Road Trip! Seattle - Vegas

[Brian F.]

I posted this on the FFR forum with virtually no response, let's see what we get here!!!

The wife and I finally have nailed down some dates and we are taking the roadster for a trip in early September!!

We have a 5 or 6 bedroom pad with pool, game room, etc., that is available for us in Vegas to use and stay (basically no cost to us). We were able to get it from September 10th through the 15th. Taking this trip in September definitely increases the risk of wet weather, but mainly only in WA and OR.

We know it's short notice, but if there are any locals that want to join, we would welcome you. Or anyone along the way that would like to join as well, we have rooms in Vegas! We were planning on meeting up with some family and friends who were going to fly in to Vegas, but not anymore. We have many rooms available!

Our current plan, wish is still loose at this point, is to leave Friday, 9/6/12, from Olympia (we are dropping the kids off at the grandparents Thursday night, sleeping there, then leaving Friday morning), arrive in Vegas around Wednesday, 9/11/13, or Thursday, spend time there and leave Sunday, 9/15/13 for the drive back.

We plan on heading in to the coast (highway 1 or 101, etc) at some point, probably Oregon or southern Oregon depending on weather. So far, we know we want to see the Redwood Forest, spend a couple days in Sonoma or Napa, and hit the coast south of San Francisco before heading east to Vegas.

For the local guys who have done this stretch before, what would be recommended stops, sites, etc?

What to bring...
Camera for sure! Have a high quality car cover on order right now. Lots of sunscreen. Tools, tire repair kit and pump. Cell phone and lap top or just iPad. And basic necessities of course.

Just got done going through the car. Removed all suspension arms and greased them manually as there were many squeaks as a result of the 16,000 miles on the roadster. Upgraded to power steering. Very glad I did this as I may not have found my upper ball joint that was a half turn from coming completely unscrewed from the A arm. Did full tuneup, oil, plugs, wires, filter, etc. May replace battery just to be safe.

That's about it for now, but any input, ideas, suggestions, etc., would be greatly appreciated.

[fordracing65]

Can't wait to see your car on the strip, awesome...

[Bartruff1]

Frankly I find that amazing...I have been over those roads dozens of times and in my youth on a motorcycle and it can be WET to SF and HOT to Vegas.

With 16k miles, you must know how comfortable these cars are. Three hours in mine is about a hour too long but I am older than dirt and cranky as hell.

Of course, Baskin and Robbins has 31 flavors for a reason.

Good luck, I suspect based upon my experience there will be good times and bad.

One thing I would take would be a Roadside assistance and rental car insurance.

[Brian F.]

I lived in SF for three years as well as Oregon, so I have an idea of weather. We've also done many 6+ hour trips comfortably. Heated seats and heated jackets are nice.

[Bartruff1]

Sounds like you are all set, well prepared and know what you are getting into. You actually repair tires ?

I have never thought of a Cobra (original or replica) as a GT machine.

Koupes are Kool for me, but like I say, I am old.

Our ideas of what is fun change over time, when I was a kid I used to dread a spanking, now I have to pay for them.

[Brian F.]

Having tire repair kit and compact 12v pump has saved me, so as a habit, I always have one. Any recommendations on sites to see on this kind of trip?

[Bartruff1]

Originally Posted by Brian F.

Having tire repair kit and compact 12v pump has saved me, so as a habit, I always have one. Any recommendations on sites to see on this kind of trip?

Sure, the best spankings in San Francisco are in the Castro...in Reno north on Virginia and in Vegas north on Las Vegas Blvd....after 6 hours in a Cobra, your bottom will need something to increase blood flow....

[MadDog]

Brian, that sounds like a fun trip. I would go if I still had a cobra.Have a blast.