Rockport Run - INITIAL PLANNING STAGES

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 12:46 am

The New Years Day run went over with great success. A lot of those in attendance were already asking when the next run will be before we were even out of the Badlands lot.

To keep the enthusiasm rolling, I figured we should start talking about a late February run. We may have to push back if there is a lot of snow on the ground at that point, but lets start talking regardless.

I would like to try to head out to Rockport - http://www.rorp.com - it's about a 4.5 hour drive from Chicago, close to St. Louis. I've driven there before and it's not too bad, but will probably require an overnight stay. No daytripping for us Northern Illinois guys.

Here's the map:

The possible weekends I see are:

2/25-2/26
3/4-3/5
3/11-3/12

Again, snowfall can play a big roll in when we go, or if we go. I don't wanna be 5 hours away and break my rig in the snow.

Discuss ......

BlackOps · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 2:34 am

Normal Bloomington is half way. That's where I'm at. I would love to serve as host. And attend the run...........

--BlackOps

vxla · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 12:20 pm

That's MWJT land too, so I could prolly get some of the guys to come out and act as trail guides. I could do trail guide for the easy stuff and the Back 40 (the easier stuff) as well. Just note: Rockport EATS jeeps. It's very hungry, so you should definitely expect to come out with nominal damage. However, Tom and Debbie are great hosts and will do everything to help the run go smoothly if we let them know we're coming.

If anyone wants the GPS tracks or whatever from RORP, I have them. There's a place to stay just east (about 20 minutes) called the "Green Acres Motel" (no, I'm not kidding). I'd only recommend one day of wheeling for anyone stock as that's all you'll be able to get through, but two days for the guys with more built rigs. However, we'll definitely need everyone to have tow points in the front and back, their own tow straps, and a couple winches.

Science_Guy · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 2:45 pm

vxla wrote:

Rockport EATS jeeps.

I think I will have to opt out of this one till I get non-stock tires and maybe even a lift. I also need to desensitize the wife more. Her first comment after seeing a very small trail trail mark from Badlands was "what the hell is that." I have my work cut for me. Training word for the day is "Successive approximation."

Jeff

vxla · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 3:32 pm

IMHO, the best thing you can do is teach her how to drive and invite her to drive some easy stuff. There's a MWJT run on Labor Day weekend in Alley Spring, MO, that is great for beginners, and offers you a good way to get her to drive and still have a decent weekend if it turns out she doesn't like it.

If you want more information just let me know and I'll let you know.

- vxla

p.s. How bad is the scratch?

Science_Guy · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 5:18 pm

Nothing too bad. Looks like it is mostly just a surface scratch in the clear coat. I was pleased it happened actually. It was bound to happen and better I get it out of the way earily.

Jeff

Bakerkj · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 10:13 pm

Science_Guy,
Those scratches should buff out. Putting a thick coat of wax on before the run seems to help minimize surface scratches.

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 11:31 pm

I can agree with what BakerKJ said.

Before the first run, I put on some high quality Mother's FX wax and I only got one pinstripe, and that was on orange trail.

MrCRD · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2006 11:53 am

Those aren't scratches, they are pinstriping. I have some nice custom pinstriping on my TJ that I had to drive out to Colorado to get. If you would like to get the same ones mine has then you need to ask for Colorado Pine. I guarantee that no two will be the same.

BlackOps · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2006 1:23 pm

BlackOps wrote:

Normal Bloomington is half way. That's where I'm at. I would love to serve as host. And attend the run...........

--BlackOps

When I said I would be host I ment that if an over night stay was needed it might make sense to stay here in Normal/Bloomington. I could help arrange for a hotel / organize a good place to eat dinner and breakfast/ ect ect.

--BlackOps

KJ-BOL · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2006 4:27 pm

my question to Blackops offer would be....
If we stay overnight in Normal/Bloomington, how long is the drive to Rockport? Obviously you've been there before so who better to ask?
Let's say we stay in Normal Friday night, leave early on Sat, wheel all Sat & come back to Normal for a secong night stay & drive back to Chicago on Sunday, that would be a 2 night stay for an all day (almost) wheelin'.
Or, other option would be leave Chicago Sat Morning around 4:30-5 am go straight to Rockport, wheel from 10 am to 5 pm then drive to Normal/Bloomington for an overnight stay and leave Sunday back to Chicago.
Final option.... drive straight to RORP on Sat , wheel all day Sat, stay around RORP for an overnight stay, go back sunday for another couple hours wheelin' and head back to Chitown.
You know better about driving distances and what the park offers to some stockers & the lifted ones.... I hopefully can have a lift by that time - dunno yet.
Since we are close to KC, we might get a couple more guys from there....
Let's talk....
Can't wait!!

KJ-BOL · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2006 5:44 pm

Sorry - my choice would be either MARCH date
February 20th I'm driving to PA for the long weekend

vxla · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2006 6:02 pm

Rockport is about 60 minutes west of Springfield. That puts it about 2 hours from Normal. Or you can just stay in springfield or somewhere closer to Rockport. There's the Green Acres motel in Pittsfield; it's 20 minutes from ROckport and easy to do aired down if you're wheeling both days.

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

Well, I would love to go but that is probably going to be a little far for me coming from Ohio, especially just for a weekend trip. It would be about an 8 hour drive. However, if you deciede some place closer like the badlands again I should be able to make any of those dates. However, the weekend of 2/18-2/19 would work best for me because of the 3 day weekend for President's Day.

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

Actually those March dates will not work for me. However, a week later and they would be fine. Anyways, I will be attending if you guys hit up the badlands again.

Boghar · **Posted:** Thu Jan 05, 2006 11:34 pm

I could go in March only

KJ-BOL · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2006 12:01 am

Hey Bogdan.... haven't seen you for a while... we missed ya in Attica on NY
how is the KJ running? - Fixed it yet?
Looks like March would be better to more people.... let's see how many we can get and let's make a decision.... gotta get time off of work...

Renegade363 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2006 10:57 pm

vxla wrote:

Rockport EATS jeeps.

Really how bad can this park mess up your Jeep???

vxla · **Posted:** Sat Jan 07, 2006 3:33 pm

How bad? Two tires, a right side door, and other stuff.

It's nasty. But GREAT! We'll need trailguides wtih winches. Again, figure out the date and I'll get some of the best trailguides around there.

Bakerkj · **Posted:** Sat Jan 07, 2006 5:13 pm

Two tires $300
New door plus paint $1,000
Other Stuff $200

Driving 6 hours to wheel and getting towed home to an Angry wife. = Priceless

Count me In

Rockport Run - INITIAL PLANNING STAGES

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