There are almost four million Jeep owners in the United States. Whether they drive a Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, Wrangler, Comanche, CJ, Renegade, Honcho, Jeepster Commando, or the original military-issue Willys MA, they share a common nameplate that, over the decades, has become synonymous with serious off-road capability and rugged adventure. Sure, many of these vehicles never see anything more challenging than a mall parking lot during summer white-sale days, yet Jeep owners know, deep down, they've got the right stuff to tackle the grizzliest of wilds if ever they want. And in between urban commutes or trips to the Little League field, for many, the idea of venturing off into the unpaved back-country remains simmering just below the surface, waiting for the right opportunity.
That's where Jeep Jamborees come in. What began in 1953 as a trip over the infamous Rubicon Trail in California's Sierra Nevadas-concocted by originator Mark Smith as a way to promote commerce for his small mountain community-has blossomed into a busy international schedule. Now sponsored by Chrysler, the Jamboree calendar for 1998 includes 34 events spread from Maine to Mexico, from Washington to Florida, and is expected to draw more than 6500 total participants nationwide.
What is a Jeep Jamboree? It's a family-oriented weekend adventure that leads participants through selected off-road routes in an area chosen for its scenery, sense of history, and/or pure fun value. It lets them experience places that are simply unreachable by normal passenger cars. The events span a wide range of locales and technical difficulty, providing something for the first timer, as well as the trail-hardened veteran. It's a way to see a new area while being led by a knowledgeable guide, with the security and camaraderie of traveling with other drivers, and an opportunity to learn about off-roading techniques and the capabilities of one's own vehicle from expert drivers. But if you have a Ford Explorer, Toyota 4Runner, or Land Rover Discovery, forget it; Jeep Jamborees are open only to Jeep owners.
Kicking off the '98 season was the first-ever Sea of Cortez Jamboree, held in Baja, California, and based in the small fishing town of San Felipe. Nestled on the eastern side of the Baja peninsula, San Felipe is separated from any hint of civilization by 120 miles or more of scrubby desert and high mountains. Its small size and relative isolation lend the town an atmosphere that feels more authentically "Baja" than the larger, tourist-ridden centers of Ensenada and Rosarito on the Pacific side. In the morning, its beach awakens to fishermen inspecting their nets and launching their small boats into the surf, while nearby, locals are opening their shops and sidewalk taco stands for the lazy day ahead. At night, the town's waterfront street-the Malecon-bustles with restaurants, nightclubs, and perhaps a roaming mariachi band. North and south of town, sprawling empty beaches-with dramatic quarter-mile tidal changes-stretch out along the coast, offering inviting sun-drenched getaways.
The Sea of Cortez event drew 180 people and 88 vehicles from 17 states, some from as far away as New England and Alaska. Leaving San Felipe in the early morning, our group of about 30 Jeeps departed on a leisurely climb over the local mountains, following parts of the Baja 1000 race course and winding through the fascinating, stark terrain dressed with barrel cactus, cholla, ocotillo, and dramatic carpets of wildflowers. Enjoyment is the name of the game and, appropriately for the slow pace of Baja, speed is not part of the scene. The Jeeps travel in convoy fashion, observing the scenery as well as environmentally friendly driving techniques.
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