Report: Take Back Utah 2011

[mbryson]

I woke up early on Sat. morning and took that as a que that I should head to the Take Back Utah Rally. Grabbed some fuel for myself and the "Jeep" and headed south down Redwood Road towards the State Fair Park. I usually give the "Jeep" a once over before any trip, but this being kind of a whim, I just checked the oil and hoped for the best. I do have a CV issue on my rear driveline, but I figured I could front drive home if I had to.

I got there about 7:00 am. Still pretty quiet but I saw some faces I recognized even that early.

I pulled in behind a big truck as instructed by the volunteers.

After mulling around and general bs'ing for about an hour, I got a work call (don't they know it's Sat.?).

Conveniently the location I needed to check a printer out at was about 12 blocks west of where I was. I had to restart a printer so we could get some color prints out to complete a job. By the time I came back, I got back in line behind a familiar Jeep item.

The NAXJA guys that I was harassing as I returned pulled off to the side of our "real" Jeeps. Couldn't hang with the cool kids, I guess?

As I continued to mull around I noticed something. Something about the "fresh from the field" or barn look was pretty cool to me.

After my distraction, I turned to find another distraction.

Here's the best help a guy could ever ask for?????

 

[mbryson]

I needed some drugs for my knee and forgot my raffle ticket during the political presentation. There were some good speakers (Mike Noel, Patrick Painter from Carbon County, Chairman Buttars (?)) and we actually ended up with an appearance from the governor.

As I walked back, I thought I should record the number of rigs here for posterity. It was pretty nice to see the diversity of rigs that were lined up.

Here's some tow rigs.

...and here's an old friend (Jeep and the owner (and especially the former owner))

That is a very cool Jeep. Built well by a very good builder and built with matched parts so it's reliable as a brick. I miss the original owner quite a bit, but I'm glad the new owner drives it around a little. Looking good Chris. Tell your sister to let me haul her Jeep out next year. I harassed her pretty good, but I think it'll take some persuading?

 

[mbryson]

Here's a few I took while I was driving along downtown.

Near the capital. Street rig, dirt bike and mostly a buggy that was once a Jeep. Not everyday you see that.

 

[mbryson]

After we got to the capital, we had another assembly of all the vehicles.

Senator Hatch and Rep Bishop had a short address and then we dismissed for the day.

 

[1\4elliptic toy]

Word on the street was the turnout was really poor, was this your thoughts as well Marc? We tried our best to make it but just fell short on time and money

 

[mbryson]

Word on the street was the turnout was really poor, was this your thoughts as well Marc? We tried our best to make it but just fell short on time and money

I don't know about poor. This is the first one I've been to, though. There were at least 400-500 vehicles there? I'm not sure how that would compare to years past. It would have been nice to see a lot more rigs, but I know how it goes. Last weekend before school starts for a lot of families so I'd assume there are people taking a last fling for the summer?

There was a LOT of rural representation. I saw quite a few from Moab and heard of a few from St. George and Kanab. I think the Wasatch front could have represented itself better?

 

[jeeper]

In my opinion there was about 1/3 of the usual turnout. I was very sad about the numbers of people. I also thought that the idea of having the speakers before the parade, while well intentioned, seemed to flop. I think the hype and excited for the parade had dwindled out by the time it finally started. The parade speed was also way too fast in my opinion. there were large gaps between vehicles. I spent most my time in 3rd gear on my dirt bike, while in previous years I have been idling in first/and clutching a LOT to keep it from dying. I brought 9 people with me this year, 7 of them first timers, and felt stupid afterwards because they did not want to come again next year.
This is just MY perception of how it went... I would love to hear form the TBU board, and others what they thought about this year in contrast to the others.

 

[mbryson]

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52424249-78/utah-lands-federal-olsen.html.csp


Just caught an article from the trib. Surprisingly "journalistic" for the trib.

 

[richpblaze]

I was greatly diasappointed by the turnout.

Last year being the best I had seen, I was hoping for a better turnout. My woman reminded my of a few acceptable excuses opening of the bow hunt, back to school shopping, last weekend before school etc, etc. I think being on the Capital steps also makes a statement ( We gathered in the back parking lot ) I hope we can learn from the mistakes this year and do better next.

 

[scoutabout]

Stories are saying 1,000 people. Yes?

 

[Chevycrew]

Article in the Salt Lake Tribune today too.

 

[scoutabout]

Pretty good KSL video (except for the report of low turnout):

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=16897401

Hatch sounds like he's reading off TBU's website. What a politician.

 

[krany]

hey thats me! well my truck( going up driving) me on my bike and hardline 90 tailing me :greg:

 

[JL Rockies]

I have a few opinions about why turnout was so low, some I'll keep to myself. Last year had the best turnout but it was also an election year. I believe that most people would rather be left alone and live their lives in peace and politics are far from their minds. Since 2008, government interference in individuals lives woke the sleeping giant and TBU gave people a forum. The midterm election went swimmingly and many of those people went back to their lives confident that their representatives and their Governer would do the right thing.

 

[zukijames]

wish i could use one of those excuses .. only excuse i had was my rig was broken down and i didnt get it back together in time.. but the was me being lazy..

thanks to those that went!