Mendo XV
April 23 through 26, 2009
On the Last full weekend of every April, Land Rovers gather in Cedar camp in California's Mendocino National forest for the annual signature event of the mendo recce Land Rover e-mail list. It is an opportunity for people who communicate over the e-mail list to gather, run trails, have a Saturday evening potluck and most importantly to renew friendships.
The mendo recce Land Rover e-mail list was started by Ben Smith to facilitate communications among Land Rover owners who were scouting the Mendocino national forest for an off road trip. Since then the mail list has grown to become the largest Western US focused Land Rover e-mail list and the outing to become an annual group event. April 2009 marked the 15th annual event.
Cake at the Saturday potluck - Photo by Greg Harwood
In 2009, list members, family and friends attended mendo XV in 37 Land Rovers, an early Bronco and a Volvo C303. The vehicle breakdown was: 2 - Series I, 11 Series II & IIA, 6 Series III, 1 Defender D90, 4 Discoverys, 2 LR3, 10 Range Rover Classics and 1 Range Rover III. This count included a Series I 107 station wagon, Series I 107 pickup and 2 Dormobiles. Each year the mix of vehicles is different with some years a lot of Series trucks, others a lot of Discoverys and Defenders.
Mendo is about Land Rovers - photo by Matt Spetz
The annual mendo gathering is about a lot more than Land Rovers. It is about people being and making friends, companionship and a chance to be someone more than a signature at the bottom of an e-mail
Mendo is about people - Photo by Greg Harwood
Mendo is about families doing things together - Photo by Greg Harwood
This year the weather was a mixture of Sunshine, partial clouds and snow on Friday which was gone by noon Saturday.
A Series I 107 station wagon out in Friday's snow - photo by Greg Harwood
And as always there is the lake to visit - Photo by Dan Harris
Big vistas - Photo by Greg Harwood
Many good trails to run - Photo by Greg Harwood
Spectacular scenery - photo by Mo Patrykus
and the occasional water crossing - photo by Matt Spetz
Usually we have Cedar camp to ourselves, but Last year another big group also appeared with loud amplified music at night. It was loud and rowdy enough that the mendo group withdrew to another nearby campground. So this year the Cedar camp ground was marked by more than a little 90 wt.
The sign at the entrance of Cedar camp campground
And a little farther up the camp site road
Finally, one look at the camp ground left no doubt that this was Land Rover country
Mendo XV was one of the great years
Mark your calendars for Mendo XVI, April 23 through 25, 2010
To view more pictures
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