133 replies to this topic

[az968]

Based on the above great wisdom, a conversation with Kaj, and a recognition that this is about people visiting and not "pound the miles" we're restructuring the event a little. This will keep the drive times down but still provide great scenic routes.

 

Sat: drive from Mendocino down Highway 1 to Point Arena, 35 miles, about an hour since it's hugging the coast.  Tour the lighthouse and have lunch.  I've stayed at the lighthouse before (now a b&b so I didn't have to light the big candle) and I know a good place for lunch there, people can order off the menu.  From there take Mountain View Road over to Boonville. Another 30 miles, 60 min.  Visit, and maybe tour, the Anderson Valley Brewing Company (great brewery!). Then back to Mendo for the night. Another 1 hr and 40 miles. So total day of 103 miles and under 3 hrs of drive time, broken into 3 sections. Great scenery and roads and plenty of social time.

 

Sunday:drive from Mendocino down Highway 1 to Elk, 16 miles, 30 minutes of same scenic route,  Elk to Highway 128 via Greenwood Rd, another 30 min and 20 miles.  The owner of the Boonville hotel is Porsche guy and he loves driving Greenwood Rd! So that's an hour drive before stopping at first winery. Then visit 3-4 wineries along 128. Back to Mendo for the night. 33 miles and 50 minutes, less if we work our way up 128.  Not a bad road to drive after wine tasting. And we can get to the first winery in time to start tasting before 11 am!

 

Unfortunately Kaj is going to have to go taste all of the 25-30 wineries in the area to find the right ones for us. Tough job but he's up to the challenge. 

 

How's that sound? 

[flash]

sounds thought out and fun.  wish i was going to be in the country for it.

[lbpesq]

Personally, not being a big wine guy, and being a big sports car guy, I attend for the car stuff, not the wine stuff. One thing my wife and I really enjoyed about last year's Tahoe gathering was the gorgeous roads and scenery on the long drives. Paso often seemed like a quick 20 minute jaunt on relatively boring roads to get to the next winery. Of course, the best part is hanging out with a bunch of fun people. So in the end, it's all good.

How are we planning to return to Mendocino from the Boonville area? May I suggest 128 north from Boonville to Comptche Ukiah Road west to Mendo?

Also, it seems like we'll be covering some of the same roads both days. How about heading north one of the days instead of south on both?

Bill

[az968]

Bill, have you driven Flynn Creek Rd between 128 and Comptche-Ukiah (Orr Springs Rd)? I've driven Orr Springs between Ukiah and Mendo and it's fine, but I've not been on Flynn Creek to see if that is a good surface. If that road is good, then that would be a different route we could do on Saturday and reduce the duplicated route. One day we can stay on 128 back and the other day loop up to Comptche-Ukiah.

 

Going North there isn't a good loop road and it would be just up and back.  This south route gives us 2 loops of nice driving.  I'm trying to mix in both nice drives and some interesting stops so we can all visit.

[lbpesq]

Looking at the map, my above suggestion was meant to take Flynn Creek to Comptche-Ukiah. I don't believe I've ever been on Flynn Creek before but, regardless of surface, it has to be a scenic drive. I have court in Ukiah Wednesday morning, so I'll ask around while I'm up there and report back.

Branscomb Road to the north looks like it could be interesting. Or 1 north to Leggett to 101 south to 20 west would be a nice loop of around 140 miles. And think of the photo op - a video of a parade of 968s going through the Drive Through Tree in Leggett!

Edited by lbpesq, 05 February 2017 - 09:20 PM.

[MCL968]

Bill, are you two going to be able to join us? I understood that you had a conflict, was that able to be resolved? Here's hoping that you two will be at the gathering!

[az968]

Bill, I just spoke to the county road department and he gave Flynn Creek Rd a thumbs up; by June any potholes will be fixed, it's scenic and twisty, just like Comptche-Ukiah. He also gave me a road suggestion to the north, It would be a 3 hr drive, 120 miles (North on 1 to Westport to Laytonville on Branscomb Road (like you suggested), back to Mendo via 101 and 20 - he likes Branscomb Rd for scenic twisty driving). There's also 4 hr 160 mile route, just a different return from 101. Or a little further south to 253 to Boonville to Mendo on 128. And a 4.5 hr, 193 mile route with more of 101 south to 128 at Cloverdale and back. So we can map them all out and see what the participants are in the mood for on the Saturday drive.  Sunday would be the wineries along 128 that Kaj is checking out.

 

So I suggest this plan.  Everyone that wants to come should book their room at the Hill House Inn 707-937-0555. Ask for the Porsche rate of $139. Check-in on Friday June 23 and out on Monday June 26, if you can stay that long.

 

And we can continue to fine -tune the driving routes so provide interest without "overdriving" to the detriment of social time.

 

PM me with your contact info, if I don't already have it, and I'll compile an email list.  

 

Rest assured we'll have plenty of scenic and fun driving options and an opportunity for great wine!

[Kaj Hallstrom]

Working on the winery visits.....keep you all posted.

[williamoss]

I had such a great time with the car guys and gals in "South Lake Tahoe" that I will always come to the West Coast gatherings . We need to have a special shirt making known how great the West coast 968 group is .

I had just had Cancer surgery and wasn't sure I could make the 2,000 mile trip but I did and had a super time , thanks all that was there for many years to come  !!!!!

 

Mike,  in Portland , Oregon

which car did you take to the last gathering, buddy. Been a long time since I have seen you. But you are fortunate to have the 968 and another newer and more dependable Porsche. I would go to one of these get togethers but am unsure if the 968 would make it all the way, Seems like something or the other breaks all the time and I  am not a mechanic.

 

William

[az968]

Mike proudly showed up in a 968! And we were glad to meet him, his wonderful wife and his cool 968!

William, your car should easily make Mendocino. Besides, what's left to break:-)?

[Kaj Hallstrom]

So the scenic part will be mostly on Saturday. Sunday will be more relaxed with just an hour scenic drive down to the wineries on 128. The wineries (TBA) I had in mind produces world class wines. There are so many small beautiful wineries on this route but only a few can accommodate us. The distance between the wineries I have in mind is minimum which eliminates the stress of "we have to move on". I will keep you all posted as I get this part organized. 

Edited by Kaj Hallstrom, 12 February 2017 - 07:32 PM.

[Kaj Hallstrom]

I am still working around these wineries schedule. More info as we go.

[Kaj Hallstrom]

So here is what we have for now. Please note that things may change as we go.

Arriving at Hill House Inn Friday June 23. (Book at 707-937-0555 mention special 968 rate)

 

Saturday June 24: Bob will have a scenic route layout and yes there will be restroom stops. And I am sure Bob will find a cozy place for lunch.

 

Sunday June 25. Following a scenic route (it will not be hwy 128) south we enter Boonville. From here we will have several winery stops. all a bit different from your previous experiences. We also have a lunch place in our plan.

 

We are getting so much closer to have this finalized.

 

Book Hotel NOW. No cancellation penalty. We love to see many 968's...but there is a limit to how many the wineries can handle. So commit early so we can get a count.

[lbpesq]

Greenwood or Mountain View Road to Boonville?

[williamoss]

Mike proudly showed up in a 968! And we were glad to meet him, his wonderful wife and his cool 968!

William, your car should easily make Mendocino. Besides, what's left to break:-)?

in answer to your question what could break my answer is "MAYBE MYSELF"

 

I currently have 3 disks in my lower back going crappy and two at the top of my cervical also going bad. The top ones may require putting in rods and will limit my ability to turn my head. Thus making driving any car difficult as one has to turn ones head to look in mirrors.

[lbpesq]

Mirrors?  Who needs stinkin' mirrors!  That's what the gas pedal is for!   

 

hehehehe

 

Seriously, though, it would be nice if you can make it.  The more the merrier.  But health is a very real reality we all must deal with, sooner or later.

[Kaj Hallstrom]

Love to see a great turnout this year. Maybe we can beat last years. Bob is working on incredible scenic drives and I have the wineries lined up and a spectacular lunch stop in mind . Book at the Hill House Inn (Mendocino) to secure Porsche 968 special. No cancellation penalty.

You Southern California folks, please come up North, you will need some smog free air in June. You Arizona folks, go West, you will need the sea breeze in June. Folks up North "come on down", you will need less rain. Bay Area troopers, it's just a stones throw away, hit the road. All in all, Mendocino is the place to be at in June of 2017.

Edited by Kaj Hallstrom, 19 February 2017 - 03:02 PM.

[MCL968]

Just booked my room! Very nice folks, looking forward to it.

[az968]

Just booked my room! Very nice folks, looking forward to it.

Very nice folks? You are referring to us 968 owners, aren't you

[Kaj Hallstrom]

Come on down,  south, north, west...this will be fun, we (the nice folks) have a great weekend scheduled for you. All details soon to come but make sure you book at Hill House  (707-937-0555) while the rate is still available (no cancellation fee)

Edited by Kaj Hallstrom, 24 February 2017 - 10:46 PM.