Oceano Dunes

[ROX]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by tower:
Bad news, Dennis, Drty & Alec. I heard it was pooter. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Fixed.

[KenP]

ATR:
I assume you'll be coming in on 158. When you get on OBX look for 12North, Ocean Blvd.

[tower]

DRTY,

I flipped it for an easier comparison to the one Dennis posted. What is the thickness of the overall bumper? Does it still have the 1/4 inch breastplate?

Damn, Drty, you always come up with the best questions/observations!

The photo doesn’t really do the steepness of the dune justice. The H1 needed enough momentum to catch air if it were to clear the top of the dune (which it had done on a previous attempt). It was late enough in the day that a strong wind had come up. This caused the humidity to drop precipitously. Consequently, the sand became like talc. It was very difficult for the most aggressively treaded tires to gain purchase.

If you look carefully, you’ll see the perturbation of the sand above the H1. It was actually high-centered right on the edge of the break-over. Even with its 2 wheels above the edge, it could not be tugged forward with another H1. The risk of tugging it downward on this step angle is obvious, but it was the only option, short of rigging 2 or more trucks to pull upward.

The photo is of Brian removing the tow strap AFTER the tug.

[KenP]

Travel North to Corolla and the State Road ends.

[ROX]

Jim brought his pickup, Chevy 2500HD with rear lockers. He was doing great until he hopped the front end over the top of this hill. When it hit the ground, he snapped the tie rod.
The best news is that we weren't that far from town, and the Les Schwab had the parts. He was fixed in no time!
Emily brought her Land Rover since she got rid of the SUT. And the other gal had her brand new Stealth Gray H2.

[DennisAJC]

As soon as I buy a new digicam, I'm going to post some pics. The look is slightly different since I kept the front mid-section original.

Hope you have more pics Tower. Better yet, vids.

[tower]

Just got back from O.D. It's the only area in California where you can Wheel on the beach. Some amazing dunes; lots of fun. I must admit, this is one venue where the H1's generally have the advantage over H2's. Winches and tow straps are pretty much mandatory (at least within your group). So far, I'm only posting this one pic. It's of an H1 that couldn’t quite get it up. Oops! I mean get up it. You can see my black H2 in the background. In fairness, I need to say the H2's couldn't make it up this either. Also, FWIW, one of the H2's didn't break a tie rod, but did break the shaft on his power steering impeller. He had to be tugged by an H1 to a repair facility.

Brian Piazza and the Northern Cal Hummer Group made the few of us from So cal feel really welcome. They're a great group!

[KenP]

Back Bay Wild Life Refuge is in the way starting at the VA line. Very rarely can you get through there.

The fastest way to get from Chesapeake to Corolla is by boat. I have relatives with a place down there and from their offices in GB it's about an hour including drive time. By car your looking at well over 2.

[tower]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by myself at thread opener:
Also, FWIW, one of the H2's didn't break a tie rod, but did break the shaft on his power steering impeller. He had to be tugged by an H1 to a repair facility.

Brian Piazza and the Northern Cal Hummer Group made the few of us from So cal feel really welcome. They're a great group! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

OMG, I just heard back from Brian about the "rumor" regarding someone rolling their truck. I'm sorry to report that he replied as follows:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">From Brian's letter:
Oh no, it was no rumor. The guy that had his steering pump break on Saturday went back out Sunday and rolled it 3 times. I think it is totaled but he thinks it can be repaired. He drove it home but one of the H1 guys saw it on the highway and said it was super tweaked. The rear end looked as if it was not tracking down the road correctly. A shame for sure.

I spoke with him and all I can deduct is that his inexperience contributed to the accident. He was running the bowls (something only an experienced driver should be attempting) and hit some rough bumps mid-dune and slowed down to a stop with the side of his truck facing horizontal to the dune (that is a near guaranteed roll maneuver). His down hill tires slid downward, dug in, and the truck rolled down resting on its roof. They winched it back to its tires. All the tires were flat. They reseated the beads and drove it off the beach.

I have a photo but he has asked me not to send it out until the insurance issue gets resolved. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't recall the drivers name, but I believe he is from either Orange County or the west end of the San Fernando Valley. I'll post photos if and when I get them and permission to post.

[ROX]

tower! Are you gonna post pics? Or did you photochop the whole weekend? Humm?

[PARAGON]

Tower, Brian is a cool guy. I'm not surprised they made you guys feel welcomed.

No one had a spare PS shaft on hand to repair the H2?

[KenP]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ATRH2:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by alldunn:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ATRH2:
Speaking of Dunes,
I'm going to be in the Outer Banks this summer.
Anybody know where or if you can run on the
dunes and beaches?? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I am actually going to the OBX this Thursday to do some wheeling. It's about a 6 hour drive for me. The only place open this time of year is Cape Hatteras National Seashore in Buxton, NC. They're not any dunes there I don't think, but there is a nice open area of soft sand. I will take pics and post when I get back. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'll look forward to seing the pics. Looking at places online, seems most our closed in summer.
I'll try Corolla as Ken suggested. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Just follow the directions. The road ends, you turn right to the beach and head up the "Beach Road". As I said before, it's always open. No gate. It's the only way some people can get to their homes. And there's a bunch. Take a rod and reel too. There's sure to be folks fishing.

[alldunn]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ATRH2:
Speaking of Dunes,
I'm going to be in the Outer Banks this summer.
Anybody know where or if you can run on the
dunes and beaches?? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I am actually going to the OBX this Thursday to do some wheeling. It's about a 6 hour drive for me. The only place open this time of year is Cape Hatteras National Seashore in Buxton, NC. They're not any dunes there I don't think, but there is a nice open area of soft sand. I will take pics and post when I get back.

[DRTYFN]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by tower:
Bad news, Dennis, Drty & Alec. I heard it was pewter. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Must have been his second choice. Pewter H2s are smart, they know this stuff.

[KIDZBOX]

Been to Oceano - got stuck. There's a couple who cruise around all day in a raised Chevy Nova pulling people out for beer money. Beats the heck out of the $200 or more a tow truck would cost.

[tower]

H2 Co-Pilot,

I was thinking about what a lucky guy Kenny is, of course.

Roxie, here are the links to the Oceano Dunes pix. There are really no good action shots. Our videographer is the son of our host, Brian. Brian is also the one who towed the h2 with the broken power steering impeller shaft, so he and his son were gone for most of the day. I will upload mine tonight, but I think I mostly got line-up shots (to busy getting myself unstuck to shoot more). I will check what I have. In the meantime:

http://h2club.org/eve/ubb.x/a/tpc/f/...4/m/7191018531

http://h2club.org/eve/ubb.x/a/tpc/f/...4/m/7041052631

[alldunn]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by KenP:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by alldunn:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ATRH2:
Speaking of Dunes,
I'm going to be in the Outer Banks this summer.
Anybody know where or if you can run on the
dunes and beaches?? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I am actually going to the OBX this Thursday to do some wheeling. It's about a 6 hour drive for me. The only place open this time of year is Cape Hatteras National Seashore in Buxton, NC. They're not any dunes there I don't think, but there is a nice open area of soft sand. I will take pics and post when I get back. </div></BLOCKQUOTE> You can always head north. People have their homes up there and the only way to get there is the beach road. I don't think you can drive on the dunes anywhere down there, anyway.

That's odd it takes you so long to get there, alldunn. It's only 6 hours from VA Beach to Asheville. I guess you come across 64 to Manteo. That stretch after Rocky Mount must be what slows you down. I remember that was a very slow ride. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I am staying in Kill Devil Hills. I definitely want to go down to Cape Hatteras one day to do a little wheeling and see the Cape Hatteras light house since they've opened it back up. I may ride up tp Corolla one day too. We'll just have to see how time goes. Yea Ken from here to the OBX has got to be the longest damn ride to anywhere in NC. I think mainly because it is mostly 2 lane. My folks have a beach house at Oak Island, NC (SE part NC) and I can drive there in about 2:45.

[ROX]

This is what I did this weekend. No Sand. Just lots of water and mud. Found a new hill for you to top Drty. We broke one tie rod.

[Gadget]

He was trying to run the bowls like I was doing on Saturday. Except that I was skilled and doing it in an H1! As long as his wife and kid are OK and she let's him get a new Hummer things will be OK.

[Mully]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by h2co-pilot:
Alldunn,

You could try the place Ken mentioned earlier, Corolla- my family had a beach home out there and plenty of back roads and fun stuff - just don't hit the wild horses.

It is a long drive though. If your heading toward Hatteras...there is a 4x4 area on the beach or used to be right before the Oregon Inlet bridge. It is flat but wide and has fun ruts.

If you surf, I recommend checking the Kitty Hawk Pier, Rodanthe Pier or the Hatteras Lighthouse area. It should be a fun time love that place!

Surf Report:
http://www.surfline.com/surfline/livecams/getsurfmapsurfbreakreport.cfm?alias=capehatterasca m </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Wow! Girl knows her stuff. I went to high school in Newport News and graduated from Old Dominion in 91. We used to surf down there all the time. Boy, I bet that place has sure changed.

Hey Ken, can you drive from Kitty Hawk to Chesapeak along the beach? I can't remember if I used to want to do that and just didn't or couldn't for some reason. Military installation along the way maybe???