Big lifts and tall tires are...
Big lifts and tall tires are required to get through the deep mud pits in this park.
After a few hours of snapping more crowd photos, Thad and I figured it was time for us to join in the fun. A quick trip to the Yamaha tent and we were outfitted with a Rhino 700, Grizzly 700 and Big Bear 400. These machines were exactly what we needed to do some backwoods and swamp exploration. We met with ATVR contributor Dick Burleson and jaunted through the backwoods on some of the sloppiest trails I've ever seen. All along the trails, we ran into group after group who had nothing but mud and smiles all over their faces. It was easy to see that everyone in attendance was having a great time, as were we.
As our day came to an end, we had to get our machines cleaned and ready for the next day. Companies, such as Yamaha and Polaris, were sponsoring designated wash stations for $10. There you could have your machine pressure washed and ready to roll within minutes. This was the best money I spent all weekend. I walked away feeling even better knowing that $2 from my wash was being donated to Shriners Hospitals. Way to go guys!
Even side-by-sides had their...
Even side-by-sides had their turn diving into the murky water of the bog.
Day 2: The Day The Skies Opened Up
When I opened my mouth the day before and asked where all the mud was, I must've angered the mud gods. Early the next morning a huge weather system rolled through Southeast Texas, making me eat my words. All day a constant drizzle accompanied the occasional downpour which put the phrase "it rained cats and dogs" to shame.
As Thad and I cruised around the vendor area just to see what everyone had to offer, we bumped into GNCC hero Mike Penland. He came out to promote product for Maxxis Tires but also had plans on racing in the mud bog competition on Saturday. We wished him luck and continued to scope out the area and the crowd that seemed to constantly pour into the event, regardless of how much it had been raining. Thad had to depart early because of a schedule conflict, which left me to attend the first major event of the weekend, the EPI Endurance Challenge.
This event required two-man teams to go through at least a 200-yard mud bog/swamp, returning to the starting line without getting sucked in. The team that conquered in the shortest period of time was declared the winner. Teams were launched in 15-second intervals and if a competitor broke or got stuck in the bog, they were then considered an obstacle. The challenge drew hundreds if not thousands of spectators, which turned Highline into a vast parking lot. Even with the flood of rain, everyone stayed to cheer on those who took on the challenge.
GNCC star Mike Penland (right)...
GNCC star Mike Penland (right) placed first in the Pro A class of the mud bog race.
By the end of the challenge, the bog was a virtual sea of abandoned ATVs and side-by-sides that had either broke or were simply stuck in their tracks. There was no shortage of help to excavate the machines and get them back riding. Spectators eagerly helped these people get their machines out and towed them back to their respective pit areas. By this time, the rain was letting up but had been enough to turn the entire park into one big bog. Trucks and trailers were still streaming into the event by the hundreds, slipping and sliding all over the roads, just to get a camping spot. These people were determined to have some fun, and I couldn't blame them.
Ace photographer Adam Campbell showed up later in the afternoon just in time to catch the final event of the day. The Maxxis Mudda-Cross made for great evening entertainment. Mudda-Cross was basically a two-lap race around a circle track in deep water and mud. Crowds lined the hillside hours in advance to secure the best seats possible for this event, and all of the competitors didn't let them down. Round after round machines were banging off the walls, and even each other, for the bragging rights of fastest racer of the night. What I had seen so far in my first two days completely blew me away, and I couldn't wait for day three.
 It takes a lot of skill and...  It takes a lot of skill and horsepower to quickly get across the deep mud bog. |  From looking at the size of...  From looking at the size of this quad, we agree that everything is bigger in Texas. |  Round after round machines...  Round after round machines were banging off the walls, and even each other, for the bragging rights of fastest racer of the night. |
 Clubs like the Soggy Bottom...  Clubs like the Soggy Bottom Knockers were out in full force at this year's Mud Nationals. They made us feel welcome at a place far from home. |  A quick dunk into the water...  A quick dunk into the water and all of that mud washes right off. |  Being towed behind an ATV...  Being towed behind an ATV on this chair wasn't the cleanest way to get around, but it sure looks like fun. |