Midwest Speedster/Spyder/Roadster owners-lets roll!

Life is short, so lets get some interest going on a Midwest run this summer. I know there is a bunch of us within 3-5 hours of each-other. If anyone is interested in really experiencing the dream and not just talking about it please chime in.

That's what I was kinda aiming for with the Rosie's Diner shoot.

Your map skills suck, but I'm willing to listen. Give me time to put my hp back in (engine arrives tomorrow). The roads are less flat in Wisconsin (and free!!!!). Marty, I'm guessing that thing from Starbucks will be ready by then? After looking again at the map, now I get it. We could almost probably go visit the American Pickers and see what Mike and Frank would offer us for our antiques. As Galena as a target spot, here's a Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=4841+Bunker+Hill+Ct.+Colgate+wi+53017&daddr=Galena,+Illinois&hl=en&sll=42.416613,-90.429153&sspn=0.2527,0.363922&geocode=FUFDkwIdKPu8-ilN-dzSrlMEiDFWP_kPNC0mFQ%3BFSI6hwIdpymc-imx3cevo8_ihzFQ1tvZFKkTpA&vpsrc=0&mra=ls&t=m&z=9 It's about 165 miles on the big boy highways for me to Galena.

Love the idea, do you have any dates in mind?

Marty-

I'd be in if it were in May or September (June, July, and August are jut too busy).

FWIW, I've done the quad-cities to Galena run. It's nice in spots, but not as twisty or scenic as you might anticipate. Someplace good in Wisconsin might be better.

Rich, I just took a pic with my Iphone to see if there is any interest. The Caffe'Macchiato will be in hand soon. I like Stan's idea to shoot for mid September as the weather is Primo for a top down run in the Midwest.

I am open to ideas on location. Galena is an option if you want to bring a right seater (shopping, resturants, wine.) I think WI is also a good choice and offers some nice roads, wine, & German beer, food, and that laid back atomsphere. The Miwest 356 Boys do WI trip just about every year and I can talk to one of the members to trace their steps and see if anyone likes that idea. The mouse wheel is spinning:-)

Who are these Midwest 356 guys you speak of? I've never seen them up here. I was just kiddi' you about your map skills.

Rich, I know there is 4-5 of us that post here in IL and there has to be others lurking. If there is interest I can try to start planning. If we can get 5 plus cars it might work.

I do believe there's a few Speedster owners around but they don't seem to participate here. My nearby neighbor and his Spyder is a busy guy and not so sure he could spend to much time away from his young family.
I do know the real 356 coupe guy (another nearby neighbor) might be interested. What's the initial thought here? A day? A weekend?

I'd be interested in a September run to sports car/356 country in IL or WI Dave Bash Indy

how about meeting at road america for the vintage week-end. bill

I live less than an hour south of Road America and went to last year's vintage races in September on that Sunday. It was a fun day, plenty of parking and no crowd issues. I'd be happy to be a staging/departure point for such a trip. I've got plenty of parking area, could possibly put some campers up, my house is not big enough to support huge crowds but there are motels and lodging within the area if an overnighter was considered.
That isn't to say that I couldn't host an evening of social activity at my house (plenty of external room for...cooking, liquids, garage space for inclement weather etc.)
I also am co-owners with some relatives of our summer home in Door County (just outside of Sturgeon Bay on Lake Michigan). That too could be used as a form of staging/gathering place. Those not familiar with Door County, do a Google.
Just thinking out loud here.

We had a great time in Door County. Well worth the trip from Mississippi

Marty---if it's at least two nights Alice and I would consider driving up there.

Marty:

I'm in from Peoria.

Bob

Ok, I'm gonna start planning for late Sept. How far North are the Mid-IL guys willing to travel? I am thinking lower WI should be in the running too. What do you think?

In the fall of 2004, the club began what has become an annual tradition. Ken and Eric Smith explored the back roads of southern Wisconsin, and they used what they learned to come up with a route from Beloit to New Glarus that is a dream come true for any 356 enthusiast.

Each year on the appointed day, we meet bright and early at a tollway oasis near Rockford and proceed to Beloit to pick up any Wisconsin participants. From there it's good-bye to the Interstate and hello to a morning's worth of the most scenic roads in the Midwest, through farm country and woods, up hills and down, with no traffic and no unscheduled stops...unless the fan belt snaps on your webmaster's car. Fortunately, when that happened in 2004 a spare was on hand, and we made it to New Glarus in time to keep our luncheon reservation.

After a delicious Swiss meal, we were headed home when another mechanical failure cropped up. This time it was a loosened gearshift rod connector on Wally Wright's Cabriolet. We managed to get the car into third gear, and a small caravan found a Farm and Fleet store that was willing to lend us a floor jack, whereupon Ken Smith bravely went under the car and made the repair.

The above snipit is from the Midwest 356 club. I know one of the members and may be able to get the details on this run they do yearly. Of course we can modify things. I think a stop in Lake Geneva(overnight) would be great for right seaters and then we can head west.

Southern WI is good as far as I am concerned.

Bob

I'm good with a Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin run with an overnight if that is what gets planned.

I'll be standing by.

Jack, you can stay as long as you like in Wisconsin.

Rich---yeah I have a friend in a care home in Peewaykee that I support some. Wouldn't mind tying in a visit to see him rather than a separate drive to Wisc.

WI is really not a bad drive from Hot Springs.

Jack, you're the one that stated you might be here to see your friend in Pewaukee in late March this year. Come twice and double your pleasure.

Have been looking at all the old posts and came across this. It would be great to see Bob, Stan, Rich etc for a semi local cruise. And being the new guy when do you all put these away for the winter. 

I'm thinking of driving mine out to Yosemite in early September, Joe. That's about 5000 mi round trip. If I can make it happen work-wise, I'm going to do it.

 

I put mine away when it's consistently below freezing, or when the roads are continually wet. Some years in November, sometimes early December.