| The next day brings the DAP Survival Challenge.
Everyone competes to win prizes- first prize being a PulseTech
Extreme battery charger valued at $99.
All participants received gift bags with custom tie-down points from DAP,
Bug-B-Gone sample from PB Blaster, and stuffed lobsters (the toy kind)
from the Maine Tourism Board.
Here Fred explains his trap. |
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| Rob triggers his well made snare-
The rules of the event state that only a knife can be used, along with
anything else the participants happens to have with them at the time...
shoelaces, clothes etc. |
 |
 |
Richard employed a Turkey Trap in his method. In the
background is his snare with a clever lever actuated rock trigger.
Since both Rob and Richard made successful traps, it went to a tie
breaker- knife throwing.
In the end, Richard takes home the charger.
|
 |
The sun sets on another day.
After the sun is gone, it is the most amazing display of stars I've
ever seen. Shooting stars are somewhat common, but we took up
satellite spotting as a drinking game.
It's amazing how many satellites are visible from the ground. |
| The last day, we pack up and find our way back. |
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| The road grime from a couple hundred miles of off-highway
driving adds up, although the thick mud was washed away from the several
water crossings. Headlamps are useless at this point.
We stop for lunch back in civilization- the strange stares as the
convoy of dirty Rovers pass through the little towns are fun to witness.
We stopped by the antique store once more and the pedal car is gone...
that'll teach me. |
 |
| From the lunch stop, we headed farther towards
"real" civilization. We had reservations in Bethel Maine
at the same B&B we used last year- the one where our breakfast cook
killed and dismembered four people the day we were there. We decided
to press on- we were all anxious to get back closer to home. At one
point we stop for coffee and Fred's Defender decided it wouldn't start
again.
After determining we were close enough to DAP to get it towed because
the fuel pump wasn't working, I discovered that the fuel pump relay had
been bypassed by the previous owner. The way they bypassed it was
very crude and the connection failed- so I made a bypass wire and
installed it- the Defender roared to life once again.
Once again, it was a great trip with every day filled with an adventure
of some type. Whether it's cavorting about on some technical offroad
driving, exploring historical sites like the B52 and trains or just
staring at the stars while partaking of Jobu's Rum... I just can't wait
for next year.
Special thanks to Richard and Deb for taking on the scheduling and NAV
duties! |
|
| Join us next year for the 2008 Great Maine
Expedition. Once again we will explore Northern Maine in search of
off road adventure, historical discovery and some of the best recreation
areas in the United States. The announcements for sign-up will be posted
on the MuddyOval main page some time mid summer. |
|
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See you next year!!!
-Steve |
