@Lane Anderson posted:I was hoping that the hotel would have done something with that area as Layton and I discussed it last year. An elevated firepit would be cool, if we can do that, but I have no idea what they cost.
The wash bin out of an old washing machine would work well in a pinch. I wonder where the closest junk yard is to the hotel.
@Robert M posted:The wash bin out of an old washing machine would work well in a pinch. I wonder where the closest junk yard is to the hotel.
That would be perfect for around here. It would also be full of various sized bullet holes.
Lowes is RIGHT around the corner. We all could pitch in a few bucks and get a 30" fire pit with legs and commence the melt down. With the owners consent of course. We just won't tell him about the melting part.
Lowes is SO close, that google gives walking direction. Hahaha
You only have to cross the most dangerous bridge for pedestrians and bicyclists in this area. We always joke that if someone gets a terminal disease, that person should take one for the team and die while crossing it. Only then, will DOT replace it.
@Carlos G posted:That would be perfect for around here. It would also be full of various sized bullet holes.
Lowes is RIGHT around the corner. We all could pitch in a few bucks and get a 30" fire pit with legs and commence the melt down. With the owners consent of course. We just won't tell him about the melting part.
I'm IN. I'll bet Chris, Stan, and Lane would be too. I can't speak for the others, but I'd wager it's a lock. That sounds like a plan. Afterwards, Carlos, you can put it in your yard.
Sounds like a plan. I’ll reach out to Layton about it and also to see if he’ll be joining us on a cruise.
We've seen his car and I don't think his car, or should I say the splitter on the front of his car, will survive the first run. We don't want to make the runs larger... We may loose people during, at least the first one, as it is.
I'm in to throw in some bucks for a fire pit. My brother is decided on bringing his Cobra. I told him he would regret not bringing his car by the end of the weekend.
I have decided to do some video-fer-ogggering so people can see all the fun they missed.
@Carlos G posted:We've seen his car and I don't think his car, or should I say the splitter on the front of his car, will survive the first run. We don't want to make the runs larger... We may loose people during, at least the first one, as it is.
I agree about both things, but I invited him last year and need to follow through. As for his splitter, I think the second run (the Rattler) would be better for him.
@DannyP posted:I'm IN. I'll bet Chris, Stan, and Lane would be too. I can't speak for the others, but I'd wager it's a lock. That sounds like a plan. Afterwards, Carlos, you can put it in your yard.
This seems like a no-brainer to me. A fire pit from Lowes is like a hundred bucks. Everybody (but Carlos) pitches a bit in a few bucks and we've got a fire.
Agree with the "but Carlos" part. He has done so much stuff that I would pay his share and a tasty beverage or two. Good call Stan
Amen, Chris. Now to see if our host will allow it. I'll do that tomorrow.
@Lane Anderson posted:Amen, Chris.
You spelled Stan wrong.
If he says no, I have a tablet that can play a video of a fire. It's the same thing really.
@Lane Anderson posted:Amen, Chris. Now to see if our host will allow it. I'll do that tomorrow.
It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. You do you, Lane - but I'd not give him time to think about why it might not be a good idea.
Yeah, I'm in on that. Let's just do it and see what happens. I'll have a 10 pound ABC extinguisher on standby(I keep one in the trailer).
We all know it's been wet enough there that there is a very low probability of harm being done.
I doubt it would even be possible to catch anything on fire that we didn't want to be on fire, but what do i know?
There are lots of reasons to like Stan and all he stands for, many of them subliminal. You know you do, but you just cant say exactly why. Full disclosure: I've been traveling the west coast and busy w all sorts of shyt at home, but please know that I am signed up and planning to do the slog. Arrive Wed, depart Sun, God willing. So check that box. Due to said travel, it has now taken me a bit to read through the recent dialog. I pick out two things for the record. First is I am also down with the community fire pit thing. Pls figure how to get that done. [I'm pretty sure I'm not going to like peanut butter bourbon, but that's a whole other story.] Second: the lyrical waxing on and on about coffee. Which relates to the subliminal messages mentioned above. As I read through the chit-chat I was forming up my personal rejoinders, as I do like a good cup of Joe, although I need to mind the caffeine. How was I going to explain all of that with correct prose and appropriate wit? And so it comes that I did not have to, as Stan has said it all about the way I might have. To wit:
"I'm still partial to super-dark, over-roasted Charbux French Roast. The Don Pablo was fine, but it didn't rock my world. Costco runs sales on what I buy.
Nobody likes my bean, and that's fine. I've got no idea who decided I was a coffee snob, but it's not true - I'm a coffee junkie. The caffeine is not the pull for me, it's the flavor of coffee. I like coffee. I'm perfectly happy with Folgers that's been cooking down on the hot-plate of a Bunn drip machine. I like strong coffee. More is more.
Hampton Inn dark roast is perfectly palatable. It's just not quite strong enough.
I don't want coffee that tastes like something else. I don't want coffee that barely tastes like coffee. I don't want any coffee that allows me to see the bottom of the cup, or even to see 3/4" down in the cup. I don't want any blonde roast nonsense. I don't care what the hipster "connoisseur" wants me to like - he's a little pretentious twit who's never been to Europe or South America to drink really strong, really dark coffee."
It is about the taste, and as the man said, more is more. My particular challenge is to find that perfect roast (for a cuppa or a dopio machiato) decaffeinated. I have found a few. They are made. Many coffee emporiums will say they can do a decaf espresso, but they mostly just use a decaf dark roast and pass it off as "espresso". N.B: I have indeed been to Italy (and Spain) where espresso rules with an iron hand, so I know. And for all you would be (or actual) coffee snobs/junkies that just tuned out at the first mention of decaf, I understand. I have found, with the encouragement of my cardiologist, that I really don't need that jolt, if the taste is right. Philosophical question: does anybody know what caffeine tastes like all by itself? What in fact does it add beside its effect as stimulant?
Can't answer that last question Kelly, but I do know that removing the caffeine usually requires some pretty harsh chemicals. I'll skip those, thank you very much.
There are ways to do it without the harsh chems, I believe. And I'd have to learn more about the residue from said chems, and how that plays.
Sounds like we are going to have quite the little debate about coffee and various methods for making same. I'm going to be sucking up to Stan, hoping he can introduce me to his fave.
Some Very limited research:
"As stated by others here caffeine is extremely bitter. Interestingly in coffee caffeine only makes up about 10–20% of coffee’s total bitterness - the remainder is from other alkaloids as well as the formation of secondary compounds (ie. chlorogenic acid, denatured proteins, phenylindanes, etc) created during roasting."
You wanted chemicals??
@Lane Anderson posted:Can't answer that last question Kelly, but I do know that removing the caffeine usually requires some pretty harsh chemicals. I'll skip those, thank you very much.
We always look for the Swiss Water process of caffeine removal - no chemicals. There is the harsh chemical method, but who needs that?
Dark roast, decaf coffee actually tastes good. I've switched to that after years of revving myself up with caffeine.
And it's a Canadian company. 
I had forgotten about the Swiss water decaffeination process, @Bob: IM S6. I may have to give that a try.
@Lane Anderson posted:I had forgotten about the Swiss water decaffeination process, @Bob: IM S6. I may have to give that a try.
It's a good, clean, non-chemical process done in British Columbia. Not sure why it's called Swiss Water - should be Canadian Water process...and we have some of the best water in the world.
There's nothing like the small and taste of original A & P store brand fresh ground "Bleecker" blend coffee and it' s still available.
@Alan Merklin posted:There's nothing like the small and taste of original A & P store brand fresh ground "Bleecker" blend coffee and it' s still available.
I can see it now:
Random SOCer - Hey Alan, how's the coffee?
Alan, It's Bleecker.
Random SOCer - Bleaker than what?
Alan - Never mind.
Do A&P stores still exist?
Anybody remember Mike Cochrane on here? He had a Speedster named "Fern" and did the artwork for the Carlisle T-Shirts before Cory Drake. He lives near Quebec City.
He is one of the founders and a Sales VP of Cafection - Part of the Evoca group - that provides gourmet coffee to the Fortune 500. Prior to that he founded a fitness company called Redzone Fitness. This is from his Linkedein account:
"We manufacture reverse french press single cup brewing machines. Having worked with all of the major roasters in the world and supplier to the best OCS companies. You will be amazed at how good your office coffee could actually be. All made right here in Quebec, Canada."
One of the Evoca machines is small enough to fit in a Spyder
Back to the original topic - cars in the mountains.
Mike Fincher has confirmed that he will join us Wednesday, and will be bringing my car. I have cleaned, checked, and prepare the trailer and tow vehicle (Pam's Outback) needed to get it back home. Now I just need to pack.
No Lane, all we can talk about on this forum from now on is COFFEE.
As Bubba said to Lt Dan, " Dey's uh, coffee-kabobs, coffee creole, coffee gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple coffee, lemon coffee, coconut coffee, pepper coffee, coffee soup, coffee stew, coffee salad, coffee and potatoes, coffee burger, coffee sandwich. That- that's about it.
You left out coffee cocktail, coffee scampi, and the low-country favorite, coffee 'n' grits.
I haven't yet figured out whether this is a driving event with a coffee issue, or a coffee event with a driving issue.... 🤔
@Gordon Nichols posted:I haven't yet figured out whether this is a driving event with a coffee issue, or a coffee event with a driving issue....
It's absolutely a driving event. If anybody wants to drink green tea from a sippy-cup, that's fine - as long as you're ready to wheel it hard in the mountains.
The car is as ready to leave in the AM as I've ever had it. The flatlanders are still gathering our whatnot.
The oil is changed, valves adjusted, timing set, carbs synced and adjusted. I put new swaybar bushings on the front and a couple of CV boots in the back. I made a couple of changes to the alignment, and have "highway" pressure in the tires. Brakes are checked, bags are going in even as we speak. This will be the last time I do a long trip with a distributor - they're just horrible, but the timing is as good as an SVDA 034 can be.
We're headed to apx. Louisville, KY tomorrow, then into Brevard on Wed. Two easy days, rather than one balls-out horizon run.
We'll have coffee ready for everybody but Tom. I heard that Tom's going to buy us all dinner on Saturday.
We'll see you gentlemen in a couple of days.
but but but..........................
Safe travels Stan!
Really, who cares what anybody does or doesn't drink?
We're somewhere in VA(long day of driving), tomorrow we're looking at some properties. Basically a one-day drive from home. That way we can visit family without an overnight. Then, a short 4 hours or so to Brevard on Wednesday.
My car was prepped on Saturday. Truck, trailer, and us made it through a few states.
Wednesday we'll see some of you. The other ones yacking but not coming, maybe some other time?
FIRE PIT UPDATE!!!!
Not only is Layton ok with the fire pit idea, but he is supplying us with a propane-powered one and a few camping chairs. If you have room, bring your own chair(s) so we have enough. If not, they're cheap at the nearby Wal-Mart.
Layton will probably join us on the Rattler cruise, but in his M550 rather than the 'vette as the latter is getting prepped for an upcoming track day.
See y'all tomorrow!!!
Today was "Drive your semi slowly in the fast lane" day on 81.
@Chris MacDonald posted:Today was "Drive your semi slowly in the fast lane" day on 81.
That's every day in my experience, Chris.
It did make pushing on the loud pedal a bit more fun as we weaved our way here.
@Lane Anderson posted:FIRE PIT UPDATE!!!!
Not only is Layton ok with the fire pit idea, but he is supplying us with a propane-powered one and a few camping chairs. If you have room, bring your own chair(s) so we have enough. If not, they're cheap at the nearby Wal-Mart.
Layton will probably join us on the Rattler cruise, but in his M550 rather than the 'vette as the latter is getting prepped for an upcoming track day.
See y'all tomorrow!!!
I wonder if the fire pit he's supplying is "a just for atmosphere" pit that doesn't allow the use of wood. You know, like driving an EV.
BUT, if it's a "start your wood fire with propane then turn off the propane" type, then that's A FIRE with smoke and crackling. Like driving an ICE car with a manual tranny and a sporty exhaust.
I'm sure it's the neutered let's be safe kind, but I'm a negative nancy.
I still need to know so I can gather some wood. I'll try and roll by and inquire.
