Filled with the thrills of adventure and anticipation the UCORA members and visitors migrated toward the small town of Disney, Ok. for the July 4th quest to meet the daunting challenges that lay ahead of them. The Crawl 4 Christ summer event had beckoned the adventurers to travel from far and near. From the plains of Kansas and Oklahoma to the hills of Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee they rolled inward.

All eager to meet their current and future friends, they moved toward their destination. Packing sun glasses, water bottles and bed rolls they begin to arrive with rigs in tow. With each one was also packing an adventurous heart.

As each adventurer arrived they were greeted and each directed to their own designated facility at the Green Country Christian Camp. Once settled in, the adventure of meeting old and new friends alike quickly took precedence over the weariness of their travels.

As the events of the much anticipated weekend began to unfold, each participant began to form their own personal perspective of the festivities.

Now for myself, a seasoned veteran of the wheeling in Disney, I now choose to take a step back and allow the participants to share with you their wealth of memories of the 2009 Crawl 4 Christ.

Ladies First:

Take it away Melinda Craft of “CORA”
Crawl 4 Christ 2009
Disney, Ok

WHAT A WEEKEND! Crawl 4 Christ 2009 was so incredible, I am totally looking forward to next year’s event at SMORR!
As a woman, I sometimes get discouraged by the lack of estrogen in the 4x4 community and events that I have been to. However, when we first pulled in, I saw right away this event was going to be different! Immediately I was able to talk to Judy Austin and other ladies who were there with their husbands, kids, and some just there with their friends! You know, hanging out on the trails with the guys is okay, but it’s just not the same as having the girls around!

After dinner on Thursday night and before the event really got started, a group of us headed out for a night crawl. This was thrilling as I had never been out before at night. I must say I was glad we were not the lead rig heading into the water puddles- I honestly was expecting to lose someone! But it was beautiful to see the lights of the Pensacola Dam up above us and the stars everywhere else.

Friday was a beautiful morning as many others pulled in for the event. I was really encouraged when I realized that a group from Paola, Ks was there that we had met two years ago at the Frost Bite Run at KS Rocks, and at that time they were thinking about getting a Christian off-road group of their own started in their area. They got the Humble Hill Toppers going and they were there in full force this weekend!

I soon realized the estrogen factor was huge when we got to Little Blue and we got to see Nana’s Rig (JUDY) in action. I had to admit to my hubby that "Yes, I want a rig with Rockwells like hers"….actually, I’d just take Judy’s rig if I could. It was also great to see a first timer (lady) brave riding with David without screaming. Well not very loud anyway. It was a lot of fun to be a part of such a fun and friendly group, watching the crazy ones go through Little Blue, and just having a great time out on the trails.

I was super excited to hang out with everyone when we got back that night, and headed out to Disney, Ok’s very first ever fireworks show. They did a great job, and we all had fun: moms, dads, kids, and friends all hanging by the roadside.

Saturday started great when we all headed back out to the Rock Garden just to play, but then the rain decided to start. While we were able to roll our windows up and turn on the A/C, the majority of the group had to head for the hills pretty quickly and of course, we followed. Spending the rest of the morning in the community room of the dorms could have been tedious, but we had such great company and a big thanks to Angie who went and got crayons and coloring books for the little kids! That was a lifesaver! Thankfully, shortly after lunch the rain cleared up and we headed back to the trails. It was amazing what a difference a rainstorm can make to the water levels and terrain there below the spillways. Some areas we had gone through on Friday were now impassable for some of us. However, we did get around and managed to find some great wheeling areas. I enjoyed going back to the Rock Garden and just standing up on a rock and watching all of the rigs in our group ( I counted 36 at that time) crawling all around the area. It was kind of like watching ants swarming on an anthill, there were so many of them!

When we hit the Waterfall I finally got a chance to ride with Judy, I had been chomping at the bit ever since seeing her go up the wall by Little Blue with an empty seat. First we had to go down the falls because she had already crawled up once. On the way down we were treated to a wonderful cold shower courtesy of Sabrina. Apparently the strap on the cooler wasn’t over the top of it, so it opened up on us. Before I realized it was the cooler, I heard this loud metal bang, and thought something had broken…silly me…actually, it was quite refreshing, because it was HOT out there. It was very cool going back up with Judy. Riding in a rig like that is quite different from our XJ. I think I actually could have slept quite nicely, I felt that secure!

To really wrap up the weekend, we had a great mini concert by Amy Hill, and I don’t think I will ever get the image of David Austin dancing with a black feather boa on his head. Then we listened to the Word spoken through Guy Fredrick, one of UCORA’s founders. It was a wonderfully encouraging and thoughtful lesson. Afterwards there were door prizes and fellowship. You couldn’t have asked for a better end to a day on the trails.

After Sunday morning devotional, everyone started home, but not without spending a lot of time talking about the last few days and how incredible it had been. The new relationships we started will be great to build on. For me especially, making new friendships with women who want to be out on the trails as well was more encouraging to me than any of the time actually spent on the trails. It is good for my daughters to see that it’s more that just the guys, and mommy. They even made friends with other little girls that were there! After spending the weekend at this UCORA event, I have been motivated to get out there and get more families involved! I can’t wait until next year, and I hope to see at least twice as many rigs, and that many more families out there!

Now a look through her husbands eyes: Eric Craft from CORA

I would like to start off by extending a big thank you to the Austin family for all the hard work that was put in organizing this event. Also, a big high five to Chuck and Amy Hill at Green Country Christian Camp for hosting all of us over the 4th of July weekend. P.S. Amy, that rendition of “I Will Survive” was the best I have heard!

I was looking forward to attending the Crawl-4-Christ (2008) at the Superlift Offroad Park last year, but with gas prices around $5 per gallon, we stayed home. It goes without saying that I was eager to attend this year’s event in Disney, OK. A couple months before the event it was looking like Christian Offroad Association would have several of its members there as well. With only three days before leaving it looked like we were going to miss this one too. My truck “conveniently” would not start. I frantically found the problem and started packing. With the turn in the economy, money became an issue once again, and as it turned out my family and I were the only club members to make it. But man I am glad we did!!!

The trip from Wichita, KS to Disney, OK seemed longer than normal simply because we were not in the typical caravan of vehicles heading out for a weekend of wheeling. We were bummed that our friends were not going to be there with us. As soon as we pulled up to the camp our attitudes were changed. We quickly unpacked our stuff and unloaded the XJ for what we knew was going to be a wonderful weekend.

Hanging out near the dorms and meeting fellow Christian wheelers as they pulled in suddenly became more important than hitting the trails. As the tire kicking session came to an end, we hit the trails shortly after dark. I’ll tell you what, water crossings at night created a pucker factor that I was not expecting. Not knowing how deep the water was you had to focus on the vehicle in front of you and pick your path much earlier, needless to say I was encouraged that I was not the lead Jeep. Not just the water crossings, but when you have your headlights pointing straight into the dark night sky they do very little for illuminating the ground in front of you. We all made it back safely, but not all in one piece. I was picking up the tail when the Jeep in front of me snapped his front drive shaft u-joint. An easy fix, but one you never want to have to do at night with the mosquitoes.

I didn’t want to take a whole lot of time talking about the wheeling, because we have all read about how great Disney is and how awesome our Jeeps performed, I did want to expand on the fellowship and the family setting that we experienced. Like I said before, the minute we pulled up we were immediately pulled into the group that had already arrived. My girls (Maddy 8, and Carly 4) latched onto Sabrina, and were even ok with us sending them home with her and Brad when it was time to go home, until Sabrina told them that they didn’t have any toys at their house. They had a blast as you can tell…

We decided to roll up the windows and run the AC for a while after looking at the back seat while riding some trails in the hot afternoon. We even handed the camera over to Maddy and let her take some photos, before long I am sure the question will not be if she can take some photos but rather can I drive the Jeep.

Now check out their pictures.

How about an ARKIE VIEW: From Randy Putt

Crawl 4 Christ 2009

As told by Randy Putt of the Christian Crawlers 4x4 Club of NW Arkansas

The Christian Crawlers 4x4 Club of NW Arkansas wheel at Disney three or four times a year. Disney, Oklahoma is only about an eighty mile drive for most of our members, so when UCORA started discussions about having a regional Crawl 4 Christ event there this year our club was definitely interested. We knew there was plenty to do for all types of 4x4 vehicles but the icing on the cake was the opportunity to fellowship with other Christian 4x4 enthusiasts.

My family and I arrived on Thursday evening and were the first from our club to make it. We were just in time for dinner and some great night time wheeling. I got to take the doors off my JK for the first time and with a slight breeze blowing it was a perfect night to be out in our Father’s creation. Our first stop was the rock garden, and then we headed to one of the many trails in the area. Back at Green Country church camp we circled the chairs and shared tall tales of the work done to our rigs and previous four wheeling experiences we had enjoyed. As the clock approached midnight the crowd began to thin and I wondered if the weather would allow me to leave my doors off for the night. I decided to leave them off so I would be ready to go first thing Friday, then I retired to the comfort of a bed and air conditioning in the dorm we were staying in. I woke to someone shaking me at 5:00 am telling me it was raining outside! I jumped up dressed and went out to put my doors and windows back on in the rain, then it was back inside to dry off and catch a few more hours of sleep.

Friday morning the rain had stopped and it was back out to do some rock crawling in the rock garden and Little Blue then back to camp for lunch. Friday afternoon we were back out checking out more of the trails in the woods. Everyone had a great time, and then it was back to camp for dinner. After dinner we all found a spot to watch the fireworks display put on by the city of Disney. I heard the plan was to use a barge floating in Grand Lake to launch the fireworks except the day before the barge sank so they ended up using the dock! The show was great, it lasted about fifteen minutes, and people were everywhere.

Saturday the rest of our club was scheduled to arrive, Brian pulled in about 9:00 as did Mayo, his wife, their little boy and their two pugs; the next arrival was the rain! Several others, in our club, were planning to come but they would not arrive until about 1:00, that worked out fine though because that’s about the time the rain finally quit! Mike, his wife and two kids made it. Shawn and Charlene, a couple from our church, were the next to pull up, they had never had their stock Jeep off-road and just wanted to see what we do out there! Stan and his wife, Bo and his wife, Jeremy, his wife and their little boy, and Henry and Matt, all met us at Hogan’s campground and we headed out from there.

First it was back to the Chili Bowl and the Rock Garden to play, after some crawling there we headed for Little Blue. The short run to Little Blue proved challenging to the two un-lifted rigs in our group, we had to cross a large area of rocks the size of large beach balls! Thanks to Stan’s instinctive spotter abilities he led the two rigs across the rock field which was about the length of a football field. I remember my first trip over this obstacle and my decision shortly thereafter that my first mods would be rock rails and a lift!


After watching the bigger rigs play on Little Blue, a few of us less modified rigs climbed to the first ledge of Little Blue and then back down again. It was getting late in the day and we only had a few hours before the concert, devotional, and raffle back at Green Country church camp so four of us split off and decided to find some shade and run a trail in the woods. Mayo found a great trail that was a lot of fun and gave the one rig in our group, experiencing their maiden off-road voyage, an idea of just how capable a stock jeep, with larger tires, can be. Thanks to Mayo for taking the lead on this trail, that is definitely one we’ll want to run again. Well, we got off the trail just in time to scarf down a greasy burger and fries and make it just in time for the festivities back at camp.

We all had a great time rock crawling and running the many trails but, in my opinion, the highlight of the whole event was Saturday night. We all met at 7:00pm at the camp Tabernacle building. Amy Hill started the evening off with a concert just for the Crawl 4 Christ group. Wow, what a voice, and she even wrote a song just for Crawl 4 Christ with David and Judy Austin and Angie Burgoon assisting with the choreography! The message by Guy, one of UCORA’s founders, was both truthful and inspiring, and a BIG thanks to all of the raffle sponsors for helping to make this event a big success.

Sunday morning, as everyone packed to leave, there was much talk about how hard it was going to be for next year’s Crawl 4 Christ to top the great location, facilities, devotional, entertainment, and fellowship, of this year’s event. For all those that couldn’t make it this year we look forward to seeing you next year and for your help to make next year’s event bigger and better for the glory of our Lord and Savior.

Special thanks to:
David and Judy Austin with UCORA for organizing this event, it was a blast!
Brad Austin for leading the trail runs and spotting for the more difficult challenges
Charles and Amy Hill for allowing us the use of the Green County Church Camp
Amy Hill for her amazing voice in song to our Lord, and the hilarious song she wrote just for us!
Guy Fredrick for his words of truth from our Father both Saturday night and Sunday morning, Guy, and his wife Kathy, also traveled the farthest; all the way from Louisville, Kentucky!
And to those that donated items for the raffle, PRP, Skyjacker, Sams Offroad, KORE, Rockcrusher, 4Wheel Drive Hardware, D-Day Adventure Park, Southern Missouri Off Road Ranch, and Superlift ORV Park.

Now visit the Christian Crawler’s site to check out their pictures.

Wonder what the Humble Hill Toppers from Northeast, Ks thought?

Crawl 4 Christ 2009
Written by Terry Burgoon
Humble Hill Toppers

Earlier on this year when the Humble Hill Toppers learned that David Austin was planning a regional Crawl 4 Christ, the group got excited. Disney, Oklahoma sits about three hours south of the majority of the club members and the anticipation grew as the dates neared. After several monthly meetings the members that were able to attend was down to about three rigs, with families.

Ron Osborn and I were able to attend last years Crawl 4 Christ in Hot Springs, Arkansas and had such a great time that we were unable to contain ourselves and made several invitations to others in the local community about the event. Before we were done, several other church attendees wanted to go and Ron donated a second vehicle for their pleasure. The Allen Family, who has wheeled with the Humble Hill Toppers several times in the past, were called and they were up to the challenge.

The trip began with Ron and I heading out early Thursday afternoon. Both Ron and I were hoping to get down to the Greene County Church Camp to get some fellowshipping in with others that we had meet last year. Before even getting out of the next county to the south, Ron had a trailer tire blow out. This however did not slow us down much as everyone jumped out and lent a hand to get us back on the road as soon as possible.

Upon our arrival, several familiar vehicles were observed. The trailers were unloaded and sleeping locations were decided. Kevin Henderickson and two others from the group, Deric and Laura, arrived shortly after (I guess the tire blow out had slowed us down more than we thought).

Well Judy Austin had gotten the grill fired up and supper was on. The kids got to play some volleyball that evening after supper and then it was off to bed.

Sometime around o’dark thirty in the morning I was awakened by the sound of rain on the metal tin roof. Lying there thinking, still half asleep, I was trying to decide if I put the door and top back on the Jeep. A loud clap of thunder roared from outside, which must have gotten me fully awake because it was at that time I remembered I had only put on the doors. I quickly dressed and out into the rain I went. After getting the Jeep all weather tight, I surveyed the area and determined who may or may not want to do the same. I saw Randy Putts, JK Jeep setting out, it too was without doors or sides. Now the fun began. How in the world to do find someone in a dorm room, it’s dark, we are all pretty much strangers other than for a few hours and now it’s like a game of “Where’s Waldo”. Randy is located and we rush off to get his Jeep weather tight as well.

The next morning after a quick breakfast the group is up and ready to wheel. David gives us the good morning speech and after the prayer we were gone. First, we all decide to head to the Little Blue area. Before we even make it to the rally location one of the club vehicles is down, with a dead battery. The group divides and conquers and were all back out on the trails. Kevin tackles Little Blue with ease and then heads to the Wailing Wall. The rest of the group plays around at the entrance to Little Blue for the “Kodiak Moment”.

Thoughout the day, it’s time spent in the trails, the Chili Bowl and everywhere in between. The wheeling’ was great. The club vehicles took on some mechanical problems but none that could not be fixed with a quick trip to the local Napa store and then with the aid from other members and event participants. Kevin lost a u-joint, Ron lost a couple of bolts from the drive shaft and Deric’s rig (Ron’s second) had a failed battery.

But this year was different than last. Thanks to the great hospitality of Charlie and Amy Hill, the group did more, much more, than just wheeling. With wives and kids spending many hours playing volleyball and playing cards till midnight. The atmosphere of the Camp was great and uplifting for the whole group.

Saturday night. Man, I could go on and on about Saturday night. Amy Hill put on a wonderful show and the music was amazing. The family and I laughed and cried that night. Amy’s song “I will survive” was amazing and the sideshow (we all saw David, and I got video proof) was entertaining. Guy’s message was very fitting and I pretty sure we all left that night with many of thoughts about our lives, both past, present and future.

As everyone gathered up there things Sunday morning, it was a sad day. We were leaving old friends, new friends, and I am in hopes that the new bonds will not be broken.

Many thanks go out to the Hill’s and the Greene County Camp for their hospitality, the Austin’s for putting together such a wonderful event, the towns people of Disney for the fireworks display and putting up with us, and everyone that attended, because without these individuals the great news of our Heavenly Father may not be heard.

 

NOW WRAP IT UP DAVE!!!

What a pleasure it was to be a little part in the organizing of this years “Crawl 4 Christ”. There were many people that all pulled together to make this possible especially in the gathering of the raffle items. We want to give a big thanks to all those that donated the items for our raffle and hope that all that attended will remember and support our supporting vendors.

A big Special thanks to Amy and Charles Hill and the Green Country Camp for being so hospitable and helping to make this Great Event possible. Also, a big thanks to Guy and Kathy Fredrick for traveling so far and contributing so greatly to the success of this event. Also a big thanks to Brian Davis Photography for always being just out of harms way with his camera for the great action shots. And last but not least to the Putt’s and everyone else that helped us get the dorm cleaned and ready for the incoming of campers the next morning.

It was such a blessing to spend time with each and everyone of you that took the time out of you busy life to attend this years Crawl 4 Christ. I can’t tell you what a blessing it was to see all the different friends and families enjoying each other and God’s Great Outdoors.

For a complete look at all the pictures:
 
Hello,
I just want to start off by thanking everyone for making me feel at home for the Fourth of July weekend at Disney, OK.  I really enjoyed myself and can't wait until the next chance I get to make it out to another event.  I have posted all my pictures on my website for purchase, www.briandavisphotography.com , click on 'enter site' and then look at the lower left corner for the clients section...click there. The password is Disney. From that point a slide show will start. There are almost 400 pictures so it might be a little slow to start.  In the upper right corner of each picture there is a tab to 'add to cart'. When you are finished, click on the shopping cart in the lower right hand corner and it will take you to where you can select the size of prints and quantity.  I have also made 2 videos that I will sell together for 30 dollars and you can click on 'add package' in the shopping cart to get to the DVD order.  The videos are in low resolution on my blog to view. Back to the first page and 'select blog' and they will be about 2 or 3 posts down.  Picture pricing is for the month of August only.
  4x6   = 4.00
  5x7   = 5.00
  8x10 = 9.00
  and 2 videos with a mp4 for your iTunes = 30.00
On September 1st I will have to reinstate my portrait pricing so don't wait or you will lose these special prices.  If you have any questions please feel free to call me or e-mail me, and I can't wait to see all of you again.

Brian Davis
Davis Photography
405-641-0535
www.briandavisphotography.com
http://www.facebook.com/briandavisphotography

Thanks to the following supporters

Skyjacker Suspensions
Joe's Hand Cleaner
Premier Racing Products
4 Wheel Parts--Oklahoma City
Superlift
King Off Road Enterprises
RockCrusher
4 Wheel Drive Specialist West Monroe, La. 318-388-3444
Yukon Flowers & Gifts
C4X4.COM
SAM'S Off Road
Guy & Kathy Fredrick (pastornator) (Bibles and books)
4Wheel Drive Hardware
D-Day Adventure Park
Southern Missouri Off Road Ranch
Green Country Camp
Amy Hill Ministries
Inland Truck Parts
Humble Hill Toppers donated a study bible and a woman's package of a purse, books and CD.
Guy and Kathy Fredric--donated the NASB Bible and some other books.
Inland Truck Parts, thanks to Ron Istas (Olathe, Kansas store manager), he donated several hats and some rain gauges.
New Century Dodge / Jeep of Paola, Kansas donated a couple hats.
Gene Angermayer (Humble Hill Toppers) donated an ARB Winch Weight.
And Stan O. of the Christian Crawlers brought in some items that he had picked up.

I am sure I missed some and I apologize to those if I did. But your support was very much appreciated. God Bless!!