soareyes

Al, I don't think any of us stopped at the lodge, but we did drive along the shore. A few more pics: Me taking a picture of Gert taking a picture of the sunrise on the ferry: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1288214632_DSCN2581.jpg Since we had to get up so early to catch the ferry, John decided to take a nap on the way up to Hurricane Ridge :lol: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/2048248381_DSCN2601.jpg (Actually, he was checking the speedo cable as his speedometer quit working)

Free day in Victoria today with no Sevens driving. I took a float plane hop along with Dion and his wife Sindy. Here's the plane, a Beaver: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1702149800_DSCN2569.jpg Dion got copilot duties: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/714828983_DSCN2521.jpg He's making sure the pilot knows where to go: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/50852551_DSCN2525.jpg Very smooth takeoff, my first on water: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/687295017_DSCN2559.jpg Airborne! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/245708778_DSCN2531.jpg The floatplanes run scheduled passenger service between the various islands, and operate in the harbor right downtown. This is a shot of central Victoria and the harbor: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/193173340_DSCN2539.jpg Lining up for a landing: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1213080102_DSCN2555.jpg Now it's off to dinner and early bedtime to make the ferry to Washington tomorrow.

We left Whistler this morning in light rain, caught the ferry north of Vancouver and drove into Victoria, where the weather is great, if a little chilly. I didn't take many pictures so hopefully others did. A day of rest tomorrow to sightsee! Ed Hudson and John Christensen on the ferry: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1195010982_DSCN2500.jpg Saw many Smart Cars in Canada, perfect for tight city parking spaces! Even smaller than a Seven. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1477846513_DSCN2511.jpg

Picture of our hotel in Whistler, very nice place: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/352039862_DSCN2482.jpg Whistler will be the site of the 2010 winter Olympics.

We enjoyed your company today! And thanks again for hosting all of us at your house yesterday. Good luck at the autocross :hurray:

Al, Chuck wasn't able to make the trip. edit - Mazda, I guess loading pics is working ok, test picture of me on the 2005 tour: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1104367858_DSCN1982.JPG

Goodnight! :cheers: hmm, can't post any more pics. Mazda, are we out of space?

A couple more before dinner: We were out of the forest into the desert in just a few miles: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/326093968_DSCN2415.jpg Then into farm land: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/481896194_DSCN2425.jpg Finally arriving at the motel in Leavenworth, Washington: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/292091946_DSCN2426.jpg Ein bier, bitte! :cheers:

The first part of the day was through Mt. Ranier park: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/2064091917_DSCN2381.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/849861244_DSCN2389.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/436589162_DSCN2395.jpg Hopefully Ed will post the shot he was taking. I can think of some interesting captions for this photo, but maybe I better not post them: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/159389711_DSCN2403.jpg Seven Sevens on the way out of the park: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/835925043_DSCN2405.jpg

Plan is to leave Packwood at 8:00, but first Dion needs an alignment: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1670627233_DSCN2367.jpg The pipe wrench ended up being the right tool for the job: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1635260919_DSCN2369.jpg No lack of advice from fellow Seveners: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/881188677_DSCN2372.jpg

More shots, our cabin at Crater Lake: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1755483686_DSCN2251.jpg Gert and Ed enjoying a hike: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/944615017_DSCN2253.jpg Tom Jones fixing his sticky throtte: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/967083995_DSCN2249.jpg Came across several areas of free range cattle in the road. That's not mud on the fenders! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/912145400_DSCN2240.jpg Random Crater Lake pics: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/538511420_DSCN2255.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1303480820_DSCN2257.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/452519285_DSCN2259.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/736848445_DSCN2276.jpg Leaving Crater Lake: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/337590116_DSCN2280.jpg Half hour later the rain started: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1366990968_DSCN2283.jpg

Sorry for no updates on day 2 as we didn't have internet access (or phone or TV - actually kind of nice) in Crater Lake National Park. Just more beautiful scenery and roads as you can see above, and then rain most of the afternoon of day 3. We have a free day today in Portland to dry off and relax. John C. joined us last night (Westfield-Duratec) and we need to get Ed Hudson a new tire. He bent his right front rim on a rock a few days ago and has a nasty vibration. Hopefully his spare rim will arrive today by Fedex. Tonight is a BBQ at Mike Johnson house. He is our support driver for the whole trip, and he lives near Portland. Off to play tourist!

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/17193277_DSCN2215.jpg So what is this? Feed the pigs and go dance? Dance with the pigs? Must be popular since you have to buy tickets in advance! We didn't ask.

Ready to start, leaving Vacaville: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/2063580637_DSCN2201.jpg The whole day was virtually traffic free, excellent twisty roads (except for a few construction zones), no incidents. Low hills at the start, gradually changing to mountainous scenery in the Weaverville: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1275167937_DSCN2206.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/189918962_DSCN2224.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/512224482_DSCN2234.jpg

It recently developed a hesitation that progresses to the engine dying within a few miles. The car runs fine for anywhere from 20 to 120 miles, then a stumbling/surging starts then dies, and it takes about an hour before I can go again. I replaced the fuel pump/filter/lines and the plugs/plug wires/coil, and various sensors. Gert, Magnus, and Doug (local Seven's owners who know alot more about cars than I do) spent a day 2 weeks ago checking the car and running various tests, but we couldn't find the problem. Woody and Larry have given me some more ideas on what to look for when I get back. Oh well, time for breakfast and then on to Weaverville!

Just before the tour started, I decided to make some major changes to my car to make it more comfortable for touring. Here is a before shot: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1564994939_DSCN1960.jpg And here is after: http://web.mac.com/soareyes/iWeb/Site/Lexus%20Drop_files/DSCN1804.jpg I'd say the changes were successful as I arrived relaxed with my hair in place! Actually, my Birkin had problems I couldn't fix before the tour started so I had to go with the backup car. :cry: :cry: :cry: Still, I plan to have fun.

The PNW2007 has started! We gathered this evening at Woody's shop (MSI Motorsports) in Vacaville, California, talked a bit, then headed over to the local airport for a very nice BBQ dinner and Larry's homebrewed beer. :cheers: I didn't get good car photos yet, but here are a few of us gathered at Woody and Larry's garage: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/2137252846_DSCN2186.jpg At the airport, Woody showed us his other "Seven": http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/664979015_DSCN2192.jpg That's Woody on the right in green and Gert on the left: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/891304770_DSCN2191.jpg Tomorrow to Weaverville!

I see the dipstick, but where is the engine? :lol: The partially covered green Birkin belongs to Folis?

Beautiful! :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: Nice trailer too.

Whatever my XM satellite radio equipped Garmin Zumo 550 is playing! Yes, I may be the only Se7en owner with satellite radio in his car. Actually I have had the Zumo for half a year or so, and enjoy listening to mp3's through the unit with the in-earbuds on long freeway slogs. I just recently got the optional XM antenna for the PNW 2007 tour so I can have more variety of music and news, and I'll even get to listen to two IndyCar races live! I know it may go against the spirit of Se7en's motoring, but it keeps me awake and alert, and doesn't block any more outside sounds than the earplugs I would normally wear.

Great, I just showed my daughter this video. Guess what she wants for Christmas. :nonod:

From the first pic, I'm glad to see you are maintaining proper hydration in the hot garage! :cheers:

For future reference, is there an optimum size when uploading a pic? I finally figured out how to specify a size when exporting from my Mac's iPhoto program. Pretty easy once I realized how to do it.

I watched some of his other videos and he is very good at what he does, and seems to be fairly well known in Europe. I wonder is he is related to that guy that jumps out of a plane with the stubby wings and jet engine strapped to his back?:crazy:

That is bizarre. I can't imagine what the motorcyclist thought when that guy passed him!