We are in Temecula this weekend for one major reason, to attend Land Rover’s Destination Defender West. We received free tickets for it and even an invitation to stay in tents on the grounds but they were too expensive for us so we decided to stay off grounds. This was a great idea in retrospect given that the weekend is plagued by rain and mud, not something we want to encounter in a tent. Even as we drive in the first day we are not sure if we should proceed but in the end we enter only to be directed to a parking lot from where we have to walk or take a golfing cart with wet benches to the main area.
While many attractions are outside and as such cannot be easily visited during rain there are two sections that are covered where most of the people congregate. The first one is the lounge area, there are many lounges for clubs that no one, as far as we can tell, can enter.
The second major covered area is the concert hall which also is the place where they serve some of the food and there are some games going on. We play one of the games and win a couple bandannas, really cool. And then we walk to the one lounge that is separate and in the middle of a mud field, the Chase lounge, that we can actually access and get a cocktail. Which is cold so it is not that welcome on this cold and rainy day.
We continue exploring and discover the tents where we were supposed to stay. They are in the middle of a mud flat with creeks flowing close to them, not a place we would have liked to stay given the weather. There are also three historical cars but we cannot visit them due to the mud today, we leave that for tomorrow.
Another major attraction is the controlled test course, here people can take a Defender and test it on some controlled obstacles via a given course. There are about six cars running the course but even so there is a line outside.
We watch for a while and are especially scared of a specific obstacle where the SUVs at one point are descending only on two tires.
But you have to confront your fears, right? We assume that is the reason we find ourselves in the queue and then taking the course with an exhilarating descend on the big hill. And we survive, yay!
Next we return to the central mudbath, sorry arena, to check a kiosk that promises free food. It makes fish tacos right in front of us and we get one for free as promised. Also lots of mud on our shoes and pants for free also.
Here in the central area there were supposed to be concerts and other activities but with the bath nothing is going on so we decide to retreat for today, explore the wineries and come back tomorrow when the weather appears to be better.
On the second day, Sunday, the weather is better but the ground is still muddy. Not as bad as the day before as we can make our way to the axe throwing station and throw a few axes, even managing to hit the target a couple times.
But the major attraction we missed the day prior and want to try today is taking a Defender out into the wild. We saw quite a few running the tracks next to the fairgrounds and are looking forward to try them. It takes half an hour in line to get in and then we find out that due to mud the driver is provided by Land Rover, you can unfortunately be a passenger only. So we settle into the role of passenger as the driver takes us up hills and through muddy, rutted trails.
We talk with him and find out he is from Phoenix also, quite a coincidence but then we have to hold our breath as we descend on a steep slope back towards the fairgrounds, quite a rollercoaster ride type drive.
As we exit the car we notice multiple people gathered further away so we decide to join and see what is happening, it is the pony show. There are two ponies that are brought here to be petted and it seems they are a bigger attraction than the cars.
We then continue exploring the grounds, playing with mini cars and taking bikes through the mud, in the end we do all the possible activities except the rock climbing which is closed for the duration of the festival.
With all these activities we have completed our Defender passport and we turn it in for a nice Defender coin, quite cool.
There is one more thing left to do before leaving, we have to see the three historical vehicles we skipped earlier. Each of them has an interesting story with the first one being the first known Land Rover to circumnavigate the globe, quite an achievement.
The other two are no slouches either. One was used for the Trans-America Expedition crossing the Darien Gap over a period of about three months but the second one is the major attraction to us. This one was used for the Far Eastern Expedition, twice, and we have just seen the documentary on TV. It is surprising to see it in person now after seeing all the adventures it went through. And then we are done, it is time for a couple of hikes and then we have to return to Phoenix after a nice but very rainy outing to Temecula.
