Pat ThibodeauVermont Rovers has always welcomed enthusiasts from any state or country as members. Just like their Vermont Weenie Roast, that same spirit really showed itself at August’s Maine Misfits and Rover Bits event in Greene, ME. Many members’ hands from many states made big tasks manageable and fun times probable.
John Vallerand hosts this camping-cooking-off-roading rally on his 200-acre property. Already recognized for its friendly atmosphere, great food, rustic camping, challenging trails (and used parts for repairs, if needed), this year’s event also featured a series of firsts.
The weather provided the initial “First.” Past Maine Misfits have taken place in wet, humid conditions, requiring liberal applications of “New England Cologne” (otherwise known as insect repellent). This year’s dry conditions kept the bugs at bay but raised enough dust to add air intake filters to the spare parts list.
Then came the new trails, courtesy of a crew of club volunteers who altered the “Lower Loop Trail” to create a “No Scratch Zone” intended to give new enthusiasts confidence in driving through forest lands. Mainers (and Honorary Vermonters) Vince Vallerand, Bruce Fowler, Joshua Morgan, Ryan Swett and Logan Austin spent a weekend before the event reclaiming and repurposing old trails that had become overgrown. Greg Brown, Niantic, CT, put Bruce in the passenger seat of his ’73 Series III diesel, named “George,” and slowly puttered around the trails. Mildly concerned at his stop-start pace, I checked in with them, only to find Bruce leaning out of the passenger side window pruning branches and taking tree trimming to the next level. As they traveled the trails, Greg took GPS readings, enabling me to create and print trail maps for participants.
At the event, I joined other enthusiasts who sought to keep their Land Rovers dent-free. When Greg Brown told me, “Pat, we’re going for a ride and you’re taking your Series,” I gladly joined in. Many years ago, John Vallerand and I had restored “Grasshopper,” my ’65 Series IIA 88,” named after the Kung Fu character, and it has remained undamaged ever since (Damage potential is what my Rovers North-kitted out ’98 Discovery I is for.). On this run, I admired “Elinor,” the nicely restored Series III of Frank Limeberry, Lebanon, CT. I also noted that our modified “Lower Loop” trail entertained many newer enthusiasts who did multiple runs throughout the weekend.
Wanting more action, I ventured off with a group of Vermont Rover friends, including Kyle Madigan, NH, and Gavin Warren, NY.
I asked Noel Bishop, Fletcher, VT, to drive my Discovery while I photographed the run. On the ledge hill trail named “Gate Keeper,” I met Caleb McKenzie, Southington, CT, as he climbed the hill in his ‘96 Discovery I. He almost made it, until fetching up in a peculiar position on the steep incline. Noel and Rob Wollschlanger, Colchester, CT, quickly set a recovery winch line. Caleb remained relaxed, enjoying every moment!
After “Gatekeeper,” we continued on to the “Money Pit,” a bog typically saturated and impossible to pass through without a recovery. The drought made no difference; with every Rover passing through, the Pit became filled with thick, pasty mud. Some crawled through, others sank, and recovery lines started up again. I spent time with Vermont Rovers’ founder Glenn Parent, his daughter Mollie, Woodstock, VT, Mike Maruk, Lanesborough, MA, and his son Michael, applauding all the recovery efforts.
In addition to the “First” of new friends, this Maine Misfits included long-absent family members — John’s sisters Christine and Terry. Terry had traveled from her home in New Mexico to Maine to attend the Misfits in her 2016 Range Rover Sport diesel (later to become John’s Range Rover!). She beamed a big smile as we drove the trails together, and reminisced about searching out the annual Christmas tree with their father and Land Rover enthusiast, Bill, joined by the entire family.
Perhaps the greatest “First” of the event for me took place with the arrival of my wife, Cathy, and my mother, Stephanie Thibodeau, a retired teacher from nearby Turner, ME.
“Hey, Mom,” I called out. “Want to go for a ride in the woods?”
“Yes!” she exclaimed to my amazement.
We stuffed ourselves into my Land Rover, with young Rowan Kenney, Taunton, MA, joining Cathy in the back seat. As we toured the perimeter of the property, I felt as though I had traveled back in time to when I drove under my Learner’s Permit, with my Mon nervously watching every turn and wincing with each braking motion. Off-roading was not common for her, but I think she might have been hooked. As she told me later, “My very scenic ride through the ‘Misfits’ woods and riverbeds was full of unexpected muddy bumps and lurches. It was a beautiful day and it was fun watching grown men winch their Rovers out of the ruts as if they were still young boys playing in the dirt with their trucks! My ride was exhilarating, but I have to say — that is not how we taught our son to drive all those years ago.”
“Thanks for a great ride Pat — looking forward to doing it again next year!”
Not a first, but you do eat well at Maine Misfits. Friday evening, Mike Kenney, who never disappoints on his kindness, humor and cooking skills, joined Rob Wollschlager in creating 14 homemade pizzas, each one with a separate list of fresh ingredients, cooked in the camp’s propane oven and shared with everyone under the canopy lights. Mike’s puppy, Buzz, oversaw the operation and received lots of wanted attention. Saturday night featured the now-classic cookout by John’s daughter, Sharmane, and her husband Warren with many side dishes. At the Maine Misfits you will always eat well!
The 2025 Maine Misfits and Rover Bits gathering provided 40 Land Rovers and nearly 100 enthusiasts with an outstanding experience. This event is an example of the powerful relationship that exists with the Land Rover community, present and past. Many thanks to my friend and Maine Misfits and Rover Bits founder John Vallerand.
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