Two beauties. Nice!

Sandy

 

I get a kick out of their version of I'm A Believer. Old school. Too cool.

Sounds like a great way to put a few miles in with your beauty.

Sandy

 

Had a trip down to Chandler for the Jaguar Club of Central Arizona Slalom today, not too many there but the ones that were had fun.

 

This morning we drove to Sunset Beach FL for breakfast at Caddy's. I had their famous "Son of a Beach Burrito". Yum!



Took a few pics of the car while we were there.

 

I got on I-45 to I-130 toll in Texas to go to the US Grand Prix. Been staying near Austin since Monday and put about 1100 miles on my XKR since then and little over 2500 since last Saturday the 9th of November. Driving thru Largo Vista was fun hill country. Need to leave to get back home another 1200 miles or so tomorrow so I can finish up my house so I can move to Texas Love the climate here. LOL no I don't have travel pictures but do have some of the race(I don't stop to take pictures I enjoy driving the XKR)

 

Race pictures will be great when you get the chance.

 

Dang, wish I had known it was today, that's hardly 5 miles from where I live.

Really need to get off my duff and join the club already.

 

I'm not a member either but thinking about it, they list their events on meetup http://www.meetup.com/jcca-us

 

My wife and I drove over to Orlando to check out the Christmas light display at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Weather was perfect for a nice 150 mile drive under the night sky. Light show was fun too.

 

I see they don't do "understated" in Orlando!

Graham

 

headed West out of Denver towards the mountains via Hampden, and enjoyed the wide open views for the second half of that portion

at Morrison turn off headed North past the semi-famous restaurant the Fort
just past the Fort noticed an interesting lonely road back towards Denver, hmm, will have to check that out on the way back....

take it easy since small town with cop station that rightfully keeps an active presence to prevent crazy speeding

Left or right turn at the T for the "Lariat Loop". We're heading for Evergreen and a charming wine tasting restaurant overlooking a running creek called Creekside, so its left.

BUT, there is one car ahead of me, an old Suburu wagon. Ahh, man! Hark, I notice its two lanes heading up left to my destination. Traction control off and prepare to stay on the gas enough so the transmission will hold first gear but not enough to spin tires.

Houston, we have lift off. I get a slight drift and off we charge up with no traffic ahead. J-gate gates plenty of use and the power is good. I uselessly wonder what a normally aspirated model would sound like in same circumstances since they get variable valve timing and that usually means better sounds in upper rev ranges.

To my shock in the twisties, a fellow first generation XKR coupe comes the other way. Beautiful!

The restaurant is great, we have barely enough clothes on to enjoy wine outside and not freeze. I find a decent spot but not the one I want in front of the place so I can savor the beauty of the XKR coupe more easily when I emerge.

The initial return down the Lariat Loop is casual as there is lots of traffic. Hang back route to go back the way we came, except after the little town I crack the whip hard.

Before we get to The Fort, the previously mentioned road to the side beckons with no traffic. J-gate to 2nd gear and mash it 1/3 of the way into the turn. Its straight but rolls up and down nicely. Over the top and down comes a sharp right hander, negative camber, but the signs warned in advance and I take it aggressively but not so much as to visit prairie animals. And then there is another, and it runs along the highway, and then curves around again so you can rejoin the highway in a beautiful arc.

 

I followed your route on the tourist website:

Home | Lariat Loop National Scenic Byway

Looks a great drive.

Graham

 

Now I have to wonder what the same trip would have been like in your 2007 XK with those paddle shifters and no blower to mask the sounds of the V8...

 

I thoroughly enjoyed both my XK8's and put a lot of miles on them over some of Europe's best driving roads but the paddle shift on the XK and the V8 growl takes it to another level.

Can't wait to get back across to France at Christmas.

Graham

 

When in France I recommend staying in Valbonne


at this hotel www.hotellesarmoiries.com


I spent a week in December there a couple years ago and it was very enjoyable.

 

Rothwell, Holly smattering of lights!

And to think I was all oooohing over a few colorful lights strewn through some trees this weekend. LOL

Thanks for the great pics.

Sandy

 

I realize the framing isn't perfect, but I couldn't easily move around, due to traffic whizzing quite quickly nearby.

It was an amazing moon rise over the mountains I was about to drive through on a gorgeous early eve returning from the coast of California (Santa Cruz) to the Big Valley (Manteca). Amazing landscapes. Agriculture, mountains, coast. Wow!

I got to watch it come up at various points - each glimpse more impressive than the last. And usual - Ms. Jiggy was cruisin as sweet as ever.

Wasn't brave enough to drop the top because it was quite cool - haven't become accustomed to the chill in the air just yet. I am remembering back when I lived in Santa Cruz and just bundled up to enjoy her top down. Maybe I'll get back to that!

 

Sadly, it here last night. I wont be diving my XKR anywhere today.

 

And then there's the mornings when the sunrise is so beautiful!

This one wasn't the best (the other day I couldn't believe the saturated color of the sun!), but I had a moment to pull over and let Ms. Jiggy pose.

I'm in Livermore (California) driving into Brentwood for work from Manteca.

May look like I'm on the sidewalk -- but, believe me -- I keep her on the road. This happened to be a prime pull out spot to set her up!

I hope all your days begin and end with an opportunity to enjoy your Jag.

Happy Thanksgiving to those of you viewing this today!

Ms. Jiggy & I will be hitting the road soon. The easy ride from Danville to Manteca - off to the country I go. I'm raring to GO!

Sandy

 

Helps when I attach the picture, eh?!

Sandy