This was the first annual fall jamboree held in Llano Texas. In the past there has only been one jamboree held each year in the Llano area; due to the fact that this particular jamboree has such popularity and the spring event sold out in just six days a later season jamboree was scheduled. The event is held on a private ranch just a few miles from a campground where most of the participants stay, meals are catered, registration is held and the drawings for prizes are done on the last day. The ranch where the event was held and the Jeepers got to play for two days is something that you don’t expect or mentally picture when you think of Texas. With dense vegetation and incredible amounts of rock this is one jamboree that really tests driver’s abilities and their vehicles limitations. Not an event that one will get bored on quickly since there are many challenging obstacles, off camber situations and at times the combination of both as well as steep climbs and equally steep descents.

On the first day it was easy to understand why the spring jamboree is so popular for many different reasons, a couple being that by lunch time the temperature and the humidity had climbed into the 80’s. Those folks that were in the open top Jeeps were somewhat envious of those that had the tops on and the A/C blowing so this was a little hotter trip than those in March had but the participants enjoyed it just the same.  

As stated, the terrain is not something that I had expected the Texas landscape to provide but this area around Llano and close to a state park named Enchanted Rock provides a serene setting that very much made me think of what one would see in the morning in the outback of Australia. The short trees and rolling hills were deceptive of what was to come out on the trail, some of the areas that were to be traversed were beyond the capabilities of some of the vehicles that weren’t equipped with enough lift, lockers or adequate tires. Those that didn’t want to take part in those areas were able to walk in a very short distance to watch those that did take the obstacles as they progressed through them. This was only a small portion of the trail system so those that didn’t hit the extreme portion were still challenged the rest of the weekend as they made their way through the ranch.

This was one of the few events that we saw some carnage on, over the weekend we had two rollovers, and it just went to show the crowd how important something like a seatbelt can be. Thankfully no one was seriously injured but there was going to be a little more than a buffer needed to repair some of the damage that was done. It is always great to see the camaraderie amongst these folks as well as exposing people who are out here on these trips for the first time as to what kind of people the Jeeping community is made up of. Not often enough do we see in today’s world the willingness of strangers helping strangers with advise, parts, time and energy and it is always uplifting to be a part of this and see the excitement of participants making new friends.

 If you have considered or are now considering the Texas Spur as an event to take I would highly recommend it.