Candie

Co-Founder of CCJ

Welcome to Cherokee County Jeepers! I’m glad you’re here and interested in our club. Always remember, this club was created for YOU!
I am a mom of four adult humans, 3 kitties, and one husband. I have had a passion for Jeeps for 20 years, but didn’t start my adventures until 2014. My first Jeep was a 2007 Silver 2 door Jeep Wrangler (JK) on a 3” puck lift and 33’s. Her name was Ms. Piggy because she LOVED mud! Like top off, doors off, LOVED mud! My very first trail was Tray Mountain/ Chimney Mountain Side. I thought it was the scariest thing I ever done in a Jeep. Now, I look back and laugh at myself!
In 2017, I said goodbye to Ms. Piggy and purchased a 2017 Chief Blue 4 door Jeep Wrangler (JKU) named Molly. She loves spending time in the shop and spending all my money! She has a Mopar 4” Lift, 37” Cooper STTPs, Limited Slip (worm) gears, winch, and a few additional parts that have been donated to keep her alive! LOL
My second Jeep Ride was Sheeps Wallow (renamed Iron Mountain Park). Ms. Piggy broke her rear track bar, and the group we were with left us behind! We had no clue what we were doing, so we limped home. I vowed from that moment forward, NOBODY would EVER be left on the trails! Even if it was 3am, I would be there until they got their Jeep off the trail or at least got themselves to a safe place. 

I am an extrovert and enjoy the company of others. I love teaching newbies how to enjoy the passion of Jeeping. Since all the repairs of Ms. Piggy, I’ve become fonder of rocks than mud, but a little mud is okay. I love a challenge, but I do remind myself I have to drive home! If it could kill me, I’ll take pictures for you!
I love anything Jeeps, Chocolate covered in more chocolate, and Kitties! I want to pet all the kitties!! I will probably die in a Jeep or petting something I shouldn’t! Haha. I’m pretty well known as the mom of the group. If you ever have a question, comment, complaint or concern, my PMs are open! How can we improve as people if we aren’t willing to know where we can improve?? If I don’t have the answer, I will find it for you! I love to learn and I love new adventures! I am truly blessed to work with such an amazing group of admins who keep me grounded (most of the time). I hope we get to know each other through this journey called life! 0|||||||0

Mark

Co-Founder of CCJ

Hey! Welcome to Cherokee County Jeepers! My wife and I created this group in 2016 for Jeep enthusiasts just like you!
We started off-roading shortly after a trip to Jeepfest, when we bought our first Jeep; well she claimed it as HERS, so I bought my own- a 93 ZJ with a front lunchbox locker. Her name was Bruce-Caitlin and she was a BEAST! Because she was so cheap, I didn’t care about abusing her and I did! It’s true what they say, you can’t kill a 4.0! Soak up water in the motor? Just pull the plugs and she keeps on going! Ask me how I know.

Once we retired Bruce-Caitlin to another family, I ended up with a 2007 Jeep Wrangler JKU, which I still have. His name is Sheepdog. He has a 6” lift, limited slip diffs, and 37s. We’ve shared many great (and not so great) memories over the past years including trips all over GA, TN and AL, numerous trips to the shop and a few rides on the back of a rollback.

While you may not see me much on the trails, I usually attend meets and am working behind the scenes. My strengths as an admin are organizing, logistics and basically keeping my wife under control (it’s a tough job, I know).

If I were to offer a new Jeep owner any advice, it would be get AAA! Those 3 free tows per year come in handy. Haha… But seriously, pay attention to advice especially if it’s from those who have experience. If they say you can do it, trust them. If they say you can’t, then don’t. And don’t be afraid to enjoy the trails! You may break something, but that just means upgrades! Just laugh it off because life is too short to be upset about things you can’t control.

Savannah

CCJ Admin

I’m Savannah, a Cherokee County native who grew up in Ball Ground as the seventh generation of my family to call this area home. I’ve been around Jeeps and dirt since before I could walk—my childhood was spent riding four-wheelers and bouncing around the family property in my papaw’s CJ-7 and my mamaw’s early-’90s white XJ. I guess you could say off-roading is in my blood. These days, I have two Jeeps keeping that tradition alive. My 1999 white Cherokee Limited (XJ), affectionately named Betty White, sits on a 3.5” lift with 31” tires and a winch—she’s the classy old girl who never quits (and makes sure I get to work and back home). My second Jeep is a 1997 Wrangler (TJ) on a 2.5” lift and 35s, also winched up and ready for fun. I haven’t fully settled on a name for her yet, but some folks have started calling her Dixie Lee, and it’s starting to stick. When I’m not on the trails, I work as a Junior Staff Accountant , where my love for numbers and organization keeps me busy balancing books instead of boulders. I graduated from Chattahoochee Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science in Accounting, along with several specialized certificates, and I’m currently pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Accounting & Data Analysis at Liberty University—with plans to sit for the CPA exam after graduation. I’ve been off-roading for as long as I can remember, and my favorite part is the mix of challenge and camaraderie—you never know what the trail (or the people) are going to throw at you. My biggest strength? Definitely my right foot, which has been known to get me both into and out of trouble. My best advice for newer off-roaders is simple: don’t be afraid to ask questions, charge your radio, air down, and always pack snacks. I’m currently finding my way into leading easy rides for the group and love helping newer members feel confident out on the trails. When I’m not in the driver’s seat, you can usually find me spending time with my husband, Colby, and our dog, or working behind the scenes with the CCJ admin team. Whether it’s mud, rocks, or just getting a little lost for fun, I’m always up for an adventure and happy to lend a hand—or a tow strap—when needed.

Colby

CCJ Admin

32 yrs old from Jasper GA. Heavy Equipment Diesel Mechanic, got my first jeep when I was 16 which was an XJ that I’ve been in love with ever since, I am now on my 4th and 5th XJ, plus a TJ, all 3 of which I’ve built myself for different purposes. I grew up working on stuff with my dad and building/racing RC cars, dirt bikes, four wheelers, anything with wheels that could be raced or jumped I did it. Never liked sports, always wanted to be tinkering on something. If I bought a vehicle I had to change the head lights and cut the muffler off, lol. CCJ has been an incredible outlet for me to meet new friends, make memories with my wife and do some good for the community. Its been a blast the last couple years attending and hosting rides/meet ups and looking forward to doing more of the same!

Paul

CCJ Admin

Hello everyone, I am Paul aka Jeepin’ Jesus and live in Woodstock, GA. I am a residential and commercial wildlife control specialist and moonlight as a knife maker/machinist. I have a beautiful wife Laura, and 2 little girls.

My Jeep is a 2021 Wrangler Rubicon ecodiesel and it sits on a 2.5” lift with 37” tires and his name is Huck. Like most good nicknames, it is a given name not chosen. One year we had a kerfuffle in Coppinger Cove which ended up with me being shirtless, shoeless, and covered in mud. Given my surname, Huck fit quite well and funny enough Huckleberry was my father’s CB handle when he was a on-the-road trucker.

I started my passion of offroading as a teenager with a lifted Chevy Silverado K1500 in 2002. I drifted away, pun intended, to sports cars and sliding sideways for most of my 20’s. Then ended up in Ouray, CO with a rental Wrangler and my love for being off pavement was reignited.

I am what some may refer to as a rock-lander. I absolutely love camping/overlanding but am a sucker for rock crawling shenanigans. So thus my vehicle setup is not full on in either direction but a mixture of both.

One of my favorite aspects of this hobby is enjoying nature and seeing places I have never been to. Along with sharing these experiences with my children and others who also haven’t experienced these things. I greatly enjoy empowering others to conquer their fears and love seeing the look of relief and accomplishment when they do so. I am also a big believer in researching topics and thus have gained a ton of knowledge surrounding vehicles, modifications, mapping, and the “do’s and don’ts”  that we should all adhere to.

I am a  Trailguide for OnX Offroad, and have undergone Treadlightly training for said role, and have been for a few years now. That would be my biggest strength in reference to this hobby. I am very familiar with the forest service roads, offroad parks, and lesser known trail systems. I can quickly create a sound route that will not be encumbered by closures, and that make sense logistically.

If anyone has questions about anything regarding our rides, the group, modifications, parts suggestions, etc. I am more than happy to help.

David

CCJ Admin

I have always had a love of off roading and camping. After years of wanting a Jeep I made the decision to get a Wrangler, thinking I would just ride forest service roads and take the top off occasionally. Little did I know the addiction would grow.

I discovered Overlanding and found my place at CCJ. I spend several weeks each year doing overlanding trips across the country. I enjoy the occasional rock crawling trip but my heart is with overlanding. Being able to go out and explore places most people don’t take the time to see.

I manage the business, tech and financial side for a local company as their CFO.