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Day1

Friday, Cara and I went to pick up the shirts from the printing shop. An assortment of 5 colors, in all sizes including the Baby-T style, were available. They look incredible. Best part was, they were ready just in time!

We were privileged enough to have 4 mainlanders come over for the event:

Rhys McCormick and Tim Martin in Rhys' 91 Samurai, SOA with Rock Lobster T-Case 32" BFG's, Chris Bedford and Pigger (his part waterfowl chocolate lab) in a 87 SOA Samurai 31" muds and one of the best utility racks I've yet seen in a Samurai. The space utilization was incredible! And don't even get me started on his Hibachi table and future spice rack that hangs off of the rear tailgate.

Lloyd, a friend of Chris', driving a large full-sized Blazer on 38" Swampers made for the end of the Mainlanders showing.

The Vancouverites planned to catch the 6pm Friday eve ferry. I was to meet them at the entrance to Beaver Lake Park, at 8pm, just off of the Pat Bay Hwy. As it turns out, the ferry was a tad late; they decided to slap a red ICBC "L" symbol on the back and let a teenager drive the boat. They were an hour late.

Some introductions and we were on our way to our first stop: groceries. Side note: I had Shannon with me. First off, I picked him up at Jo's, before I went to meet the 'Landers. His camping gear comprised of the following:

• Sleeping bag
• Lawn Chair
• Knapsack
• Fishing rod
• ?

Tent? Mattress? Food? Uh, hello? Where does he think he's gonna sleep? See definition of Tent Slut, far left.
I made the FATAL mistake of letting him buy a package of pepperonis that he planned to eat on the way out there. I was worried for my well-being.
Most of the crew that were going to be camping was there already, when we arrived at the site.

• Billy N' Geeners (of the Growly persuasion)
• Shane "I like my Big Wheel Trike" Hemsworth and Christine (Mr. & Mrs. Tripod Monkey)
• Gord and Ang (Mr. & Mrs. Pearly Grin Monkey)
• Brett (Break-y Dance Monkey)
• Chet (Yellow Headed Howler)
• Tim (Viagra Monkey)
• Cara (Diva Monkey)

The 'Landers break out their tents, PJ's etc and begin to settle in. Chet, Cara, Brett, Gord, Tim and I decided to do a night run. It started out with just a little playing at the entrance to Pig Pens Revenge (a trail we planned to do in the morning). Was supposed to be just to get out for 10-15 minutes play session… 3 hours later, we roll into camp, at around 3am.

We traveled across Leechtown, and right through Harbourview Rd. Made for a brief rest stop at Crabapple Lake, then continued on down the waterfalls and finally to Sooke Rd. At this point we lost Chet, as he was off for home. I guess he don't like tha bugs that much…or the thought that Shannon didn't have a tent to sleep in scared him off. I don't blame him.

Brett and I, with passengers in tow, made our way back through Sooke, and to Butler/Boneyard Mains. Just as we came through the gate, we came across a caravan of local teenagers, which had been partying in the area. One had obviously been driving too fast, while under the influence, and had lost control and rolled his Toyota off the embankment of the road. We offered assistance, as they waved us down for help. The truck was too far gone for Brett's winch to be of any use, and they mentioned that a tow truck was on its way. We continued back to camp.

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