By Tami Sutherland

[Tami Sutherland, an internet software developer, just moved from Clearwater, FL to Grottoes, VA, no doubt inspired by her affection for her LR3 and the famous Mid-Atlantic Rally. Here’s her account of the October 2007 event –ed.]

Now let’s see, what do I have here? My rain jacket, umbrella, a new pair of Wellies, a month-and-a-half worth of clothes; hmmm, maybe I should bring an extra umbrella, just in case.

This was my first trip to the Mid-Atlantic Rally, also known by its acronym, the MAR. I’ve heard plenty about this event in years past, everything from major carnage adventures on the Pearls Pond trails, to odd tales of blow up animals and urinal cakes in the Philly Rovers circus tent (probably best not to ask more about that). The recollections vary from person to person, but one detail remains constant in everyone’s MAR memories: it’s wet, cold, soaking, drenching, rainy, muddy mayhem, and it’s a blast. Prepared for the traditional MAR forecast, I could hardly wait to head up to Virginia and see how they work it on the east side, rain or shine.

Hitting Interstate 75 to begin the 1,100-mile hike northward, I’m full of excitement and anticipation. I wonder how my LR3 will do. Actually, I’m wondering more about how I will do. I’ve got a lot more confidence in my Land Rover’s abilities than in my own to be honest. I have found the LR3 to be incredible in its off-road abilities – me, not so much. I’m what you call a ‘newbie.’

Four hours into the journey, I come to the small town of Alligator Creek. Shoot, I’m still in Florida? At a stop light, a couple of somewhat toothless creatures in a pick-up shout over to me, “is that there a snorkel?” I give a little nod and smile, discreetly check my door locks, and continue on my way.

Feeling a bit anxious about what lessons I will be learning at MAR (hopefully none involve blow-up animals). I learn something new every time I go off-road. I learn more about my Rover’s strengths and limitations. I learn how to maneuver tougher obstacles and different terrains, and am gradually becoming a better, more confident off-roader. I’ve been lucky though, to have had experienced mentor sand spotters to put my full trust in, and I think that is key. I have found the seasoned Land Rover crowd to be so knowledgeable, encouraging, and genuinely helpful to newbies – listen and learn, and try to absorb their wisdom.

After a short-ish jaunt through the southeast corner of Georgia, I pass the ‘Welcome to South Carolina’ sign. A little fatigued, but making progress – three states to go! I’m feeling a bit antsy, so crank up the some Old Crow Medicine Show tunes. Another LR3 whizzes by me. I catch up to them, thinking we could entertain each other for a spell, but they won’t even look in my direction. Figures, they’re probably in a hurry to the Macy’s White Sale, I think cynically.There aren’t too many LR3s on the trails yet. We are pioneers of sorts I suppose. This lends to some skepticism and curiosity to new Land Rovers. I’ve sort of gotten used to the stares, snickers, and ‘It’s too clean!’ jabs when I roll up. It used to freak me out, but many have changed their tune some after going on the trails with me. Sure, the LR3 may not be for everybody, and like all vehicles, it has its shortcomings, but for me it is absolutely perfect – it’s the Swiss Army Knife of Land Rovers.

As I near Charlotte, North Carolina, my MAR anticipation is wearing thin, diverted by a sore rump, and major boredom. I can do it, just 4 ½ hours to go. Good Lord.

Welcome to Virginia! I could kiss that sign. Suddenly I get a burst of energy, jam to the Old Crow Medicine Show for the umpteenth time with new vigor. I call my darling friend Dan Chapman and let him know I’m almost there. I will be hanging with him and friends from Philadelphia Rovers. They are such a wonderful fun-loving bunch and I can’t wait to see them all again. Also looking forward to meeting some of the other legendary characters I’ve heard about. Let the good times begin!

On the drive to Pearls Pond, I follow Dan Chapman in his 1997 trail-blazing Discovery Series I, and Walter Dent with his dear tent-mate Bobbi in his souped up 2000 Discovery Series II. We are arriving to the campsite on Wednesday, so there is just a handful of Rover heads around for the first night. We stake out a prime spot, setting up camp near the legendary Philly Rover’s tent. Tonight we just kick back and relax, have some drinks from the full bar, and help stuff event envelopes. Steve Andrews, who drives a Series Land Rover with a Corvette engine, entertains us under the stars with his strumming and singing talents into the wee hours. Walter cooks us some late-night Dutch oven pork chops. We have much fun.

In the morning my head is feeling thick, and I could use a strong cuppa and a shower. Okay, scratch that, there are no showers.The sun is shining and it’s starting to heat up. Lots of people are starting to roll in now – in all, 305 Land Rovers attending and 600-700 people this year. Around the Philly Rovers area Suzanna and Ivan Via arrive in their Discovery I (hers) and Range Rover Classic(his), Jeff Bangs with his lovely wife Jennifer and baby daughter Abbi,Will ‘The Rover Whisperer’ Tillery, Jason Johnson (thank you for the use of your camp shower!), Allysa Brown in her 2005 Range Rover,and quite a few others are setting up camp. I am introduced to Garrett Porterfield and JB McClure. Oh, are they total comedians! Be prepared to have some sore ribs and cheeks when you are around these two.

Zak Ruck’s white P38 is sitting on the grass with its bonnet open,a lone and innocent victim. The ‘bandana gang’ decides to take advantage of this opportunity. Poor Zak. Dan pulls the fuel pump fuse from Zak’s truck, and then we all just sat back and wait. When Zak returns his truck starts up…for a minute, then stalls out. Hmmm, what could be wrong? Being the nice guys that they are, the gang goes over to help ol’ Zak out – examining the engine, and giving extended theories on what could possibly be wrong. I learn my first MAR lesson – never leave your truck unattended.

Now one of MAR’s real LR super heroes is Will Tillery. Word on the street has it that he can appear out of thin air in a Rover’s time of need. Sure enough, I spot him under someone’s Range Rover. He laid his magic hands on many grateful trucks this year, but he needs a cape.

I should go no further without mentioning the weather. Yes, the tradition has been broken, as MAR 2007 was a completely hot, sweaty, dry, dust bowl this year, and the more people drove around (thanks to those considerate folks showing their ‘cool’ factor by the camping areas by the way), the worse it got. You could barely see, let alone breathe through the huge fog of dust. Everyone had a nice coat of orangey brown dust from head to toe and in every crevice of our trucks – we are all looking and feeling just lovely. Wow, maybe I should have packed a dust mask instead of the extra umbrella. Trails were easier this year, I’m told, because of the unusual dryness. After going on most every trail, I can clearly envision how messy some areas would become by adding some wet, slippery mud to the equation. They were still a lot of fun to drive though, and a few challenging spots along the way. It’s rumored that mine was the first LR3 to ever attempt Goat Hill. It’s pretty steep, and there’s one area where the trees get super tight. It took several attempts to squeeze my fat truck through, and only cleared by a couple millimeters. I can’t imagine trying to go through that spot when it’s wet – reckon there’d be a bit of damage done right about there.

I didn’t leave MAR without a little carnage though; ripped the plastic rear bumper cover nearly off – twice. The bumper caught the bank dropping in to the same mud hole on West River both Thursday and Friday night. Nothing major, thank goodness, but when you hear the horrid ripping sound as those bits come off, it sounds so much worse. Everyone making those ‘Whoa!’ and ‘Ouch!’ noises doesn’t help either.

On Thursday night I let Mike Noe, who owns a beautiful blue Series II, try out a ‘modern day’ Land Rover. As a seasoned off-roader, he did fantastic, once he figured out that ‘D’ was ‘Drive’.Allys a let Steve drive her 2005 Range Rover for a while as well. It’s fun to see these gents behind the wheels of our trucks. They drive so careful ha-ha. It is also nice to have some girls to wheel with – Suz and Allysa, rock on.

Friday morning, I drove up to the main rally area to check out the vendors. On Friday night, we got to enjoy the best barbequed ribs this side of the Mason Dixon Line, grilled to perfection by the gourmet extraordinaire, Sean Roche, along with some prize winning rum cake baked by JB’s mom. Man, lots of good eating under this tent. Later, some of us went on a night run, and Mike was kind (brave) enough to return the favor and let me drive his Series II, while Dan drove my LR3 around a bit. What an awesome truck, it is amazing to feel the differences in these beasts at opposite ends of thespectrum. One day maybe I’ll have a Series too, baby blue please. Unfortunately, we had to leave after the Friday night run due to a prior commitment and missed out on Saturday’s events. They hadn’t even brought out the blow-up animals yet, although I hear that indeed they did! Luckily no word on the urinal cakes either, surely just nasty gossip. What a great time it was, with equally great people. Other than some shower facilities, and maybe a little rain, I couldn’t ask for a better way to spend a weekend. So when is MAR 2008 again?

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