Vintage Living Off-Road at 2015 Relic Run

• June 23, 2015
• / Story By
  Kyle Wells

Relic [rel-ik]: a surviving memorial of something past. So what did the 2015 Relic Run have in store? '70s themed potluck dinners, late-model vehicles and vintage camping gear... to start it out. The 7th Annual Expedition Utah Relic Run is a family friendly, camping and off-road trip which takes place in a different location each year. I showed up friday afternoon, unloaded my 1950 Willys CJ3A from the trailer, and began looking for camp. This year base camp would be in the Murdock Basin of the Uinta Mountains in Northern Utah. Didnt take me long to spot a paper plate marked "Relic Run" - the sign led me down a rocky road until I came to a clearing filled with vintage vehicles and camp setups that looked like something I'd seen in my parents old photographs. I knew I was in the right spot. There were old coolers, classic kerosene lanterns, period correct tents... the real deal. The Relic Run is a throwback to the older days of motorized backcountry travel. Only 1970’s and older vehicles, only 1970’s and older camping gear, and only 1970’s and older route finding. This year the Relic Run would be combined with the "Retro Ramble," allowing up to 1989 gear and vehicles along as well. Friday night was the '70s themed pot luck dinner followed by a gear show-and-tell. Members shared "relics" they had brought: Pocket Fisherman, WWII motorcycle goggles, Abercrombie and Fitch catalogs, and classic lanterns. After the show-and-tell we were treated to a Relic Run slide show featuring film slides from past years events. When was the last time you watched a film slide show?! Saturday is the main trail ride. We met up for a quick briefing at around 9 am, then loaded up and hit the trail for Marshall Lake. The trail to Marshall is very scenic - from thick wooded areas to open meadows and views of the surrounding peaks. Some of us didn't hesitate when given a chance to cool down! With no real technical obstacles, the run gives people with vintage vehicles a chance to get out and put some miles on in a friendly paced ride without risking body or mechanical damage. Having fun and enjoying the "simple life" for a few days is what its really all about. So how do you wrap up an epic throwback weekend?? A battle of the era's BB gun shootout!! It was '70s and earlier vs. '80s BB guns, and both teams were stacked with veteran BB gun shooters. However, in the end it was the '70s team that would take the win! One thing is for certain, the Relic Run is a great way to get away from the stresses and nuisances of the modern world, kick back with like minded people, share memories from the past, and most importantly HAVE A GOOD TIME!

What do you think about rolling off-road in vintage vehicles, do you, would you do it?