Article: The Jeep That Saved the Day (and our lives)

The Jeep That Saved the Day

And our lives

By Del & Stacie Albright

The trucker behind us on I-80 near Truckee, CA, said he figured we were goners when the Jeep made the FIRST 360 at 55 MPH on the freeway with the jeep trailer coming disconnected yet upright, held only by the safety chain. Then when he saw me steer out of that for the SECOND spin with the trailer headed sideways and still flopping on the chain, he knew we were going to be statistics. Yet we survived it; no one got hurt, and after a few repairs, we drove home the Jeep with the trailer. It’s a story worth telling.

“Red” the Jeep stayed upright and we must have had the luck of the Big Four-Wheeler in the sky watching out for my driving. I'm still celebrating life even more today. But this story is also about the right gear; the right buildup on your rig; the right training; and the family we call four-wheelers, or better yet, off-road recreationists.

Read the whole story and download for sharing at http://www.delalbright.com/Articles/jeep_trailer_spin.html

Del

Article: Discoverers, Developers and Merchants by Del Albright

Dear Editor/webmaster/friends of access,


Here is my latest column for your use/sharing. Please write if you have any questions, and also please send me a link if you use it.

Hope you enjoy it.

Thanks, Del

Discoverers, Developers and Merchants

How “old west” gold mining and modern landuse are similar

By Del Albright

BlueRibbon Coalition Ambassador; CA4WDC State Chair for Environmental Affairs

The old prospector no longer gave a hoot about all the talk of getting rich during the 1849 gold rush. No matter how he looked at it, it was dang hot and ugly mean in the western desert, and he’d not had a decent drink of water or a good meal in days. He was hot and tired; his mule was dragging; and his supplies were about gone. He was having about as much fun as a jack rabbit at a coyote picnic.

With no gold in his pockets, he gave up for the day and settled in next to a ledge of rocks that provided some shade. He tipped back his sweaty worn-out hat and began to collect a few rocks to make a small fire ring. The last of his hard-tack would taste mighty fine about now and he still had one can of beans to heat up. Then it struck him like a mule kick in the butt! His fire ring of rocks was the best gold ore he’d ever seen. He was suddenly going to be a rich man living the life of luxury. Read more/download the article here: http://www.delalbright.com/Articles/discoverers.html

Article: Rumbling of Thunder

RUMBLING OF THUNDER

A Whole New Sound in the Off-road World

By Del & Stacie Albright, BlueRibbon Coalition

The over-paid, seldom-right weather man spoke with such animation and excitement that you couldn’t help but get taken in by his rambling analysis of the on-coming weather pattern (from outer space). But he had me from hello when he mentioned the "rumbling of thunder” and how we would be hearing it for some time to come. I realized at that moment he had just described the new sound I’ve been hearing in the off-road skies – thunder!

Thunder is the sound made by lightning, ranging from a sharp loud crack, to a long, low rumble. I don’t think there is any one reason for this “storm,” but rather a culmination of people getting fed up with unnecessary closures and restrictions. Can you see the lightning and hear the thunder?

Read and download the article here: http://www.delalbright.com/Articles/rumbling_thunder.html
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Del

Article: Strategies to Win the War on Access

Strategies of the War on Access

The Simple Principles Needed for Motorized Recreation to Win

By Del Albright, Recreation Advocate

Let there be no doubt: We are at war over our access to public lands and waterways. Further, we are at war over our basic freedoms like gun ownership, political views, consumer monitoring, and vehicle ownership. The list goes on, but more importantly, there are strategies we can employ to preserve our freedoms, keep our access, and protect our way of life. Here I offer those strategies to win the war on our freedoms; the war on our access.

War is a strong word, yes, but by definition is means any active hostility, contention, struggle or conflict (Webster’s New World Dictionary). We are in a constant struggle by folks who are hostile to our way of life. To me, this is war. We must fight back or suffer the consequences of losing what we love to do.

Go here to read more or download the article: http://www.delalbright.com/Articles/strategies_war.html

Del

Article: View From the Locked Gate

Please feel free to use/share this with your access-friendly clubs, partners, groups and friends.

Thanks, Del

View from the Locked Gate
A bit of sarcasm about an access lesson

By Del & Stacie Albright, BlueRibbon Coalition

The gal in uniform with the big gun on her hip smiled and waved as she installed the recessed pad lock on the gate. I guess she thought we were happy about the road being closed. Her rugged 4x4 government-bought pickup truck that was kinda parked in our view had all sorts of signs and decals declaring she was a public servant. We figured it must be true.

She had sent us an official-looking letter a while back asking for comments, but the fish were a'bitin' so we missed out on the letter-writin'. We figured someone else would write those darn letters. We figured wrong on all accounts.

Read more and download article here
http://www.delalbright.com/Articles/view_gate.html

Article: The Future is Calling

Please feel free to use this article (land use and access) if you want, and are OHV friendly. I would appreciate a link or a copy if you do decide to use it. A nice photo accompanies this if you’d like it as well (just let me know).
Thanks, Del
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The Future Is Calling.
Who will be there to answer?

By Del Albright, BlueRibbon Coalition Ambassador

Activists in off-road recreation seem to be an aging group – no offense intended. Many of us are “gray hairs” and many are working so hard that “burnout” may cause some premature aging. I worry that not enough young folks are taking up the torch and carrying the flame. When the future calls, will we have folks there to answer?

I was enjoying the business of an annual convention recently of the Calif. Assoc. of 4WD Clubs when I noticed long-time activist Jim Bramham (featured in accompanying photo) sitting nearby with his grandson, Oscar (2 and 1/2 years old). I swung the camera towards Oscar and said, “Hello.” Upon hearing those familiar words, Oscar picked up his play calculator like it was a telephone and answered me back. Cute.

Read more and download this article in WORD or Adobe (.pdf) here.
Del

Theft Prevention -- An Ounce of Prevention vs. a Pound of Pain

My friend, Tom Severin from Badlands Offroad Adventures and 4x4training.com has some sage advice here, as well as some links to cool theft-prevention products.

"Remember the good old days when you could leave your bike outside overnight? Or your front door unlocked while you ran an errand? (Yes, I know I’m dating myself.) Sadly, those days are long gone. Theft is now a part of our lives. But we can minimize its occurrence. Four wheelers (and all motorized recreationists) already know that their vehicles are quite attractive to the wrong crowd. Yet it’s good to be reminded occasionally of the simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your property. "

Check out Tom's ezine article here: http://www.4x4training.com/Articles/Safety/VehicleSecurity.html
Del

A New President! Now What? (article)

A New President! Now What?
Recreationists Must Unite and Mobilize

By Del Albright, BlueRibbon Ambassador

Recreationists who enjoy the backcountry, waterways, off-pavement trails and SUV exploring have a huge new door of opportunity open to us – as well as a new challenge. The time has never been more critical for us to unite and mobilize to enjoy this new door and meet this new challenge. No matter how you wanted this election to turn out, we have to step up, work together, and mobilize our forces to help this new administration understand our sports and access issues.

Inherent with new Presidents, rotating congress critters, and term limits, we will always be in the game of educating new elected officials. It is our destiny if we are to survive.

I think there are a few steps we can take to ensure the future of our sports, no matter how you view this change in American politics. And one thing is for sure: we can all be proud of the fact that it is America and we can affect change by speaking up and working together. This is not the time to sit by and wait. We must act and help the newly-elected politicians at all levels understand that we are the responsible stewards of our public lands and that we deserve access. Here are my suggestions for “now what?”

Please go here to get the full article and what steps I think we need to take. You are welcome to use this article in pro-access newsletters, club news, websites, and magazines.
thanks, Del