Fillmore Utah June 25-June 30
Our second jamboree of the year was in Fillmore Utah, where they were celebrating the National ATV Jamboree's 25th year. Four wheeled ATVs have been around since around 1985, so, Fillmore got on the band wagon early.
It was a six day event. We arrived on Sunday the 24th and left the following Sunday.
My first impression of Fillmore was wind heat and dust. After an hour or two, my second impression was dust, heat and wind.
To be fair, last year it was at least ten degrees cooler but some of the higher ATV trails couldn't be reached because of snow. I'm not a great fan of the cold but I think I would prefer it to days approaching 100 degrees.
Last year we tent camped for our two final jamborees of the year. But three days is about my limit for roughing it; Johnna, can usually last another day. So, for this seven day outing, we decided to take a cabin. As it turned out, that was a good choice. Camping out in wind and heat is uncomfortable to say the least. Although, the cabin had an air conditioner, it cooled down at night, and we didn't run it much.
Twenty five years of practice made this jamboree a pretty seamless experience. Registration went smoothly and signing up for rides was easy. Speaking of rides, rules and regulations for riders were almost nonexistent. Last year in Richfield, Johnna and I both had to sign legal wavers, give names and phone numbers of next of kin etc. In Fillmore we wrote our name on a white board under the ride we wanted to go on, lined up in the mornings and followed our guide. That was it; no signing in or out no legal gibberish.
Registration was Organized and simple.
Signing up for the rides.
Waiting for our ride to start.
Our guide for the day and her dog. She carries the pooch in a pouch and outfits her with doggles. This little mutt loves to ride.
Fillmore is on the west side of the Pahvant Mountain range and Richfield, the location for last years Jamboree is on the east side. Therefore, portions of trails we road last year from Richfield, were the same this year.
It was hot, but once above seven thousand feet it cooled off some. The dust, never abated, by Friday, it had the consistency of talcum powder. I always hang back from the dust cloud ahead but, we were still covered by the end of the ride. We were staying at the Fillmore KOA. There were only four showers but we got back early enough each day and didn't stand in line to clean up. A shower and a glass of scotch, for me, a shower and wine for Johnna, left us relaxed for dinner and a good nights rest. Ready to do it all over the next day.
Looking down into Richfield from over 8,000 feet. Nice and cool here.
The jamboree was being video taped. I think by the organizers.
We endured the sometimes uncomfortable weather, and ticked this up as another successful jamboree.
Each venue has a bit of unique history and Fillmore was no exception.
In 1859 Utah became a territory and Fillmore was chosen as its capital city. A state house was planned and would be the area's first capitol building. But only one wing was completed. In 1856, after only one year of use, the Territorial Statehouse was abandoned by the Utah Legislature in favor of a new location in Utah's largest city, Salt Lake City.
This is a model of the original plan.
This is the one completed wing, operated, now, as The Territorial Statehouse State Park.
Johnna and I toured it on Saturday. There are some interesting displays in the basement and first floor. The second floor is used as an Assembly Hall and dance floor for special occasions.
The State House is located on about five acres. Saturday, part of the park was taken up by a car show.
Some neat old models, and more modern restorations like the next photo.
It fit with room to spare.
We have one more jamboree planned, in August, and then we'll roam around on our own until it gets two cold.
And finally we watched the Clay Springs wild fire for several days.
This was Saturday morning. The fire started June 27th, east of Delta, burning over 108 thousand acres.
