Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:38:42 EDT
Reply-To: SyncroHead@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jim Davis <SyncroHead@AOL.COM>
Subject: OPEN SPOT for Syncro Safari, Pacific Coast '11
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Greetings Vanagonuts!
Who's interested in a little adventure this summer?
We've had one participant have to back out of Syncro Safari this year and
this means there is a spot open for someone else to join the group. This
means that there is a spot OPEN for a new participant.
Normally, Syncro Safari is just for Syncros, but with this being a
particularly "mild" adventure, and having a spot open, I'm opening it up for a 2WD
Vanagon to join the group. There may be some places where the 2WD may not
go, but I'm pretty sure a friendly Vanagon crew can catch a ride in one of
the Syncros.
Syncro Safari is August 14-21 this year. Just 5 weeks away!
For more information check out:
_www.SyncroSafari.org_ (http://www.SyncroSafari.org) and check out
"Pacific Coast '11" in the Future Safaris tab.
If you'd like to go, let me know ASAP. See "Registration Process" below
or on the web site.
Regards,
Jim
===================== Syncro Safari, Pacific Coast '11 info
===============================
We've had some mild and some wild trails on Syncro Safaris over the past
several years. This year's event is for those looking for an adventure on the
milder end of the spectrum. If you're interested in testing the limits of
you're Syncro, this year's adventure is likely not the event, except
perhaps on the sand dunes. So, this year's Syncro Safari will feature beaches,
mild trails, and great scenery.
REGISTRATION PROCESS
=====================
Registration works like this. Five easy steps.
1. Check out the information about this trip in this email and past
Syncro
Safaris on the web. There's a few YouTube videos to be seen from the
Sierras 2010 event and some info and photos at
_http://www.SyncroSafari.org_ (http://www.SyncroSafari.org) Decide that
you'd like to attend and have a great time, move on to step 2.
2. Tell me via email at _SyncroHead@aol.com_ (mailto:SyncroHead@aol.com)
that you would like to attend and you'd like one of the available spots.
3. If a spot is still available, I will let you know and email you the
following:
A. Registration Form
B. "Bring List - Personal Items"
C. "Bring List - 4x4 Items"
D. "Don't Bring List"
E. My mailing address
4. You print and complete the Registration Form and mail (old fashioned
snail mail) me two things:
A. Completed Registration Form
B. Your share of the camping fee.
5. I will email you confirmation that I've received your form and camping
fee and that your spot is secured.
COSTS:
======
The only cost is dividing up the camping fees. This cost is $133/vehicle
(unlimited occupants) for all 7 nights, Aug 14-20. This is the $1,064 I've
already paid for camp fees divided 8 ways. This makes a break-even point for
me at a total of 8 Syncros and somewhat reduces my risks of recouping the
money I've paid out. If more than 8 Syncros participate, the additional
funds will be used to enhance Syncro Safari for all of us in some way. This
is not a for-profit operation for me.
ACTIVITIES AND ITINERARY
========================
Sunday, August 14th
--------------------------
Arrive and meet other participants at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular
Recreation Area.
Camping ON THE BEACH.
Monday, Aug 15th while at Oceano Dunes SVRA
----------------------------------------------------------
Air-down our tires and explore the sand dunes in our Syncros. This is an
open area without defined trails and the degree of "duning" you choose
will be up to you. Some can stick to the flats and some might head up the
dunes. There should be plenty of people willing to help you get unstuck
if you need it. We can also travel along the "Sand Highway" (a flat
defined
route between the ocean and the dunes) to the south and take a little hike
to
Oso Flaco Lake.
Other activities individual Syncronauts might want to do while camped
here are:
- Rent an ATV and explore the dunes with some speed!
__http://www.bjsatvrentals.com/__ (http://www.bjsatvrentals.com/_)
(_http://www.bjsatvrentals.com/_ (http://www.bjsatvrentals.com/) )
- Horseback riding in a quiet beach/dune area away form ATVs
__http://www.caladventures.com/jjriding.htm__
(http://www.caladventures.com/jjriding.htm_)
(_http://www.caladventures.com/jjriding.htm_
(http://www.caladventures.com/jjriding.htm) )
- Hide a Syncrocache
- Biking, hiking, bird-watching, check out Pismo Beach
- Boogie-boarding, Surfing
Tuesday, Aug 16th while en route to Big Sur area
----------------------------------------------------------
Potential activities:
- Stop at Go Westy in Los Osos. Potential tour, but I've not yet spoken
to them.
- Visit Moro Rock at Moro Bay State Park. Potential for a good
Syncro-Photo-Opportunity __http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=594__
(http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=594_)
(_http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=594_
(http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=594) )
- See the quaint town of Cambria south of San Simeon
- Visit Hearst Castle and take a tour. Adults: $24, Kids 6-17: $12. See
_www.hearstcastle.org_ (_http://www.hearstcastle.org/_
(http://www.hearstcastle.org/) )
Tuesday night is "Taco Night" group dinner __http://tinyurl.com/5v4752u__
(http://tinyurl.com/5v4752u_)
(_http://tinyurl.com/5v4752u_ (http://tinyurl.com/5v4752u) )
Wednesday, Aug 17th and Thursday, Aug 18th at Big Sur Area
----------------------------------------------------------
- Mild 4WD trip in the coastal mountains: San Martin Top / Cone Peak.
This route is mostly rated as a 1 on the difficulty scale with a section
leading to San Martin Top as a level 3. Scenic rating according to the So
Cal Backcountry Adventures (Massey & Wilson) is an 8.
- Sand Dollar Beach
- Boogie-boarding, Surfing
- Beach waterfall at Julia Pfeiffer-Burns State Park
__http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=578__
(http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=578_)
(_http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=578_
(http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=578) )
- Pfeiffer Beach, tide pools __http://tinyurl.com/695xjve__
(http://tinyurl.com/695xjve_)
(_http://tinyurl.com/695xjve_ (http://tinyurl.com/695xjve) )
- Hide a Syncrocache __http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SyncroCaching/__
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SyncroCaching/_)
(_http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SyncroCaching/_
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SyncroCaching/) )
- Point Sur Lighthouse __http://www.pointsur.org/__
(http://www.pointsur.org/_)
(_http://www.pointsur.org/_ (http://www.pointsur.org/) )
- Hiking, biking
- Trip to Mission San Antonio de Padua (the most remote, least visited
mission in the pacific chain)
__http://www.missionsanantonio.net/__ (http://www.missionsanantonio.net/_)
(_http://www.missionsanantonio.net/_ (http://www.missionsanantonio.net/) )
Friday, August 19th while en route to Half Moon Bay
----------------------------------------------------------
Potential activities:
- Old Coast Road (backcountry route parallels Hwy 1)
- Bixby Bridge (Syncro photo opportunity) __http://tinyurl.com/6xo2ko8__
(http://tinyurl.com/6xo2ko8_)
(_http://tinyurl.com/6xo2ko8_ (http://tinyurl.com/6xo2ko8) )
- Monterey Bay Aquarium __http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/__
(http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/_)
(_http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/_
(http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/) )
- Famous "17 Mile Drive" on the Monterey Peninsula
__http://www.seemonterey.com/17-mile-drive__
(http://www.seemonterey.com/17-mile-drive_)
(_http://www.seemonterey.com/17-mile-drive_
(http://www.seemonterey.com/17-mile-drive) )
- Castoville, artichoke capital of the world :-)
- Stop at Van Cafe in Santa Cruz. Potential tour, but I've not yet spoken
to them.
- Santa Cruz Boardwalk __http://www.beachboardwalk.com/__
(http://www.beachboardwalk.com/_)
(_http://www.beachboardwalk.com/_ (http://www.beachboardwalk.com/) )
- Big Basin Redwoods State Park (CA's oldest State Park)
__http://bigbasin.org/__ (http://bigbasin.org/_) (_http://bigbasin.org/_
(http://bigbasin.org/) )
Saturday, August 20th at Half Moon Bay
----------------------------------------------------------
Potential activities:
- Boogie-boarding, Surfing
- Biking (there's a long bike path that goes for miles through this area)
- Rent sea kayaks and explore the coast _www.hmbkayak.com_
(__http://www.hmbkayak.com__ (http://www.hmbkayak.com_/)
(_http://www.hmbkayak.com/_ (http://www.hmbkayak.com/) ) )
- Beach, tide pools
- Hide a Syncrocache
- Whale watching
- Trip to San Francisco (Syncros on Lombard Street?)
Sunday, August 21st, Half Moon Bay Departure
----------------------------------------------------------
This trip is done. Pack up, say goodbyes and head home.
LOCATION INFORMATION AND CAMPSITES
===================================
The trip is a route up the central California Coast with three distinct
campsites and a lot of fun activities and beautiful scenery. The talk of
closing the Pismo beach area to vehicles is escalating, so if you've ever
wanted to camp right on the beach, this is a great time to do it.
Campsite 1 - Camping on the beach at Oceano Dunes SVRA (Pismo Beach)
Aug 14, Sunday & Aug 15, Monday, 2 nights
Oceano Dunes Links:
__http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1207__
(http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1207_)
(_http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1207_
(http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1207) )
__http://tinyurl.com/5vgx8wo__ (http://tinyurl.com/5vgx8wo_)
(_http://tinyurl.com/5vgx8wo_ (http://tinyurl.com/5vgx8wo) )
Campsite 2 - Big Sur Coast, Plaskett Creek Campground
Aug 16th, Tuesday, Aug 17, Wednesday, Aug 18, Thursday, 3 nights
__http://tinyurl.com/63d3men__ (http://tinyurl.com/63d3men_)
(_http://tinyurl.com/63d3men_ (http://tinyurl.com/63d3men) )
__http://tinyurl.com/5srwyh6__ (http://tinyurl.com/5srwyh6_)
(_http://tinyurl.com/5srwyh6_ (http://tinyurl.com/5srwyh6) )
Campsite 3 - Half Moon Bay State Beach
Aug 19, Friday & Aug 20, Saturday, 2 nights
Half Moon Bay Links:
__http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=531__
(http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=531_)
(_http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=531_
(http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=531) )
__http://tinyurl.com/6xqvmkb__ (http://tinyurl.com/6xqvmkb_)
(_http://tinyurl.com/6xqvmkb_ (http://tinyurl.com/6xqvmkb) ) _
More information on the Big Sur Coast _www.bigsurcalifornia.org_
(_http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/_ (http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/) )
CAMPING RESERVATIONS:
======================
I've made all the camping reservations for Pismo, Big Sur, and Half Moon
Bay already for 10 vehicles. At Pismo, it's open camping so we'll find a
spot once there. At both Big Sur and Half Moon Bay, I've reserved 5
campsites in a group, with 2 vehicles allowed in each site.
SYNCRO SAFARI IS FAMILY FRIENDLY
================================
Syncro Safari is not a bash our Syncros "guy's only" event. It's intended
to get to know other Syncronauts and their families while doing some mild
4-wheeling and exploring interesting places. So, bring the family! Right
now I know of one 12 year old girl and one 14 year old girl that I'm
bringing.
TUESDAY TACO NIGHT
===================
You'll need to provide for all your own food needs but on Tuesday
evening,
we'll coordinate our efforts on having a group "Taco Night" Mexican
dinner
to share. We'll divvy up all the parts of the meal so we'll have all the
right stuff without duplicates. Well, maybe we should have duplicate
desserts! :-)
DIGITAL CAMERA SCAVENGER HUNT <---NEW THIS YEAR!
===============================================
We're cooking up a plan for a digital camera scavenger hunt which should
be fun and keep those shutters clicking! The idea is that everyone who
wants to participate gets a list of particular items to take photos of.
You track down these sites or people or activities or whatever's on the
list
and take a picure. Back at camp, we'll share the photos and see who
snapped
what. The team with the most matching photos wins the AAA award.
Appreciation, Applause and Accolades! Well, maybe some tangible award too.
We'll see.
SYNCROCACHING AT SYNCRO SAFARI
================================
A feature that started last year and will return for this year's
adventure
will be "Syncrocaching".
Syncrocaching is Syncronauts using Syncros to find geocaches. Ever heard
of Geocaching? I'm sure many of you have. Geocaching is a high-tech
"treasure" hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers
equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers,
called
geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. The web site
__http://www.geocaching.com__ (http://www.geocaching.com_/)
(_http://www.geocaching.com/_ (http://www.geocaching.com/) ) provides all
the details.
Well, if you're interested in Geocaching and drive a Syncro, now there's
"Syncrocaching". I'll be placing at least one Syncrocache exclusively for
participants of Syncro Safari, Pacific Coast '11 to find during our
adventure. I also plan
to place a few additional Syncrocaches there at places we visit while on
our adventures. Their locations will be secret until posted for others to
find after the event is over.
If you're interested in becoming more involved in Syncrocaching, there's
a Yahoo group for us. Not surprisingly, it's called Syncrocaching!
Sign up if you'd like at: __http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SyncroCaching__
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SyncroCaching_)
(_http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SyncroCaching_
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SyncroCaching) )
WHY 10 SYNCROS, WHY NOT 30 or 100?
=================================
I've been asked why Syncro Safari is limited to just 10 Syncros. There
are two primary reasons, one a social reason and one a practical reason.
The
social reason is that Syncro Safari isn't primarily about the Syncros or
the 4-wheeling, it's more about the people at the event. At a Syncro
Safari event we do mild to moderate 4-wheeling, exploring, and site seeing
in a
family friendly environment. Since the event is a week long, we get a
chance to get to know each other and often form lasting friendships from
these events. We travel together, camp together, eat together, and share
stories and sometimes even some songs around the campfire at night. In
addition
to 4-wheeling, we typically do other group site-seeing or other activities
together as well. The 10 Syncro limit helps to foster a closer connection
between the attendees and allows time enough to actually get to know a few
people
a bit better instead of just meeting a bunch of people.
The second and practical reason is that it becomes more difficult to
coordinate a larger group. Larger campsites, larger everything.
Especially on our 4x4 journeys this becomes an issue. If two vehicles are
traveling
as a pair the time to pass each obstacle is almost doubled as the first
vehicle waits for the second. With 10 vehicles this can take quite a while
because
everyone wants to watch the others pass the difficult terrain and also
doesn't want to just leave, not knowing that everyone made it. So, 10
vehicles at an obstacle takes almost 10X the time of one. Luckily only a
small part of each trip is obstacles, otherwise we'd never get off the
trail! Finding
trail stop places for a group of 10 can be difficult enough, let alone a
bigger group. We aim to set a fairly relaxed pace while four-wheeling
with time for breaks and a relaxed lunch, before going back to camp, and
the
10 Syncro limit seems about the max I'd want to deal with as a single
trail
group.
TREAD LIGHTLY!
================
Syncro Safari is proud to be a member organization of Tread Lightly!
Tread Lightly! is a nonprofit organization on mission to promote
responsible outdoor recreation through ethics education and stewardship.
Tread Lightly! emphasizes the TREAD principals of: Travel responsibly,
Respect the rights of others, Educate yourself, Avoid sensitive areas, and
Do
your part, through education, communications and grassroots stewardship
efforts.
Web: _http://www.treadlightly.org_ (http://www.treadlightly.org)
I am a TreadTrainer with this organization. Sometime during Syncro
Safari, I'll conduct a 1-hour Tread Lightly! Awareness Course for those
who want
to participate.
See you on the trails!!
Jim Davis
Syncronut
__,_._,___
