Amazing! Larry will have that electric smile plastered across his face for sure!
Thanks, Mike! I enjoyed catching up with you and the others. I wish some company people could join us to see what else Rivian is helping to build. Introducing people to each other for the first time and watching those friendships grow is as special to me anything else, especially after the pandemic s#!+show of these past few years.
Agreed! It was great to meet you, Mike!
A great time had by all indeed! Thanks again for organizing the meetup, Bruce, and brainstorming all the incredible options for future meetups, too. I'm looking forward to all the electric adventures to come. Cheers!Well, around here, they say "April showers bring May showers", and boy, did we get rained on. Still a great time, but that rain managed to arrive the instant I got there to set up. Luckily Dizzo and his family were already there, and uncle Larry and Doug got to go for a spin around the traffic-snarled area.
Thanks, Mike! I enjoyed catching up with you and the others. I wish some company people could join us to see what else Rivian is helping to build. Introducing people to each other for the first time and watching those friendships grow is as special to me anything else, especially after the pandemic s#!+show of these past few years.
It was a great evening, but the rain that started right as we got underway was a bit of a bummer. Next time, I'll forego washing my truck just before getting there. That magic carwash=rainstorm trick will be remembered, just in case a drought threatens us again this Summer.
Even with that downpour, those who made it seemed to enjoy the time together and, as a bonus, got to hear local Blues Legend, Sunny Hess and her band play, as the weather drove them inside.
I'm looking forward to having our next gathering either outside, or at least in a more rustic setting. In addition to places like the Rock Creek Tavern and Edgefield, I know a few winery owners that may be up for having us visit on a Saturday or Sunday, away from the hustle and traffic of a Friday night. I think all are suitable for families and many are dog-friendly, as well. We also have Silver Creek Falls and Champoeg Park to fall back on. Both would be great picnic/Camp Kitchen options.
The beach and the Gorge provide great day-trip choices. With DCFC close by, Newport, Seaside, and Hood River open up lots of options. The Oregon and S.W. Washington coasts are always fun, and also give us any number of logging roads we might be able to explore in the Coast Range. In that the Western slope of the Coast Range is a rainforest, there's plenty of mud and muck for us to go play in.
Once the fresh produce is hitting its stride, doing the Fruit Loop around Mt. Hood becomes a favorite trip of mine. It can make for a very full day. First stop, Timberline Lodge to check out the old place and the unparalleled views. Then, around the mountain and down Hwy 35 to Hood River to load up on all the fresh fruit and baked goodies there, especially all of the berries and cherries that hit before the apples and pears show up. There are some nice Forest Service side roads that can get us into some beautiful mountain settings along the way.
Hood River has plenty of wineries, breweries, parks, and also some large gathering areas right down on the water. It's also home to a number of artists and craft-makers. As it's the Windsurfing/Kite-boarding/Windsailing Capitol of the U.S., they have a ton of things to do and see. The Camp Kitchens might come in handy if we can't make up our minds on the many great restaurants or brewpubs there.
On the way back, the Gorge provides views found nowhere else, including all of the waterfalls. The classic Edgefield Manor gives us several places for dinner and things to do and see. From there, it's 15 minutes to downtown Portland, or spend the night and take in their heated pool that snakes through a corner of the property. It includes a poolside bar that's just for pool patrons. They also have a theater that allows food and their line of beers and wine from their property to be served. There's never a dull moment there, but it's always relaxing.
No matter what we choose to do, when the time comes, I hope someone reminds me not to wash my truck beforehand.
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With people coming and going throughout the night, this was those of us left when the rain subsided....for a minute.
Thanks to those who could make it and hopes that more will be able to join in next time.
Until then, Cheers! ?
Mike,
Great news folks! We have Fido's/48th North Pizza reserved for the evening of Friday, June 24th. Scott, the owner of Fido's, will also block off those front seven parking spots just for us. On top of that, the outside covered area will be open for us hang out and mingle.
