KENTUCKY CHALLENGE 1999
written by" Nina DeMatteo
The 1999 Kentucky Challenge
Slade, Kentucky, July 16 & 17
Trail Quest took to
the scenic trails of Slade Kentucky again this year, but this time it was me and my brother Stefan in his 79 CJ5. This Jeep is HUGE
and looks mean, but it was ill-equipped for the type of trail we were about to take on. This rig may look fearless, but it
still has a lot of growing up to do. The few times that I have ridden the trails does not make me a pro, but I knew that my brother, being a rookie,
and I should not be riding on a 6 difficulty trail. We decided to take a trail that had one little hard spot called "Carburetor Hill". At
least that is what everyone kept telling us! One little hard spot my a**! This hill was steep, rocky, and it had 50 foot drop offs on
each side. My heart was racing, and I wanted nothing more then to turn around and go back. I don't know if it was the excitement of just being
there and seeing all the other big rigs that gave us the bright idea to take this trail, even knowing we didn't have lockers! but there we were,
facing a hill we had no clue how to maneuver, with no turning back. Need I say more? We obviously didn't make it up. This ended up being the
beginning of the troubles for Team Trail Quest. We busted a u-joint and spent an hour on the trail fixing it!
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This seemed to bruise
my brother's ego a bit, but he was willing to press on. The trail seemed scenic and easy for the most part after that, until we came to a mud pit
known as "Hummer Hole" .... if that tells you anything! After a few Jeeps try to go through ..
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I hear over the CB . . " Hole 4, Jeepsters ZERO "
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Nobody was making it
through except a monster YJ with 35 inch Boggers. Well, our turn was up, and I hopped into the Jeep with Stefan. We decided to take the alternate
route around the mud pit, but our luck was not with us .... we slipped in the massive rut, practically in slow motion and the entire Jeep tipped
over! The slimy mud was inches from my face as I held on to the roll bar for dear life!
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My
heart was racing .... my knees were knocking, and I was flipping out! The guys pulled me out first, and then my brother. We rescued the
valuables, such as the camera and video camera .. bags saturated in mud. Team Trail Quest was pretty much done for the day.
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On day two, Stefan
and I rode "Wilderness Hollow" which was lots of fun with shallow mud holes and a few hills ... more our speed. Everyone stopped for lunch
around a spot full of mud holes and we all took turns splashing around and getting our Jeeps muddy. After that, we came to a hill with a few large
rocks, and the poor carburetor on my brother's Jeep was toast! We had to be pulled up and the clutch was shot! My nerves were shot as well! But I
must say, I had much more fun flipping over and going airborne a few times, than just riding on a nature trail. The weekend was a learning experience
for both of us, and it was very exciting!
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We crashed, we tipped, and we got muddy ..
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.. but we also made some new friends! I think the name Team Trail Quest left their mark at the 1999 Kentucky Challenge
and those who were there for the fun will remembered us .. if not for our dazzling performance, then for our blunders. We learned some valuable
lessons, that's for sure. We gave everyone some good stuff to take pictures of, and hopefully some good laughs. Thanks to all those who rescued
us and thanks to everyone else for their patience and help. We hope to see you all next year!
Happy 4-Wheeling!
Nina :c)
Write Nina at: nina@trailquest.com
© 1999 Nina DeMatteo
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