Greetings all,
Our attempt at the Fifth Annual Leavenworth drive was washed out thanks to a rapidly moving storm hitting both sides for the pass.

It is time to discuss our fall-back plans (which in hindsight should have already been on the table)
Two dates remain possible before we have to worry about snow elevations coming to play.

Next Saturday the 24th is the Autumn Leaf Festival, and a colorful event to be sure. Also it provides free access to State Parks to enhance a drive.
The Saturday after, (Oct 1st), is Ocktober Fest, and perhaps one of the most attended events of the year.

Two conflicting side events set in the wings: A Seattle Jag Club drive (24th), and possible British Day at Exotics@RTC (pending but unknown).

Can we push for the 24th, and still hold the 1st in emergency reserve?

I refuse to allow the annual Cascadia Cats Leavenworth Drive to die this year, so even a limited number of cars may be all we have, provided weather shows us mercy and blue skies on the other side of the pass.

I'm in for the 24th

Thoughts? (and quickly please)
Vince

 

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Thanks for getting on this so quickly.

The Seattle Jag Club drive is October 1st leaving from Everett. But I may join you guys instead if you choose October 1st.

I can't do September 24th. I'm doing the Tough Mudder challenge - woot! Rain is still in the forecast on the 24th. But we all know how easily that could change.

 

Thanks XJD
Rain itself typically will not stop the CCTL drive, because as we know, the summit typically puts us in clear weather where those vert owners get a chance to drop the top and enjoy. Last Saturdays storm stole any opportunity to relax behind the wheel, even on the other side.

Let's hope for no rain at all, but the possibility of light showers should still let us proceed.

Vince

I'd love to do Oktoberfest, but the crowd is one issue (many other car clubs make that run) and personal concern of drunk drivers (and the ton of of patrol cars looking for them) would be another.
Holding to the 1st gives folks time to schedule, but cuts any chance for a backup plan in half (but not impossible).

Interest in the 24th?
1.) Clevername
2.)
3.)
4.)

Interest in Oct 1st?
1.) Clevername
2.) MuddyDog
3.) JXDanny

 

Karen and I have faithfully attended all 4 previous editions of this wonderful drive, but sadly will have to miss this one unless it gets postponed until Oct. 16th or later. Incidentally, we went ahead by ourselves and drove a couple hours up and back on the Stevens Pass Highway yesterday (9/17). While it was certainly overcast we had periods of no rain alternating with light rain and once or twice briefly medium rain. The automatic wipers were either off or on intermittent except a few seconds here and there on low, never once on high. There were no high winds. I have no idea what the fuss was all about, the weather was perfectly normal for this time of year in every way. At least traffic was fairly light, I guess others were also frightened by forecasts (perhaps forgetting that weather forecasting in this part of the world is a very inexact science or that weather can be very different here even in nearby areas). If there was a "storm" in some part of the region it was not on Highway 2 while we were on it.

I hope you all have a great time as always on this drive and I also hope we can have a few fall or even winter drives at lower elevations. I'm looking forward to it.

 

Thanks Kev, it was already tough enough calling the shots as we saw them, and what was done is done.

I watched live Radar for most of the day (especially watching Hwy 2), viewed Leavenworths web cams....and had winds beating my house enough to make me think I may get called in to work for power outages! All that and watching 6 of 9 cars drop out of the event.

I can regret making the call, but at the time I talked to Muddy he agreed with my decision based on the info we had on hand.

Sorry to disappoint. Beers on me next time.

V

 

I'm down for either date. If the 24th, I'll be solo going there, but coming back with my son since he - now that he's in high school - will be marching in the Autumn Leaf Parade

24th is first preference, with 1st as Plan B.

Ken

 

Glad you're still on-board Ken.
I'm leaning towards the 1st, to give folks time to move things around on their calendar, but lets hear from a few more to see if we can build our numbers back up.

Interest in the 24th?
1.) Clevername
2.) Rahtok
3.) KenAdamson
4.)
5.)

Interest in Oct 1st?
1.) Clevername
2.) MuddyDog
3.) JXDanny
4.) KenAdamson
5.)
6.)

 

I'm in for the 24th, but out for Oct 1st -- that's the BrickCon LEGO convention downtown. I'm tied up participating.

BTW, just to poke a bit -- you know what happens when it rains on Bentley's and Rollers? They go out in the rain!

 

Looking further down the calendar... what about Sunday the 9th?

 

This is a group drive... I'll go with whatever gets us the largest number of cars.
I cant see Sundays working well for family reasons, but the 8th?... maybe....
Might be cutting it close on pass conditions using that weekend....

 

Who can do the 8th besides me? Anyone?

 

I could do the 8th or 9th I think.

 

I'm thinking the 24th is too soon for most folks to recover and set schedules.
So, to give folks time... Why dont we call the 1st as the date, with the 8th as a fall-back?

 

9... 9... 9... 9!

 

I could do the 8th or 9th but prefer the 9th. I suggest watching the weather and calling the date with the best forecast a week out.

 

On the off chance that the 9th doesn't work out (maybe it will rain) perhaps the next Sunday, the 16th could be considered. We will be back from Europe then and would love to go (can't make the 15th). I know mid October is a little late to be certain to beat an early winter but most years this date would be OK. I doubt Sunday rather than Saturday would be a problem for most folks.

 

One thing after another... 1st is out for me. 9th is still good.

 

If still allowed, the German spy will join any day. 🇩🇪🍻💪😇

 

I propose rain or shine, the 9th. If it's SUPER bad weather, I'll bring the Diesel Battle Wagon and we'll Truck-Pool for Beer n Sausages.