[CobraDVM]

I think it's time to post up a few details of a trip a few of us in the Seattle area are planning. There are about 4 of us that are planning a 2 week trip departing Seattle on Saturday or Sunday July 2nd or 3rd. From there we head down I5 to Portland, and then head over to the coast.
Then it's down Highway 101 all the way to Napa Valley. We're planning on staying in Napa for a day or so for wine tasting and eating at fine restaurants!
After Napa we cross the Golden Gate Bridge and head on down the coast passing through Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, and San Lius Obispo. Eventually we'll arrive in LA and hook up with the LA crowd for dinner hopefully.
Then next morning we're planning on doing Mulholland Drive, and then we're driving up to Button Willow to do a track day the next day (Saturday July 10th).
After that we head up Highway 395 through Sequoia and Yosemite to Reno and then across to Thunderhill where we have a second track day scheduled on Thursday July 14th.
The next couple of days we basically hoof it back up to Portland and Seattle via I5 arriving back home on Saturday July 16th or thereabouts.

We've been in touch with SJDave, and if we can get 15 cobras at Thunderhiill on the 14th, there's a good chance we could have a dedicated cobra run group. So even if you can't join us for the trip, if you can make it for the track day, that would be awesome.

So far the intrepid travellers include..
Howard Robinson (ie me - CobraDVM)
Arch Fonken (Arch F)
Nate Hines (Nate)
Joe Caropepe (caropepe).
Dave (SJDave) - joining us from Napa to Thunderhill

If you would like to join us, just post to this thread, or shoot me a PM. Feel free to join us for a day or for the whole 14 days or somewhere in between. I have a mailing group setup and I can add people who are interested. I have a spreadsheet started and I forward that out as things get updated.

Also feel free to add suggestions etc - nothing is really set in stone other than the track days.

I can't wait - yeah - there's risks of bad weather, and breakdowns etc, but we're basically going to prepare as best we can, and then just go for it.

Howard.

 

[Arch F]

Things are firming up for this trip.
Some of us have signed up for Buttonwillow on July 10th and for Thunderhill on July 14th.

The plan is still pretty much as Howard described it above. Drive down the coast, make some noise along the way. Hope more folks decide to join us along the way.

The legal mumbo jumbo would tell you that we are just a group of guys out for a fun time and not an organized tour group. Still, everyone is welcome to come along.

Here's to a fun summer.
Arch

 

[UrQ]

So you guys heading off this Saturday? Best of luck, whishs for good weather and no mechanical or butt in seat problems. I have a per milage + gas fee for any pick-ups. Give us some daily updates.

 

[Arch F]

I am heading out on Wednesday to get together with a group from SoCal who are driving up to the wine country for the weekend. I will be meeting up with the rest of the Seattle group on Monday along with at least one person from Northern Cal. for the trip down the PCH through Carmel and on to SoCal.

The two scheduled track days will be my first, so I put the passenger roll bar in, looks strange to me but I will get used to it.

It looks like I will trailer from here to the wine country as both Wednesday and Thursday have rain in the forecast from here to southeren Oregon.

When I did this trip last year, my one regret was that I did not allow enough time to get together with folks from the forums. This year it is all about getting together and haveing fun with fellow travelers.

I think this will be a very fun trip,
Arch

 

[Stinson Pilot]

Sounds like a great trip. Wish I could join you guys.

Drive safe...make lots of noise :evil:

 

[2FAST4U]

Hey you guys. I live just off the 101 freeway northwest of Los Angeles. Would love to have you guys stop by to say "hi". I can try and get some local Cobras to stop by as well. Let me know.

 

[Paul Best]

Bon Voyage intrepid travelers!

Monday, June 27--Howard, Arch, Joe, and Nate--have a wonderful fun filled trip and take lots of pictures. I am truly envious. I just got my car back this morning and a waiver to boot for my new license tabs. My mechanic/emission specialist said that with my cam, it is doubtful that I will ever pass the emission test. So, it's either go with a "Collectors tag" , just pay for the waiver every two years, or put a regular Mustang cam back into the engine. He did tell me that I have two cylinders (1 & 4) that are only scoring 120 psi on the compression test. He suspects a burned or stuck valve but we won't find that out until I take the heads off. I should be good to drive all of this summer but it needs to be addressed during the upcoming winter slow period. Drive safe and have a ton of fun. Paul :icon18:

 

[Arch F]

Paul,
Saddle up and come along! Its not too late.

Bill,
Howard, CobraDVM, is in charge of logistics and I know that he is planning on us getting together with some SoCal guys. It would be great to see you again and have some time to talk and swap lies

Arch

 

[Paul Best]

You're putting the pressure on Arch!

Monday, June 27--Hi Arch, You are putting the pressure on me. Actually, I have been sitting here looking at a back road (no freeways) trip from home to Taos, NM. Using the backroads makes it a 1613 mile trip, one way, and it goes through some of the most beautiful parts of the US. The desire to take this car on a long trip is really stirring in me. Of course, my wife says I'm nuts. At my age this is something I need to do now. You guys blaze the trail for me and I will try to start mine next summer. Have a great time Arch. Paul :001_rolleyes:

 

[Arch F]

Paul,
First, we never ever use age as a reason or excuse to not do something. You are right, it is a reason to do it now!

Ten years ago I took my CBR 1000 on a loop that included Taos. Down Hwy 1 from here to LA, over to Tucson, over to Las Cruces, up through Taos, Denver, Yellowstone, Greatfalls, turned left and came home. Rules were, minimize interstates, eat at non chain restaurants, and stay in non chain hotels. Changed my mind somewhere in New Mexico on the chain hotel thing. Great trip. Your car would be outstanding for such a trip!!!!!

My next adventure will likely be Americas Great Loop (google it) by boat. Couple of years away.

You could drive with the guys on Saturday down into Oregon and come back up on Sunday.

Arch

 

[CobraDVM]

Paul - you are absolutely welcome to join us if you can make it for all or part. The plan is to go from Seattle to the OR coast on day one, to Norcal on day 2, and Napa Valley on day 3. From there we cruise around the wine country for a day before heading on south. I can forward you my spreadsheet - it has a list of where and when we are staying with phone numbers etc. Let me know if you want me to forward it to you.

Departure time is the Southcenter Lowe's parking lot at 10am this Saturday. Weather is looking good so far.

 

[Go Hard or Go Home]

Who has a go pro camera? We want, scratch that, we DEMAND daily updates with lots of pictures and video of the highlights (like the tracks).

Have fun and I can't tell you how jealous I am.

 

[Paul Best]

I thought about it hard!

Wednesday, June 29--Hi Howard and Arch, Your kind invitation made for a lot of thinking about it, but I have to say "not this time". I just have too much on my plate to make the trip with you. Once again, have a great time and I will look forward to hearing all about it when you all get safely back home. Lots of pictures please. Paul :snake:

 

[James460]

the mile high cobra club of denver, co does a 5 day trip each year.
2 of us trailered down to denver, then on to gunnison, co., moab, ut. (2 days there playing), greenwood, co. then back to denver. 24 cars from across the US went.
Keep in mind for next year.

The cascade cobra club (oregon) is doing a 3 day trip July 15.16.17 this year.
Still time to make reservations.

 

[Nate]

This is going to be great. The weather is looking good. There's a good crew going. Paul, it's not too late to join in! I've wanted to do this trip my whole life.

 

[UrQ]

First day status? Any carnage?

 

[CobraDVM]

Just got back into my hotel room after dinner at the local Rogue brewery and a couple of cold ones that hit the spot after a long day in the saddle. We pulled out of Seattle around 10am, and after winding our way through the stupid mall parking lot we figured out how to get on the freeway and were on our way. We took I5 all the way down to Portland, and then hung a right and headed out to the coast and through Tillamook. The only carnage we saw was what appeared to be a manufactured home that had fallen off its trailer - fortunately it was in the northbound lane - massive traffic jam. Cops were everywhere - so far no speeding tickets. Traffic was a little heavy from Tacoma to Olympia, but it kept moving so not too bad. Didn't stop at the Tillamook factory - it was north, and we headed south. It was great to get to the cool sea breeze on the coast.

Cars are all running well - only issues so far are Nate's car is throwing a couple of codes but nothing major so far, and I have a squeak that I can't figure out where it's coming from! Mileage for today was about 360 or so. My 408 is managing about 14 mpg - not great, but not too bad I guess.

Here's a couple of photos...

Getting ready to leave...

Joe and his dad, Sam.

Yours truly...

Nate flying solo for this part of the trip...

View from the driver seat...

Cool sea breezes - oh yeah!

Crossing a bridge in Newport OR...

 

[Paul Best]

Looking good traveling guys!

Saturday, July 2--Howard, and fellow travelers, Your weather looks fantastic. Glad to hear that everybody's cars are running good. You guys look great on the highway. That picture of the ocean on your right was just perfect and I'll bet that air smelled good as well. Keep up the good work and thanks for the pictures. I was at the Exotics show this morning. There were a lot of neat Alfa Romeos and there were so many Ferrari's that they parked them on the main street of Redmond Town Center. There had to be 50 or 60 of them. The rest of us were in the normal parking lot by the Claim Jumper and Desert Fire Restaurants. Only two Cobras, mine and a Superformance. Weather was beautiful here also. Good traveling guys. You're making memories of a lifetime. Is that your son in the car with you Howard, taking the pictures? That's really neat the Joe has his dad with him. How fun is that? Paul :001_rolleyes:

 

[FFR5163]

Yankees:

We southerners (Southern California) are monitoring your progress and will set up the appropriate ambush when you reach our borders!

Have fun, you are on a great route!

 

[vnmsss]

Thanks for letting us "borrow" Arch for a few days.....We all know he likes road trips, but we're pretty sure the needle moved a little closer to "addicted" to road trips over the last few days. :icon18:....GGB this morning, redwoods, and of course, some more big waves......Safe travels guys and hope to see you in So Cal!!!!

K