A little vacation

[Danr55]

Well, sounds like mid Sept is the desired time frame. That was.easy.

[Mesa Mike]

Since we lived there for about "forever" I have some recommendations. 1. If You go all that way to NAPA you need to spend part of two days there with an 1 overnight. 2. It's 8 hours from PHX direct to Santa Barbara. I would make that your first overnight. 3. PCH all the way to Monterey with a stop overnight at Pismo Beach. 4. Pismo to Monterey for afternoon aquarium tour and overnight. 5. Continue up PCH with lunch in Half Moon Bay at Barbara's Fish Trap. 6. From Half Moon Bay up PCH to and across the G.G. Bridge with over night in Sausalito. (Don't think there is lodging at Stinson Beach and not much to see there you can't enjoy just driving past). Muir woods is on the way to Stinson Beach. 7. Drive PCH to Point Reys lighthouse. 8. From the lighthouse east over to Petaluma and on to NAPA. 9. From NAPA head east on I-80 or smaller local highways to Lake Tahoe. The Bay Area Cobra Club Club's (BACC) 20 anniversary "snakes-top-the-lake trip is Sept 16-19. Expect about 60 or more cars to join in that run. It's gotten so large, a group cruise up is no longer an option expect for small groups now. The group will fill up a complete motel on south shore. Need to coordinate with BACC, "Monster Mike" to gain access to group motel. Many other hotels in the area as it is on "state line" around the large casino's. It's about 6 hrs from South Lake to Bakersfield or make it longer and go through Yosemite. Bakersfield to Indio is about 5 hours and Indio is about 5 hours from PHX. On a trip of that magnitude I would recommend that someone who's car is unfinished or wants to drive but NOT in their Cobra pull a trailer with plenty of tools and jacks, etc to help a car that WILL break down along the way. I have never been on a long NORCAL cruise that someone didn't have mechanical problems.

The above route will take you on PCH from Sana Monica all the way to PT. Reyes. Known locally as the Pacific Coast Highway and it takes you through the most beautiful drive (Big Sir) along the California Coast.

[Danr55]

Thanks.Mike. your input is i valuable. With the exception of Stinson Beach, that's pretty much the route I'd planned. I guess that in order to be in Tahoe by Sept. 23 for Gary and Vicki, we would need to leave Phoenix on the previous Thursday the 15th morning about 0400hrs. That shoud get us across the majority of the desert before the serious heat starts. First night in Santa Monica and then on up the coast. Second night in Buelton or Solvang. Then Morro Bay, two nights in Monteray then Sausalito, Napa Valley and a night in Benicia and then on to Tahoe. That should put us in there late in the morning or early afternoon of the 22.

[hinoonaz]

That is the Route to take. Original conversation was we were going to Lake Tahoe in September and it took off from there. I love the idea of PCH trip (Dan). A lot of people are very interested in this run. There is a date that I am stuck on though. Need to be in Lake Tahoe on Sept 23 and 24th. It is the International Antique boat show. Held at Sierra Boats on North Lake Tahoe. Unbelievable boats, some a 100 years old and sea worthy. Hope there is some interest in the run. Outside of Sonoma there is a small airstrip, great pilot and Biplane ride in a Boeing. Worth the trip in itself. My nephew does the mechanicals on these old wooden boats. Last one was a Liberty engine and took first place in the Concourse event last year. Gary and Vikki

[Scotchman]

Any volunteers to bring truck and trailer with tools, and plenty of beer ?

[Danr55]

Scotty, always thinking of your stomach.. By the way, if any members from any of the other clubs would care to join us along the way, you're more than welcome. Touch base with me and we'll arrange to meet up somewhere.

[Mesa Mike]

Gary....I've been to the marina where all the old wooden Criss Craft boats are stored. Very true about the beauty of these boats. The annual boat show brings a lot of boats from around the states. It is something everyone enjoys.

[Karl Bebout]

Scotty is "always thinking of his stomach", but then he'd be stopping every 23-30 minutes to take a squirt!

I'm all over going to the antique boat show. The quality of the workmanship is amazing.

[hinoonaz]

Google, Thunderbird boat on Lake Tahoe. It will be at the show. It is unbelievable. They always have a drawing to take a cruise around Lake Tahoe. All the boats are in our wheelhouse from a gear head point of view. Maybe a cruise by where they filmed The Godfather also

[Danr55]

I've done some research and found motels that range from $80.00 to $135.00 per night for a double. Some are cheaper for a single some are not. If that works for everyone, I will start calling and see if I can get a group rate. I will post a list of hotels and dates as soon as everything is firmed up. Right now it looks like we need to leave Phoenix on Thursday Sept. 15 to finish the first part of the trip and be in Tahoe by Thursday 22, for those who choose to go to the boat show.

[aliedog]

Sounds great ,should be fun ,lots of miles

[Karl Bebout]

Attaboy Danr. The pricing is fine, and who knows, maybe they offer a GEEZER discount for those of YOU that qualify.

[hinoonaz]

Do we want to make a run or meet at the Gainey ranch car show and firm up for everyone the schedule of events and timing etc. (sticky buns-Solvang)!
A cruise on the Thunderbird is $ 5,000 per hour, minimum two hours.

[Danr55]

I'm not sure what year thunderbird it is. I've owned two of them. But $5K per hour isn't going to happen. I Will be at Gainey Ranch.

[hinoonaz]

The Thunderbird is a boat that carries 16 people plus crew. Art Deco style from the 30's. Penske is this next Saturday, maybe then

[DWRAT]

Originally Posted by hinoonaz

Do we want to make a run or meet at the Gainey ranch car show and firm up for everyone the schedule of events and timing etc.

Originally Posted by Danr55

I Will be at Gainey Ranch.

Guy's next Saturday the 18th is NOT at Gainey.
It's the Penske Cars and Coffee located at:
7125 E Chauncey Ln, Phoenix, AZ 85054

[Mesa Mike]

Dan...you will find many, many motels along north shore. You might try looking at the North Shore Hyatt, it has a casino or there are a few hotels/motels on north shore state line, one is CalNeva. That area is a hugh winter ski area so there are motels all along the area with most nestled around Tahoe City, CA. A short side trip would be to Squaw Valley for a ride up the tram. Discount tickets on line. 10,000ft elevation with fab view. Reno is a short drive north and east of Tahoe City. Also nicer return to AZ is on the eastern side of California on route 295. Takes you through or by Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park. Starting point for t his return is Carson City, NV.

[Karl Bebout]

I'm liking the sounds of Mesa Mike's ideas about going through Yosemite and Sequoia. Pretty beauteous scenery.

[Danr55]

It's all open to discussion. Might even have to add a day or two to the trip to see Yosemite and Kings Canyon..??

[mikiec]

Get those GoPros out, Video cameras also.