What a fantastic day! Great start out from Rio Vista, then off to the Cheese store where I got some fantastic smoked garlic cheese. The wineries were beautiful, ocean view awesome. Joe and Rachael did an wonderful job of putting together the maps and road trip for everyone. Lunch was superb, grilled Casper hit the spot along with the potato salad and other goods. I loved the toast to everyone with the cranberry juice, brought everyone together for a nice time. I don't think I will ever trust a GPS again though. On the way home it took us to a dead end in downtown Vallejo and was also telling us to turn left on highway 37 ~ there was no left!!! Finally turned it off and used the trip map and intuition to get back to Stockton. Stopped at Foster's in Rio Vista and saw Bawana's African animal collection - WOW!!! Then took my friend to the POINT restaurant on the water for her birthday dinner. Finally home at 830 and I crashed big time. Thanks to Joe and Rachael, Tim and everyone else for a great day out! Can't wait for the next one!!

 

While we were at the beach with the 66 degree temp, wind nicely cooling us down...... Little did we know......

Krystal's arms, neck and face...... My face and thinning hairline..... We're both lobstered, had no idea until much later in the day how bad badly we got sunburnt.....

Yeah you're not alone!

 

I'm just starting to get my strength back. What a nice day riding through wine country, seeing some of the most majestic ocean views. Really nice planned trip... Thanks so much for inviting us! Great tailgating at the beach, many thanks to Joe and Rachel for the great food!

Somehow on the way back down the coastal hwy when we left the beach I missed a turn and got incredibly lost..... I wound up making my way to Sonoma and stumbled upon 12 to 80 and made it home. The mirror compass saved me, as long as I knew I was heading east, I knew sooner or later I would find I-80 and I did..... Got home at 6 PM, could have been much worse.

Thanks again to everybody, it was nice to put faces to the names. We had a great time!

Fred

 

Fred, Sorry we were separated after lunch, looks like we both were lost at the end of this. I ended up in Petaluma and then found Hwy 101 South.

It was so great to have so many new owners join us on this cruise. We hope to all of you again real soon.

 

I was at the same place and decided against 101 (did not want to hit the tolls or go through the city). I think I hit like the alternate roads of our trip out there from Rio Vista. While I was exhausted (did not sleep at all Friday night), I was able to take in the sights a little more not being focused on following the car in front of me.

A really nice day overall!

Fred

 

Did anyone else have problems with their GPS giving bogus directions??

 

my GPS just doesnt pick up signal anymore. it turns on and takes 15-30 minutes to pick up a signal to go anywhere

 

My GPS worked fine. It was my co-pilots error (Even tho that statement will probably get me in trouble, I'm sticking to that story)

 

Hi all! So sorry I haven't posted more pics yet-- it's been a busy Sunday for me. I'm in my home office right now escaping a few guests in the other room
Probably my favorite part of this run was the world class scenery and roads we were on. Particularly California Highway 1 along the coast around Bodega Bay. I've driven this road many times but never in a solid line of 13 HHR's snaking along the Pacific Ocean and the seaside cliffs above it. The road twists and turns and dives and is an incredible run in general, much less on a California summer Saturday
Sooooo... I shot some video! Don't ask details, just know that this is raw, unedited video shot on my Blackberry. All sound is the sound inside the car (tinny, of course). Whatever was on XM when I shot it is the soundtrack. And the quality sucks, but cest la vie!
The first video (#1) is of me 5th in line with a cherry red SS and an amazing blue SS directly in front of me. Believe me, we weren't pushing it and they were chomping at the bit! Remember when you look at the cars in front of me that there are about 7 more snaked behind me in a line. Here is the first:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfCak3UrqE4

The second video is southbound and you can see the Pacific Ocean creating the horizon on your right in part of the video. This time I'm 7th in line and I particularly enjoy when you see us go through an S turn and the other cars are layed out in front of me. Looked exactly the same in my mirror!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzG7hlxts5k

Enjoy!

 

Digging that 2nd clip, Fred. Highway 1 is just the funnest road to drive on. Last time I drove it was without the sway bar (and the reason I got it!).
btw, which hand was holding the coffee?

Thanks for posting!