“Just Two Guys Who Wanted to Make a Difference”
by Ron “Brock” Herman
My buddy Dave Milligan and I had been planning to attend the FJ Summit in Ouray, Colorado and soon after finalizing our plans, we heard of the plight of Tellico, as our parent club, the Upstate Cruisers, were the hosts at GSMTR this year. Our local subchapter, the Lowcountry Land Cruisers, wanted to do something to help so we decided to get sponsors and vinyl our trucks to raise awareness during our cross country drive from the coast of South Carolina out to Ouray.
My FJ Cruiser was sponsored by TRD Sparks Toyota of Myrtle Beach, SC, and by Lucrum Industries. Dave had his truck sponsored by Florence Toyota and Creel Tire and Auto in Florence, SC. We also put the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association stickers on the vehicles as their efforts were what paid for the independent environmental study that first raised the issue that not enough science was used in the closing of the area.
The drive out was great, with many asking what Rescue Tellico was all about. The questions continued once we were in Ouray as many stopped by our vehicles both in town and on trail to inquire about the plight of Tellico. Most had not heard of the Upper Tellico OHV Area or its closing. None knew that it was the largest public OHV area with the most diverse terrain east of the Mississippi. During one of the trail rides, I had the opportunity to speak with the guys from Icon and Demello and then later met Mark Hawley of Metal-tech. Having been to Tellico, he understood the problem and offered his help. He invited us to be his guest at the Metal-tech party in the saloon that night and offered to give us a little something to raise money.
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So we showed up with our vehicles out front and soon enough, Mark gave me the microphone and a box of off-road lights. An ad hoc auction started, with me as the auctioneer as the bids went up and up.... There was some comedy involved and an offer that Mark would give a lap dance to any ladies that were high bidders. Finally the high bidder was declared and the lights went for much more than we ever expected. Mark came up and gave a talk and thanked everyone and then said, “What the hell, let’s do it again!” and gave me a set of PIAA back up lights. So once again I was on stage and talking up the enthusiastic crowd and our little plastic jar filled with donations. We were ecstatic as it was better than we ever imagined.
Later, we had the opportunity to speak with many participants and they thanked us as a couple small children walked around and collected more donations. It was a very giving and joyous occasion, not only for those in attendance but also for the thousands that enjoy Tellico and the annual Great Smoky Mountain Trail Ride.
The next day, I told Mark what the tally was and thanked him again for his generosity and he said he was going to make a pitch during the big raffle that night. He was a man of his word and we once again took donations from those in attendance, with Mark matching that night’s donations himself and once again showing the importance of getting involved. Here he was, a guy from the Pacific Northwest, concerned about Tellico. How prophetic his words were we would not know as we heard afterwards of plans to close Moab—and other areas are also on the list of desired closures. Tellico could be a benchmark on how to get these areas reopened or the plug that is pulled to let them all be closed.
Once we returned to South Carolina, we tallied the money and had a ceremonial check created. A letter and the real money was sent to Ray Stanley, the Treasurer of the SFWDA, thanking them for the fight they have led and hoping the money the Lowcountry Land Cruisers raised—with help from our sponsors and especially the raffle items from Metal-tech—would in some way make a difference. The ceremonial check was presented during the Upstate Cruisers Annual Meeting and given to Heather Royston, who is the Land Management Officer for the Upstate Cruisers (and who is also vital in supporting and working for Land Management for the Tellico area). The total amount collected was $1,259, with 100% going to the Rescue Tellico Fund hosted by the SFWDA. Notably, Lucrum Industries sent a separate donation as well.
The fight is not over though, as the Forest Service has now decided to leave the area closed permanently, completely ignoring the independent environmental study. The SFWDA has vowed to take them to court and show the scientific information that OHV use is not a cause of concern in the area and that with proper maintenance and care, the area can thrive.
I would like to thank Florence Toyota, Sparks TRD Toyota, Creel Tire and Auto, and Lucrum Industries for their sponsorship—and especially Metal-tech for donating raffle prizes. I would also like to thank all those who donated funds and asked about Tellico and learned more about our plight here in the Southeast.
Brock Herman’s FJ Cruiser nears the summit of Imogene Pass.
Photo by Brock Herman
Dave Milligan and daughter Claire are all smiles atop Black Bear Pass. Photo by Brock Herman.
Brock Herman at the summit of Black Bear Pass, 12,840 feet higher than his home in South Carolina.
Photo by Christine Herman
Bill Innis spots while Dave Milligan feels for the line on Winch Wall, Poughkeepsie Gulch.
Photo by Brock Herman
Dave Milligan presenting the ceremonial check to Heather Royston at the Upstate Cruisers Annual Meeting.
Photo by Marshall Shepherd
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