Why not, I love that part of the coast.

We are in.

 

Heather suggested an alternative route that looks to be less dependent on a solid head count, a financial commitment to a restaurant, easier on the individual pocket book of each person, etc...

It's an approximately 90 minute drive that would be a run from the city hall/library in Sausalito (parking lot can accommodate a bunch of Jags, restrooms to which I have a key) to the Rouge et Noir cheese factory in Novato where they have a large parking lot and picnic area, a deli with salads, sandwiches, cheeses (obviously) and wines.

I'm including the route there for your consideration. The route out again should be pretty fun too and, if the consensus is to go with this route, I'll plot out an exit from the cheese factory to 101 as well. It does look like there's some construction on CA-HWY1 at Bolinas, so Heather and I will drive the route this weekend to see what kind of impact that represents, if any.

Rouge et Noir doesn't take reservations, so it's first come, first serve but if we're arriving between 11 and 12, I'm thinking that won't be an issue.

Here's the link to the cheese factory:
Marin French Cheese

Here's the proposed run from Sausalito to Novato via CA-HW1 and the Point Reyes Road:

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/420+...d38.142788!3e0

 

I like the second option but, any route is good. All hail King Rhett and Queen Heather!
Dave & Jill

 

I think a cheese destination is great

 

Try to cut the drive time down to 60 min. I did not make the Monterey long run, but most that did agreed its a bit long and tiring in retrospect.

**Keep in mind some drivers that do not spend a night near by may be driving a hour or more just to get to the start point.

If we like the Cheese thing, just find a new start point!

Just my .02c

 

Cheese is good...... we can do cheese......

 

Or maybe there is a place to take a stop as a second meet up location to accommodate having some wake up so early? The route looks nice to me and if we had a second meet up location maybe that is a good solution?

 

Fair point. I do understand, from our own experience, that "the run" isn't necessarily the beginning of a long day of driving for those coming from out of town. We drove the route this morning, leaving Sausalito around 10 and it took about 1 hour, 20 minutes of sometimes leisurely driving, sometimes spirited driving. We recorded it with the GoPro as well, to get a sense of how long each leg of the journey might be. The first 17 minutes are just getting from Sausalito to the base of Mount Tam, so that's out. It's possible we could descend upon the Howard Johnson property in Tam Valley just off the freeway but that only shaves 9 minutes off the trip and the chances of the group getting separated is high.

The route below is a 3rd run that's an amalgam of the first two I proposed, starting at the Embassy Suites in San Rafael, going through Lucas Valley, out to Tomales Bay and, ultimately, ending at the cheese factory. It's still 1 hour 20 minutes but it's 1 hour at 18 minutes of beautiful back roads. Getting back to 101 from the cheese factory is about 20 minutes.

If 1 hour 20 minutes is absolutely out of the question, then we're happy to sign on to a run somewhere else, if anyone else has a shorter one in mind.

Otherwise, let's call this: Marin Run #3: https://goo.gl/maps/6UYnP

Absent another plan for the day, Heather and I will be at the Embassy Suites from 8:30AM to roughly 9:45 AM, August 8 before leaving via this route to the cheese factory. The Embassy Suites hotel has two large parking lots, clean restrooms for those who are coming from a long distance and I believe their rooms are affordable for those who want to come the night before. We will have maps with our mobile numbers on them for anyone who shows up, a mid-way point designated for older cars and/or lost drivers (cough) to catch up with the group and I'll call ahead to the cheese factory to make sure they can accommodate our number in terms of cars and hungry humans.

So, who's in? If you're coming the night before, say so and maybe we can do a dinner as well.

Thanks,
Rhett

 

Tim's car has a lock out and will not start before 10:00AM. A scientific and verified fact!

 

We're in. We'll probably come up the night before but it'll likely be too late for dinner, but at least that'll give us a fighting chance of being on time for the run.

 

So far, I have:

•Heather - X300
•Me - either the XJ-S or the XJ6
•SARC and W. - XJS? XJ40?
•Dave and Jill?
•Shawn?
•Tim and Myrna?
•PrimaZ?
• ?
• ?
• ?

Non-forum members I've invited to join us:
•Justin (our friendly neighborhood Jag specialist) in his '84 XJ6
•David C. & dad in their E-Type series III
•John and Sina - in their "new" '92 XJS



Marin French Cheese - 7500 Point Reyes Petaluma Rd, Petaluma, CA 94952

 

When is the new date? I'm alittle confused.
I may not be able to join. The xj12 might be sold by then and the XJS is having terrible brake issues that I can't seem to sort out.
Could tag along in the Range Rover. It does use the jag v8 haha

 

We're still shooting for the August 8 date. You should come along regardless. It wouldn't be the same without you.

 

I have a spare XJ40 you can use. Don't worry, we'll get you to the ball in a Jag one way or the other

 

Looks like Jill & I are out. I am in Seoul until Friday evening and won't be back until Saturday afternoon (pretty amazing that I leave at 5:00PM on Saturday and arrive at 12:30PM on Saturday). I'm planning on being dead for the rest of the day.
Dave

 

Understood. Time travel is exhausting. We'll raise a glass of something appropriate in your honor and look forward to seeing you next time. Travel well.

 

I think I am going to make it.

 

Mr. and Mrs. SARC came up yesterday and we gave Marin Run #3 ( https://goo.gl/maps/6UYnP ) a once over and I think we all agreed that it should work out well.

The Marin French Cheese Factory has two picnic areas but no fire pits so you'll want to bring your own food if the sandwiches they make aren't too your liking.

Obviously, the earlier we all get on the road, the less competition we'll have with other drivers, bicyclists and law enforcement officers but if the early hour or 1 hour, 20 minute drive don't seem to your liking, you can take the following route from US 101 in Novato to the Cheese Factory if you just want to meet us for lunch (this will also be the route out): https://goo.gl/maps/FyWFR

Looking forward to seeing everyone.

PS: We'll be putting our beautiful cars here:

 

We're a few hours less than a week away.

Here's a summary of the what/where:
•August 8, 2015, we'll meet at the Embassy Suites 101 McInnis Pkwy, San Rafael, CA 94903 as close to 8:30AM PDT as you can manage.
•While everyone arrives, we'll visit, enjoy sharing our cars, stories, use the restrooms in the hotel if needed, etc... until...
•Roughly 9:45AM, we will depart via this route to the Marin French Cheese Factory: https://goo.gl/maps/6UYnP
•I've checked all the West Marin online calendars I can find for conflicting events and it looks clear but the rule of thumb is that the earlier we get out, the less competition we'll have for the open road. The Final leg of the journey is a secluded old country road with beautiful views and while the road isn't bad, it does have a few potholes. Keep sharp.
•The Marin French Cheese Factory has quite a bit of parking space, lots of picnic tables and lawn (see the photos above). They sell wine, cheese, soft drinks and have a limited but delicious deli. There are no cook fires so anything you bring for a picnic must already be cooked. Bringing a picnic of your own is highly recommended but not required.
•When you are ready to leave, you can follow this route to get back to US HWY 101 (or if you just want to join us for lunch around noon you can reverse this from 101): https://goo.gl/maps/FyWFR
•My Google Voice number is: 415-488-6568. My name is Rhett, my wife and partner in crime's name is Heather.
•I will likely be driving a white Jaguar XJ-S coupe, Heather will be in a white 1995 Jaguar XJ6 VDP.
•Marin is a beautifully mountainous area with many micro-climates. Bring layers of clothing because you never know if it will be hot or cool, even in summer.
•I'll be bringing a Go-Pro. If you want to bring yours, I'll endeavor to cut it into a video to commemorate the run. Here's SARCs very polished video from the last run in March: https://vimeo.com/120995272
•The run from the Embassy Suites to the Cheese factory is anywhere from 60 to 80 minutes long through areas of breathtaking beauty and inconsistent mobile service, so...
•We will try to print enough maps for everyone.

Here's my current list of definite-to-likely attendees:
Me: White XJ-S (or black XJ6 SIII, depending on the XJ-S, honestly)
Heather: White '95 X300 VDP
SARC and Mrs. SARC: XJS
SMGData: XJ40 or XJ-S
PrimaZ: S-Type
David Cooper & dad: Dad's E-Type SIII DHC (and possible guest Porsche or Alfa for wife and son)
Justin: XJ6 series III
Mike Cooper (no relation to David): Something probably modern.
Rocam XJR - ???

Anyone else? An RSVP will guarantee you a print out of the route.

Any questions, you can private message me or, if it's the day of, text me.

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Best,
Rhett and Heather

 

Crap... The 8th is the only Saturday in August that I can't make... Was looking forward to the summer run with you nice folks. Oh well... Next time I guess.