Paragon Trip November 5 and 6

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We have enough people that want to to Paragon that we can do our own group. I'm inclined to say let's go on the weekend of the November 5th and 6th.

Everybody is welcome!!

My basic plan:

Hong and I will go to the Red Ridge Lake Campground on Friday night (http://www.gocampingamerica.com/redridgelake/)

(SIDE NOTE: YOu could also choose to stay in a hotel....)

We'll have Beer, Beer Brats, Potatos, Rolls, for everybody that wants to camp out Friday night at Red Ridge Lake. (PLEASE RSVP)

For those in the Baltimore area, we will meet at Anderson hummer and convoy with you if you like. The drive from Baltimore is 3 hours in traffic so we would want to leave anderson around 1:00ish. If we leave at 1:00ish, the drive is likely 2 hours and 20 minutes.

On Saturday morning we get up and make about a 10 minute drive to Paragon, planning to arrive at Paragon at 8:15.

At Paragon we check in and hit the trail.

We will stick to some of the more sane trails for the first couple hours. We'll talk and can adjust the challenge level up/down depending on what we all feel like.

Lunch will be eaten on the trail. Bring cooler with sandwiches. Last time Hong and I went we took corn chips and sandwiches. It was plenty for lunch. Also pack cold drinks. Nothing alcoholic. Paragon does search your cooler for beer.

We'll ride through the afternoon and get off of the trail by 5:30.

Comments:

Magnetic side shields are a really good idea. they are a good investment. They are also optional. I did my first trips without shields and was fine. I didn't need side shields until I was dumb enough to ride with the H1's for the day (you know the H1's right? ... the big trucks with rock bars on the SIDES and ROOF... for the newbies... this description is NOT a jest)

This outing will take trails that are sane. We will stay off of the Neuroc trails. I personally like my paint and try to avoid things that can hurt my sheet metal, but in life nothing is 100%... so the magnetic shields are a good idea. You can get them fast at http://www.trailduty.com.

Secure your shields with the blue 2" masking tape. (Home Depot) It works, even on the highway, and comes off clean.

Go to Paragon's website, download the release forms, sign and bring with you.

BIG NOTE: Release forms for children must be NOTARIZED!!!! There is no Notary at Paragon so this must be done at home.

A tow strap and set of shackles are a good idea.

Check all your fluids. Check your truck's fluids too.

Remove your sidesteps from your truck. NOT OPTIONAL. If you need help doing this for the first time I can help you do this at the campground friday night. It takes 3 minutes.

Go to Walmart and buy a $29.00 pair of walkie-talkies like these:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...A3977%3A164120

Set them to channel 9, code 9 (9-9).

These radios are how we communicate on the trail. Without one you won't know what's going on.

Saturday night back at the campground Hong and I will host a potluck dinner. The way we have done this in the past is that everyone posts what they are bringing and we make reasonable efforts to make sure there is something to eat besides doritos.

Hong and I will make something in the cast iron cooking devices.

NOTES: This was one of the high points of the last trip. Not to be missed!

NOTES 2: If KenP is present, do not expect to find the sour cream or the whipped cream in the morning. Why? We didn't ask. We don't think you should either.

This has and should be a family and child safe event. All are welcome. Even if they are not driving a Hummer. Last time a couple jeeps went and it was fine.

On Sunday we break camp in the morning and everyone heads home...

So...Any takers?