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Ya Ta Hey

Warriors, 

We had a great Pow Wow thanks to all our volunteers and participants. For the fourth year in a row we sold out, and it seems like we sell out earlier every year. We seem to be attracting more and more people from outside of Orange County and out of state; it's truly becoming a national event. 

We are continuing with our trail sign installation project and we're grateful that we were able to complete the installation of all the trail signs on the multi-use trails. We will be finishing this project during our 2002-2003 trail work season by installing the trail signs needed in the San Mateo Wilderness. Our trail work season runs from October to June. 

We also are continuing to fight the anti-access activists and, with your support—which has been great—we will prevail. We will continue to keep you informed on the wilderness issue as it develops as well as the forest plan meetings, which should be continuing with the next round of meetings in late spring. 

The adventures of Josh the "Wonder Dog" continues in this issue; was he the first finisher of the Vision Quest? To catch up on Josh's past adventures click here.

Well I've said enough—on with this month's issue of Smoke Signals. 

Chris Vargas

Executive Director of Planning and Policy 

Club and General News 

The Warrior's Society April 7^th Club Meeting 

      Our post–Pow Wow club meeting was very well attended. Mike Boeck led a pre-meeting hike to some of the local landmarks in Silverado Canyon, and Bob Loeffler led the others on a ride to see how many riders could avoid being bitten by the local dogs. Terry found out that a dog's bite is worse than its bark, and Tam found out that he is very convincing at talking a dog out of biting him. They should have known Bob didn't bring those dog biscuits as trail food.

      We discussed the future direction of the Warrior's Society and updated everyone on the regional meeting with IMBA. We also initiated Dan Gallagher, Brain Ephraim, Tam Pham, Ed Kostiuk, Jim Jennings, Andy Darragh and Chuck Anderson. Tani Walling, the owner of the Path Bike Shop in Tustin, arrived late, and Andy Lightle, Ken Rands and Anthony Coley couldn't make it so they will be initiated at the next club meeting.

      Joe Lopez was awarded the symbol of his position as an Elder, and Shidan Towfiq was initiated as a club Elder. Shidan will be receiving his Elder's symbol at the club meeting after the Toad Festival. We also awarded Greg Groom and Bob Haislett special awards for setting new records in the Vision Quest and Counting Coup. Calvin Mulder was unable to attend and he'll be receiving his special award for setting a single speed record in the Vision Quest at our next major club meeting in October.

      We had a few games to entertain us. The first was the bike toss, and being that the bike started to self- destruct, we had to give people second tries as the bike lost more and more parts. The final outcome had Greg Groom coming in first and Brett Peterson second. Tamara Oster was the first place female in the toss.

      We also had a game in which the participants put a water bottle between their legs filled with water. The "squirting" end of the bottle was pointed behind them and the object was to see who could squirt the most water into a bucket. They had a one-minute time limit and could refill the bottle as they empted it. It was hilarious, especially when Mark Friis' golden retriever decided he'd attempt to "drink" the water as it was being squirted out by the participants. Dave Wonderly was the eventual winner, which didn't surprise his wife Jennie, who would probably tell you he has great aim and always puts the toilet lid down at home. Dave's steel-belted thighs had a lot to do with his victory.

      We plan on having another club meeting and invitation-only "Hill Climb" event in June. Club members need to contact Chris with the names of those they want to invite. Thanks to all the club members who attended this meeting.

Mail Bag

Regarding Pete Allen's article on Laguna Coast adventure:

      I would like to commend Pete Allen for the honest account of his scary misadventure at Laguna Coast in your March issue.  I have been on the same single track he described and know how risky certain sections can be if you are not careful.  His account serves well to remind us that just when you get too complacent, the trail can come up and bite you. 

      I have had my own share of mishap out on the trail, though not as seriously hurt as Pete.  One thing positive that it taught me, as occurred to Pete, was how fortunate I was to be living and have a healthy and caring wife and kids.  I am very glad to hear that he continues to ride.  I am sure the experience will help to prevent worse injuries in the future.

Paul Gweon

News from Lubos "Magic Cloud" Durdovic, our Slovakian ambassador:

Chris,

      How are you doing? I just have returned from a trip to Slovakia, Poland and Austria. Everything went well. In my hometown (Bratislava, capital of Slovakia) I met with friend who really likes everything about American Indian culture. He has even special room for "Indian activities only."

      Sorry for not sending you CDs with pictures from Pow-Wow, I was flying to Europe just couple of days after and have no time left. My brother and his son are saying hi to you and to our club members, they can not wait to meet you when they come this year for visit (sometimes in August-September time frame) I will write more later.

Ya-Ta-Hey

Lubos, "Magic Cloud"

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