The Mansion Inn in Lake Stevens is a very cool Victorian Bed and Breakfast in Lake Stevens, which is 25 minutes from Monroe. Here's a link for more info:

https://maps.apple.com/place?address...Lake%20Stevens

 

And on another note...

Jumpstarting the sucker now...

Weren't we just talking about this problem?

 

1.) Clevername
2.) Muddydog
3.) Growler05
4.) Wardpilot
5.) KenAdemson
6.) Rahtok
7.) XJDanny
8.) ?
9.) ?
10.) ?
11.) ?
12.) ?

 

Thanks, is this around where we will be ending or starting? Also, could I get some sort of routed map of the drive? From what I can tell it's up in the air for a specific route. Might work for the locals but not for me

 

Sorry mprinvale, I've not done well at the routing stuff as Muddy asked me to do this year. I'll see if I can get a map posted.

The short version is:
Meet in Monroe 8:15 - 8:45 Depart at 9am
Take Hwy 2 East to Leavenworth, arriving about 12:00
Depart Leavenworth after maybe 2 hours (food and fun).
Drive southwest via Hwy 97 to Cle Elum for a break.
Then jump on I-90 west to return to the Seattle side of the mountain range.
If enough are interested, we find a place to have a parting meal and brew, somewhere around Issiquah.

.>>>>>The long version:<<<<<<<
In general, we all meet in front of Safeway in Monroe WA between 8:15 and 8:45am.
this gives us 30 minutes of chatting, getting introductions and instructions out of the way. Donuts are provided and Starbucks or McDonnals are there if your inclined.
We try to time our departure east on Hwy 2 around 9am. There are several common stops along the way to stretch our legs, take photos, use restrooms and such.
There are only 2 route options as we approach Leavenworth. The first is to stay on Hwy 2, while the second takes us by Lake Wenatchee, and into Leavenworth via Hwy 209 (Chumstick Rd). We will decide which route that morning at Safeway.

We arrive in Leavenworth around noon for brauts and a brew, leaving enough time to visit a few shops afterwords.

Returning west is via Hwy 97 and I-90. We stop in Cle Elum at Dairy Queen for treats and restroom break. Some require gas about there as well.

By the time we arrive at Issiquah, we commonly loose a few of our group as they stay in Leavenworth, or part ways as we pass by their homes.

A dinner parting is totally dependent on who remains, and is talked out on the radios as we summit Snoqualmie Pass. The day is long, arriving in Issiquah around 5 or 6pm, and there have been a few times that all were tired enough to skip it and head for home, but for those willing, we kinda wing it for a place to eat. (I always rely on those that know that area to help pick a place.)

The pace:
This is advertised as a family event, but we find ourselves split into two groups referred to as 'Spirited' and 'Scenic'. The smaller 'Spirited' group (more often lead by myself) tend to leap ahead, and carve corners where we can, while the 'Scenic' gang follow the speed limits, and enjoy the wonderful countryside.
Those in the 'Scenic' group dictate the drive, so those choosing to leap ahead are required to stop at known points and allow us all to regroup for photo ops and restroom breaks.

Hope it helps...
Vince

 

The Mansion Inn is about 20 or 25 minutes north of where we start. I live near Monroe where we start so I'll probably come back the way we started rather than follow the group via Issaquah.

 

Thanks for the route and update! Going to checkout places to stay down near Ellensburg and get back to you.

 

If it were me, I'd look for two nights near SeaTac. Plenty of hotel options near the airport.
Puts you just under an hour out from Monroe for the start, and 30 minutes or less from the finish. Unless you were looking at taking 97 all the way down to the Columbia (beautiful drive BTW)

V

 

1.) Clevername
2.) Muddydog
3.) Growler05
4.) Wardpilot
5.) KenAdemson
6.) Rahtok
7.) XJDanny
8.) Marko
9.) ?
10.) ?
11.) ?
12.) ?

 

Thanks, Clever, for doing all this work. Round of applause! Guys, Clever really came to my rescue this year by taking this thing back on. I just couldn't put one more thing on my plate. Hope you can make it, mprinvale.

 

Dang Muddy.... Now the pressure is on....

So here is the overall route map(s)

Full Route


Side road: Ben Howard Rd


Side road: Old Cascade Hwy


Alternate route: Chumstick Hwy


Alternate route: Hwy 2


Return route: Hwy 97


Weather is looking good so far!
Vince

 

"T-Minus 10...9...8...7...6...5...4..."
The countdown has begun!

I've cleaned and waxed the XKR already, but thanks to the rain (WooHoo BTW!) she's already a dirty girl. (If I could only take her in the shower (or bed) with me...sigh........ oh...wait... sorry...was that my inside voice? eeep!)

Offered my silver XK to my son for the drive, hoping he' grab the chance and his girlfriend to join in... Alas, his work got in the way... Would have been nice to have him and both my cars on the trip.

But....... Any of you sitting on the fence, this is really not the drive you want to miss.

Regardless of weather, the rewarding part is discovering how diverse we all are, and yet still hold a special place in our hearts for these amazing cars. Some of you may feel your kitten is in need of TCL, maybe paint or a little interior work, but trust me... every one of us see nothing but the stunning lines that are art in themselves, nor overlook the heritage any Jag model represents.

My point is to cut through any intimidation... Yes, there will be several 'nice' looking cars show up, but 'nice' doesn't give us the history or lineage we love and desire to share. I'll drool over any Jag that shows (just don't slap me please. I promise to have detailing gear to take off any marks where I may have licked your car! [... Was that was my inside voice again?... Dang it!])

Fill your tank, check your fluids and tires, grab the family, and join in! Your Most welcome!

Closing:
I hope we can get a few of you off the fence and add your name to our list! Each one helps convince others to join in (and make sure we have enough donuts)!

As always, last minute arrivals are always welcome, and in fact have been pleasantly common!


1.) Clevername
2.) Muddydog
3.) Growler05
4.) Wardpilot
5.) KenAdemson
6.) Rahtok
7.) XJDanny
8.) Marko (+1)
9.) ?
10.) ?
11.) ?
12.) ?
13.) ?
14.) ?



PM me or Muddy with questions!
I'll fire off a phone number to those on the list so you have it for the drive. We might ask you to share yours at the drivers meeting should we somehow get separated (that has happened in the past too ).

See you all Saturday!
Vince

 

1.) Clevername
2.) Muddydog
3.) Growler05
4.) Wardpilot
5.) KenAdemson
6.) Rahtok
7.) XJDanny
8.) Marko (+1)
9.) mprinvale
10.) ?
11.) ?
12.) ?
13.) ?
14.) ?

 

WooHoo! Alright mprinvale!

Anything we can do to help you out up here, pre or post... let us know!
I run I-5/405 here to Eugene and back more times than I care to admit (and have run Hwy 97 south to the Columbia 7 or 8 times as well!)

Vince

 

Just got off the phone with the parade organizer, and it looks like we will be facing the same problem we encountered last year....Parking....
Long story short, two new schools are under construction which forced them to alter the parade staging area to the lot we normally use.

Of note for next year... the Parade is only Saturdays....

Additional info: The main road through Leavenworth is shut down at 11:30. If we can time our arrival prior to that, we may get our cars further in town for parking. Food for thought....

Vince

 

Given the above info has anything in terms of initial arrival location/time changed?

 

Departure from Monroe will remain unchanged.

We may talk about our arrival time in Leavenworth while the group is together at Safeway.

Vince

 

Just checking the boards for any last minute updates. Looks like we're a go! See you in the morning.

 

All I can say is "Wow what a great day!

Thanks all for attending! Despite an glitch or two...or three...(and a long walk... Which BTW tells me I need to get off my butt and do more walking...) We could not have asked for a better day to visit Leavenworth!

Gads, Great people, great cars, and a great drive on a great day.... It was a 'win' for me!
(Those of you that missed hwy 97 to Cle Elum, it was stunning....sorry...)

Anyhow, I'm beat, had a couple brews and I'll see what I got for for pics to post a tad later. Share what ya got if you can!

Thanks again everyone (for not tossing me in a deep ravine, ....) and making this a drive to remember!

Vince

 

Thanks Vince once again for all the coordination and to Brian for the Donuts! The hiccups are part of the fun when we're all out to enjoy a low-stress day and discover new things. If I wanted something perfectly manicured I'd go to the salon. No, no, just get the image out of your head right now. That's not what I meant.