Not two weeks ago I returned from a two week passenger car trip of 3600 miles to Oregon and back with scenic beauty every mile of the way. In the 8 days of travel, apart from the 8 days of visiting with family, we packed in visits to some of the grandest places, many in regions of terrific 4wd roads which invite future trips. The list includes, Boulder Dam, incredible desert between Tonapah, Nevada and Reno, Lake Tahoe, Clear Lake, The Coastal Redwoods, The Coast of Northern California and Southern Oregon, The Oregon Sand Dunes, The Coastal Mountains, The Cascades, Klamath National Forest, Lava Beds National Monument, Petroglyph Point in the Monument, the Eastern Shoulder of the snow ladened Sierra Nevadas with associated side trips, Mono Lake’s intriguing Tufa formations, Lake Havasu’s London Bridge, Parker Dam, the terrific desert area and 4-wheel regions around Wickenburg, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and our own beautiful Cochise County. After such a trip I didn’t think I could stuff any more grand beauty into my eyes or soul. However, Tucson Rough Riders had extended an invitation to join them on a run into the Salt River Canyon. How often have I crossed that bridge across the Salt and eyed that bit of dirt that turned left into the canyon and yearned to explore its length? Well, now I had a Jeep and an invitation which could not be denied.

Very early Saturday morning I left Palominas to reach the far side of Tucson to rendevous with the TRR’s at 8:00am. Marty Sindelar, his two sons in their Willy’s and his father, Al in his CJ were also there to represent the Range Riders. They had had the good sense to go up the previous night to motel it and thus began the trip fresh and well rested. Besides our three Jeeps, there were a dozen other vehicles of all vintages and models, including a stray Bronco and Chevrolet pickup. Two vehicles towed small utility trailers. Our leaders were Becky Antle and Rheal Tetreault.