Inevitably, after an event like the Beetleball, the discussion must turn to “what’s next”. Warwick and I discussed various options. There is a winter Beetleball event, but neither of us are too stoked on driving the bug through the winter…and we’re not so sure we’re into another interstate-only style race. With Warwick’s plans to buy a Mini at some point we also wanted an event that could include both of us. So…

Where do you find an event that combines twisty roads, classic cars of all types, crazy adventure (and maybe doesn’t require me driving 3500miles…)????

Well, that’s the problem. We don’t know either.

When in doubt, create your own.

:-)

www.touringadventure.com

-Dave

I haven’t really been available via email, cell or blog for the past few days…due to finally getting to race the Beetleball! Here’s the tale of our adventure…pieced together from our live posts on “Road to Targa“, with additions as I remember them.

For me the event started on Thursday Night, as I was sitting in the Airport ready to fly. My flight landed in San Francisco at 10:30, and I was walking down a very, very dark Pier 33 to the car around 11:30. The Beetle was just as I left in, except for a nice “Canadian” gear shift cover that Jimbo the race organizer had added. Within a few minutes the car and I were on our way towards Long Beach, an honest 7 hour drive. I stopped twice for twenty minute cat-naps, and the L.A. traffic even at 8am was impressive. I pulled into the Queen Mary hotel 10 hours after leaving San Fran.

1200 Miles of bugs tattoo’d to the front of my car

Just a little diry, eh? Time for a Wash!

(more…)

Whew!

So tired.

Sunday I woke up at 5am, adjusted the valves in the dark so I don’t have to worry about it the night/day before Beetleball. Headed through the Giant Redwoods and then down the coast on Hwy #1. Arrived at Jimbo’s shop around 5, he says Hi to all of you guys. Mentioned Silas and Bruce by name. Checked out the cars, hung around the shop for a bit, hit Alcatraz and then went to the airport and flew home. I actually wasn’t tired until I arrived back and had to do a brochure for print today…

Anyways, the Beetle is safely resting in Jimbo’s shop…desperately wanting a wash. I was actually disappointed to park it. We’ve had quite the little road-trip together. I do hope, however, that Saturday night is my last night ever sleeping in the thing.

I had to cover a lot more ground, so all my photos were a rush out, snap, and rush back in affair. The car is even running for all of them, so I’m not really happy with the quality.

-Dave

Valve Adjustment via headlamp…

Wow this car seems tiny!

We’ve only been separated 14 hours, and already I miss it!

so I’m standing at a highway view-spot, in the dark, wondering what time the sun rises at this time of year. I can see the fog slowly lifting out of the Ancient Redwoods forest, but not well enough to take a photo. The alarm went off at 5, I’ve adjusted the valves so now the only thing the car needs before race day is a wash and oil change. We’ve sprung a weep of oil somewhere top-side. Its getting on the tin, but still only made a drip the size of a nickel last night.

I slept 7hrs in the volkswagen, which should give you an idea of just how tired I was…

Now if only the sun would rise so I could get on my way!

-Dave

Well, it’s 9:19pm and to me it feels like it’s midnight. I’ve made it to “historic US101″, and discovered that I’m actually at the famous Californian Redwoods forest. Part of me wants to drive through and “get there” but I just can’t pass this opportunity up. I’m going to sleep here, wake up early and actually see them for myself. I’m in the little town of Humbolt, using a powerplug and the wifi at a diner while the girls clean up for the night.

Here’s a few photos from the trip so far, and then off to ‘bed’.

The earplugs have finally given me some relief from the road noise, tire noise, engine noise and wind noise. Oie.

I was SO sure he was coming after me. I was doing 78 in a 65…guess this guy was doing more!

(more…)

Oh my goodness, I have found the best road in North America.

I crossed the state line into california at about 330 this afternoon. I called up the race organizer, who is storing the car for me, and we agreed that I should detour to the coast and take the long way in. I turned off on hwy 96 and started a not-so-direct route to famous hwy 1.

The first part of the drive was through Kitsimuth National Forest, and the second half through Sx Rivers national forest. The entire drive is full of cornersn and I was reminded of the duffy the whole way. In fact I would say its probably abour 150 miles of duffy like road. Between Weichpec and Hoopa, however, it is simply amazing.

The section is only 7 miles long, but I could turn around now, skipping the beetkeball, and still go home happy.

The corners were so tight, they are banked. There is one section with a right-left-right combo, all banked and right on top of each other. It was like a roller coaster. My knee hurts from bracing against the door so hard.

I wanna go back!

Its just too bad no one was with me to share the experience… Ah well. Maybe next year?

So its now 7pm, I’m somewhere on the 299 west of Willow Creek and heading to Eureka. Not sure what my plan is at this point!

-Dave

Made it down to Centralia Washington last night. Its about 80 miles from the Oregon border, which means I should make San Francisco by 8pm if I stick to the I-5. I am thinking, however, that its a rare moment when you are so close to hwy-1 and have a day to spare…

The weather sucks at the moment, but if its better in California I think I’ll take the long way down.

other then the three-hour wait at the border its been a good trip so far. The fuel gauge doesn’t work, but bug is running fine. 70-75mph is no problem, but I’ve done some 20min stints at 80mph (indicated on the rally computer, which I would consider more accurate then the stock speedo!).

-Dave

Warwick always makes fun of me for travelling at the worst times possible. I can usually be counted on for taking ferries during long weekends, or trying to cross the border at the worst time imaginable.

I figured I had made my error for the weekend last night. When driving home from a company dinner I forgot to check the highway closures. The 99 was closed for construction from 10pm to 2am, and I arrived right at midnight. Two hours of sleep in the Beetle is not what I would call enjoyable!

In the last three hours I’ve managed to make it out of Squamish and fight my way through the rush-hour Vancouver traffic…only to arrive at my choice of a 90min border wait (Pacific X-ing), or a 2hr wait at the peace arch.

I suppose it could be worse, I could still be at home trying to get out of the house!

-Dave

Well, I’m all packed up and ready to leave. In fact, as soon as hit “post” I’m out of here!

It’s 1598 Kilometers to my destination of San Francisco…according to Google Maps it should take about 16 hours and 6min, assuming one doesn’t stop. I’m not kidding myself, it’s going to take a lot longer in the Beetle!

As per always, there are a few snags in the plan. My fuel gauge sender quit working, and I forgot to order a new one. With luck I’ll be able to pick one up along the way, otherwise my white-board marker will have to suffice until I get to California. I simply write down the mileage of when I last filled up, and my target mileage for the next fill-up. With luck, I guess the MPG correctly!

Enough typing, on to California!

-Dave