This may sound like a broken record to some, but I always enjoy telling this story.

It was February 27, 2002. I had just traded in my 1999 Jeep Cherokee for a Super Black 2002 Nissan Xterra SE. Funny thing was that when I first found this truck, I wasn’t even looking to buy a new vehicle! But I digress. I was a proud Xterra owner. I immediately started looking up all the factory accessories available for it, and made some purchases. After a few months, the truck as sporting the factory grill guard, rear taillight guards, neoprene seat covers, all-weather floor mats, and I thought I was on top of the world driving around town in it!

Months later, probably around April or May of that year, a co-worker of mine had told me about getting a permit for driving on Race Point Beach on the Cape. This sounded like fun, so my brother with his Jeep Wrangler and me with my new X headed to the Cape with some friends, and bought a couple season permits.

This was going to be great! We were going 4-weeling on the beach! (I’m starting to have flashes of the opening scene from Goonies!) There I was in my new truck going 4-wheeling on the beach, with my ex at the time, my sister and her boyfriend. We got a little ways out onto the beach, and all of a sudden I got stuck! This couldn’t be happening! It’s not possible, I thought, as other vehicles drove past me! I turned back to my sister’s boyfriend and said, “Get out and dig out the tires!” He thought I was joking at first, but soon realized I wasn’t.

So, he hopped out, and started digging. I gave it some gas, but it just wasn’t moving. Maybe I didn’t lower the tires enough, I thought. Maybe this truck isn’t capable of beach driving! Then, an on-coming truck pulled up beside me, rolled down his window and asked if I had it in 4WD. “Of course I have it in 4-wheel –“, I started saying, turning toward the 4WD shift. And, as I looked down at the lever still in 2WD, I shook my head and felt embarrassed. And I had to laugh. After throwing it into 4WD, the truck moved down the beach with no problems at all. Imagine that.

Now, here’s the best part of the story. At the end of the day, when we were heading back to the ranger’s station, I looked ahead and saw not one, not two, but THREE Xterra’s coming onto the beach!! I was in awe! There was a blue one (driven by Leesha), a yellow one with an ARB bumper (driven by Rob Kilburn), and a black one with an ARB bumper (driven by Rob Horton). I was giddy like a school girl! I was waving and giving the thumbs up! As I past the last X (Rob Horton’s), we exchanged thumbs up and a “Nice truck!” The last thing I saw on Rob’s truck was a decal that said NEXTerra.

As soon as I got home, I searched the web for NEXTerra, and found a Yahoo Group for the club. I had found a group of other Xterra owners! You’d think I had found the Holy Grail! It was awesome!

That was 10 years ago. Since then I have seen this club evolve into what it is today. I have met many people and made many good friends since being a member of NEXTerra. I’ve learned a lot about my truck and about 4-wheeling, and I am truly grateful to all of those who have helped and taught me along the way, which is one of the reasons I love this club – the people here have always been good about teaching, helping, and making others feel comfortable with their trucks and with 4-wheeling.

To all who nominated and voted for me to be club president – THANK YOU. It is truly an honor and privilege to hold this position. I hope that I can do just as good a job as my predecessors have done in the past years. If any of you ever have a question, concern or comment, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I wish you all a safe and happy new year, and look forward to seeing you at our events throughout the year!

Awesome Story Mike
We do have a Great Group Here at NEXTerra
Sounds like we need a Thread for this!!

How did you find NEXTerra ??
tell us your story....

This is great Mike, I love the story!

Great story, and similar to mine. Congrats on the election.


k_enn

Very nice stories.

Thank you for taking up the responsibility of becoming President Mike. You carry the fate of us...
It is a burden that I would never have the balls to take on so I appreciate the job you are about to face and the great jobs that Mike (svendog) and Gene (RIXterra) have done.

As I’ve pledged to the past presidents; for the asking you have my honest opinion, my help in any way, my sword…

Do you have any plans for our future?

BTW, who were/are;

…and, if you know, where are they now?

Short and quick answer - yes.


Rob Horton made it to this board. He is 2kxtra. He hasn't been around for a while.

Rob Kilburn I don't think made it to this board. He was up on the old Forumer forum. Not sure if he still has his truck or not. He had a huge Tonka decal on the back of it.

And I don't think Leesha made it on this board either. I thought I had seen her at one point post something up for sale, but that may have been through the old Yahoo Groups mailing list. And I think she sold her X.

Jeff Robinson (Rockaholic) may know a little more about these three. He used to live near them.

Thanks, Ernie, but I meant for this to be my acceptance speech.

I'll start a separate thread for stories if you want.

I'm thick as molasses in winter sometimes
Great Speech then

X2 on the speech and as an fyi it looks like a mentioned thread has been created : viewtopic.php?f=18&t=6250 ( How did you get involved with Xterras?)

Great story Mike

Thanks for sharing

Mike do you need a hug? good story

I saw Inurteeth2's X years ago, and thought it was the most bad ass offroad truck I had ever seen. I said to myself one day I will own one. Remember lookin up Nexterra online as that was the only decal that awesome truck that seemed like it could be a club decal! I love my X!!!