The
2000 Cumberland Falls Jeep
Jamboree, held in Williamsburg,
KY was destined for success. With the Jamboree being moved
up a week from the previous year, the fall colors were sure
to be in full fashion for the attendees. And, with the addition
of a more challenging trail for the larger rigs, event-goers
were sure to find just the right amount of difficulty for their
level of expertise.
Participants
began to arrive early on Thursday afternoon. As a trail guide,
I had been in Williamsburg since Tuesday night (early Wednesday
morning was more like it). Upon my arrival, there were already
RVs in the camp ground awaiting the arrival of the Jamboree
weekend. It was still nearly 36 hours until the start of the
Jamboree and I could already feel the excitement growing.
Thursday
began with the trail guides checking out the status of their
trails and doing any trail clean up that needed to be completed.
I ended up staying behind and doing some necessary vehicle maintenance
(replace broken u-joint, grease drive shaft centering kit, repack
the bearings in the front axle hubs, and give the TJ a good
ole fashioned warshin). I have to admit, the work on my
Jeep had to be better than cleaning the trails, and I got to
stick around to see all of the vehicles arriving in Williamsburg,
so the day wasnt a total loss for me.
Thursday
evening, Jamboree participants began filing into the Williamsburg
Convention Center. One by one, fellow Jeepers from around the
country filed into the small town and began placing their names
next to the trail that they felt best suited their ability.
The University of Tennessee had sent some representatives of
an OHV Impact study that they have been conducting to the Jamboree
to get feedback from all of the Jamboree participants. I made
sure to let it known to them that what we are doing isnt
hurting the environment, and that we have as much right as anyone
to be there.
Friday
morning came early. The trail guides all sat around a table
on Thursday night for their customary last supper
before the Jamboree kicked off. Getting back to the hotel, getting
settled down, and then actually make it to sleep poses as much
a challenge as a 24 vertical wall with a stock YJ
it just didnt happen. I was awake most of the night
and Friday morning was a rough one.
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