5erWest 2014 -- July 18-20 -- Oregon

[pldlnr]

I, for one, will never miss a 5erWest. It really is the highlight of my year. Jake and the team put together an amazing event.

I will not only ask mike about his 90* hood, but want to talk with Devinder about how Simon's car runs on unicorn tears.

[vinceg101]

Alright, time to bump this bad-boy.
Did you realize that there are LESS than 45 days until this spectacular event? (I know, not much of a countdown milestone, but it is starting to get exciting).

Who all from CA/AZ/NV/NM is going to this shin-dig?

[John SCB]

Unquestionably the best 5er event bar none! I have done it three times, but am sorry to say that I will not be there this year. Each trip has been an awesome experience. I will miss seeing all you guys that have made this event such a fun time for everyone. Getting there and back has offered the opportunity to drive some of the best roads in our western USA. I highly recommend taking the roads less travelled. Truly a 5er enthusiasts dream road trip!

[vinceg101]

^^^Unless you get behind a scrap metal truck

Seriously though, we'll miss you as well.

[Jake D]

I'm having a sad.

[ldsbeaker]

Hmmmmm...

[vinceg101]

Hmmmmm...

Doooooeeeet. You know you want to.

[Eta power]

Just got tires put on my new wheels. Moosehead doesn't have Spax in yet, so hopefully that will pan out. I really don't want to show up on bottlecaps.

[pldlnr]

I'm at that point with my car where it will have to be a serious push to have it ready. We will see if I can get it ready. I'll be there either way.

[tig]

I'm at that point with my car where it will have to be a serious push to have it ready. We will see if I can get it ready. I'll be there either way.

You can ride with me. Because, god-damn-it, I'm going to have Vlad ready (and broken in) in time. Hell or high-water.

[wkohler]

It would be good to see you there this year. I still haven't figured out what is making the trip yet.

[Kenny Blankenship]

I'm at that point with my car where it will have to be a serious push to have it ready. We will see if I can get it ready. I'll be there either way.

You can ride with me. Because, god-damn-it, I'm going to have Vlad ready (and broken in) in time. Hell or high-water.

Why not the "bench player?"

The E12 is being readied...I hope to have the hood repainted in time, it should be very pretty...

[vinceg101]

I was just looking over all the plates I have spinning along with my never-ending list of crap to get done before next month when I realized I haven't made a room reservation yet. Before I do though I thought I would check to see if someone already has and open bunk and is willing to split the room cost at the Clackamass Inn.

If not, I will. Let me know before the weekend is out as I plan on calling the hotel Monday morning regardless.

Back to work.

[tig]

Shit. I completely forgot about making hotel reservations. Happy to bunk with just about anyone except oldskool. Lmk.

[oldskool]

Shit. I completely forgot about making hotel reservations. Happy to bunk with just about anyone except oldskool. Lmk.

I am sadface again. . .dammit! I have feelings you know.

[vinceg101]

*EDIT
Okay, so now it is down to the 3 week mark, or 26 days to be precise.
Time to throw my typical Official CA/AZ/NV/NM Caravan Post, however I will condense it to really just the highlights this year. I leave Los Angeles, CA on Thursday 7/17 around 11am to give folks further south a chance to meet up and with the goal of stopping in the Sacramento area overnight. I would love the driving company, especially through the Central Valley, but we usually meet up with most the next day outside of Sacramento.

Day 1:Thursday 7/17 LA to Sacramento, +/-381 mi
*Meet up with anybody the Chevron Newhall parking lot in Newhall, CA (24137 Lyons Ave., Newhall, CA 91321). Right off the 5 at the Lyons Ave. exit. +/-11:00am
Drive north to Sacramento either up the 5 or 99, mood depending
I stay at Jay3's in Sacramento, CA, but in the past I've stayed in Woodland, CA just north of Sac.

Day 2: Friday 7/18 Sacramento, CA to Clackamas, OR, +/-560 mi
This is the marathon leg taking close to 10 hours when you figure in food and fuel stops.
We stop usually at the following locations:
Willams, CA, +/-40 mi: We meet here around 7:00am to meet up with anyone from the Bay Area and for anyone else from the Sac area. We meet at the Denny's right next to the Chevron Williams at the 5 and E Street.
Yreka, CA, +/-200 mi: Lunch stop. We have traditionally eaten at the Round Table Pizza (735 S.Broadway St., Yreka, CA 96097) not because we like it, but because there is precious little else in Yreka that could accommodate a large crowd of hungry drivers fast. But in 2012 we only had four of us, so I don't know maybe I'll come up with somewhere else this year. Multitudes of fuel variety though.
Springfield, OR, +/-215 mi: Fuel and Rest stop. We have also traditionally used the Chevron Springfield & Jackson's Market (3375 Gateway Street, Springfield, OR 97477) as our official late afternoon pit stop. Nothing special, just stretch your legs, tap a kidney, and fuel up. We gauge our stay with how long it takes to pick up any stragglers.

From here it is straight on through to Portland & Clackamas, OR. It usually puts us in Portland commuter traffic by the time we get there (the bottom loop of the 205 north/east through West Linn is bummer to bummer 2nd gear stuff at that hour).
We end the day at the Clackamas Inn or wherever you all are staying. Folks typically peel off from the pack at the 205/5 and then we fend for ourselves. Hotel check in then we head over to the Friday night Eat-Meet & Greet.

Return trip for me is mirror image of this starting Monday 7/21 at first light.

[tig]

Booked my hotel room! Happy to change it to a double if someone wants to bunk with me (even you Oldskool; you made me feel sorry for you).

[vinceg101]

Booked my hotel room! Happy to change it to a double if someone wants to bunk with me (even you Oldskool; you made me feel sorry for you).

Charlie: emailed about the bunk.

[oldskool]

Booked my hotel room! Happy to change it to a double if someone wants to bunk with me (even you Oldskool; you made me feel sorry for you).

Charlie: emailed about the bunk.

If you two share a room, would you kindly share all the hospitality with cek that I shared with you? N0 'mo . . .

[Kenny Blankenship]

Okay, so now it is down to the 3 week mark, or 26 days to be precise.
Time to throw my typical Official CA/AZ/NV/NM Caravan Post, however I will condense it to really just the highlights this year. I leave Los Angeles, CA on Thursday 7/17 around 11am to give folks further south a chance to meet up and with the goal of stopping in the Sacramento area overnight. I would love the driving company, especially through the Central Valley, but we usually meet up with most the next day outside of Sacramento.

Day 1:Thursday 7/17 LA to Sacramento, +/-381 mi
Meet up with anybody the Chevron Sylmar/Denny's parking lot in Slymar, CA (12881 Encinitas Ave., Sylmar, CA 91342). Right off the 5 at the Roxford St. exit. +/-11:00am
Drive north to Sacramento either up the 5 or 99, mood depending
I stay at Jay3's in Sacramento, CA, but in the past I've stayed in Woodland, CA just north of Sac.

Day 2: Friday 7/18 Sacramento, CA to Clackamas, OR, +/-560 mi
This is the marathon leg taking close to 10 hours when you figure in food and fuel stops.
We stop usually at the following locations:
Willams, CA, +/-40 mi: We meet here around 7:00am to meet up with anyone from the Bay Area and for anyone else from the Sac area. We meet at the Denny's right next to the Chevron Williams at the 5 and E Street.
Yreka, CA, +/-200 mi: Lunch stop. We have traditionally eaten at the Round Table Pizza (735 S.Broadway St., Yreka, CA 96097) not because we like it, but because there is precious little else in Yreka that could accommodate a large crowd of hungry drivers fast. But in 2012 we only had four of us, so I don't know maybe I'll come up with somewhere else this year. Multitudes of fuel variety though.
Springfield, OR, +/-215 mi: Fuel and Rest stop. We have also traditionally used the Chevron Springfield & Jackson's Market (3375 Gateway Street, Springfield, OR 97477) as our official late afternoon pit stop. Nothing special, just stretch your legs, tap a kidney, and fuel up. We gauge our stay with how long it takes to pick up any stragglers.

From here it is straight on through to Portland & Clackamas, OR. It usually puts us in Portland commuter traffic by the time we get there (the bottom loop of the 205 north/east through West Linn is bummer to bummer 2nd gear stuff at that hour).
We end the day at the Clackamas Inn or wherever you all are staying. Folks typically peel off from the pack at the 205/5 and then we fend for ourselves. Hotel check in then we head over to the Friday night Eat-Meet & Greet.

Return trip for me is mirror image of this starting Monday 7/21 at first light.

It's likely I will be going up with you on Thursday. In Yreka (or Weed, can't remember) there is a BBQ place as well as a Mexican restaurant.

[wkohler]

Vote for BBQ.

[vinceg101]

Vote for BBQ.

BBQ looks like the winner (when doesn't it?)
However, if you're thinking of Pat's in Yreka, they closed last year. In Weed, there is Silva's, which had some decent reviews.

[smitty]

Weed? Oh, shit.
I lived there for a couple years.
No, really, I actually did LIVE there.
The scars are fading, slowly...

5er west! Planning on attending and hoping there is a
flaking cheap ass respray / beat ass interior category.

[Dinan e28]

I just noticed my old 533 is still in the banner... Cool. That was a good drive with you guys.

I really loved that pic. Your car Chris K and my e28. What a fun day.

[Kenny Blankenship]

Vote for BBQ.

BBQ looks like the winner (when doesn't it?)
However, if you're thinking of Pat's in Yreka, they closed last year. In Weed, there is Silva's, which had some decent reviews.

I think it was in Weed. I recall it was right next to a Mexican restaurant which I know was there last year...

[redunzo]

For the northbound pilgrims, a perfect diversion from
I-5, Ca. 36 from Red Bluff to Fortuna. Or the 101 to Fortuna. Or the101 to Fortuna, and east to the 5. Well worth the added fuel!

[vinceg101]

For the northbound pilgrims, a perfect diversion from
I-5, Ca. 36 from Red Bluff to Fortuna. Or the 101 to Fortuna. Or the101 to Fortuna, and east to the 5. Well worth the added fuel!

No doubt; I've taken the 101 north up into Eureka before. Humboldt Redwood State Park was well worth the trip.
But for us, at least in this mini-caravan, time is of the essence. If I had an extra day, I would consider this route and continue the 101 up into Oregon (probably along the 199 into Grant's Pass).

As it is, I'll be leaving Sunday afternoon as I will be heading south and east through Mammoth on the way back. The 395 will be a nice drive.

[Kenny Blankenship]

Dammit, got E12 the car back from the mechanic and the HVAC controls don't work right. Might have to change plans and go with the E23. Not what I really wanted to do...

[wkohler]

What's not working right? Even screwed up, it has to work better than the E23. Do the knobs lack resistance for either the heater valve or the air distribution knob? You have almost three weeks to figure it out...

[Kenny Blankenship]

What's not working right? Even screwed up, it has to work better than the E23. Do the knobs lack resistance for either the heater valve or the air distribution knob? You have almost three weeks to figure it out...

I know...I had the AC fuse bypassed and put in a separate fuse. That's fine. I also tried to see if the stiff fan selector switch could be loosened and that's fine now too. But he had to take everything apart so some sort of heater valve started to leak. It doesn't seem to be put together properly because now I get heat in anything other than the "O" position on the left dial (no modulation), the left vent slider only slides half way and I think the fan makes a bit more noise than before, sounds like it's a tad loose...

I'll probably take it back on Monday. I should have NEVER asked to have the fan switch redone. It was working fine then. On the other hand, that valve may have let loose at any time.