Well, fellow forum member Rohtok was quick to point out at our last gathering that his spring/summer weekends are already filling in. His request was that we start looking at getting dates on a calender so he even stood a chance of attending at least one or more.
I'm inclined to agree. I'm hoping to support promote 3 minimum, in April, June and August

Lets talk April, and what any of you in the Puget sound would like to see.
4 Full weekends exist.

• 6th-7th
• 13th-14
• 20th-21st
• 27th-28th

Local events that I am aware of in April-
April 6th - Achtuning - cruse to Pt Townsend
- If you know of others speak up!

I'm attending the PT event unless weather is garbage. Bit younger crowd, but gearheads are gearheads.... and gearheads all love to drive, talk, and show off our toys. It would be nice to have the Brits show the flag in a event dominated by Audi and VW

So - what else is doable near the end of the month? (Mountains are still off limits)

• Whidbey Island via Pt Townsend
• Hood canal loop via 101
• Run to Astoria
• Run to Ocean shores
• Others?

Lets get a dialog started.
I like late April and Astoria via 101!


input?

Vince

(P.S. I'm still thinking St Helen's in June...)

 

Sigh.... Spring has almost sprung, and no responses so far.

My Thoughts for Astoria.
Depart Tacoma 9am, arrive McCleary 10:00 (Restrooms)
Depart McCleary, arrive Satsop 10:30 (Photo ops)
Depart Satsop, arrive North head Lighthouse 12:30 (or on to Astoria 12:00)
Depart North head arrive Astoria
1-2 hour lunch break Astoria
Depart Astoria, arrive Tacoma (2.5 Hours retrace, or 3 hrs via East Hwy-4 to I-5)
Remaining casual, round trip would be from 9-5. Parting dinner in Tacoma?

Is this something of interest, or too long for a spring run?

Whidbey Island is about the same....

V

 

Wow,

Cats are still hibernating in April?

 

OK, I'm up. Either of the last two weekends in April is great.

 

April 20/21 weekend works best for me.
Saturday for an Astoria run. That would give me all day Sunday to wind my way north back to the border in a round about way.
Whidbey Island would be good if it was a Sunday run depending on where you would want to start from.
Having done that trip recently I may be able to suggest some very cool roads well worth checking out on the mainland side heading back towards the Seattle area.
I could also then cut out and head north earlier in the day so I can make my last ferry.

I would love to join in so let me know what works for you guys.

Volleyball tounaments take care of the rest of April for me.

Allan

 

Good to see a few folks slowly waking to the approaching spring weather!

I would bow to the requests of the majority, but I ran Whidbey three times last year and tire of it. But if the Island gets the winning vote, I gladly hang with good people and great cars there and would do Astoria another weekend.

Although the Island "seems" a short run on paper, it is always a full day and returning to South Seattle is always around 6pm anyhow.... Figure Round trip to Astoria would be close to the same (I've never done it as a day-trip, although I have made Bremerton to Long Beach in 2.5 hours with minimal stops).

Keep in mind this is the Pacific Northwest, and spring here means rain...

So far the 20th leads

 

Still hoping for more attendees......... or alternate suggestions of destinations that will gather a greater number of cars!

Any of you Oregonians thinking bout meeting up for a pint in Astoria if this happens?

Maybe a group pic at the column?

I'm flexable, as long as i'm on the road to somewhere!

 

Hey Vince,

Just waking up from hibernation (or really a crazy work schedule). I would hope to join at least one drive a month or so. Very flexible on destinations, and timing on the weekends. Weather is only factor for me, it should be actually Spring out (like today!).

 

lol

Well a very fine spring mornin' to ya Mr. Marko!
Thought I had scared ya off after our Leavenworth feasc..... errr..... adventurer!
(shhhhhh don't tell the others bout the rain, snow, and giant carnivorous slugs we encountered on that last one...OK? These Cat owners are a bit skittish.)

Alas, we have a few brave souls eager for an April drive so far, and no real push to alter the destination from Astoria yet, so that's where I'm focusing right now till vetoed.
I admitted to MuddyDog today that I will not "pre-drive" this route, as I have driven it many times in the past. I'll count on slightly dated knowledge and a bit of luck to get us there and back... (I use to run it yearly for 10-15 years, but stopped a few years back.)

I will hope for good weather, but only a storm of serious concern will have me asking to cancel... Non stop rain might be worth avoiding, but if I see it as "partly sunny" or "chance of showers", then it wont hold me back. I am a Washingtonian after all...

The June drive is "slowly" focusing on the 15th, but we plenty of time to refine that one.

Vince

 

Plenty of choice for a local brewed pint in Astoria.
Have fun!

 

Astoria sounds nice, and I haven't been there.
Optional Tacoma dinner before break-up sounds nice too.

 

Weather doesn't scare me, but slugs...

 

Thats right! I was going to go look up that old info you gave me a ways back... You recommended a few down near the wharf district.
Names again?

V

 

April 20th is a possibility... I'm a tentative yes.

 

I'm good for 13th or 20th for where ever ~ when ever.
I just have to commit ahead of time as its a Friday/Saturday overnighter for me so I can be there first thing in the am.
Weather.....I've driven in rain before. Unless it's insanely bad or snow I'm game.

 

Well, lets lock this in for the 20th. We'll watch Ocean Shores and Astoria weather for our key indicators.

Biggest thing I see is that it is going to be a FULL days drive. The 2.5 hrs down is misleading when you take in the sights and side roads. Considering those delays. Closer to 4+ going south and 3 on the return.

Looking at the numbers says we might want to leave earlier or rethink?


SOUTHBOUND
Tacoma, WA to Astoria, OR - Google Maps

A to B (Tacoma to McCleary) - restrooms
51 miles
55 Minutes

B to C (McCleary to SATSOP) - Photo Ops
13 miles
21 minutes

C to D (SATSOP to North head Lighthouse) Photo Ops
84 mile
1hr 51 minutes

D to E (North Head Lighthouse to Astoria) Photo Ops
19 miles
32 minutes

TOTALS FOR SOUTHBOUND
165 - 167 miles
3 hrs 40 Minutes (Does not include stops)


<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

NORTHBOUND

5 routes from Astoria

1.) West on Hwy 4 to I-5 (Kelso) to Tacoma
Astoria, OR to Tacoma, WA - Google Maps
3 hrs 14 minutes
173 miles

2.) West on Hwy 30 to I-5 (Kelso) to Tacoma
Astoria, OR to Tacoma, WA - Google Maps
2 hrs 42 minutes
150 miles

3.) Retrace 101 to Hwy 6 to I-5 to Tacoma (Stop Rainbow falls ~ 74 miles)
Tacoma, WA to Astoria, OR - Google Maps
3 hrs 5 minutes
162 miles

4.) Retrace 101 Route
Astoria, OR to Tacoma, WA - Google Maps
2hrs 47 minutes
147 Miles

5.) Hwy 4 to 411 to 603
http://goo.gl/maps/MlWOV
4hrs 32 minutes
180 miles



Input please...
V

 

Sounds great to me.
What time and where do we start from?

Just got the big nod from the other half so I am going to make a meal of it!


I vote for option 4 back.......less freeway travel. The trip always looks different on the way back even if its on the same road.

Also it (selfishly) gives me the option to do the Olympic loop on the way back to the great white north on Sunday via Aberdeen, Forks, Port Angeles and on to the Port Townsend ferry.............but don't let that influence anyone else if they prefer the freeways due to time constraints.

Allan

 

WooHoo!

I'd say a meet point in Tacoma. Krispy Kreme Donuts, next to the Tacoma Mall?
4302 Tacoma Mall Boulevard, Tacoma, WA 98409 - Google Maps

If it were up to me, I'd prefer an 8AM start as it gives good morning lighting (9:30ish) at SATSOP for pics, and puts us in the Columbia River Area around noon. Figure between lunch and a stop at (Astoria column) we are going to be there at least two hours.

If weather is not cooperative, 9AM would work and folks can sleep in a tad longer Saturday. Just slide the time table forward.

Tacoma dinner ideas anyone? (I favor American or Italian, but can find something on most menus.)

 

I'm in & open to different routes back. Think I would prefer non-freeway too, I drove that too much when I lived down there.

Tacoma dinner should be by the water (North Tacoma). If we wanna get fancy, "Shenanigan's" (great food, beers, bar, waterviews). Or, just next to it the "RAM", less fancy also good. Both places have easy parking.

 

We often go camping down near Ilwaco, WA. Great spot there... so I'm very familiar with these roads. I'll need to get buy off from wifey on an early start, as that may exclude her. She's doing a Pacific Science Center campout with middle child Friday night, and may not be back in time. /chuckle

Either way, it's definitely a longer day. 8 hours in the car, easy.