2006 Texas Spur Jeep Jamboree

[jeeptales]

Here are a few pics.

1st Llano TX Jeep Jamboree; lots of rocks like Moab but not near as far to drive.

Let me know if you want to see more

[jeeptales]

As I reflect on the events surrounding the Texas Spur Jeep Jamboree just one week ago during the third weekend in March 2006, it all seems like a blur. Not because of my rapidly advancing age or a few too many adult beverages over the past few years. The challenge comes from trying to encapsulate just how much fun we were able to collectively squeeze into one weekend, as we gathered in the Texas Hill Country for one of our favorite pastimes “Jeepin’, Jeep Jamboree Style”.

In fact, as I recalled a few of the details to some of my friends who were unable to attend, the stories seem like too much for any group of Jeepers to have compressed into just three days. That might be what is so magical about a Jeep Jamboree weekend, the fun just seems to go on forever.

Mother Nature cooperated in so many ways. We had several cold nights when the ambient temperature hovered just below freezing, but our days were filled with cool mornings, warm sunshine and clear blue skies. Each day of the Jeep Jamboree, the weather was an improvement over the day before. It’s actually kind of funny, just when you thought the day’s weather was perfect the next day was even better. Then of course there is the real gift that Mother Nature finished long ago, which would be the massive granite domes and boulders that pepper the Ink’s Ranch, offering a spectacular backdrop for our weekend of off roading challenges. For the Jeepers who were brave enough to venture outside on Friday and Saturday night there were spectacular celestial light shows produced by the thousands of stars that hung in the clear Texas Sky.

The recent South Texas drought prevented us from having our traditional bonfires because of a countywide burn-ban in effect. But you all know just how resourceful Jeepers can be. Some folks layered clothing and bounced from campsite to campsite visiting old friends and finding new ones as they exchanging stories and swapped photos. My work partner Nick and I were loaned a beautiful 37’ 2005 Coachman Cross Country, from Ancira Motor Homes in Boerne which became our home away from home for a few days. This diesel motor home offered comfort, convenience, and plenty of warmth from the cold Hill Country nights. Since I was a boy I’ve always loved tent camping but after spending a weekend in a luxury coach, my 10 x10 Jeep tent’s longevity may be in serious jeopardy.

I’m sure that the Jeepers that traveled to South Texas from as far away as California, Florida, Oregon, and New Hampshire were all relieved we had such great weather. They may have left thinking that we Texans’ are a bit spoiled by Mother Nature’s generosity. The stories our attendees took home from trails like Moab, Hunters Hill, Watch Mountain and the Indian Grids will be told and retold for years to come. The meals provided to us by the Oxford Ranch Campground Staff left several of us leaving the dining tent with our belts a notch or two looser…Oh well; this particular Jeep Jamboree only comes along once a year; you might as well make the most of it.

A few Jeepers found one of a kind souvenirs, when the unforgiving granite boulders did inflict a little old fashion wheeling carnage on a few of our Jeeps but thankfully no one was hurt (they must have taken copious notes during the drivers safety meeting). One of my Wheeling buddies has a window sticker on his Jeep that says “God Forgives - Rocks don’t” This year the Texas Spur Jeep Jamboree sold out in record time…Next year I’ll bet it sells out by Christmas, since everyone I talked to plans to come back in 2007.

I’d also like to add special word of Thanks to: All of Jeep Jamboree USA staff, Tony & Nancy Winkler who are the JJUSA area coordinators, the selfless Trail Guides from S.A.J.E. for their expert guidance and preparing the trail weeks in advance. Of course we certainly can’t leave out Roy Inks and his family for opening his family’s beautiful home ranch for our weekend of wheeling and the staff of the Oxford Ranch Campground and Tin Cup Café for their hospitality and wonderful meals. It’s all of you and your selflessness and generosity that made it possible for the rest of us to enjoy this memorable weekend as much as we did.

[jeeptales]

We now have over 2,000 photos up from the 2006 Texas Spur Jeep Jamboree on www.JeepTales.com now. We will be adding other photos and video as they come in to us. I'm also told that we will get pictures from the Tennessee Mountains & St. Francisville Jeep Jamborees also, we will put them up as soon as we get the files in.

We hope you enjoy them...