I thought it a good idea to extract this topic from the Northend Head Count thread so more folks would notice it.

The plan, a run I like to describe as a string of pearls along Whidbey Island. We'll meet up at the Shell station off I5 at exit 211. Right now it's looking like a meet at the gas station (do fill up before we leave, please) followed by a run out to the sound on Main St > Fir Island Rd > Best Rd > Chilberg Ln > Chilberg Rd > Maple Ave > Pioneer Pkwy Dr > Snee Oosh Rd > Reservation Rd > Hwy 20, over Deception Pass and onto the Island. See my link above for the island itself.

Bring a 2-way radio (FRS/GMRS) and whatever you want to contribute to the food portion of the event.

We still need to set a time for the meet, and hammer out some route/stop details, but that's what threads are for.

I've a map of the Island portion of the run, but I need to do some editing to make it postable. Unless somebody else can host a 6.6MB PDF.

 

Good idea Kris, I decided to bring over the list of people who are going to come June 11.
Please add yourself if you're planning to come...
The list:

1: Sopheak.Reach
2: FABRO
3: Linda
4: Nemesis 8(maybe)
5: Kristopher d
6: Sharkman
7:
8:

 

So, I don't currently have a tool that'll convert my map into color JPG's, so I'll post the directions for now while I figure out how to do the rest.

This is starting out from Deception Pass, the bit getting there from the freeway is pretty simple.

Hwy 20 South through Oak Harbor to Scenic Heights Rd
Left on Scenic Heights Rd
Stay Straight on Balda
Left on Miller Rd
Right on Scenic Heights Rd
Right on Holbrook Rd
Left on Hwy 20
Left on NW Madrona Wy
Left on NW Coveland St
Right on Front St
Left on NE 9th St - 9th Becomes NE Parker Rd
Left on Hwy 20
Left on W Morris Rd - W Morris Rd Becomes Harrington Rd
Left on Race Rd
Left on Hwy 525
Left on Houston Rd - Houston Rd becomes N Bluff Rd
Right on Wonn Rd
Right on Hwy 525
Left on Smuggler Cove Rd
- Smugglers Cove Rd Becomes Bush Pt Rd
Right on Mutiny Bay Rd
- Mutiny Bay Rd becomes Lancaster Rd
- Lancaster Rd becomes Millman Rd
Left on Useless Bay Ave
Right on Hwy 525
Left on Bayview Rd
- Bay View becomes Brooks Hill Rd
- Brooks Hill Rd becomes 3rd St
Right on Anthes Ave
Left on 6th
Right on Camano Ave
- Camano Ave becomes Langley Rd
Left on Hwy 525
Arrive in Clinton

There's a side route just after turning off Langley onto 525 that I haven't tried yet, but I don't have the book that gives that route with me right now. 525 into Clinton is boring as all get out, so I'll look up that side road when I get home and update the thread in the next couple of days.

After reading that route you may be a bit concerned, but it's definately worth it. It's a great run to bring a human navigator along for the ride(as long as they can read a map while moving).

 

Kris, You did this already, right? Do you have a friend who could ride with you and be nav? If you've done it, maybe it would be good to have you lead...

 

I thought the Shell gas station was on exit 221, not 211?

 

This route will take us away from the Beach that we were planning on having the BBQ. The drive from the I-5 to Oak Harbor Beach is already about 45 mins. I say we just stop at the beach to eat and chat instead of going any further. Then after we eat, we can continue on with the drive.

I don't have a 2 way radio so I'll just give out my cell phone number.

 

Good catch Sopheak! Yes, the one I mentioned is 221 for La Conner and Conway, which is south of Mt. Vernon. Must be a typo...

I have a pair of radios, so you can borrow my 2nd one...

 

sounds good

 

Yeah, I've done this run once already. I'll see about a navigator.

Stopping for lunch then making the run sounds like a stellar idea to me.

Yup, a typo.

I looked at the side route, and it replaces 2 directions with another 15, so I'm thinking that's over-kill for an already complicated route. I'll do up the map and directions just in case, but that's more of a "decide at the moment" sort of thing, I'd say.

 

I might be able to make it. Might bring wife and dogs for the drive

1: Sopheak.Reach
2: FABRO
3: Linda
4: Nemesis 8(maybe)
5: Kristopher d
6: Sharkman
7: e46328 (maybe)
8:

 

Cool! If you're planning on stopping to eat with us, it's a potluck BBQ.
Here's what ppl are bringing... so far:

Beverages (and I think cups?)
Plates, utensils
A salad or two
Pancit
Chicken

Did I miss anything? I'm thinkin' if ppl want to actually BBQ something, we should bring our own hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken, or ???... (we'll have 2 small grills there)

 

I'll have my new camera gear; I'd love to 'pre-position' along points of the drive; but that'd make for a slow drive as y'all would drive past me...stop whilst I went ahead and so-on. Hrm...will have to figure out something.

 

We'd need to keep an eye on the cold foods. Are we going to have anyone already at the bbq site to make sure we GET a place and stuff? I confess I haven't read the whole thread, so sorry if I'm missing something.

 

Good point Darin....

Sopheak -- Do you know if this is necessary on a Sunday? Seems like it would be in that area, especially if it's close to Deception Pass...

 

Kris -- You did most of this run before... Any suggestions for photo ops, see Darin's idea...

Darin -- We need someone to drive your car so it'll be in the shot!! Or do trust someone to take the shot with your camera? lol

 

I'd be HAPPY to be there early to save a place; But yup - then who takes the pics?

And no - with my new gear? I wouldn't feel comfortable handing it off. I'd rather loan my car than my camera equipment at this point.

 

 

I've had my car since Nov '03, and I still wont even loan it to my parents.

As we run along a couple of the bays there may be spots to try to get a scenic shot, but the scenery isn't as thick as some other runs. Unfortunately, last time I did this I was trying to lead, drive spiritedly, and watch my laptop so I wouldn't miss any turns. To make it worse, the laptop kept trying to escape off the passenger seat.

A custom nav system is in my future, but not soon enough.

I'll bring a package of polish sausages for my hot food contribution.

 

Well I guess sharkman and I can save a spot at the beach.

Usually there wont be a lot of people there, but considering it's going to be summer time there might be.

So do you guys want to do that then. Meet me at the beach?

 

Gosh, I'd hate for you to miss part of the drive... Got any friends or family who'd be willing to go and save a spot for us?

 

Maybe, I'll ask my friends if they wanna go.

 

Sounds like a great time. Count me in.

1: Sopheak.Reach
2: FABRO
3: Linda
4: Nemesis 8(maybe)
5: Kristopher d
6: Sharkman
7: e46328 (maybe)
8: Marquis

 

Cool! Are ya gonna do the BBQ with us? If so, just let us know what you're gonna bring...

 

Im gonna have to change my status to a maybe on this one guys...I still haven't got the ok from work it's still pending I'll update on the list later.

 

Should we send Vito over to help "persuade" your boss?