NORCAL/SF Bay Area Fun Run, June 18th
#32
Final update!
Here is the pretty much finalized route:
http://tinyurl.com/3ql4bn6
At 2pm, leave the parking lot that is about 100yds from Hwy92, on Skyline.
Continue for about 20min up Skyline, for stop #1
Stop #1 is a fantastic overlook of the Peninsula from the highest point around...wonderful panorama view..will be a great place to view from, not so much a stretching point, but for those not from the area, its really nice.
Stop #2 is about..IIRC, about another 15mi of nice steady cruise along the Skyline Ridge, to a lookout that looks over the San Lorenzo Valley where I live. If you're into stargazing, it is the place to go for a view of the SW sky, no light pollution, clear enough to spot multiple satellites, old rocket assemblies, etc in orbit with the human eye on a moonless night. For the lovebirds..on a night with low valley fog and a big moon, its surreal to look over. You can watch the fog layer cruise north thru the valley at about 30-40mph as it's being sucked in by valley heating, etc. (Restroom available here)
Stop #3 is optional..and is about 30mi from stop #2. The entrance to the Big Basin State Park. This is California's first state park..and I live in it (but wont be stopping by my place). We can go view this:
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/W...ark_California
You dont get to see a ~1400yr old tree every day. Again, something that people that dont live around here...ever take a chance to see.
If we make the park detour or not, we will go up 3mi of Jamison Creek Rd, which is steep, and in a couple places 1ln, but safe, NO problems for us, and gets us to the ridge road of Empire Grade Rd.
This follows the coastal ridge towards UC Santa Cruz, and then down to the coast and Hwy1 thru Bonny Doon.
Take Hwy1 into Santa Cruz, get down onto Cliff Drive..and cruise slow and purposefully for the tourists..down to the Wharf for dinner at about 530p.
By then..the clot of people at the beach for the day should be easing, and parking should be available, but likely will not be in a solid chunk for us.
This should wrap up a really nice sociable driving, no stress, no speed runs, perfect for wife & kids that may have never seen much of this part of the state. Windows down, sunroof open..enjoy it!
We'll hit pockets of import "tuners" buzzin the hills, bike groups out discovering new fun ways to donate organs, and some grandparents braving roads that are NOT straight, to see the grandkids out in the mountains...but we'll be fine...and safe. Stick together..dont leave gaps, because if someone with half a clue pulls into a pullout for us, any gap they find they will pull back out into..they wont look behind them! Seasoned vets that live out here, would do so..but assume nothing. You wont hit anyone..they wont hit you, but it'll fracture the train, and your group would fall behind, doing maybe 20mph on a 45 highway because its so twisty. *freakout!*
We'll draw attention, the good kind.
If Ive overplanned, just say so..but..it'll be a great day.
Here is the pretty much finalized route:
http://tinyurl.com/3ql4bn6
At 2pm, leave the parking lot that is about 100yds from Hwy92, on Skyline.
Continue for about 20min up Skyline, for stop #1
Stop #1 is a fantastic overlook of the Peninsula from the highest point around...wonderful panorama view..will be a great place to view from, not so much a stretching point, but for those not from the area, its really nice.
Stop #2 is about..IIRC, about another 15mi of nice steady cruise along the Skyline Ridge, to a lookout that looks over the San Lorenzo Valley where I live. If you're into stargazing, it is the place to go for a view of the SW sky, no light pollution, clear enough to spot multiple satellites, old rocket assemblies, etc in orbit with the human eye on a moonless night. For the lovebirds..on a night with low valley fog and a big moon, its surreal to look over. You can watch the fog layer cruise north thru the valley at about 30-40mph as it's being sucked in by valley heating, etc. (Restroom available here)
Stop #3 is optional..and is about 30mi from stop #2. The entrance to the Big Basin State Park. This is California's first state park..and I live in it (but wont be stopping by my place). We can go view this:
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/W...ark_California
You dont get to see a ~1400yr old tree every day. Again, something that people that dont live around here...ever take a chance to see.
If we make the park detour or not, we will go up 3mi of Jamison Creek Rd, which is steep, and in a couple places 1ln, but safe, NO problems for us, and gets us to the ridge road of Empire Grade Rd.
This follows the coastal ridge towards UC Santa Cruz, and then down to the coast and Hwy1 thru Bonny Doon.
Take Hwy1 into Santa Cruz, get down onto Cliff Drive..and cruise slow and purposefully for the tourists..down to the Wharf for dinner at about 530p.
By then..the clot of people at the beach for the day should be easing, and parking should be available, but likely will not be in a solid chunk for us.
This should wrap up a really nice sociable driving, no stress, no speed runs, perfect for wife & kids that may have never seen much of this part of the state. Windows down, sunroof open..enjoy it!
We'll hit pockets of import "tuners" buzzin the hills, bike groups out discovering new fun ways to donate organs, and some grandparents braving roads that are NOT straight, to see the grandkids out in the mountains...but we'll be fine...and safe. Stick together..dont leave gaps, because if someone with half a clue pulls into a pullout for us, any gap they find they will pull back out into..they wont look behind them! Seasoned vets that live out here, would do so..but assume nothing. You wont hit anyone..they wont hit you, but it'll fracture the train, and your group would fall behind, doing maybe 20mph on a 45 highway because its so twisty. *freakout!*
We'll draw attention, the good kind.
If Ive overplanned, just say so..but..it'll be a great day.
#36
#37
Looks like I missed a helluva drive. But I think the original shocks on my '84 would have just disintegrated on that road. I'm baby'ing her til I get the new shocks in. I'm sure gonna get her in decent enough shape for the next run.
'84 AT 928S "Red"
To do list: Transmission, brakes, suspensions, belts, electrical exorcism, fubar'd dash and bodywork.
'84 AT 928S "Red"
To do list: Transmission, brakes, suspensions, belts, electrical exorcism, fubar'd dash and bodywork.