About Big Bear Countree

About Big Bear Countree

My name is Darrel Von, President of Big Bear Countree, Inc. and I’d like to share some of my story with you. Until nine years of age, I lived on the Oregon coast in the small community of Wheeler. My love for the outdoors began as soon as I could hold a fishing pole and shoot a popgun. My father had me reeling in my first salmon and following him on deer hunts at a young age.

From ages nine to twenty my family moved to McMinnville where my father was awarded a logging contract for Stimson Lumber Co. I bought my first wooden boat when I realized that I could harvest more bullfrogs from the water than from the brushy shoreline. Riding my bike four miles to school and playing sports (basketball, wrestling, track, football) was to play a big role in my childhood. My father taught me how to work hard in the woods and help my mom grow a garden. I graduated with honors in high school sports and received a Civil Engineering Degree from Portland Community College. My first motorcycle was a Honda 50cc trail bike at the young age of twelve, then a Trail 90, then a 305 Scrambler and I ended my motorcycle riding days on a 360 Yamaha at the age of twenty. It was to be my first and last mountain motorcycle race. My motorcycle was out of control as I descended down a steep hillside, lodging myself between a large fallen log and a small fir tree. I soon realized that I would be paralyzed from the chest (T-7) down, following the crash.

From age twenty to fifty-three the learning curve has been harsh, learning how to live with a paralyzed body. 1971 to 1987, I participated in wheelchair sports and started bookkeeping for my father's logging company. I computerized the logging company and was to become president of the company after the death of my brother and father. I continued to find ways to be out of the wheelchair and be free to enjoy the outdoors. I have endured some hard knocks along the way and hope I will learn from my mistakes. The Freedom Ryder bike, raft, four tracks, Argo, Cushman Trackster, Sea Doo wavers runner, 22ft. North River Sea Hawk and Mono Ski are some of the ways I have been able to do this.

Fifty-five years old and ”wheeling on,” these will surely be the best times of my life. I have retired from the family logging business and have started my life-long dream of Big Bear Countree, Inc. My Web site will help provide many idea’s on how to get around in the great outdoors via four track, Argo, trackster, raft, boat, bike, flying, shooting and much more. It will allow me to teach and learn from others who strive to make a better and more enjoyable life in this challenging world. You are more than welcome to come check out the above vehicles anytime!

Darrel

Telephone: 503.852.7926
Fax: 503.852.0152
Mailing Address: 17415 Panther Creek Rd.
Carlton, OR 97111



About Big Bear Countree My name is Darrel Von, President of Big Bear Countree, Inc. and I’d like to share some of my story with you. Until nine years of age, I lived on the Oregon coast in the small community of Wheeler. My love for the outdoors began as soon as I could hold a fishing pole and shoot a popgun. My father had me reeling in my first salmon and following him on deer hunts at a young age. From ages nine to twenty my family moved to McMinnville where my father was awarded a logging contract for Stimson Lumber Co. I bought my first wooden boat when I realized that I could harvest more bullfrogs from the water than from the brushy shoreline. Riding my bike four miles to school and playing sports (basketball, wrestling, track, football) was to play a big role in my childhood. My father taught me how to work hard in the woods and help my mom grow a garden. I graduated with honors in high school sports and received a Civil Engineering Degree from Portland Community College. My first motorcycle was a Honda 50cc trail bike at the young age of twelve, then a Trail 90, then a 305 Scrambler and I ended my motorcycle riding days on a 360 Yamaha at the age of twenty. It was to be my first and last mountain motorcycle race. My motorcycle was out of control as I descended down a steep hillside, lodging myself between a large fallen log and a small fir tree. I soon realized that I would be paralyzed from the chest (T-7) down, following the crash. From age twenty to fifty-three the learning curve has been harsh, learning how to live with a paralyzed body. 1971 to 1987, I participated in wheelchair sports and started bookkeeping for my father's logging company. I computerized the logging company and was to become president of the company after the death of my brother and father. I continued to find ways to be out of the wheelchair and be free to enjoy the outdoors. I have endured some hard knocks along the way and hope I will learn from my mistakes. The Freedom Ryder bike, raft, four tracks, Argo, Cushman Trackster, Sea Doo wavers runner, 22ft. North River Sea Hawk and Mono Ski are some of the ways I have been able to do this. Fifty-five years old and ”wheeling on,” these will surely be the best times of my life. I have retired from the family logging business and have started my life-long dream of Big Bear Countree, Inc. My Web site will help provide many idea’s on how to get around in the great outdoors via four track, Argo, trackster, raft, boat, bike, flying, shooting and much more. It will allow me to teach and learn from others who strive to make a better and more enjoyable life in this challenging world. You are more than welcome to come check out the above vehicles anytime! Darrel Telephone: 503.852.7926 Fax: 503.852.0152 Mailing Address: 17415 Panther Creek Rd. Carlton, OR 97111