NorCal Caravan to SLO

Count me in.

I'm contemplating a 2-day trip down south, stopping in Monterey on Thursday night and taking PCH down to SLO on Friday. But sometimes I get overambitious.

Ryan, that's a great way to get to SLO (we did just that two years ago), but you know that the coast road is still closed for mudslide repairs a few miles north of Ragged Point, right?

I am leaving from SF on Friday. Would love to meet up somewhere along the way. I am thinking about going down hwy 1 to Castroville and then cutting over to 101 in Salinas. Maybe we could connect there. Or perhaps in San Jose or Gilroy and I will go down 280 to San Jose. 

Thoughts?

Looks like quite the journey, Ryan.

I think I'd bring freeze-dried emergency provisions, three days of drinking water, a space blanket, and signal flares.

Scariest thing about Hwy 1 is spoty Cell service. Not that our cars ever break down. 

Hopefully next year I'll join in the fun.  I did a 140-mile trip from my house to St. Helena in the speedster this morning/afternoon (for work).  The weather today was great and I managed to avoid traffic.  The entire time I kept thinking how great it'd be to drive down to SLO.
Napa Valley has terrible cell coverage as well.  I always make sure to bring a few "emergency" cigars with me in case I break down and have to wait awhile.

I hear that concern. Last year I prepped for that exact circumstance.

I printed off copies of my AAA card and basic instructions for passers-by to help me out if I’m stuck somewhere without cell service. Along with a pen to draw a map to my car. I figure AAA can handle a dozen people calling about my emergency if it came to that.

I’m adding “emergency cigars” to the kit this year. Great idea @Kevin - Bay Area.

Here's last year's NorCal Caravan route — https://goo.gl/maps/YjRCEFC76Do

Last year we met up at a Chevron in Hollister at 11:30am for a spirited drive down the amazing Airline Highway to meet the SLO locals at Pier 46 Seafood around 1:30pm. This put us down in SLO in plenty of time for @Former Member's Happy Hour.

I may join you all again this year, but weather-permitting, I'd like to try a 2-day route this year, with a layover in Monterey.

You might want to think twice about including that Rick guy with the Spyder.  The last two group drives he has been on got rain and hail.  I'm just saying. 

We are hoping to shake the bad weather off this year 😂

Besides we might be stuck with the "nowhere near as cool car" if my back doesn't heal on time to get the car back on the road. New clutch is in, a new crank ignition system is now installed but needs be wired to the battery and ignition switch. Last but not least put all the bits and pieces back on the longblock and do a test drive  🤦‍♂️

We are still going regardless so count us in for the caravan 👍😎

Ryan, my brother and I just returned from a motorcycle/Vespa trip to Santa Cruz (to see Larry Carlton, awesome show, Kuumbwa Jazz Club). 

We took back roads all the way north until jumping on the 1 in Seaside up to S.C. 

Our return trip was down the 1 through northern Big Sur to Kirk Creek where the Naci/Ferfguson road takes you over the Santa Lucia/coastal range to G-41. We took that road for 5 miles where it forks (south/right) at Lockwood and continued all the way to Paso Robles where my brother took 46 west to Morro Bay via Old Creek Road and I continued south on back roads to Atascadero.

There's heavy traffic on Hwy 1 from Carmel to Big Sur since the northern bridge opened up and unusually heavy traffic over the Naci/Ferguson road since the naive think it's a "short cut"...it's not, but it's a wonderful speedster/Vespa drive.

Will

@Will Hesch, thanks for mentioning the beautiful detour south of Lockport. It adds 5 miles and 30 minutes to the drive. Not bad at all. And I can skip the 101 altogether!

@Rusty S and I did Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd and the PCH last year, in-between the landslides. We had the whole road to ourselves!

I knew that was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but I can't help but try again.

Rusty, trust me (that rhymes), you won’t have it to yourself this time.

OK here is a meeting point if anyone would like to connect. Phil Watts and I are planning on meeting in Salinas. We will be connecting at a yet to be determined dining establishment at 1200 hours. An hour and a half for lunch, so anyone that would like to meet there please let us know. Phil is coming from San Carlos (via 101) and I will be driving down Hwy 1 from SF and over to Salinas from Castroville. The restaurant I am checking out is the Steinbeck House. If anyone has in feedback on the place I would appreciate it. Looks really cool and it is just off 101 at 132 Central Ave. This is the birth place and boyhood home of  John Steinbeck. He also used to caretake a house in South Lake Tahoe while attending College at Stanford. 

We will then take the normal route to SLO down 101 from there.  I hope some of you can join us or meet along the way. 

This is going to be a great event. Thanks for putting it all together Scott!

PS Ryan I think they may be a lettuce field you could string up your hammock.

For what it's worth, it's Paul Watts, ....not Phil. That is, of course, unless  you think "Paul" owes you $$. If that's the case, I guess I'll stick with Phil! 

Well at least I got it right in my contacts file. Always had trouble with names. Both start with a P. Sorry about that Paul. Tell Phill he still owes me $5. 

Looks like the Spyder might make its appearance after all. So far it's running good, just need a few more miles to make sure she's dialed in for the long trip down to SLO. @Terry Nuckels are we meeting again at the Starbucks in the Leisure Town rd exit on 80 like last year?

Sounds like your back is better too? Looking forward to seeing you both.

That's great news, @Rick99GSX! 

Yeah, that sounds like a plan. What time?

@Dave Mitchell, @Ryan (formerly) in NorCal, are you in?

@Bob Hampton, meet you at Hwy 25?

NorCal hood! Y’all want meet up with Paul Watts and I in Salinas?  We are meeting there at Steinbeck’s on Central Ave. at noon for lunch. Departure down 101 to SLO around 1:30PM or so.  Breaker 19 bust out your CBS. 

I have the 1:30 lunch at Pier 46 in Templeton on the schedule, but I'll be driving down PCH starting in Monterey. Hopefully I'll be there in time for lunch, but I'm not looking to break any speed records on this particular stretch of road.

If plans change for you all, I'll be watching the thread to see where I can meet up with the caravan.

As far as time we live right next to the exit so just let us know more or less at what time you guys might be passing by and we'll be happily waiting for you guys  

Ryan

Paul and I are on for lunch at Steinbeck’s in Salinas at noon. Probably departing around 1:30pm. Maybe you can hook back in with us where you cut back to 101. What is the app we used before for tracking progress? May not help with the coast cell service. It is about 2 1/2 hours from Salinas to SLO. 

Any of the rest of you NorCal folks want to meet in Salinas for lunch? 

I may just make it. If I leave by Monterey by 8am, and make no stops, it's possible to make it to Pier 46 Seafood by 1:30pm. Of course I'm going to take pictures, so I'll just have to leave earlier.

BTW, I forgot how sparse gas stations are in Big Sur. Going to have to plan carefully.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Hey Rick @Rick99GSX! I'll meet you and Vanessa at the Starbucks like last year (which one is it again?) between 8-8:30 and we'll run down 680 - 101 and meet Bob @Bob Hampton at the Chevron station on San Felipe in Hollister like last year, at 10 - 10:30. We'll head down Hwy 25 to King City, 101 to Paso Robles (for lunch?) And on to SLO. @Dave Mitchell! Are you out there?

My cell is 530-305-1836.

 We are by the one on the Leisure Town rd exit. 8-8:30 sounds perfect

We're going earlier to stay with my sister in Lo Osos for a few days. will meet up in Slo

I made it to Monterey today. 12 hours after I started. Had some epic detours that were well worth the delays. I'll stay in touch tomorrow if I'm going to be close enough to join you for the last leg. Otherwise I'll see you for happy hour. Drive safe!

Sounds like a great day. For you thought epic could have a variety of meanings. Be safe tomorrow. You have my cell, perhaps we will all just appear at the same time. 

Just leaving Carmel . Not making lunch. So many beautiful things. See you tonight. Long road ahead. 

Drive safe, just had great lunch at Steinbeck’s childhood home. 

            Hope everybody has a good time!!!

_{(and somewhere along the way have a beer for me!)}

Al, I'm home (18 miles north of SLO) but I just cracked a beer with your name on it.

...since you're not here, I'll enjoy it for you 

Well shyt Will !....... I thought you were talking at me   re : Beer :~)

Have a great time with good friend!

ALan  aka Drclock

Will Hesch posted:

Al, I'm home (18 miles north of SLO) but I just cracked a beer with your name on it.

...since you're not here, I'll enjoy it for you 

I'll have 1 with you, Will. Cheers!

OK, you twisted my arm, I'll have one for you too Alan  

Alan Merklin posted:

Well shyt Will !....... I thought you were talking at me   re : Beer :~)

Have a great time with good friend!

ALan  aka Drclock

Will Hesch posted:

OK, you twisted my arm, I'll have one for you too Alan  

This is turning into quite the party. It's not even happy hour yet. Any one else joining in?

I’m trying to decide between a local micro-brewed beer or some Jameson Black Barrel.

Better yet, I should celebrate my project getting funded by opening that bottle of Red Breast a friend gave me.