The Harker clan rolled into camp about noon on Friday, consisting of myself, Sue, my Dad From California and My brother Rodney all the way down from North Pole Alaska. Oh yea, we also had Kathy White who followed along despite my best efforts to lose her.

Rolling into camp we met up with other Range Riders Bill Garbutt, Barbara, And Mitch and Susan. Once we staked our claim and set camp, it was off to do a little exploring. I had found out Wednesday that the jeep games we were hosting were moved; we had to find the new area and get the lay out for our games the next day. We played in the wash, uhhh set the games up, collected some more fire wood, and headed back to camp for steaks cooked over the camp fire a little wine and some stories told, for some reason all about me. Listening to them you'd think I can't drive, get lost all the time, and have no sense of direction. Not So!

Then it was time to head to the main campfire for the Spook Rally and the Friday night costume ball. Who would think that out in the middle of know where so many people would come together to dance around a fire? There was kids trick or treating, a costume contest for the kids and on for the adults (really big kids) too. Some of the costumes where great, lots of imagination.

The next morning we where up early had breakfast and tried to clear some of the cobwebs out our heads, before heading out to set up the games. Mitch Susan and Bill moved out to set up their game Pumpkin Smashing. A neat little course set up over some rocks and sand in the wash. The object was for the driver/co driver to knock down as many pumpkins as possible using a stick from inside the vehicle. Than at the end of the course the passenger had to run back and set them back up again. It looked like lots of fun and the lines for the games showed it too.

My game called "Exit Strategy" had the driver back in to a parking space in the wash to start. When he/she was ready they left the box and went as fast a possible on a figure 8 type layout in the wash and pull forward into their starting spot. Than the driver would switch with the co driver and he/she would back in reverse through the entire course the driver had just completed. Easy you say. Did I mention the rock pile between the trees to go over or the very hard left turn between the tree and the rock wall is the super soft sands the sucked in even the best vehicles. Oh yea and don't hit any of my cones placed along the course. Did you know that some people can't back up at all! And they are out there on the street with you. The fastest time for "exit Strategy" was a unbelievable 1min 32 seconds with no penalties.

After the games it was back to camp to make a early diner so we could make our 6:15 start time. A good thing about running the games is that we got to be one of the first people out The three of our vehicles set out together so we could try to solve the clues as one with master clue solver and navigator staying in camp with her broke leg we were on our own this year. Another good thing about running the games is that the Arizona Rough Riders paid our entrance fees. You can't beat that all this fun for free!

Soon it was 6:15 and we had the first clue sheet in had and we were off. But wait what was that some one said at registration about answers to clues in the goody bag given out than. Ah yes Bill had read a bunch of papers that had lots of little stories and facts about Halloween type subjects these where the answers to the questions to solving the clue sheet so that we could follow the rally and not get to lost. (read to lost) we all found their stack of paper and searched for the answers we needed. And we were off into the darkness. Did anyone hear about what color meant WRONG WAY?

We found the first three checkpoints with little problems. All of which were great and meant to scare and confuse you. I was all ready confused, my brother Rodney was driving with my dad playing navigator. I got to ride in the back and watch to darkness of by. They scared me ass much as the check points. After the third check point we got misplaced as in lost. We made it back to check point 3 a couple of time to start again only to get turned around again. Than I figured it out we weren’t lost just in a loop that made it seamed so. If we followed the directions you do the same loop twice thus confusing into believing you’re lost when real you aren’t! Just go in circles than follow the clues to find which exit to take. Ahhh check point 4 we made it. Alive at least for now. It was Willie Wonka's place and I wish I had seen the movie, so I would now what to expect. Is this hall getting smaller or am I getting bigger? I'm so confused! Finally with clue sheet in hand, it's off to check point 5.

We're off and lost. We drive around for a while and can't even find our way back to check point 4. I sure wish Sue was here She would find us! we have been gone for almost 4 hours and only traveled 10 miles, I'm so confused, but at least I'm not driving so I'm not lost. When we come to a big wash, Hey I know where we are now, (I Lied) just follow the wash down stream, I told Mitch and Bill. And off we went. Can you believe the listened to me? But it worked. Look ahead check point 5, we mad it!! It's after midnight and we are the first vehicles to find #5. Another great check point with dead people and slimy things and the final clue sheet to get us back to camp. And were off....... err lost again. Again we travel around and find a big wash again. Follow it down stream again I said I know where I am (again I lied) and again they listened to me, how dumb can you get. But after a couple of miles we came to a spot I did remember. was where we had the games yesterday morning. Yep it's Sunday morning already.

We find our way back to the start/end check point and check in we are the first to check in! 5 and a half hours after we left. 14 long miles, but we are back. Time to get a few hours sleep before breakfast.

The Arizona Rough Riders, after being up all night manning check points, finding lost travelers and helping all those broke down back to camp host, a great breakfast, hot coffee, orange juice, pancakes, eggs, bacon, and sauage. All cooked there on the spot. What a job!

Then it's time for the awards Mitch and I give out trophies for first, second and third in our games. Then the rally master gives out awards for the rally. 2 people tie for first both with the correct mileage of 11 miles. third is just 11.3 miles and dead ass last finished with a little over 28 miles. And I thought we were lost. (we had 14. something miles.)

Than the raffle with thousands of dollars of prizes. A warn winch for the grand prize. Lots of certificates for four wheel supply, Fly-N-High and many others. I think everyone came away with something.

In the end it was a great time. I would like to thank the Arizona Rough Riders for once again a fantastic time. Mitch and Susan, Bill and Barbara, Sue, Kathy, my dad, and Rodney for the making the games a success. They went very well and everyone had a blast. And thanks to the Range Riders for supplying the Trophies for the games. I know that the ARR club wished to that us for the donations of raffle prizes, trophies, and time.

Oh yea anyone ready for next year, I already volunteered us for next years games, so come on up and enjoy the great time and don't be left out.