Camper bumper sticker, my Life is Good tire cover and Karissa sleeping peacefully in the morning breeze.

Nate went to get Jordan and Catlin out of their slumber

Mason did his part

It was time to clean up before the trucks started day two.

Once their chores were done, I made some biscuits and gravy for everyone.

Norman came over to check on everyone.

Jordan took Kaden down to the water to play with his trucks.

(this is how it ALL starts)

Finally Ryan gave Kaden permission to ride his 4-wheeler and get dirty.

He suited all up and gave it hell!

Ryan got the Amigo out

And we unloaded the beast.

Trev did what he could to reattach the tach and the dash

Turned the key and fired her up!! I can say first hand, she ran better than she ever had. Maybe the rollever did her good, or maybe she had an angel watching over her.

Jordan and Trev took her out to see how she felt, Ryan and Catlin took the Amigo and Nate and I jumped in the Bronco.

First, Let me take a selfie :)

Time to sling a little mud!!

The good news: the Yota can still get 'er done, in spite of some dings and dents. Also having no windshield allows you to see clearly at all times.

The bad news: No windshield or sunroof provides a constant shower of mud.

That's what we're here for!

Despite all the people and the roar of motors, Mason found a shady spot under the RV, curled up to a jug of race fuel and napped.

Some of the kids' other friends showed up for the day and we sat around spectating while taking turns on the bikes and trucks.

Tawny went for a dip (Involuntarily, thanks to getting mouthy with Jordan)

And we picked on her for her big, muddy booty

Since the Yota was running so good and had survived a hell of a day, Trevor took each of the girls out to get  them good and muddy :)

Trevor and Jordan took a mud bath

And Mason finally got to go for a ride!

The kids and I spent most of the day on the 4-wheelers. There was a photographer there who took a ton of pictures of us. (which I stole a couple off her facebook)

By the afternoon, Norman had finally gotten his truck "Wired" going. He had been working on some issues and was only able to make a couple passes before it got hot and he towed it back around.

He drove by our site with the biggest smile while us girls screamed like....well.....like little girls :)

Around 4:00, we started loading up to head home. We still had a two hour drive and a shit-ton of stuff that needed to be cleaned.

The boys spent all day Monday cleaning and pressure washing everything, including the RV, inside and out. We have a few things that need to be fixed before we do it all over again for the 4th of July.

Nate's Chevy needed a fuel pump, Marks Jeep spun a rod bearing and the Yota is getting a roll cage! Other than that we're ready!! 

Thanks for reading along. If I can pass on one thing that I learned from this weekend it's this:

Til next time......