McKenZie Pass CruiZe - Rescheduled!! Now on 9-16-07!!

[Arne]

Here is an open invitation to Z owners within driving range of the Eugene, OR area for a day cruiZe through the historic McKenZie pass. No club memberships needed, just bring your Z.

Date - Sunday, Sept. 16 (not the 23rd as previously posted)

Proposed itinerary:

9:30 - 10:00 - Meet at a convenient location TBA in Springfield. Gas up (gas stations are scarce where we're going).

10:00 - Proceed East on OR Hwy 126 through a bit of farmland, and then follow the McKenzie River upstream.

11:00 - Stretch break at Jennie B. Harris Park, just East of McKenzie Bridge. Restrooms and a short walk to the river.

11:20 (or so) - Continue East on Hwy 126 to the junction with Historic Hwy 242 (about 5 miles). Turn onto 242, continue on this narrow, serpentine, but well paved road through the trees and into the lava beds.

12:00 (approx.) - Stop at the summit, visit the Dee Wright Observatory. No, not for stars and galaxies, this observatory (also known as "Lava House") was built entirely from lava rock by the CCC in the '30s. Restrooms and great views of the surrounding Cascade peaks (if it's not too hazy or cloudy, September is generally pretty good).

12:30ish - Continue East on 242 to Sisters. Eat lunch. Totally no host, everyone is on their own for lunches. You can picnic at a very nice city park on the East end of town, or at a nice campground on our way into Sisters. Or there are several cafes, restaurants and fast food to choose from, but picnicking is recommended, due to the time it might take to get served in Sisters.

2:00 - Head West on OR Hwy 20. Continue until the junction with 126, take 126 West.

2:45 - Stop at either Koosah or Sahalie Falls, or possibly Clear Lake, where the McKenzie River springs full grown from a spring-fed lake. The falls in particular are great. Sahalie does not even require a hike. (Restrooms at all of those three sites.)

3:15-3:30 - Return to homes. For some, continue back down 126 to Springfield. Others could do the same, especially if any want to chat over pizza or such before driving the last leg home. Or those of you from the North could backtrack slightly to Hwy 20 or Hwy 22 and head back towards I-5 and Portland. (Hwy 20 is a great sports car road, although maybe not the fastest route.)

Comments?? Times are just approximate, especially as the day progresses.

[Arne]

So, for the gathering place on Sunday the 16th, I've selected the parking lot of the Les Schwab Tire Store on Harlow Rd. in Springfield. Here are directions:

Take Exit 195A off I-5. This should head you East on Beltline Rd. (Watch out, lots of road, ramp and bridge construction at this exit.)

The first real intersection on Beltline Rd. will be Gateway Blvd. Turn right (South) on Gateway. (Side note, three gas stations at this intersection, Arco and 76 to the left, and Chevron half a block to the right. The Chevron will be easiest to access for the direction you are going. Remember that there aren't many stations between Springfield and Sisters, and none at all for the last 40 miles or so.)

Proceed South on Gateway through 6 traffic lights or so, until you reach a major intersection with Harlow Rd. Turn left on Harlow.

The Les Schwab on Harlow is about half a mile (at most) down the road and on the left side. I'm going to try to get there right at 9:30 or so.

[Arne]

Weather is forecast to be about ideal for non-A/C equipped Z-cars - partly sunny and lower 70s. Bring a picnic basket and join in!