Ray and Deryl's Story
August 25th 2012



Since the other two official teams submitted a report, I thought I 
should also. The previous month we went to Frazier Park and had lunch 
at Denny’s.  We were waay off from where the hider actually was at. 
This would affect our decision process at the start of this hunt that 
led us to the wrong area.


Our initial bearing went to the west of Frazier Park, which indicated 
it could be Mt. Pinos.  However it could also be much closer in the 
Santa Monica mountains or possibly above Fillmore at the Condor 
Preserve where Deryl hid once before.  So reluctantly we went north on 
PCH rather than the 405.  Slow and slower in case it was in the Santa 
Monica mountains.


Before we reached LAX it was apparent that it was further to the 
north.  However going this route was a good thing for me.  I could not 
remember if I had turned off the lights on my car that I parked at 
Deryl’s.  Since we were basically going right by Deryl’s home we 
stopped and checked.  Of course I had turned them off, but at least it 
would not be nagging me during the rest of the hunt.


We hopped on the 90 to the 405 north.  We are now headed for the 
Condor Preserve above Fillmore.  The route was the 405 to the 118 to 
the 23 north, to the 126.  At Fillmore it was lunch time and we were 
hungry, so we searched for a place to eat.  After driving around a 
while we decided upon a place called the “Movie Train Cafe” across the 
street from the train station in downtown Fillmore.  We were not in 
the mood for mexican food (which there are plenty of places, including 
El Pescador) and there was no Denny’s in the area, so we finally 
decided to take a chance on this place.  I had a terrific tri-tip 
sandwich with pasta salad.  The prices were no more than at Denny’s.


After lunch we headed to the Condor Preserve. As Don KF6GQ reported we 
met he and Steve KD6LAJ on the way up.  The signal was still pretty 
good so we went a little further up the road until we were satisfied 
that it was not up there.


We felt it was now at Pinos so we went the 126 to the 5. A left turn 
for us Don and Steve turned right headed towards 33 we presumed.  On 
the 5 as we were just passing Pyramid Lake, Deryl got a good signal to 
the west.  Upon exiting at Frazier Park we got gas (yes the Hybrid 
needs to do that occasionally as well). As we approached Lockwood 
Valley Road it did not look like it was at Pinos.   So off we went on 
Lockwood Valley Road towards possibly Reyes Peak.


As we came up on 7N03 Mutau Road I gave it a hard look on the map and 
said it was a possibility.  The bearing from the 5 north of Pyramid 
Lake went through this area and on out to the Reyes Peak area.  On 
past we went towards Reyes Peak.   At the road headed up to Reyes Peak 
we saw Don and Steve.  We exchanged truthful information respectively 
and decided to go back to 7N03.


Once going down 7N03 it became apparent that we were finally in the 
correct area.  The t’s we found were enjoyable.  As the sun was 
setting, we decided we had driven enough and that it would soon be 
dark so we headed out.


Good hunt Doug, thank you. Congrats Bob.


-Ray, N6EKS


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