Northern California Get Together

[Mr Clifton]

Does anyone have a plan for springtime get together for Northern California? I could plan a BBQ at a Bay Area park or we could go for a drive on a Saturday morning in the spring. I planned a drive once up to Big Sur for lunch at Nepenthe when I was in another club.

Nepenthe - Big Sur, California - 831 667 2345

The turnout was good (about 15 cars) and the food was great. We actually did the run on Superbowl Sunday and Highway 1 was empty.

Let me know if anyone has a function planned and if not I would be willing to put something together.

Thanks,

Neil

[opelwasp]

I will be planning a fun run in the spring to OGTS. I'm game for any other get togethers.

[West Coast GT]

I'm game for a spring drive down inro Big Sur. Or somewhere in the Bay Area.

I'm also game to plan a summer drive along the coast in Marin & Sonoma counties. Just finished taking visitors to Pt Bonita Lighthouse, Coastal Cafe in Bolinas, O'Roukes' Bench, Pt Reyes, and Salt Point. Lots of potential and destinations.

[West Coast GT]

Spring is here. Let's get together for a drive. Anybody want to put a drive together?

I'll volunteer to lay out and coordinate a drive in the Bay Area to take place this Sunday, March 9th if it works out for others on such short notice.

Other than that, does anyone want to arrange a trip?
Open dates I've got (not that it should hinder a trip for you others):

• Sat or Sun March 29/30
  
• Sunday April 13
• Sat or Sun April 19/20
• Sat April 26

[opelwasp]

I'll start working on one for April. I'll start emails and phone calls as soon as I can confirm the BBQ spot, the usual I hope. The 26th looks good.

[Mr Clifton]

Let's meet in Half Moon Bay on Saturday March 29th and drive to Big Sur for lunch.

Nepenthe - Big Sur, California - 831 667 2345

We could meet where 92 meets Highway 1 at about 9:30 and be in Big Sur by 12:00.

[opelwasp]

Half Moon Bay Is way too far for me. It will take me almost 6 hours to get there. Too much time on my butt. The 29th is a good day though.

[West Coast GT]

Sounds like we could have two drives;

1. one at the end of March,
2. one at the end of April.

This would give members a better opportunity to make at least one trip, one that meets their personal schedule and travel criteria.

OpelWasp could coordinate a trip more appropriate to Northern California outside the Bay Area (that trip last year south on highway 49 was a good route, while Mr Clifton sets up a southern Bay Area / Big Sur trip.

Personally, I would like to join both trips if possible. (although this is a heavy training period for me as well as being my busy work season)

I've been wanting to get out on the road. I almost abandoned my current work project today and headed out for one of my favorite drives through Marin County. From just north of the Golden Gate, head out to the lighthouse at point Bonita. Then backtrack to the start of Highway 1 to Muir Woods, Mt Tamolpias, Stinson Beach, O'Rourck's Bench, and Bolinas for breakfast or lunch. From there, head north along Highway 1 as far as time allows, but a Salt Point Bloody Mary tastes pretty good and you can watch for whales migrating past the point or sea lions on the beach.

Damn, I can't wait! Let's hit the road.

[hallgeir]

Originally Posted by West Coast GT I've been wanting to get out on the road. I almost abandoned my current work project today and headed out for one of my favorite drives through Marin County. From just north of the Golden Gate, head out to the lighthouse at point Bonita. Then backtrack to the start of Highway 1 to Muir Woods, Mt Tamolpias, Stinson Beach, O'Rourck's Bench, and Bolinas for breakfast or lunch. From there, head north along Highway 1 as far as time allows, but a Salt Point Bloody Mary tastes pretty good and you can watch for whales migrating past the point or sea lions on the beach. Damn, I can't wait! Let's hit the road.

Man, reading this made me decide to go out in the garage to finish putting the GT together, and hit the road. I won`t be able to join you on a spring drive, but it`s spring here too, the sun is shining, and I just can`t wait. I will be in San Francisco a few days in august, but without my GT . Hoping to see a few places worth seeing, though.

Now, the garage next.

[West Coast GT]

Hallgeir,
If you have an extra day in San Francisco, I would like to show you some of the great areas and sights of the Bay Area.

Will you be here on business or vacation?

[opelwasp]

Let us know when you get here, we can try to make it an event. It's not every day a fellow Opeler from the other side of the pond comes over. My in laws live near the bay and my wife and I can unload the kids there and bring the GT.

[hallgeir]

Originally Posted by West Coast GT Hallgeir, If you have an extra day in San Francisco, I would like to show you some of the great areas and sights of the Bay Area. Will you be here on business or vacation?

Originally Posted by opelwasp Let us know when you get here, we can try to make it an event. It's not every day a fellow Opeler from the other side of the pond comes over. My in laws live near the bay and my wife and I can unload the kids there and bring the GT.

This sounds great!! It`s vacation. My wife, 7 yo son, and I will be flying in from Honolulu 7. august at 2.50 pm, and will be staying in San Francisco for 4 days. Leaving 11. august. We`ll be staying at Parc 55 Hotel. Meeting fellow Opelers would be absolutely great.

[namba209]

Sorry if I hi-jack the thread for a bit, but, Hey Hallgeir if you're gonna be down this way close to the Mexican border, I'm sure Margaret would like to talk to someone about her "Great Gray Dogs Of Norway", of course I wouldn't mind a visit either.

[West Coast GT]

Hallgeir,
How do you feel about an afternoon Opel get-together while you are visiting? Perhaps somewhere scenic and off the beaten path. I would recommend a week day such as Thursday or Friday when fewer people are out driving.

I hesitate to sugest an all-day event only because your family may not be excited about spending one of their vacation days with Opelers. But if they are up to it, an all-day could be planned.

It's you vacation, so feel free to let us know how much, or how little, time you would like. Let us know if you're looking for an hour of meet & greet, or you prefer a day or two.

[West Coast GT]

Any takers for a several-hour run tomorrow, Sunday March 9th in the Bay Area or periphery?

[hallgeir]

Originally Posted by namba209 Sorry if I hi-jack the thread for a bit, but, Hey Hallgeir if you're gonna be down this way close to the Mexican border, I'm sure Margaret would like to talk to someone about her "Great Gray Dogs Of Norway", of course I wouldn't mind a visit either.

Ron, I really wish we could do that, but I`m afraid it will be a bit too far to drive this time. About 8 hours each way, isn`t it? We feel sorry about maybe missing the opportunity to meet both of you. We haven`t been that "close" to San Diego since 1993 when we spent a few hours at Los angeles Int. airport. Would have been really nice to meet you, but if not this time, maybe some other time?

Originally Posted by West Coast GT Hallgeir, How do you feel about an afternoon Opel get-together while you are visiting? Perhaps somewhere scenic and off the beaten path. I would recommend a week day such as Thursday or Friday when fewer people are out driving. I hesitate to sugest an all-day event only because your family may not be excited about spending one of their vacation days with Opelers. But if they are up to it, an all-day could be planned. It's you vacation, so feel free to let us know how much, or how little, time you would like. Let us know if you're looking for an hour of meet & greet, or you prefer a day or two.

We really appreciate your kind offer. We will be there thursday afternoon, friday, saturday, sunday, and will be leaving monday. We might be a bit too tired thursday afternoon, though. An afternoon get-together sounds fine, an all-day event too. That will be up to you guys to decide. If you have the time for an all-day event, it would be great. It would add a nice experience to our
vacation for sure. My son is very interested in cars, and thinks there is a lot of cool cars in USA, especially with big V8 engines. And he will also be very happy to see his favorite car, the Opel GT, when he is there.
This is going to be a great year, I think. First, we will have visitors from North Carolina, Opel GT owners, in may or june. Second, we will spend 16 days in Hawaii, visiting family, and 4 days in San Francisco, meeting fellow Opelers. Third, I will go to the Charlotte Auto Fair in september, with two friends. WHAT A SUMMER!!

[namba209]

Man, sounds like you've quite a vacation going on there. Maybe next time you're in the States or if Margaret goes to Norway for another of the Norsk Elghund Club festivities. She made the 100 year anniversary there a couple of years ago.

[West Coast GT]

Well, we had no takers for a short-notice Opel run yesterday. So my wife & I hit the road in her Miata for a 100-mile drive through the hills following last year's Opel route north to Lake Berryessa, east to Winters, south along the eastern flank of the Vaca Range.

It was absolutely gorgeous. But the real treat was driving for two hours without running into slow moving traffic in front, or being pushed by speeding over-loaded, over-driven SUVs from behind. How we ever managed to drive so far without encountering other cars on a beautiful spring day is a mystery to me.
___________________

So let's keep working on a late March Sierra Foothills run;
and a late April southern Bay Area / Big Sur run.

[opelwasp]

OK, I got the green light from Gil at OGTS. April 26 is the day for the Foothills Fun Run. Looks like we will start in either Sac or Auburn for breakfast like last time. Head up to Auburn grab s few others or eat breakfast there. Follow the same route we took last time and stop at the Lumber Yard Brewing Company in Sonora for a bite and a brew. Afterwards if anyone wants to, we can head over to OGTS and hang out for awhile. Time are still TBA but we should start on the fun run around 10AM like last time, break fast at 9'ish.

If anyone needs it I can perform an FST on anyone who feels they might have a few too many before we hit the road.

[West Coast GT]

It's on the calender! Can't wait.

[West Coast GT]

Originally Posted by Mr Clifton Let's meet in Half Moon Bay on Saturday March 29th and drive to Big Sur for lunch. Nepenthe - Big Sur, California - 831 667 2345 We could meet where 92 meets Highway 1 at about 9:30 and be in Big Sur by 12:00.

Mr. Clifton - is this drive a go? I'm anxious for an all-day run, especially down the coast a ways.

How do you feel about inviting some Morgan drivers and make this a combined Morgan/Opel run? They've invited me on their drives and they're decent folk.

[Mr Clifton]

I have not heard that name in a long time! Austin’s, Jensen’s, it’s all okay with me. Someone bring a toolbox. I know one of the Opel Clubs (I think Opel Motor Sports) was going to merge with the MG club a lot of years ago.

Let’s meet in Pescadero. It's a small town a little south of Half Moon Bay. There are only a few small stores and a few bakeries. Let’s meet in front of the bakeries.

Let’s meet at 9:30 and leave at 10:00 sharp. That will put us into Big Sur at lunchtime.

Meet;

Saturday March 29th 9:30
Pescadero Bakery 287 Stage Road
Pescadero, CA 94060
(650) 879-0147

Drive south on Highway 1 to;

Nepenthe Restaurant in Big Sur
(831) 667-2345

Arrive approx 12:00

Nepenthe - Big Sur, California - 831 667 2345

[West Coast GT]

I'll be there.
Who else?

[West Coast GT]

Just bumping this back onto the main page.

So far, looks like two of us (plus some Morgans) going on this drive in Northern San Francisco.

Any others?

[opelwasp]

Let's meet at IHOP in Sac (3800 Northgate Blvd Sacramento, CA 95834-1615) at 9AM. It is real easy to get to and hard to miss. Just come into Sac by I-5 or Hwy 80, take 80 towards Tahoe/Reno, and turn south on Northgate. It is on the east side of the street.

Hit the road by 10AM.

Then we head up to Auburn, and down 49 on the same route we took last year.

End at the Lumberyard Brewing Company for eats/drinks. 19040 Standard Rd. Sonora, CA USA.

Then head to Gils/OGTS if anyone wants to.

Here is a link to a map of the route:Nor Cal fun run 2008