Guys- I'm associated with the dormant Appalchian group, since Jeff Dozier moved to Kentucky the club has done very little. Few members show up for events at rausch and there certainly seems to have been a general drop in interest. Understandable I guess as other things in life take priority.
You can wheel at rausch any weekend. Fridays are usually great as there are few wheelers in the park. Weekends when they have events can be interesting. Two weeks ago at the pig run in addition to our small group and a few others there was a 53-truck jeep affair. We ran into only one jeep group in the park that day. While not as large as PParagon, Rausch is still plenty big enough to avoid congestion on most days.
The pig run was held two weekends ago. It drew five Toyota trucks and two jeeps. Says something for the interest a "Toyota event" generates around here. Not that the PR is a big deal- it's not. It's as informal as you can imagine, but we did in the past have as many as 13 FJ55's show for the event. The first pig run was 2005 and it drew five vehicles the most we ever had was 32.
You should have been at the Coal Mine event- right in our backyard and a first class event in every way. It is the best way to meet fellow land cruiser owners. Lots of great people from all over the eastern part of the country and also from other areas. I repeat it is a Toyota event not to miss.
Next event at rausch, Toyota- wise is the Fall Crawl. It's scheduled for October 8, 9, and 10 and is a classy event with a good meal and raffle saturday evening. By October the park isn't as crowded and the fall weather is great for campfires and camping. Most of these guys are from Virginia and Maryland and they camp free right at Rausch.
People wise there are several knowledgeable guys in the area. John and Craig Merkey are not only great people but have been around land cruisers for years. John is a tremendous builder and fabricator. There are a few guys with multiple cruisers in their stable. Dan from easton is a friend of mine we have done some business in the past. Matt Reed in Kutztown has been a regular for years and Steve Colavito from the Reading area has a few cruisers. Todd Slater in the suburban Philly area has nice stable, too. Lots of cruisers around, believe me. My 40 is sprung over- knuckles turned, high steer, 4 wheel discs, full roll cage, etc. Come see and talk with me if you are interested. My 80 is lifted on a 4" OME setup and runs 35" tires. My tow vehicle is a 2004 V8 4Runner. I have a garage full of parts and always have a few cruisers on hand. I'm in the Tamaqua/Pottsville area. I have a 35 minute commute to Rausch from my Place and the drive to Paragon was just about the same for me.
I'm headed to New Hampshire at the end of September for the Fall Gathering sponsored by the Yankee Toys, and I'll be at the Fall Crawl at Rausch the following weekend. I'm always open for a day of wheeling at Rausch and actually can four wheel on the mountain behind my house whenever I want. Come out to Brockton and I can show you some trails- have had cruiser guys from all over the place wheel at my house over the years.
Best advice is to get to one of the events. let me know ahead of time if you'll be there and look me up- I'm an easy guy to find and to get along with. I've led a lot of trail runs over the years and my intention every trip is for everyone to have an enjoyable time. if anyone is interested in resurrecting the Appalchian club I would be more than glad to help- I have the club banner in my garage and there is still a balance in the checking account. Feel free to contact me either through a Mud message, on this club forum, or email
shmukter@pa.metrocast.net. Stay dry this weekend. Thanks, Gary S (Shmukster)
hence the need to get the tub moved, so as the tin work can begin.
