So we did 2064 miles round trip including trail miles. First day was travel day and we made it to Marshall, TX and camped at Martin Creek SP. This was a mistake as it turns out its on a reservoir right across from a natural gas burning power plant. It sounded like a train was rolling through camp all day and all night. On top of that, they sounded an air horn every two hours or more. The only thing this park has going for it is the fishing. Apparently the warm water (from the plant) makes for big catfish. They had pictures of some of the prize winners at the ranger station...30-40lb fish.
Next day we finished off our route to Mason, TX taking a more scenic route than jumping back on I-20. We drove some 2-lane highways from Tatum to Palestine to Mexia and through Waco. Jumped on I-35 for a bit then went through Killeen (Fort Hood) around Buchanan dam and finally to Mason. A lot of those small highways are 65-75mph, so we actually made better time than if we had taken I-20.
We met longtime friend Heather (k9crazy) at the camp and set up our tent palace and mess hall.
Thursday evening we caught up with some new MUD friends (LT, Mace and D'animal) whom I've chatted with here, but had never met. Mace's brother (Chris) drove up from the Gulf coast of TX and brought a cooler full of oysters. We swapped steak and shine for oysters that night and talked around the fire of a chef mate grill. Temps dropped into the mid 40's, but the days were beautiful at a breezy 80-85*.
Friday AM we got up and got breakfast at the park's own cafe. Bottomless coffee for $1 and a big honking breakfast burrito for $4. So much easier to roll out of your bag and walk to breakfast!
Then we hit the trails with Heather and her "I'm not going to wheel it" 100.
Relaxing in camp after the morning trail run.
More fun on the "Back 40" trail section that afternoon.
Heather still wasn't "wheeling" when she kissed a tree branch with her roofline on the passenger side.
The potluck dinner and raffle was Friday night. Woody, Butch and Jebbers.
Two Tons of Steel played an awesome show for us as the mason jars and beer flowed.
We were on the trails again with Lance, Cam, Tim, Rich, Kenny and Scott from VA. You know most of these guys from IPOR, since they have been to GSMTR the last few years in these rigs. Kitty jumped in Cam's open seat, Heather rode with Lance and I jumped in Kenny's open seat for a wild ride up this mountain of boulders.
buggied out 80 with mostly stock drivetrain and monster tires.
I asked Cam to spot me up trail 7 which would meet up with them on the other side of the mountain of boulders. I'm so glad I didn't just leave my truck parked, because Dig-Dug did some amazing stuff with Cam spotting me over obstacles to keep up with their train of buggies.
We were on the trail all day, since the IPOR guys packed enough lunch for everybody. We strung up some tarps for shade and we ate sandwiches on the trail.
Later we spotted this buggy hanging off the side of a cliff! This guy was at such a steep angle and he was giving it hell, blowing white smoke and eventually lost his fuel pump. He was stuck and losing traction so they tied him off and Cam and Lance helped them air up the front tires to make winching him over the top easier.
Around the corner we found an off camber rock climb and Cam spotted everyone over it. I have to admit I had some unnerving moments on this spot, but Cam got me over it even though all I could see was blue sky.
BBQ dinner and the rocking sound of Matt Stell and Deep Roots wrapped up a great day and a great weekend. LT from Metal Tech gave out their signature pint glasses.
Oh and this year's drivers shirts were mechanic shirts to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Round Up.
This is just the highlights of our trip. So many great folks and funny stories that just can't be captured here. The rest of the 250+ photos and vids are here
Next day we finished off our route to Mason, TX taking a more scenic route than jumping back on I-20. We drove some 2-lane highways from Tatum to Palestine to Mexia and through Waco. Jumped on I-35 for a bit then went through Killeen (Fort Hood) around Buchanan dam and finally to Mason. A lot of those small highways are 65-75mph, so we actually made better time than if we had taken I-20.
We met longtime friend Heather (k9crazy) at the camp and set up our tent palace and mess hall.
Thursday evening we caught up with some new MUD friends (LT, Mace and D'animal) whom I've chatted with here, but had never met. Mace's brother (Chris) drove up from the Gulf coast of TX and brought a cooler full of oysters. We swapped steak and shine for oysters that night and talked around the fire of a chef mate grill. Temps dropped into the mid 40's, but the days were beautiful at a breezy 80-85*.
Friday AM we got up and got breakfast at the park's own cafe. Bottomless coffee for $1 and a big honking breakfast burrito for $4. So much easier to roll out of your bag and walk to breakfast!
Then we hit the trails with Heather and her "I'm not going to wheel it" 100.
Relaxing in camp after the morning trail run.
More fun on the "Back 40" trail section that afternoon.
Heather still wasn't "wheeling" when she kissed a tree branch with her roofline on the passenger side.
The potluck dinner and raffle was Friday night. Woody, Butch and Jebbers.
Two Tons of Steel played an awesome show for us as the mason jars and beer flowed.
We were on the trails again with Lance, Cam, Tim, Rich, Kenny and Scott from VA. You know most of these guys from IPOR, since they have been to GSMTR the last few years in these rigs. Kitty jumped in Cam's open seat, Heather rode with Lance and I jumped in Kenny's open seat for a wild ride up this mountain of boulders.
buggied out 80 with mostly stock drivetrain and monster tires.
I asked Cam to spot me up trail 7 which would meet up with them on the other side of the mountain of boulders. I'm so glad I didn't just leave my truck parked, because Dig-Dug did some amazing stuff with Cam spotting me over obstacles to keep up with their train of buggies.
We were on the trail all day, since the IPOR guys packed enough lunch for everybody. We strung up some tarps for shade and we ate sandwiches on the trail.
Later we spotted this buggy hanging off the side of a cliff! This guy was at such a steep angle and he was giving it hell, blowing white smoke and eventually lost his fuel pump. He was stuck and losing traction so they tied him off and Cam and Lance helped them air up the front tires to make winching him over the top easier.
Around the corner we found an off camber rock climb and Cam spotted everyone over it. I have to admit I had some unnerving moments on this spot, but Cam got me over it even though all I could see was blue sky.
BBQ dinner and the rocking sound of Matt Stell and Deep Roots wrapped up a great day and a great weekend. LT from Metal Tech gave out their signature pint glasses.
Oh and this year's drivers shirts were mechanic shirts to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Round Up.
This is just the highlights of our trip. So many great folks and funny stories that just can't be captured here. The rest of the 250+ photos and vids are here
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and I hope I get to see some of my extended Cruiser Family at the Southern Cruiser Crawl this year.
and longer nights to keep the party going 
.
