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Clevername and I were talking about reviving this here forum a little bit, maybe pump the COVID out of our tanks, and trying to pull together a 1/2 day drive on July 10 or 11th. I'll be honest, I haven't cleared it with the boss yet, but I bet I can make one of those dates work. We were tossing around some tried-and-true ideas like a Whidbey Island cruise or a run to Satsop, but there's nothing in stone. I think we both agreed that an all-day drive might be a little much to launch this season, but rather something light and easy to start.
I'm gonna be camping with the dirt bikes that weekend up in Lil' Naches. But if y'all decide to do 410 over Chinook Pass, I'll show you where I am and you can come by for a beer break and a quick buzz on a dirt bike if you like.
I just booked tickets to fly to England that weekend. I'll be out for most of July, but I'll keep an eye out in case you guys decide to do another one this year.
Have there been short drives in the past that anyone was partial to?
Satsop
Whidbey (Maybe Lunch in Oak Harbor or Coupville?)
Mountain Loop Rd. (an in and out drive)
Lunch in LaConner
Chinook Pass
As Muddy says, some of these may be too long a day for a first run, so lets keep it simple
Rats!
Once again I have to miss it due to a prior commitment. I'll be driving the Jag that weekend, Friday over to Wenatchee and back Sunday. May even be able to get in lunch Sunday at Andreas Keller in Leavenworth. I miss you guys, maybe later in July or in August we can do a drive.
2 weeks! Saturday Jul 10th
Whidbey or Satsop?
Satsop is less traffic (ish) and maybe bring a lunch, or stop in Tacoma (BJ's?) for a parting bite and brew.
Whidbey has State parks and eateries, but will be in traffic one end to the other.
Muddy and I got together today, with two possible drives on SATURDAY the 10th
The first and easiest is lunch at LaConner. We meet up at the Smoky point rest area off I-5 north and strike out from there. Not a lot of back road stuff, but it is a pleasant drive once you are away from I-5.
After a tasty meal, folks can go their separate ways and still have part of the afternoon left for other things.
The longer drive to Satsop has a freeway distance to Olympia before we jump to back roads and cross Capital forest via a single lane paved road following a creek. Then up to the towers for pics n stuff. Folks can part ways from there, or maybe agree on a place to eat in Elem or west Olympia before hand.
Start, Smoky Point Rest Area Start Krispy Kreme, Tacoma
Copy and past the list with your name added to it, and state your preferred destination!
I assent! Also I'm OK with either drive. Also I bow to Clever's all powerful Google Maps skills.
Small groups are sometimes the most fun, so don't be worried about coming out even if there isn't a huge crowd. If you don't have an FRS radio someone will have an extra to share. We drive rain or shine! We try and make sure everyone is gathered before we leave (don't want to leave anyone behind!), so not a bad idea to PM your cell phone number to someone in case of running late.
We're getting down to the wire on this one. Is it OK if we just call it for a driver's meeting at Krispy Kreme in Tacoma at 10 AM and then head south? The backroad across the Capitol State Forest sounds interesting, something new to try. Again, if you're interested please post up here or send a PM so we all know who to look for. The timing looks like we'll be pulling into Satsop for some photos and grabbing a lunch in Elma before we break for home. This will be a pretty easy, laid back drive without an all-day commitment.
Gads!
Rahtok, MrWhite and Swimref! Gonna miss you all!
Ah well, let;s hope for more drives this summer, and maybe a resurrection of the Annual Leavenworth run!
Just need folks to raise their hands and trigger a few more gatherings for all. Clearly Muddy and I are burnt out, but with so many here in the Pacific Northwest I'm sure someone has a few weekends free to drive somewhere this summer!