Brian's going to replace the FXT with some sort of massive minivan/bus/suv sort of thing to haul around his family.

I won't be able to make the rally this time. I've had to cancel going to my friend's wedding as well because of some silly road bike ride here in Sonoma Co that I am going to have to work at on Saturday. Good thing Pete didn't plan the rally around here on Sat. Y'all are going to have such an awesome time again.

 

Haven't really replaced the Foz yet. We've been borrowing my folks '02 X5 until we can figure something out. More than likely it'll be a Sienna AWD minivan. Sucks to come to the realization that you need to have a vehicle in the family that can fit more than 4 comfortably. The realization sucks, but it's well worth it all things considered We've still got the wife's '00 RS though so that's what I'll be driving on Redwood...again...

-Brian

 

Can't wait for the end of the month.

Where is the caravan going to meet for the drive up on Friday afternoon, and at what time?

 

Pete I am coming to the event for sure

Few initial questions:
1. Are we camping or Hoteling or there is any other option for Friday night?
2. Where are we planning to camp on Saturday night? do we need to book the place
3. Food - being a vegetarian i have to be extra prepared. So are there good places to eat near the hoteling site in Humboldt? For camping i think we are coming prepared with our own food.
4. What time we are planning to meet in Petaluma?
5. After the event i'll continue towards Portland to attend the rally school on Hwy 101. I need advice on places I should go and hotel options along the way?

 

Excellent!

You are free to do whatever you want Friday night, I will post some information about Hotels that I found on my pre-check trip... likewise with the caravan notion, if some people want to get together Friday for the drive up, go right ahead but I have too much other stuff to do to try and coordinate that as well, if it happens that I can make it to run with a group I will, but I can't be the guy to organize such an effort.

We are going to be at a remote BLM primitive campsite near a beach, so no reservations are needed, but we will need to pay the "iron ranger" when we get there.

Kind of depends on where you stay- but for the most part there are not a whole lot of places that I expect will still be open after 10 or so in Fortuna, so you probably should plan to grab dinner on the way up, (Ukiah or Willits would be my recommendations) and yes, you will want to come prepared for camping, although there are a couple of Safeways along the route with a half hour or so scheduled to stop for grabbing some lunch stuff (we have a lunch stop scheduled at a redwood park about an hour later) and other last minute shopping for Saturday night (traditionally I don't do much myself and I kind of rely on the kindness of other participants to feed me Saturday night).

Like I said- I'm not really planning to coordinate any sort of caravan Friday night, so if some of you guys want to do so feel free to post your plans here, if I can make it I will, but keep in mind- from the Washoe House (where we used to start on Stoney Point Road north of Petaluma) to Fortuna is about 210 miles, and on a Friday evening I'd expect it will take at least 4 hours, probably more like 4:30-5:00if you include a short dinner break along the way.

You have the better part of a week, lots to see and do between here and there! the drive up the coast can be awesome, and there are many interesting side trips in the mountains, heck you'd probably have time to run over to Crater Lake and stuff too, I guess it all comes down to what you are interested in...

 

That was fast... Ordered my tires yesterday from Tire Rack, they arrived mounted, balanced, & with hardware today:






Just waiting on my Primitive skid plates & King Springs... although I'll probably just install the skid plates before the weekend & leave the springs for sometime I feel like putting the KYB AGX struts on & all the other crap... unless someone who knows what they're doing wants to show me how sometime between now & then.

 

Nice wheels ... I am getting my skid plates installed tomorrow, the local shop owner who is working on my bumper offered to install it for free ... all though i need to get the rear differential cover installed, if you are planning to install it on your own let me know may be I'll join you

 

Andy- “aboothman” has suggested that he may have some couch and floor space for anyone who can’t afford a hotel room, please PM him to make arrangements, and be aware that he fights fires for a living, and might get called away, so you should have a back-up plan.

Here are the two Hotels that I have experience with in the area;

Super 8 in Fortuna;

Super 8 Hotels

Rates start at about $90/night – they might give us a break if we get enough rooms.
Pluses: right next door to Eel River brewery (kitchen open until 10, bar usually closes at 11), less than ½ mile to start location, complementary continental breakfast
Minus: kind of expensive…
Also in that immediate neighborhood:
Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Inn, Best Western.

Humboldt Gables in Rio Dell

Humboldt Gables Motel - Gateway to the Avenue of the Giants

Rates start at about $55/night, also will offer some discount for group if we get 5 or more rooms
Pluses; quiet, comfortable, clean place, affordable rates
Minuses: 6+ miles from start, no breakfast

And regardless of where you stay that night in the morning you need to get to:

The Start location:

Park and Ride lot at corner of Kenmar and Eel River roads, just east of 101 at exit #687,

40° 34.520'N 124° 8.885'W

Please try to get there before 8:45 for a 9:00 AM sharp departure on Saturday October 1

 

I'll probably just charge up there on Saturday morning early since I'm already fairly far North. Don't really want to pay for a hotel on Friday night if I can avoid it. aboothman is a possibility so I'll probably put the feeler out there just in case I change my mind.

-Brian

 

Forseter totaled what happened ... ?!
Shows how long it is since I've checked this forum ...

Won't be joining you all this year ... sold the WRX a year ago ...

Jane

 

If anybody is driving up on Friday, send me a P/M. I hate driving by myself with no passengers or caravan.

Also I'm gong to book a room at one of the hotels for Friday night (will make final reservation tomorrow by 8pm). If anyone wants to split the rate with me, send me a P/M as well. It should be half of $75, and will include breakfast.

 

I think caravan would be a good idea and a non boring way to reach there.
If every one agrees then lets decide a time to meet up at Washoe House in Petaluma and then we can drive from there.

 

I'm heading up Friday afternoon from Yuba City to stay in Fortuna, probably at the Super 8. I posted up on the Sac/Reno board to see if anyone from my area is going, but haven't gotten any response. Looks like most who are going are from the Bay Area. If I go up alone or with someone from my local area, my route looks like this, and I plan on leaving around 4 - 4:30pm. If I might have a chance of meeting up with the rest of the Bay Area crew heading up through Ukiah, my route would be more like this. Just need to know the time & come up with a meeting point around or north of Ukiah.

 

I'll be installing my stuff on my own, and the rear diff should be pretty easy. I'll test the fitment, though, with my SPT/Bosal exhaust, because I know the exhaust is pretty close to the rear diff anyway. I have a couple grinders that I can take a little off the plate if necessary to make it clear without contact or vibration. I'm in Yuba City, so if you want to stop by to install some stuff, I have plenty of tools & a driveway to work in. Just don't know if you want to make the trek out my way just to put a couple parts on. I have the Friday before the drive up to Fortuna off from work, and I'll be doing any last-minute prep work, so if you want to come over that day, I'll be available.

 

I may be interested in splitting that room with you. Should know for sure by this weekend.

Jane, I was just barely broadsided in the Forester in August of last year. Damage was enough to total it Super sad. What are you driving these days?

-Brian