(ZOOM Meeting)
By: Hermann Welm
(There were 21 participants signed on for the meeting.)
President Chris “Top Gun” Gallagher opened the meeting and reminded us that this year’s Rotary International President is Holger Knaack from the Rotary Club of Herzogtum Lauenburg-Mölln, Germany, and our theme is “Rotary Opens Opportunities.” Our Greeter, McKenna Lay, led us in the Salute to the Flag and her Thought for the Day: “You win if you lose, if you learn!”
McKenna noted that the martial arts studio she is associated with is starting to reopen with some of the activities being conducted outdoors.
Visiting Rotarians: Bill Clarkson of the Dougherty Valley club and formerly with our club, including Past President. He is currently completing his final term as Mayor of the City of San Ramon.
Guests: None
Top Gun’s “News You Did Not Hear:
Announcements:
Terry Koehne gave us an update on the Online Auction for Education. We have over 100 items, with more to come especially from Judy Lewis, who lead us on a ZOOM tour of her home, cluttered with all sort of items yet to be delivered! The auction starts on November 1st and ends on November 9th. A LIVE AUCTION, via ZOOM, is scheduled for November 5th, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Notify all your acquaintances of these opportunities to help our schools!
Vera Packard reminded us that her non-profit, Lazarex Cancer Foundation, will hold a Virtual Gala on September 20th. Go to Lazarex.com for details.
Recognitions: McKenna Lay for her birthday on the 13th of October. It was celebrated with mom and dad, Colette and Brad, in their new back yard. Brad did the BBQing.
Program:
Our very own President, Chris Gallagher -- himself being carefully monitored by his boss, Renee -- spoke about their most recent trip up the Rubicon Trail in Renee’s especially-modified Jeep. The Rubicon Jamboree, which was begun by the Georgetown Rotary Club in 1955, starts in Georgetown (between Auburn and Placerville) and ends at Lake Tahoe. It has been held every year since then, except for getting “2020-ed” this year; it started with about 150 vehicles back then, to 500 to 600 vehicles in recent years, encompassing in the neighborhood of 1,000 people.
Jeeps are the primary vehicles used by participants. They were developed by Willys-Overland Company in the early 1940s and were used extensively as a lightweight, four-wheel-drive, unarmored utility vehicle. Over 600,000 were built by Willys and Ford Motor companies during World War Two. Civilian models were sold by Willys after the war and the brand was purchased by Henry Kaiser in 1953. Over the years, under several different ownerships, the Jeep has evolved in many ways, but it remains a rugged “trail-ready” vehicle.
There are many options that are offered for Jeeps, many designed to improve their ruggedness and performance during off-road driving. Renee’s Jeep, which Chris is allowed to borrow for the Rubicon Trail Jamboree, has many of them.
As for joining in on the Trail experience, there are many things the driver needs to take note of. Some are (1) have the -- DUH -- proper vehicle; (2) don’t try it alone; go with clubs or guided trips; (3) get your Green Sticker to show your vehicle has been inspected for fire protection; (4) insurance, although it would have to be a brain-dead agent to insure the Jeep for damage; (5) a First Aid kit, of course; (6) larger tires to get the chassis higher off the ground; and (7) a functional emergency brake.
As to the Jamboree itself, you register in Georgetown, which is a community heavily dependent on off-roaders. You then “air down” your tires to between 8 to 12 psi, for better traction. You start with the “Gatekeeper,” which immediately separates the men from the boys (or, yes, the women from the girls). You’ll then take from 3 to 10 hours traveling the first nine-mile segment to Rubicon Springs Camp. For the Jamboree that location becomes a large encampment with food and services provided by volunteers, including the Georgetown Rotary Club. Supplies have often been brought in by helicopter, however, with the variable winds in the area, this method is becoming less used. A rough, less ambitious, road to the encampment is available as well.
After camping for the night (or nights) the remaining Trail segments finally end with “Cadillac Hill.” Then on to Lake Tahoe.
Chris noted, in response to a question, that breakdowns occur frequently and that a volunteer group of mechanics will help get you back on the “road.” You pay only for broken parts they have to supply. The last resort, if the vehicle cannot be fixed on the spot, is to get towed out. Chris did not describe what this “tow truck” looks like, how it manages to get back there, and how much it would cost. It is quite unlikely that your $50.00 annual AAA membership covers it!
A really great presentation; very interesting!
Raffle: None since Julie McKinney was not in attendance and nobody else was clever enough to figure out how she does it!
Next Week’s Program: Another ZOOM meeting featuring Eline Kociolek of the Contra Costa County Library, speaking about the Adult Literacy Program. Our Greeter will be Judy Lewis.
