I thought I would take a momment to offer up a bit of information about myself and the beginings of my love for Glamis and the lifestyle that I enjoy in the dunes.

You see, I was raised, by my mom and dad and grandparents and aunts and uncles. Most all of us loved the great outdoors. My paternal Grandfather liked to camp so much that in 1965 he and several of his friends started up a camping club so that they could more easily camp in group areas. RV's were a fairly new thing and the "killer" set up was an old truck with a self-contained camper in the bed. They called the camping club "The Highway Hoppers". To this day the Highway Hoppers still meet once a month at various campsites all around the LA, Riverside, Temecula and San Diego areas. Sadly, the very last charter member passed away earlier this year.
This is the atmosphere that I was raised in. We learned as kids how to camp, how to be campers, how to keep camp clean, how to respect nature... ect.

Move ahead to 1995 or thereabouts. I moved back to the area and looked up all my old family and friends. Turns out that they like to do this thing called "Dune buggying" at a place called the "dunes". I had never heard of it.
My very first trip to Glamis was on a Thanksgiving weekend. I didn't know the first thing about sand or riding or anything. I had a blast anyway. Finally, someone "made" me get on a 185s, (as a side note, how many of you learned to ride on a 185s?) I rode that 185 all the way down sand highway from Wash 9 to the canal and we all jumped in and went swimming!
From that momment on I was hooked. I learned the 185 quickly. I jumped on a Warrior and picked that up quickly. I went out and bought a Yamaha Tri-Z 250 and started saving for a buggy.
I needed a vehicle so of course I bought a camper van, so I could use it at Glamis. I bought an inexpensive "project" buggy. A 110 corvair. I was never really able to get that car running well. I've ridden Banshees, Hondas, three-wheelers, two-wheelers, buggies, and golf carts... Glamis NEVER ceases to amaze me. I've drunk pitchers of beer in an empty Boardmanville bar at midnight and I toasted in the new melinium with my dad with a rum and pepsi while sitting around a campfire at Wash 5. ( I got killer hiccups that time )

Now, a new side of Glamis has been opened up to me. I never knew so many people could come together for a common reason and have so much damn fun. Sure, we have our differences. We don't all see things the same way. But always Glamis will bring us together.

Now, this week, I am packing for another trip to Glamis for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving, the one trip to Glamis that is undeniably mandatory. I would hitchhike to Glamis to be there on Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was when it all started for me and it is my big vacation each and every year and will be from now on.
Now I finally have the buggy running. I get to see if it is gonna run the entire week! Next, the Tri-z get's overhauled!

I can't think of a better place to spend the Thanksgiving hollidays then sitting around a campfire with friends, new and old at the place that changed my life...

Glamis

Pastor Vor

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May the Dune Gods Smile Upon You
ShiftingDunes.com

VOR thats truly an addiction you need help No seriously it was just this afternoon I was on the phone with my mother and she started to ask if I was comming over for Thanksgiving. But then she stoped and says, "Oh wait your gonna be at Glamis huh?"
although I have useually, till last year left on Thanksgiving it has been a part of "Thanksgiving" for 10 years now. As a weird change of pace some friends have talked me into going to Dumont this year though I am a bit hesitant about this, but after some consideration I look at it this way. I'll be camping with friends, there will be turkey, and I'll have paddles on my quad for the sand. Sure it will be different sand, but sand none the less. Sure some of you look at me funny for not going to G. Oh well. I have made plans for a trip out to G in Feb for my B-day.

I THINK that the Glamis expereance is mostly about, like what VOR said geting out and camping with friends and loved ones. Who knows maybe Dumont will teach me something that will help Glamis seem that much better .

JonR


[This message has been edited by OnceJonRyder (edited 11-12-2001).]

Interestinly enough, although my Thanksgiving has started at Glamis, my family and friends have camped ALL OVER the ISDRA and have only recently (relativly speaking) come to Glamis.

They've told me stories about camping next to the farms on the north side of 78 which as I understand it was a very popular place to camp until the closure of everything (almost) north of 78. I've camped at the north end of the dunes also. It is still open up there at the very tip.

So, Glamis is a state of being, not a place... Thanksgiving at Dumont would work for me as well!

Enjoy your holiday, Jon!

PastorVor

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May the Dune Gods Smile Upon You
ShiftingDunes.com

DuMont sounds like a great time. Especially on Crusty Demons of Dirt. Maybe someday i'll get out there. Only problem is, when the motorhome starts down the highway, it heads directly to Mother G. Can't seem to get the coordinates changed on her. I guess i'll have to trade her in or give in and go to Glamis every time. Have a great Turkey weekend and say hello to all who join ya. See ya New Years. Peace

I'm telling myself I'm going to Vegas, then just before Baker I'll remember that I have my quad and turn off.

Thanks Pastor,,,

Yes, Thanksgiving at Glamis,
This will be my 18th one in a row!!!!

It was on Thanksgiving that my first trip to Mother G happened. I had only heard of Glamis from the 4WD members of my club, Sunset Truckers. I remember that day like yesterday. I remember following out my friend Bryan on HWY. 111 (when it had all the dips) on a very dark night. That road seemed endless and hard. It was about 11:00 pm when out in the distance I thought I saw another city ahead. All of a sudden there were headlights and taillights everywhere!!! It looked like a 8 lane highway ahead. Where the Hell I'm I....

I woke up from behind the wheel of my lowered Datsun pickup towing my buggy without front tires, (because the truck was DUMPED...) The lights were getting brighter and over the hill was the most awesome sight I've ever seen. COMP. HILL.

Once at wash #2 (behind Clean Genes, our camping spot for 10 years) we went looking for the other friends. Jumped into Bryan's rail and off we went. Found the friends in a matter of moments... Bryan went to leave and pulled a wheelie straight up and I saw the moon....WOW!!! what a rush....

My rail ran like **** that weekend and got suck everywhere, but my wife and I loved it so much that we haven't missed one yet.

I just hope to see many more Thanksgivings at Mother G for years to come.

Since then, Dumont, Coral Pink, Oregon, Sand Mountain, Gordon's Well, and Oceano Dunes.
Its a sand thing, and its in the BLOOD....

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Do It In The DUNES!

Nice to read up on what makes the Holidays. Being with Family/freinds, etc.. Last year was my first year of staying Home. The Glamis Gods were not happy with me. Broke a 14 year straight record. Thought it would be nice to have the family at my home. Show it off, being new and all. So, the Springer guest list arrives, and I say to myself, self, you gotta be adopted. I will NEVER hang with these inbreeders sober again. If you want to meet Cousin Eddy, look me up.
The fights start up.
Where you been Big Had? I was asked too many times.
"Where I should be right now"...dirty look from the wife glances over.
Blah Blah Blah, spill on my carpet.
Blah Blah Blah, cigarette not quite making it over the pool.
I could go on.....
So, I bought the wife her plane tickets to go home with the kids... Big Had... He be Duning.....

It seems like that every time BigHad. You try and do what other people consider the right thing and it blows up in your face. I've come to the reality of this....proper scheduling lets everyone know where I'm at all year long. Sorry, can't join. I'm busy. Peace

Great post, Voice! It's nice to read something positive for a change instead of all the "expletive deleted" about the ASA.

I can't remember when I didn't have Thanksgiving out at Glamis. A lot of my friends, all of my kids and both my grandsons have done the Turkey Day Dune trip at one time or another, and I think it's been...well, a LONG time since I haven't been there on T-day. Tons of great memories...my first Turkey Day ride was a "90". My butt hurts just thinking about it!!

I don't stay up as late as I used to (my wife says it's because I drink more than I used to!!) and I suppose that my hard riding days are fewer and farther between, but once in a while the kid comes out in this old man and I crank it up and kick some sand all over Glamis...hard on the pipe in 5th up a steep one, sand flying off the Haulers, my hot rod 250r screaming for more, running up on the bike in front of me just to show them I can still do it...I love it! Thank you for reminding me how much I still love Glamis.

Frankie

Pastor, it sure be nice to read your words, you never cease to amaze Slappy. What a way to be brought up, it sure works. The McScra-ppbook gonna be taking a gulp right now...

Hey, Its so very true!!! There is no where else that I would want to spend my Thxgiving than at GLAMIS. Im 16 and have been going to Glamis since I was about 1 and a 1/2. Ive only missed 1 Thxgiving at GLAMIS and it just wasnt the same. Never again will I be anywhere than Glamis for Thxgiving.


LAND OF THE DRIFTING SAND! GOT SAND?