The Vituscan 4x4s stopped near Luthor Pass, Hwy. 89.

As we left Sacramento the Vituscan’s were wondering if the missions to the southland began with the Etruscans known for their cement work. Brother Bob, being the inquisitive sort, started out the cold day with cold one by expanding his knowledge of cement mines.

Read and the “Motor” read the Bodie plaque on the Lost Cement Mine,
Hwy. 395 rest area.

The Northern Vituscan Types traveled south on Hwy. 395 to Big Pine, then headed southeast into the feared darkness of Death Valley. The camp Monday night was at Mesquite Springs Campground in the northern end of Death Valley at an altitude of 2,000 ft. The wind tuned up and turned up; the temperature headed downward on our first night at the initial Clampsite. After setting up camp we found out that the Clampchef had forgotten to pack the eating utensils so the first night’s dinner consisted of sandwiches and peanuts. You can always tell you’re with Clampers when you tell them, the main course is peanuts and they all say – wow, what a meal.

ClampChef Bill Wensrich enjoying the first night’s fare.

On Tuesday morning we broke camp and headed to Ubehebe (U-be-hee-bee) Crater. Ubehebe is unusual in that it was created when magna encountered sub-surface water and intensely heated it until it blew. “Foghorn” suggested we run the vehicles down the crater wall in 4 High, but Wagon Master Cupp said, “Whoa, you haven’t had enough beer yet, so we’ll have to postpone that idea. The Wagon Master always knows how to keep the column out of deep shit.

Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley

From Ubehebe Crater we headed west past Teakettle Junction to the Racetrack. The Northern Vituscans hung their kettle with pride and took some time out from drinkin’ beer for a Teakettle photo op.

Bill, Russ & Bob, Teakettle Junction, Death Valley

The Racetrack is a dry lakebed where rocks, sometimes boulders, have left a trail showing that they’ve somehow moved over the surface.

No one has ever witnessed one of the rocks move and the theories run from aliens moving them to intense winds pushing them when the surface is wet and slick. We were going to apply for a grant to study the rocks but our bid was rejected by the government due to the awesome amount of requested beer supplies included in our grant application.

The dry lake bed at the Racetrack, Death Valley

We moved camp to Furnace Creek campground for Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Baked chicken, potatoes and red bell peppers were served by the Clampchef. Good food Bill! Now why in God’s green earth do ya think they call this place “Furnace” Crick?

Day three, Wednesday, found us traveling up Echo Canyon to Inyo Mine. The Echo Canyon road is gravel and except for one or two spots could easily be driven in a 2wd vehicle. As we drove up the canyon the Vituscan’s could clearly hear the Northern Type call over the CB radios of “Koo Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee.” We learned that call from our Australian Brothers from the Outback. We’ll have ta tell ya that story next time.

Inyo Mine site, Death Valley, CA

Inyo Mine site

Eye of the Needle, Echo Canyon, Death Valley, CA

Day four, Thursday, we broke camp at Furnace Creek and headed east to Chloride City. Chloride City is another of the many ghost town/mine sites that can be seen in Death Valley. We took the more challenging road in, only passable by 4x4.

The RAM 2500 and Expedition on the way to Chloride City

After stopping in at Chloride City where we all got chlorinated, we went out to Chloride Cliffs. Running along the cliff wall one of the Brothers drivin’ changed the size of his asshole. Somethin or other about “pucker up Brother, keep driving and keep yur eye on the wall and the cliff.” The view is spectacular; it's as good as or better than Dante’s view. WOW! And gettin’ Chlorinated at Chloride City was fun too.

View from Chloride Cliffs, looking south into Death Valley

Bill, Bob, Erick, Read and Russ. Chloride Cliffs, Death Valley, CA

From Chloride City and "The Cliffs" the well-oiled group proceeded to Sodom and Gomorrah (aka: Laughlin, NV) to do a little more drinkin’, buck the tiger, and see if anyone wanted to “get Roostered.” We also thought we might go fer some much needed showers and a good night’s sleep in real beds. Koo Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee – we had fun in Laughlin, I mean Sodom and Gomorrah. The drive down, down, down in through the front gates of hell comin’ in from Death Valley at dusk is eerie.

Day five, Friday, the Northern Types headed south to link up with the Southern Types for the Vituscan Missionary Winter Ice Event. On the way we visited Oatman, AZ where the burros roam at will, and the London Bridge at Lake Havasu City, AZ. The “Motor” just had to stop at the London Bridge. Nobody else wanted to stop, but Brother Bob, just had ta stop.

Bob and Bill in Oatman, AZ
Bill wanted to take her home…

Bob at London Bridge, Lake Havisu City, AZ

Saturday the Vituscan Missionary run traveled some interesting 4x4 roads to reach Swansea, AZ, a mining site and ghost town. Due to the logistics of moving approximately fifty vehicles full of redshirts from one spot to the next we didn’t get a lot of "look see" time around the camp which would have been more beneficial to historical heritage and learning. We took some time out for a photo op with the Sublime at that time, Frank “Credit Card” Houdek.

A few of the vehicles stopped for a break on the way

Billy Holcomb Clamp historian "Molar" Mike Johnson
relating the history of Swansea.

Erick, Bill, Frank Houdek SNGH, Read, Russ and Bob

Bob, Frank Houdek and Wild Bill at camp.

With the Saturday night festivities behind us, we broke camp on Sunday morning, bid farewell to our Southern Brethren and made the trek back into the northern wilderness to report on our mission to the southland to spread the word of St. Vitus.