ATTN: Oregon Run, news from outpost Bend

[Walt Tomsic]

Hey Guys!

It's less than 48 hours till you leave on the "Great 2004 Oregon Cobra Run" so I thought I'd touch bases before you hit the road. Weather here in Bend has been wonderful since I arrived for good 3 weeks ago. Temps in the low to mid 80's and mostly sunny. I guess there is a Pacific front due in (ya, I know, great timing) this week for the coast but here it will only cause a few clouds and the slim chance of "isolated" afternoon thundershowers (weather service wording). Anyway, if you do (heaven forbid) get dumped on, you can always head this way a day or two sooner. Plenty to do and see believe me.

The plan as it now stands is for you all to roll in here Friday afternoon. The Dark Bishop, me and perhaps sir yaks-alot will meet you at the Bend line and lead you to your motel. After check in, we'll hit a great brew pub for dinner and then to our place for some dessert and a word about Saturday's cruise and misc info re Bend.

I hopped in deni Sue's Miata (no cracks please), popped in a Lynyrd Skynyrd CD and drove the route this morning. You're going to love it! About 130 miles of some gorgeous mountain roads, a visit to a National Volcanic Park with an awsome obsidian field, a stop at chi chi Sunriver and back into Bend in time to hit the pool or shops before dinner at a car friendly old school drive in with curb service and fantastic burgers (for those with more sophisticated culinary needs, I can suggest at least half a dozen 4 star dinning spots in town-- Bend has more restaurants and dogs per-capita than any other place in the northwest).

I even have pictures of "Roswell" (CSX1999's proper name) in it's current state of rebuild so as to dispel any ugly rumors that the car is another of my pathetic fabrications (remember, that's what you said about Crosley).

Anyway, good luck, drive safely and I'll see you Friday -- plan for some yuks!

Waldo of Bend